Ep47: Belencia Wallace - Full Time Cruise Content Creator

In this episode of Deck Tales, Sammy Catling chats with Belencia — better known as Ladybug Travel — a full-time content creator who has spent the past eight months living entirely on cruise ships. Broadcasting live from various corners of a Royal Caribbean ship (including a chapel for peace and quiet), Belencia shares what it’s really like to be a “constant cruiser,” hopping between nearly 30 ships while building a social media career at sea.

From managing Wi-Fi, mail, and logistics to navigating ports independently, saving money through loyalty status, and balancing nonstop travel with content creation, Valencia offers a behind-the-scenes look at a lifestyle that sounds glamorous—but requires serious planning and stamina. Along the way, she reflects on favorite destinations, least-favorite ports, cultural lessons learned abroad, and how going all-in on herself has already paid off with viral growth and major media features.

Key Takeaways

Living full-time on cruise ships is possible—but only with extreme organization and planning

Cruise loyalty status can dramatically reduce daily living costs (Wi-Fi, laundry, drinks)

Being a digital nomad doesn’t mean slowing down—burnout is real, even in paradise

Independent travel in port offers deeper cultural experiences and major cost savings

Betting on yourself can pay off, but momentum brings new challenges and overwhelm

Cruise ships can be a powerful platform for storytelling, connection, and global reach

00:00 – She Lives on Cruise Ships

How Belencia ended up living full-time at sea

06:12 – How This Lifestyle Even Started

The moment cruising turned into a life choice

13:45 – What Full-Time Cruise Life Is Really Like

Daily routines, cabins, food, and onboard reality

20:58 – How She Affords Living at Sea

Costs, budgeting, and whether this is cheaper than rent

28:31 – The Biggest Myths About Cruise Life

What people get completely wrong about living on ships

35:44 – The Hardest Parts of Living on Cruise Ships

Loneliness, logistics, and things no one talks about

42:57 – Friendships, Dating & Social Life at Sea

What relationships look like when you never stay still

50:03 – Health, Safety & Long-Term Sustainability

Burnout, routines, and how long this lifestyle can last

56:41 – Is This Lifestyle Actually Worth It?

Trade-offs, regrets, and unexpected rewards

01:03:28 – Advice for Anyone Who Wants to Do This

What to know before trying full-time cruising

01:08:20 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next

Reflections on freedom, travel, and what comes after

To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on:

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For all links you can head to the official website:

https://www.decktales.co.uk

If you wish to support the page you can leave a welcome donation at:

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And if you wish to read or listen to my first book, you can buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244

Get Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here

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Ep46: Richard Jones - Naval Engineer and Author

Today I'm speaking with Richard Jones — Royal Navy weapons engineer by day and one of Britain’s most prolific shipwreck and disaster historians by night. Richard shares how a lifelong fascination with maritime disasters turned into nearly three decades of research, 27+ published books, and multiple memorial campaigns honouring forgotten tragedies.

The conversation dives into shipwrecks, air disasters, historical myths, and the emotional weight of researching real loss. Richard explains why he focuses on overlooked stories, how social media transformed historical research, and why he believes history belongs to everyone — not locked away in private archives. From Costa Concordia to lost wartime ships, this episode explores the thin line between human error, hubris, and remembrance.

Key Takeaways

History isn’t owned — it’s shared. Richard’s mission is to preserve forgotten disasters before their stories disappear forever.

Research is part detective work. Separating myth from fact often takes years of interviews, archives, and firsthand accounts.

Modern tech changed everything. Social media now connects historians directly with survivors, families, and rare evidence.

Memorials matter. For families, plaques and books can provide long-overdue closure and public recognition.

Human error repeats itself. From Titanic to Titan, lessons at sea are often ignored — with tragic results.

Respect over sensationalism. Some truths don’t need to be published to honor the people involved.

https://shipwreckdata.wixsite.com/richard-m-jones

https://bsky.app/profile/wreckmasterjay.bsky.social

https://disasters-shipwrecks.blogspot.com

⏱️ YouTube Chapters (01:08:27)

