1. The Importance of Spies: The roots of intelligence gathering

Leaders have needed information about their adversaries since the Pharaohs of Egypt. Surveillance was essential in every war since that time. In the US, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) is the “go-to” agency. Supporting our European Allies and fighting the Japanese could only be done with exceptional intelligence gathering! Great spy stories from WWII around the world!

2. Forming the CIA: a very hard task!

Once our ally, in 1947 the post war actions of the Soviet Union convinced President Truman that the US needed information about their capabilities. They were benefitted by that intelligence during the critical Cuban Missile Crisis!! Today, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the model for what “intelligence gathering” should look like. Spy stories throughout many years of the CIA!

3. Spy gadgets and Life-saving spinoffs

Many high tech products we might take for granted, from mammograms to the miracle of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), originated from spying on our adversaries. All were thanks to the work of the scientists of the intelligence community. There is still one great mystery on the CIA grounds. Perhaps one of the passengers could solve it. NSA still tries! You will feel like Bond’s “Q” seeing what spies really use!

4. **”For Your Eyes Only”** Inside the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) – Literally. No clearance; no entry. (A Virtual Tour of the CIA)

The buildings are a maze of hallways and locked doors. No tours. Rarely seen by civilians, the grounds are punctuated mysteries reminiscent of “James Bond.” The tools of the art of spying give assurance that the country is secure. You will really have toured the entire CIA!

Feedback has reported it as a “HIGHLIGHT DESTINATION” while on a sea day for many on the cruise.

5. Spy stories on islands and across oceans

Some of the greatest and most daring feats of espionage have happened on islands or in the depths of the ocean. Howard Hughes covered for the Glomar Explorer in the Pacific which performed one of the most amazing feats ever accomplished under the noses of the Russians near Hawaii. Native American code talkers turned the tide for the Marines in the Pacific in WW2. How did that ever begin? These intelligence feats turned hopeless situations into winning ones for our country and the world.

6. Need a great spy? Have a woman do it!

American Women have worked for the OSS and CIA from WW2 to the present, with a recent Director being the first woman Director! Julia Child led a double life. The Gestapo’s most wanted WWII2 spy was a disabled woman from Baltimore Maryland. Movie star Josephine Baker used her posh French villa to spy on the Germans. And many more…

7. Five Eyes and Spies!

What is Five Eyes? Five countries allied into the greatest strategic intelligence sharing ever. Events literally changing the world have amazing spy back-stories. Learn the backstory of how the Soviet Union dissolved. See a special operations “blood chit”, which has nothing to do with blood.  Strange KGB-embedded devices put in Embassy equipment. Took a long time to find.  What actually happened in the Middle East to finally allow us to find and capture Usama Bin Laden?  See just how the operation went down.

8.Spies, Lies, and Their Demise! Double Agents – Traitors

The Most Damaging Double Agents, Traitors of all time! Six of the Worst Spies in our midst! In 1776 Benedict Arnold sold out our commanding General George Washington to the British. In the present day senior CIA, FBI and NSA officers have been found to have spied for Russia for up to 20 years, the damage to our society and to secret programs has been immeasurable. This explains how double agents operate, and what their motives are. You will hear what millions of dollars in damage they did, caused over 13 heroes’ deaths, and how these traitors have either been captured or escaped.