Staff

Born in the Netherlands and growing up in a small coastal town, Ab started bird watching at a very young age. Watching and counting birds while migrating along the Dutch coast is one of his favorite activities. Later he started to survey breeding birds in the dunes around his hometown Noordwijk, wrote several reports and advised landowners how to protect the breeding birds.

After graduating with a diploma in Nature and Landscaping, he worked for the Dutch Royal Family for over 15 years.  He got his International Tree Worker Certificate and started his own landscaping company. He also used his climbing skills to help with several research projects, ringing Barn Owls and Tawny Owls.

After travelling and bird watching all over Europe, Ab started to guide small private groups to good birding places in Europe, USA, parts of Africa and Asia, using local bird guides and staying in local places. In his hometown Noordwijk, Ab was a volunteer crew member on a lifeboat  with the Dutch KNRM (Royal Dutch Lifeboat Association) for over 10 years.  He did his training in the Netherlands, Scotland, with the Dutch Coastguard and the Dutch Navy.  He loved to be out on the North Sea in bad weather conditions during SAR operations and training days.
Since 2015, Ab works part-time as a bird guide on Expedition Ships and has made several trips in the Artic and Antarctica.

Anne Dorthe has a Double master’s degree in Environmental Science from University of Copenhagen and University of Vienna. Anne speaks Danish, English and German fluently - together with Norwegian and Swedish on an understandable level. She has been working with tourism since 2007, where she spent the past 5 summers and a winter in Greenland as a destination manager and coordinator on expedition cruises along the Greenland coast. Today she resides in Denmark working as an environmental consultant in Copenhagen

Besides Greenland, Anne Dorthe lived in Greece, Thailand, New Zealand and Austria where either work or her studies on environmental science took her on new adventures – from being an activity and fitness instructor in Thailand to exploring the beautiful nature in New Zealand, and studying the impacts of pesticides in vineyard soils in Austria. Her focus is on contaminated soils and groundwater where remediation measures are the action to secure a cleaner environment towards human health and the ecosystem itself. 

Barbara was born in Austria and has always had a sincere passion for nature and mountaineering. Therefore, the biology study in Innsbruck fit perfectly to her interests. During her bachelor study program, she already worked for several scientific projects on cold ecosystems (Alpine region, Arctic) as well as the tropics (Central America). During this time, she developed a strong passion for the lives of animals, especially invertebrates.

She finished her Master of Science/Zoology with writing a thesis about a water bear species, a tiny resilient multicellular animal, living on the surface of glaciers. 

In 2012 the freshly graduated zoologist entered the world of tourism as a passionate nature guide and ever since joined many expedition cruises in cold regions (Arctic, Antarctica) and warmer climes (South America, Southeast Asia, Australasia, Oceania).

Brian started his career as a Geologist searching for the source of alluvial diamonds in the Congo.  As an Oil Industry Specialist with IBM he worked with oil companies around the world selecting and installing IT systems to optimize the search and production of hydrocarbons. His expertise in project management took him into troubleshooting and delivering major projects.  He is a competent marksman and has handled weapons for over 30 years. His spare time is spent sailing, skiing and walking in the Scottish Highlands where he indulges his enjoyment of photography, and he is also a published author. Latterly, Brian has been working as an expedition team member on cruises in The Arctic, Central and South America and New Zealand, specifically as geologist and Zodiac driver.

Daniel’s thirst to see the world lead him to be a seaman. He graduated from Taiwan Ocean University, with a major in merchant marine. Daniel has worked on ships since 2010. For four years Daniel worked on container ships, then another two years on well-known cruise lines as navigator, assistant safety and training officer. Now he is working as an Expedition Guide / Mandarin Interpreter in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Outside of work, he enjoys swimming, snorkeling, and driving luxury yachts near Taiwan’s coast line. Daniel also volunteers as a guide in a maritime museum, sharing the collection of historic vessels including steam-powered boats and warships with visitors. He recently started learning Spanish.

