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. 

Aviaaja was born in Greenland and spent most of her childhood in the Arctic. She has a BA in Spanish Language and Culture, combined with Tourism and Marketing, from the University of Copenhagen. She speaks Danish (native), English (fluent), Spanish (fluent), and French (basic).

Her career in the tourist business started in Venezuela as an adventure guide, where she also taught Spanish on the side. Since 2014, she has spent the summer seasons in the Disco Bay area of West Greenland. Here she has been Manager at Glacier Lodge Eqi, guided travelers on various boat and hiking excursions, and worked onboard the cruise ship Ocean Diamond.

The dream of Antarctica came true when Aviaaja started working at the world’s southernmost tent hotel “Union Glacier Camp” at 80 degrees South. Here she spent a total of 5 months living in a small tent on the ice. Her work, among other things, consisted of looking after the 100 tents in the camp, maintaining camp facilities, helping out with the Ice Marathons, assisting the many guests, and shoveling never-ending amounts of snow. Aviaaja loves telling about the history, exploration, and culture of the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

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.

Dorte always had a profound interest in Greenland. She ended up living and working 5 years in Greenland as Personal Assistant for The Governor of Greenland. Together, they visited and worked all around Greenland - from Kap Farvel to Station Nord - from East- to West Greenland.

She was headhunted by the then Prime Minister to work as his Personal Assistant in the Danish Prime Ministry and worked also as PA for the next two Danish Prime Ministers. This job involved among others: Planning, organizing, traveling on official visits worldwide with the Prime Minister and major industry delegations, and facilitating political, economical and cultural issues.

Apart from Greenland, Dorte lived in Switzerland, Kenya and South Africa, as most of her family has lived there since 1940. She worked as project manager at Art Galleries and at the National Museum of Art. She is a lecturer and author, educated systemic and professional coach and owner of Coaching Company, Step2.

Dorte has worked as tour guide for Albatros since 2006, covering destinations from North to South Pole. Experiences from her jobs have made her an expert in always having a plan B and knowing to expect the unexpected – handy tools, also for a tour leader. She is about to be educated as Ranger in South Africa.

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.

I have been in the tourist sphere for many years and my aim is always been to be as comprehensive and versatile as possible in life and therefore I have in addition to guiding held many positions of diverse nature, so that I am never afraid of taking on new challenges and jobs, wherever in the world they may come my way.

I love travelling and letting my clients partake in my experiences and I am not restrictive in sharing a good story or an event that I may have experienced if iy-t is to enhance the experience of the passengers in question and give a fuller content of their journey through ..for them…new lands. I have worked in most sectors of society and many ask me if I have lived ten lives. It sometimes feels like that, but the diversity is in my opinion what it is all about. Become a “compact” fountain of information. I enjoy what one of my neighbors said….”Why Google things when you can ask Fridrik”? I view that as a compliment.

I have lived in several countries, Sweden, Spain and Iceland for significant times. I have roots also in Sweden the home country of one of my grandmothers. Started school in Sweden and stayed many years in Tenerife as well and some other Spanish destinations for shorter periods.

George is an English ecologist with a lifelong passion for birds. Prior to joining the Albatros team, he worked as a guide in the Scottish Highlands leading groups on a variety of tours centered on wildlife watching and walking.

Alongside guiding, George’s training in conservation and ecology has taken him on research expeditions across the world including trips to the Amazon jungle, New Zealand’s uninhabited islands and sub-Saharan Africa. Some of his most recent work has involved studying the ecology of free-ranging dogs in remote sections of Chad and Ethiopia. From these trips, his best wildlife encounter was spotting a snow leopard and her cub hunting high in the Himalayas.

In 2017 George was awarded a PhD from the University of Exeter in Cornwall, UK. His thesis explored the management of predatory animals and the conservation conflicts this creates. Most recently, George has moved to Southern Chile where he is busy exploring is new home’s amazing flora and fauna. Of particular focus are the incredible seabirds of the South Pacific!

Gregers has 25 years of experience as an airline pilot, including a year stationed at Thule Airbase, located on Greenland’s northwest coastline. He is fluent in Danish and English.  He shares a deep fascination for the Arctic region’s people, spectacular nature, wildlife and the old polar explorers.

In 2014, Gregers was funded by the Danish Ministry of Education to write a book for Danish schoolchildren about Greenland and the Arctic. These interests and his desire to better understand the Arctic and Antarctic, inspired Gregers to open a polar school for Danish schoolchildren. Through this program, he travels Denmark, visiting schools and sharing his innovative education about our polar regions. Gregers has traversed Greenland on skis and together with his friend, they were the first Danes to walk on skis to the South Pole.

I was born in Kyushu, Japan. I majored in the Faculty of Geo Environmental Science at university. Natural geography major course (meteorology, topography, astronomy, Geology, Glaciology, Seismology, Regional Geography, Hydrology, Vegetation Geology). I went to research fields in Japan and fields around the world.

In Iceland, I did research on volcanic topography and glacier topography. In Greenland, I did research on glacier topography & geology and settlement geography.

I need mountain climbing technology to investigate mountain glaciers, so I belonged to the Tokyo Mountains Alliance to learn about mountain climbing technology. I climbed Mont Blanc, Kilimanjaro, McKinley and Aconcagua, the highest peaks of the five major continents.

Taking advantage of the above experience and knowledge, I have been a tour agent for travel agents as a mountain nature guide for around 25

years through the four seasons.