00:00 – Welcome Aboard Deck Tales

Setting the scene: life at sea, disasters, and forgotten stories

04:12 – From Navy Engineer to Shipwreck Historian

How Richard Jones balances classified work with disaster research

09:35 – Why Most Tragedies Are Forgotten

Media bias, death tolls, and how history chooses what survives

15:48 – Shipwreck Myths vs Reality

Separating fact from fiction in maritime disasters

21:32 – The Human Cost of Disaster Research

The unseen emotional toll of studying real loss

28:10 – When Research Brings Families Closure

Memorials, survivors, and why remembrance matters

35:04 – Titanic, Titan & Repeating Mistakes

Why maritime disasters keep happening — again and again

41:22 – The Survivors Who Defied the Odds

Rafts, wartime sinkings, and impossible survival stories

48:05 – The Worst Captains in History

Ego, negligence, and decisions that doomed thousands

54:18 – The Biggest Shipwreck Conspiracies Debunked

The Titanic switch theory and other myths destroyed

01:01:10 – Beyond Titanic: Why These Stories Matter

Legacy, memory, and preserving history before it’s lost

#piratelegend #seadogs #piracy #shipstories

To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/decktalesofficial

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/decktalespodcast.

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@decktales

For all links you can head to the official website:

https://www.decktales.co.uk

If you wish to support the page you can leave a welcome donation at:

https://ko-fi.com/decktales

And if you wish to read or listen to my first book, you can buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244

Get Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep45: Zamira Chevrestt - Volunteer Co-ordinator for In The Same Boat

Today I'm joined by Zamira, a volunteer coordinator and sustainability ambassador for the Norwegian environmental NGO In The Same Boat. Zamira shares what it’s really like cleaning marine litter along some of the most remote and unforgiving coastlines in the Arctic and Northern Europe — from freezing North Sea crossings to hauling tons of abandoned fishing gear off rocky beaches.

The conversation dives into how the NGO operates its fleet of sailboats, trains volunteers with little to no sailing experience, and balances hands-on cleanup with education, data collection, and systemic change. Zamira also opens up about the emotional highs and lows of life at sea, burnout in the NGO world, and why staying hopeful — and human — is essential when tackling an overwhelming global problem.

🌊 Key Takeaways

The Arctic is heavily polluted — even the most remote coastlines are clogged with marine litter, especially from fishing industries.

Cleaning is only part of the solution — education, data tracking, and collaboration with industries and governments are critical for long-term impact.

Volunteers don’t need sailing experience — just resilience, teamwork, and a willingness to get uncomfortable.

Life at sea is intense — physically demanding, emotionally charged, and deeply bonding.

Burnout is real in environmental work — stepping back, finding joy, and focusing on small wins keeps people going.

Individual actions still matter — change spreads person to person, habit to habit.

📌 Chapters (01:07:57)

01:38 – Meet Zamira & “In The Same Boat”

Cleaning the Arctic, sailing north, and teaching kids why the ocean isn’t a bin

04:10 – Volunteering at Sea: Who Can Join & What It’s Really Like

No sailing experience, extreme conditions, and physical demands

06:02 – Crossing the North Sea & Surviving Rough Waters

Seasickness, storms, fear, dolphins, and why sailors keep coming back

09:50 – How an Arctic Cleanup NGO Actually Works

Funding struggles, boats, tech, volunteers, and scaling impact

12:40 – First Cleanup Shock: “I’d Never Seen This Much Trash”

The myth of “clean” Norway and what shows up on remote beaches

16:25 – A Day in the Life of a Marine Cleanup Crew

12-hour days, midnight sun cleanups, weather chaos, and logistics

20:35 – One Million+ KG of Trash & Tracking the Data

GPS mapping, fishing nets, hotspots, and working with industry

28:15 – Burnout, Boat Life & Being ‘In the Same Boat’

Mental health, friendships, drama, romance, and volunteer reality

35:35 – Plastic, Wildlife & The Stats That Hurt

Seabirds, whales, microplastics, and why this is urgent

41:00 – Schools, Hope & Why the Next Generation Matters

Teaching kids, community impact, staying hopeful, and what you can do

52:30 – Boat Life Fun: Initiations, Food Fails & Reality TV Energy

Ghost pepper shots, porridge crimes, and why this should be a show

01:01:30 – Final Reflections: Why This Work Is Worth It

Small wins, real change, and not giving up on the ocean

To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/decktalesofficial

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/decktalespodcast.

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@decktales

For all links you can head to the official website:

https://www.decktales.co.uk

If you wish to support the page you can leave a welcome donation at:

https://ko-fi.com/decktales

And if you wish to read or listen to my first book, you can buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244

Special Thanks To:

Zamira Chevrestt

https://www.inthesameboat.eco

Get Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.