For over twenty years, David has been involved in the Arctic expedition and travel business. To date he has led, organized or participated in more than three hundred Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, trips and projects. In that time he has traveled thousands of miles by dog sled, ski, snowmobile, boat, kayak, ship, foot and most recently by mountain bike; the first person ever to cross Baffin Island by fat tire bike. He has completed nineteen successful expeditions through the famous Northwest Passage and guided over sixty trips to the polar bear capital of the world – Churchill, Manitoba. David has been recognized by the Explorers Club and was recently honored by becoming a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.

David has traveled on many ship-based expeditions to Antarctica working as part of an expedition team providing interpretive guiding, zodiac driving (licensed) kayak guiding and general expedition experience. In addition to Antarctic expedition ship experience, he has guided on more than twenty five Arctic ship expeditions. Responsibilities have included being in charge of the firearms on board, driving zodiacs, leading shore excursions, lecturing and general expedition team duties and responsibilities.

After living in Arctic Canada for more than twenty years, David is now based near Ottawa in Canada.

Diego is an active birder, naturalist guide and professional photographer. He grew up in Buenos Aires, and as an enthusiastic member of Aves Argentinas (BirdLife in Argentina), he spends many days in assorted trips in search of birds all over Argentina and other destinations.

After traveling through Latin America, North America and Europe, getting to know the diverse cultures and landscapes, he finally chose Patagonia as the place to develop his interests in constant touch with nature.

Naturalist Guide, licensed Trekking Guide and certified First Responder, he has worked for more than four years as a resident staff of Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia. He has developed and participated in many conservation projects in Santa Cruz

Province and in local schools and communities. He teaches birdwatching courses all along South Patagonia and does volunteer work for the NGOs that seeks to protect the environment and educate young generations on a sustainable way of life in southern Patagonia.

Since 1998 Diego has based in El Chaltén at the foot of Mt. Fitz Roy, and leads trekking, birding, and photographic trips in Patagonia, Antarctica and the Arctic.

A modern China expert with experience as Arctic guide and in customer service. Emil grew up in a quiet part of western Denmark, but his parents has always. been keen travelers, whichhas sparked Emil’s curiosity and driven him to live in a number of

different countries including mainland China, Hong Kong, Greenland and the United States.

Emil is a Copenhagen Business School graduate with a Bachelor in International Business in Asia with specialization in Chinese language as well as a double master’s degree in International Management and Finance. He has been learning Chinese language since 2010, and has studied and written reports on many different aspects of China. These topics ranges from sociology and international relations to business systems and financial markets. He has also been the representative of Denmark in the international Chinese language competition Chinese Bridge twice, that’s given him multiple scholarships and the opportunities to study Chinese and China.

Through his student jobs in Denmark and guide job in Svalbard and Antarctica, he is used to dealing with large Chinese groups, and has a intricate understanding of their mindset and culture.

Emil is enthusiastic, humorous and cooperative and enjoys experiencing natureand learning about the Arctic ecosystems.

Originally from the Northeastern United States, Gaby is a guide and outdoor educator with a passion for introducing people to the world’s most beautiful and unique places. She is a keen hiker, climber, paddler, and skier and has travelled extensively in search of the next great adventure.

Gaby has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and environmental studies from Hamilton College and is currently completing a master’s degree in outdoor education at the University of Edinburgh. Her academic interests are in phenomenology, existentialism, meteorology, glaciology, education, and the history of mountaineering and exploration. Gaby speaks English and American Sign Language, conversational Spanish, and broken Danish.

When not with Albatros Expeditions, you can find Gaby guiding on glaciers in Alaska, freelance writing, travelling, or in the backcountry learning alongside her students on remote wilderness expeditions.

Gerard is a renowned author and artist, with an education in Botany and Zoology, and an MA in International Politics and Environmental Management. He is also a fully trained Michelin chef and speaks English (his native language), French and Spanish.

His impressive biography includes having authored 15 books, creating documentaries for the BBC, writing for The Times newspaper, and being a stamp designer and beekeeper on his spare time. Gerard has more than 20 years working in Antarctica, and has overwintered 4 times with the British Antarctic Survey filling roles in both science support and conservation projects. 

Henrik is an Ornithologist and a Photographer.  has studied bird migration along coastal China, coastal Texas and in Egypt. He has trekked the Himalayas, visited the steppes of Central Asia, the Sahara Desert, the Galapagos Islands and has travelled all over New Zealand, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua and most European countries.

