Areas of Specialty
ENRICHMENT SPECIALIST – A research historian by training, I have studied the history and culture of
numerous parts of the world and am prepared to speak on these various areas and cultures.
DESTINATION SPECIALIST – Having visited almost 60 different countries and all seven continents, I can
often speak on various destinations from a first-hand perspective.
PUBLISHED AUTHOR – For 60 years I have been collecting “amazing but true” stories from around the
world which have often been ignored by historians. They were the basis of my book “Alfy’s
Amazing But True Tales…” They are also the source for a whole series of talks which I have presented also entitled “Alfy’s Amazing But True Tales…” You can hear many of these stories by visiting my podcast on various sites such as Spotify or by going to my website www.alfysworld.com. My podcast has already been visited by individuals from 42 different countries.
BLUE-WATER SAILOR – In addition to spending hundreds of days at sea aboard cruise and naval ships, I have
spent 35 years skippering sailboats from 30’ to 50’ on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Gulf of Mexico,
Florida Keys, Cuba and even the Firth of Forth in Scotland. I have made a study of vessels from dugout canoes to 1000’ Cruise ships, their historical development, and how they work. I am also well
acquainted with and have vast experience with navigation at sea. On each of my numerous cruises, I try to spend time visiting with various ship’s officers concerning these subjects. I have been afforded exclusive tours of the ship’s bridge, galley, etc. (A bad day at sea is better than a good day on land.)
Talks
They Challenged the Seas Here is a history of just a few of the great adventures who challenged the oceans of the world. From St. Brenden the Navigator and Lief Erickson to Jean-Jacques Savin, a 72-year-old Frenchman who actually sailed across the Atlantic – in a BARREL.
Alfy’s Amazing But True Tales. Based upon his book and podcast both named “Alfy’s Amazing But True Tales,” these are unusual but true tales that history has forgotten, such as the history of coffee, coffee having been discovered by a goat; how a military battle led to the invention of the croissant; how Washington’s false teeth helped to win the Revelutionary War; and more
The Wonderful World of Ships and Navigation Why do we call the left side of the ship Port and the right side of the ship Starboard? How does one navigate at sea with no roads or signs as guideposts? These questions and more are answered when we investigate how cruise ships work and how they navigate the seven seas.
Alfys Amazing But True Tales – International More stories that history has forgotten such as: Hiroo Onoda, the last Japanese soldier to surrender from World War II – he surrendered in 1974; how 3 drunken miners became the first to climb Mt. McKinley in Alaska; a Frenchman who could eat anything, from a television set to an entire airplane; Sir John Montague, the man who invented the sandwich and was the namesake of the Sandwich Islands, a.k.a. Hawaiian Islands; and more.
Magellan, He Challenged the World and Lost Though he never completed the Journey and for years was considered a failure, his name and his expedition would go down in history as the first to ever circumnavigate the world. This is his true story.
Unknown Women of History For centuries written history, which has been dominated by men, has overlooked historic women such as: Hatshepsut, the outright ruler of Egypt for 22 years in the 18th Dynasty; Boudicca, who challenged the mighty Roman Legends in Britain in 60 C.E.; Ann Bonney, one of the most fierce pirates of the Caribbean; Night Witches, WW II female Russian pilots who terrified the Nazis, and more
Black History that Time and Historians forgot
The Story of Exodus as Told Through History, Science, and Archaeology
The Power of Listening
Great Pirates of the World
Recent Cruise Ship Appearances and Presentatons
AMERICAN QUEEN CRUISE LINES – Ocean Navigator, April 29 – May 11, 2022, Portland Maine to
Toronto, Ontario.
“The Beauty of Nova Scotia and Prince Edwards Island”
“The Charm of Old-World Quebec”
“The Excitement of Toronto”
“Alfy’s Amazing But True Tales…” Unusual, captivating, stories from history, often gone untold.
“The Wonderful World of Ships and Navigation”
AMERICAN QUEEN CRUISE LINES – Ocean Navigator, August 26 – September 6, 2022, Chicago, Illinois to
Montreal, Quebec.
“Discovering Port Colborne, Toronto and Montreal”
“International Fun in Detroit, Windsor and Cleveland”
“The Charms of Mackinac Island, Sault St. Marie and Little Current”
“Alfy’s Amazing But True Tales…” Unusual, captivating, stories from history, often gone untold.
“The Wonderful World of Ships and Navigation”
AMERICAN QUEEN CRUISE LINES – Ocean Navigator, October 22 – October 29, 2022, Boston,
Massachusetts to St. Johns, New Brunswick,
“Relaxing in Newport, Martha’s Vineyard and Provincetown”
“History and Culinary Delights of Portland and Rockland, Maine”
“Small Town Charm and Beauty of Bar Harbor, Maine and St. Johns, Nova Scotia”
“Alfy’s Amazing But True Tales…” Unusual, captivating, stories from history, often gone untold.
“The Wonderful World of Ships and Navigation”
“Forgotten Women of History”
HOLLAND AMERICAN CRUISE LINES – Volendam, November 5 – November 19, 2022, Civitavecchia,
Rome to Fort Lauderdale Florida
“Finding Adventure in Alicante and Malaga, Spain”
“Old World Charm of Cadiz, Spain and Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal”
“Those Who Challenged the Atlantic, Then and Now”
“Fun Facts of Spain and Portugal”
“Alfy’s Amazing But True Tales…” Unusual, captivating, stories from history, often gone untold.
“The Wonderful World of Ships and Navigation”
HOLLAND AMERICAN CRUISE LINES – Volendam, March 5 – March 18, 2023, Manaus, Brazil to Fort
Lauderdale, Florida
“Discovering the Amazon”
“Welcome to French Guiana, Home of Devil’s Island”
“Gems of the Caribbean”
“Pirates of the Caribbean, The True Story”
“Alfy’s Amazing But True Tales…” True but often never before told, unusual stories from history.
“The Wonderful World of Ships and Navigation”
“Those Who Challenged the Atlantic, Then and Now”
“More “Alfy’s Amazing But True Tales…” Unusual, captivating, stories from history, often gone untold.
(I have multiple PowerPoint presentations completed and ready to be used. It also should be noted; I always try to create new presentations to fit the needs of specific cruises and desires of cruise directors)
What Others have said about Alfy’s Presentations
Actual, written comments from audience members on past cruises.
- “A special “Thank You” to Alfy Wolfram for telling us a great deal about Devils Island.”
- “Thank you for making our cruise special.”
- “Your lectures were both entertaining and informative.”
- “For the first time, your presentation helped us to understand how navigation at sea really works!”
- “Best Lectures we have seen on any of our cruises!”
Evaluation of my presentations by Ryan Baird, Cruise & Travel Director aboard the Volendam with Holand America, during transatlantic cruise.
- “As a Cruise Director, Alfy was a delight to have onboard. He delivered meaningful, impactful lectures with Immense enthusiasm! Alfy went above and beyond to ensure guest satisfaction. With a wide variety of lectures to choose from, Alfy was always on call for last minute lectures if the need arose.”
