LONDON, UK. September 9th, 2026 – Maritime podcast Deck Tales is returning for a fourth season, bringing listeners more candid and often unexpected stories from the people who live and work at sea across the cruise, shipping, naval and wider maritime sectors.
Hosted by former cruise ship entertainer and author Sam Catling, Deck Tales explores the side of maritime life that passengers and those on land rarely see. Episodes cover everything from onboard emergencies and dramatic incidents to unusual characters, workplace pressures and the challenges of spending months away from home. Since launching in 2024, the podcast has reached listeners in more than 100 countries.
Previous seasons have featured guests sharing first-hand accounts of passenger-overboard incidents, experiences during the pandemic lockdowns, environmental controversies, paranormal encounters and organised criminal activity onboard. Past conversations have also included crew experiences of working on a nudist cruise, as well as how a comedian dealt with the death of a passenger sitting in the front row during his performance.
Other episodes have examined the realities of life aboard ships where thousands of people can live and work together for months at a time, often thousands of miles from family, friends and home.
Although entertainment is central to Deck Tales, the podcast also tackles serious issues affecting people who work at sea. These include mental health, workplace pressures, safety, inappropriate behaviour and the difficulties crew members can face while spending extended periods away from their families.
Sam, who is also the author of the comedic memoir Seems Like Smooth Sailing, created the podcast to give people working across the maritime industry a safe environment in which to share their experiences.
Sam said: “People see the cruise ships with their waterslides, roller coasters, poolside selfies and beautiful destinations, but that’s only half the story.
“The people working at sea across the entire shipping sector experience hardships we just can’t imagine on land. I wanted to create a safe space for crew from all types of ships, backgrounds and careers to come forward and share their stories, so others can learn about some of the realities and be better prepared if they’re about to go to sea for the first time.”
The fourth season will continue to bring together guests from cruise ships, merchant vessels, naval service and the wider maritime community.
Listeners can expect a mix of humour, drama, unexpected turns, disasters and memorable characters, alongside a closer look at an industry that remains largely out of sight for the travelling public.
For Sam, the podcast is ultimately about making sure the experiences of seafarers are heard.
“People who work at sea have some of the best stories in the world,” he added. “Sadly, most of them never make it ashore. Deck Tales intends to change that.
“We dive deep into a range of topics, from shipboard jobs and career paths to sustainability in the maritime industry. Whether you’re dreaming of a career at sea, an experienced maritime professional, or simply fascinated by life on the water, this podcast offers an inside look at what it really means to work on a ship.”
The first episode of the new season of Deck Tales will be released in December. For more information, visit www.decktales.co.uk.
ENDS