He is considered to be a specialist in identification of seabirds and marine mammals. He has participated in five arctic cruises in Davis Strait, in Melville Bay, in the fiords of North East Greenland and in the Greenland Sea with the purpose of counting and mapping the distribution of seabirds and marine mammals. Around Svalbard he has participated in a number cruises guiding tourists. Henrik also works as a professional ornithologist and guide in Denmark. 

Isabelle comes from the UK where she grew up sailing, surfing and spending as much time near the water as possible. After stopping competitive sailing to pursue her studies and work in marketing, she once again answered the call of the sea and has been working on traditional sailing boats for several years.

Isabelle has got to know the sea life of the Arctic pretty well, having enjoyed three years of whale watching guiding on the north coast of Iceland and season of whale and northern lights guiding in Tromsø. In the summer of 2018 she worked as Expedition Leader on an expedition sailing boat, sharing with guests the incredible landscape that is Scoresby Sund in East Greenland. More recently, Isabelle has been expanding her knowledge of Arctic environments working as a guide on Svalbard. She loves teaching yoga and has studied to become a sailing boat captain.

Jes has more than 40 years of experience as a Naturalist, Meteorologist and Specialist in bird studies and also has an education as an Atmospheric and Space Science Assistant. He has worked with Denmark’s Ministry of Environment and the Danish Ornithological Society; studied various species of sea birds, sea animals and whales in the North Atlantic; and conducted a 3-month study of migratory birds of prey and storks in Egypt in order to investigate the relationship between wind patterns and migration.

Jes is fluent in Danish and English and is a trained meteorological weather observer, who worked for 11 years with the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), operating radiosondes to measure meteorological data for air traffic in Greenland. Following a number of encounters with polar bears and walruses, while on Zodiac boating trips and dog sledding expeditions across thousands of miles in Greenland, he became hooked on the Arctic. Inspired by these experiences, he studied walruses in Dove Bay for the Greenland Fisheries Research Institute. Jes has travelled much of the world, especially in Africa, Northern Europe and South America. He has been fortunate to spend time in Antarctica, including landings at six different stations and Half Moon Island.

Jon was born in Copenhagen but moved to the deep Swedish forests at a young age. Jon´s passion for a life outdoors made him a captain in the Royal Danish Army before he resigned his commission and started his own adventure travel company in

Sweden.

Showing people from around the globe how to thrive in nature and enjoy a simple life has been his job for 10 years and has taken him on journeys across the globe.

Jon is native in Danish and Swedish, does guided tours for Norwegian groups, and is fluent in English.

Kim wanted to be a marine biologist since she was six growing up in North Carolina. She moved to Alaska for graduate school, and after obtaining her Masters degree, realized she had fallen in love with polar regions and never left. She has worked many seasons up in the Arctic Ocean as a marine biologist on research ships, where she studied the invertebrate communities in the Chukchi Sea. She has also worked as a cold water diver around Alaska, studying underwater organisms in the Gulf of Alaska and along the Aleutian Island chain.                                                                 

Currently, Kim works as a marine biologist  in Homer, AK where she studies paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and how it affects shellfish, forage fish, and predator fish.                                                                                              

Outside of the ocean, Kim enjoys back country skiing, hiking, exploring, and traveling with her husband Martin.

Larisa was born and raised in St. Petersburg. She started guiding in her home town at the age of 12. She won a scholarship in a Botanical garden and classes in the Biological Faculty at St. Petersburg Youth Academy of Art. Larisa graduated St. Petersburg State university in Public Relations. She has lived and worked in 6 continents out of 7 with a strong passion for extreme sports and nature.

In 2010 she sailed first time to Antarctica on board of an expedition vessel. A year later she navigated whole year long from Antarctica to the Arctic supporting stations and contributing scientific researches. Her life turned upside down, and Ocean become her «Home».
In 2016 as a new challenge she sailed a 65ft yacht as First Mate for more than a year, full of new experiences. But Antarctica was calling back, and in 2018 she joined again a new expedition team sailing to Antarctica. She always says that she feels so blessed to call «Work» her passion.

Since 2013 she has been living in Mexico, Yucatán Peninsula, implementing Eco tours with environmental protection. She studied and researched tropical waters and marine life diversity. Larisa worked and lived in different indigenous communities in Mexico, establishing ecotourism and preventing possible hazards for local people and nature.

