Since 2004 Jack has lectured on sixty five different topics on more than sixty three cruises.  His richly-illustrated special interest lectures focus on the history and culture of many popular cruise ship destinations and also on marine life and underwater exploration.

      At the age of 13 Dr. Jack Hardy read a recently published book called "The Silent World" by Jacques Cousteau. Totally enthralled by the possibilities of underwater exploration, he purchased one of the first commercially-available "Aqua Lungs" and began diving. Fascinated with the great variety of marine creatures, he decided to pursue a career in Marine Biology.

      Jack is now Professor Emeritus of Western Washington University and former Chair of the Department of Environmental Sciences. His many research projects have examined marine life from polar seas to tropical coral reefs. He is author of several books including "Climate Change: Causes, Effects, and Solutions" and over one hundred other publications dealing with coral reefs, marine pollution, and climate change. Jack is an Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has served as a consultant on marine environmental issues to numerous organizations including the European Commission, the U.S. National Science Foundation, NASA, the National Academy of Sciences, and several United Nations agencies and national governments. He founded and developed one of the Pacific Northwest's leading renewable energy companies.

      His overseas experience includes two years as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Micronesia, four years teaching in the Middle East, and travel in over 105 countries.

      Jack is an avid skier, SCUBA diver, and bicyclist.