Passenger ships have always played a key role in shaping our lives and destinies. From the biggest to the smallest, the most beautiful to the most basic, in peacetime and war, they have carried emigrants, holidaymakers, troops and other travellers on countless life-changing journeys – and many of those passengers have a tale or two to tell about their time on board.

Tales from Great Passenger Ships is a collection of intimate and often humorous portraits of the most famous and notorious ships to ever sail our seas. From the escapades of passengers and crew to terrible disasters, infamous controversies and thrilling rescues, author and former Queen Mary entertainment officer Paul Curtis takes a nostalgic voyage through the history of seagoing.

PAUL CURTIS went to sea at 18 and worked as a ship photographer aboard ten different passenger ships, before being appointed cabin class entertainment officer aboard the Queen Mary. When the Queens were sold off he moved to New York, then Australia, and worked as a photographer, journalist, magazine publisher and finally Chief Operating Officer for the Imaging and Digital Entertainment Association (IDEA). He has three awards from the Australian Institute of Professional Photography: Hon Life Member, Hon Fellowship and the McCarthy Award for an exceptional long contribution to professional photography. He lives in Queensland.