Massimo started his career as traveler crossing the Ionian Sea, from the south of Italy to Greece by sailboat at the age of 15. That experience marked him for life. He has been crossing all the oceans on a sailboat ever since, and sometimes even solo. But the “bug” of traveling did not stop on the water. Thanks to his ocean knowledge, Massimo got a job as a fixer for National Geographic, which opened a new vision for his career path, and so he decided to become documentary photographer for the Society. In this way, his passion for human culture, history and wildlife became the reason to explore the Planet. After 28 years and 82 countries explored for Nat Geo, he still loves to travel and explore. His passion for photography is the key to open connections with people and Mother Nature.

There is no better combination for Massimo than traveling on a small ship, where the two sides of his life can merge together. He lives between London and Vancouver but, sooner than later, he will move back to the Mediterranean to produce olive oil part time, his new passion.

Originally from Korpo, in the southwestern Archipelago of Finland, Mikaela inherited her love and respect of nature and sea, from a long line of seafarers in her family. She started her career graduating as Radio Officer from Mariehamn Maritime Institute, working on merchant ships,  followed by ship´s purser on passenger ships . Slowly she gained seamiles and experience to follow her real dream:To become a professional yachtswoman on sailing yachts!

These yachts have taken her around the world several times, participating in races like the Volvo Ocean Race, Jacques Vabre and Jules Verne. Having spent so many miles and years on fast, extreme yachts, both in the Northern and Southern Hempishere, she now enjoyes being part of similar expeditions , although on somewhat slower ships.

Since 2009 she has been working as a tour guide, mainly in Europe and Africa, as well as zodiac driver in Svalbard and Greenland. When not enjoying her two favourite areas, the North and the South Pole, Mikaela enjoyes being at home on her small farm in Portugal, riding her horse or hiking in the Alentejo countryside.

Nadine is a proud Londoner, and has for the past ten years worked in High Jewelry management. For names such as Cartier, Tiffany and Bvlgari on London’s Bond Street, where she became a certified pearl specialist. This was before falling in love with the sea and traveling around the world selling jewelry and managing onboard boutiques on both Large and small cruise lines.

Apart from a love of all things that sparkle, Nadine likes nothing more than experiencing the unknown, whether it be food, new cultures or say… Antarctica!

Phil hails from Catalina Island in California. Having been exposed to life on the water at an early age, Phil followed a life-long passion and graduated with a degree in Marine Ecology from UC Santa Barbara. During his time in the university, Phil began working as a kayak guide at California’s Channel Islands National Park as a sea cave kayak guide and naturalist. From that instant he was hooked on the capacity to share the natural world around him with others. He  stumbled upon expedition cruising world and began his first couple sea-going seasons in Southeast Alaska. He’s since worked for a number of seasons in Svalbard and the Antarctic Peninsula as a kayak master, lecturer, rifle handler, and zodiac driver.

Phil is an avid traveler outside of work and spends a lot of time on the road. In his opinion, time on the water is time well spent.

Rashidah graduated with a Degree in Accountancy from Nanyang Technological University and worked in KPMG. Afterwards, Rashidah decided to go the unconventional route and pursue her passion for dance, and has been working as a professional dance instructor and performer. She now has over 10 years of experience under her belt, and is often featured on national TV, newspapers and magazines. Rashidah was once selected to demonstrate some dance moves to the ex-President of Singapore, and be a leader in the introduction of Zumba, which has now grown to be one of the most popular form of exercise. She has in the past performed for renowned celebrities and brands such as Nike, Adidas and Sephora.

A keen interest in learning about different cultures, as well as gaining new experiences, has led Rashidah across the globe and allowed her to connect with people from various parts of the world. She discovered her love for polar regions, and has worked as an expedition guide in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica. Rashidah is tri-lingual in English, Chinese and Malay. She is positive and sociable, and enjoys meeting new people with a smile.

Originally from Wuhan, China, Rose Li Graduated from Wuhan college with a major in Interior Design. During her spare time, Li continued developing her passion for traveling and trying new activities, such as dancing, drawing, singing, skiing, hosting, swimming and creating new activities as a guide.

Rose Li has been to more than 30 countries and is often aiming for new destinations. She has worked on well-known cruise ships since 2014 as an Expedition Guide and in Asia as a VIP Services Shift Leader.

From early age, Sandra has been an avid naturalist, traveler and photographer. She is fluent in English and German, and has basic knowledge of a few other languages. Fueled by curiosity and a passion for exploring, her extensive journeys have led the committed semi-nomad across the globe to pursue her varied interests in all kinds of nature and wildlife observations.

She holds a degree in journalism and has been working as a journalist, editor and writer for 20+ years. Temporarily based in Germany, Sandra co-publishes a photo magazine, designs and leads dedicated photo trips worldwide and hosts photo workshops. In addition to these accomplishments, Sandra has published two books on photography.

When visiting the polar regions for the first time, she immediately fell for the high latitudes’ nature, beauty and light. Deeply moved, she answered the calling, and has since returned to the Arctic and Antarctica every season. Sandra has gleaned considerable experience as guide and naturalist, photo guide and Zodiac driver on various expedition cruises in Antarctica, Svalbard and East Greenland.

Sarah was born and raised in New England but has traveled extensively throughout the world and calls New Zealand her second home thanks to strong family ties. Her sense of adventure, curiosity and scientific career has taken her to Antarctica, Alaska and the Arctic as she defies the stereotype of a lab scientist. Her research gear includes skis, tents, ice cores and dehydrated meals. Her expedition work includes Mass Balance Pits, Geological Surveys, Seal Census, a multitude of Citizen Science projects and the Juneau Icefield Research Project. She also loves to ride horses, trail run and ice climb.

She has worked as a high school science teacher for 6 years covering courses in Physics, Conceptual Physics, Environmental Lab Science, Robotics, Astronomy, and Climate Change

Sarah is a personable strong leader, certified EMT, WEMT and wilderness first aid instructor. She is also an American Mountain Guide Climbing Wall Instructor. She is a council member for Polar Educators International, a member of the Explorers Club, New Zealand Antarctic Society and Exploring Women advisor. She has her masters in astroparticle physics from the University of Canterbury working with the IceCube Neutrino Detector and her Post Graduate Certificate in Antarctic Studies.

Shayne McGuire was born in Missouri, and now lives in Southern California with her husband and 2 Belgian draft horses that are rescues. Shayne has had a camera in her hand for as long as she can remember. For many years she exhibited and sold her photographic work at high-end art festivals. All her work was shot on film and hand developed in the darkroom. She taught at an accredited photography school from 2003-2017 and holds a teaching credential in commercial photography. She has led photographic tours and workshops for over a decade and owns her own company.

Most of Shayne’s tour work, led her to work on boats, spending much time out on the water, which has become her passion. After taking an expedition cruise in the Arctic, she was hooked and came back to work on the same ship as the photographer in residence.  She has worked on expedition ships in the Artic for 5 seasons and Antarctica for 3 seasons helping people on the photo zodiacs and photo walks as well as lectures.  She is drawn to the light and wild beauty of both the Arctic and Antarctica.

Originally from Sergiev-Posad, in Russia, Slava studied in the Moscow University of Sports as a teacher of physical education, swimming teacher, rehabilitation, management of sports. Many of Slava’s shoes have been worn out in paths in Russia, Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, the Arctic and Antarctica, with 15 years of experience traveling the World as a photographer, writer, guide and translator. However, it was 2013 that defined his starting point in the cruise industry, when Slava had the opportunity to visit Antarctica on a sailboat. He then worked as an expedition guide in the Arctic and Antarctic Waters, peaking his interest for Polar History.

Known as photographer, travel writer, guide and translator in Russia, Slava often give lectures: How to travel the World, Under sails to Antarctic, Tierra del Fuego: journey on foot with a backpack, Wild life in Patagonia, How to survive in wild, Backpacker's life around the World, among other subjects.

Steve joined the Royal New Zealand Navy when he was  16 years old, and has spent most of his life on, in or around water, hence his nickname – Scuba Steve.  Steve is a PADI Master Instructor in recreational diving, a technical deep diving and gas blending instructor, a construction diver, commercial skipper, a first aid and oxygen provider instructor. He also holds an Advanced Trade Certificate, which he achieved while working for NZ's largest marine outfitter.  His accreditations include a title as Weapons & Electrical Mechanic, Royal NZ Navy, Boat Master, Royal NZ Coastguard, Skipper Restricted Limits, Maritime NZ, a Diploma in Recreational SCUBA Instruction, PADI Master Instructor and Certificate in Occupational Diving – Advanced Underwater Work to 50m.

After training as a Ski Instructor, he became the Health & Safety Coordinator for one of NZ’s largest ski resorts and has lived in the stunning alpine village of Wanaka since 2002. For many years, Steve co-organized the annual ice diving event in New Zealand, where many divers go to gain the cold water experience required for Antarctica.   

In 2012, Steve began planning and leading diving expeditions throughout the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. An avid outdoorsman, naturalist and experienced Zodiac driver, Steve also lectures on a variety of topics, plus guides sustainable hunting, fishing and camping trips to remote locations. Professional videographers regularly rely on him to provide underwater footage for their productions. His exploits have been featured in adventure magazine articles, and his work has contributed to several blockbuster movies, television shows and commercials. 

Ted grew up in Surrey, in the heart of London’s commuter belt, and has been working to escape into the wilds ever since. Having a scientific bent and a particular interest in the water, Ted went to the University of Plymouth to study Marine Biology and Oceanography. He emerged in 2012, both with a B.Sc and with professional qualifications as a scuba diver. This training not only allowed him to see and become obsessed with life below the waves but also gave him the chance to help with many student projects as a diver, volunteering at the National Marine Aquarium.

Post university, after a short stint working as an event medic, Ted entered the world of ecotourism as a crew and wildlife guide with a company working out of a tiny island south of Oban. Using small speedboats, it was possible to show off not only the fantastic wildlife of the Inner Hebrides but also to highlight the oceanography of the area and its incredible effect on marine life.  Tours regularly included venturing into the infamous Corryvreckan whirlpool and explaining the interactions of the local currents and their effects. The need to widen his experience of boats and the sea has led Ted to work on engineering projects involving the use of renewable energies and studies into their effect on the marine life around them. Ted is now an advanced powerboat driver and he is learning more about the marine world with every new contract.

Thomas is an Emergency Medical Technician, Firefighter, Maritime Security Officer, Urban Search and Rescue Specialist, Rescue Diver and Coast Lifeguard, Kayak and Fitness Instructor, with a Masters in Disaster Management from the University of Copenhagen and experience in the military. He has long experience working as an expedition guide arranging trips and hikes to the mountains of Tanzania, Ethiopia and the Alps of Italy, as well as to the Arctic. When living in Greenland, Thomas used to work as a Travel Coordinator and Hotel Manager in a small Greenlandic city. He was active in the Thule US Air Force Base in north Greenland as a fitness Instructor and arranging trips for the military.

Since 2012, he has managed cruise expeditions and trips to the west coast of Greenland, Svalbard and Iceland. There, he has guided tourists on different types of boats, expeditions, and dogsled - with his own 13 dogs - to the Inland ice, taking care of the runners on the Albatros Polar Bear challenge Marathon in Greenland.

Besides from his work at Albatros, Thomas has seven years of experience working in the humanitarian and security sector, mainly as a Global Safety advisor. In more than 15 countries he has participated in different missions; putting up camps in north Uganda for the UN, Relief, logistic and camp management in Haiti after the Earthquake, as Maritime Security Officer and as a Safety Advisor and trainer in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Nigeria and most of East Africa. He is fluent in Danish, English and some Swahili.

Born and raised in Austria, now home in the world: After studying International Development and Environment Studies in Norway, Vera pursued a Master in Responsible Tourism Management in England.

Throughout her studies she has also taken the chance to work in the tourism industry and to go on research trips to India, Tanzania and Laos where she could put the learned theory into practice. Her passion for adventures and traveling to wild places finally brought her to Svalbard where she worked as dogsled guide before joining the expedition industry. When Vera isn´t onboard, she is working as professional hiking & snowshoe guide in Austria or guiding land-based adventure trips worldwide. Vera is also a globetrotter, sport enthusiast, outdoor lover and hobby photographer.