In addition, I am currently a part-time lecturer at three universities and elementary and junior high schools.

I listen to the message from nature and lecture that it coexists with nature. I will use the experience and knowledge to the participating customers, we will do the best hospitality to get the impression and satisfaction.

Professor James Floyd is a professional geologist and spent most of his career with the British Geological Survey (BGS) in Edinburgh, where he was the District Geologist for the South of Scotland (Borders and Dumfries & Galloway). He retired from the BGS in 2008 and has since worked as a geological consultant and freelance science and maritime history lecturer on cruise and expedition ships.

A graduate of Glasgow (BSc), Heriot-Watt (MSc) and St Andrews (PhD) Universities, James has wide experience of the geology of many parts of the world, including the Arctic and Antarctic.

In 2007 he was awarded an honorary professorship in the School of the Built Environment at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, for his research on architectural conservation, includingwork in Valletta with Heritage Malta.

As an earth scientist, James is particularly fascinated with the way in which geology and the environment has influenced the history and development of human cultures, settlements and societies. In addition to communicating popular science, expedition cruising allows him to share his other passions of modern naval, maritime and polar exploration history and travel.

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.

Born in Iceland at Heimaey or Westman islands, and was witness to the Vulcan eruption at Surtsey 1963 and at Heimaey 1973. Was working on Heimaey rebuilding the town after the volcano eruption but in 1985 I mowed to Denmark to study (teacher) 1991 I started my own Travelagency with focus on West Norden countries, Iceland, Greenland and Faroe island. Mowed back to Iceland in 2003.

In Iceland I am working in the travel industry and since 2011 I have been skipper on my one boat sailing with tourists and fishing in the season from May to September in the north of Iceland. Also working as a guide in fishing and hunting trips both on land and sea. In the winter time I work in Asia planning trips for Icelandic tourists.

Josef has a great passion for outdoor activities and is a keen orienteering runner, hunter, shooter, sea kayaker and polar swimmer. He has a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Copenhagen. Since 2013, he has combined his passion for outdoor activities and fascination with the polar regions by working in tourism in Greenland. Josef speaks Danish, English and broken German.

He has worked as a hiking guide in West Greenland as well as doing lectures on culture and history. In the Swiss and Italian Alps, he has guided extended hiking trips. He has worked as an ice camp manager in Eqi, and a Zodiac driver on an expedition ship in North and West Greenland.

Josef has worked for five years in pediatric cancer research and published his own research on pediatric cancer. When Josef is not travelling, he is studying medicine in the University of Copenhagen and works part time as a doctor in an Emergency Department.

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!

Peter Croal is an exploration geologist and has been working in International Development for 35 years. He will be the Geologist in Residence on Fogo Island, Newfoundland, Canada for the summer of 2018. Of particular interest to Peter is how climate change is affecting developing countries, and how the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples can be better used and respected by business and governments to solve development challenges.

His work has taken him to over 40 developing countries, which has provided him with a wide range of poverty/environment experiences. Peter and his family had the wonderful opportunity of living in Namibia for 2 years to develop and manage a project that would help the poor of southern African countries. Peter started his career prospecting for uranium, zinc, silver, petroleum, peat and groundwater in Canada. Peter also spent 15 years as a wilderness canoe guide for Nature Ontario.  He has been to the Arctic many times, and has been a guide for Arctic voyages for 6 years. In his spare time, Peter enjoys photography and fiddle and anything involving outdoor activities.

Originally from Alghero, Sardinia, Renato now calls the grey skies of London his home, but often heads to cooler places to pursue his passion: Nature Photography.
Specializing in wildlife and Nature Photography, Renato has visited over 70 countries and been commissioned for newspapers, magazines, tour operators and tourist boards… even leading specialist photographic tours to a number of destinations around the planet.

Award-winning photographer and regular contributor to the BBC, Renato has been featured in a number of international contests, such as the National Geographic Traveller Grand Prize winner 2018, International Nature and Bird Contest winner 2017 and 2018, GDT - European Photographer of the Year 2017, Top LATA Published Photographer of the Year 2016 and 2017, Wanderlust Photographer of the Year in 2017, Bird Photographer of the Year 2015 and 2018 among others. 

Samuel hails from Quebec City, Canada. He has an education on Electromechanical automated system, and speaks fluent French, English and some Spanish.

At a young age he discovered his interest for videography and photography over there making snowboard videos. A couple of years later, Sam found himself on a cruise ship headed for Hawaii working as a Videographer. This gave him the opportunity to sail the 7 seas, quench his thirst of seeing the world and film it. He eventually moved to the realm of expedition cruising and ended up as a video chronicler filming polar bears and Walruses in Svalbard on a Russian ship much to his amazement. The videography slowly took a secondary role and Samuel’s work as a naturalist and expedition guide began taking all the space.

Over the years Sam has worn many hats on various vessels, from looking after the zodiac fleet to being camping master and photography lecturer. When on land, he is involved in the renewable energy sector. Sam is one of the few people to ever skateboard in Antarctica. On his free time, Sam can be found on his sailboat, the m/v Monsieur Tranquille, on the majestic St-Lawrence river of Quebec, Canada.

Sara is a Danish geologist who’s rappelled down into an active volcano in Vanuatu and hiked to the very top of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. She’s been nose to snout with a polar bear during her mineral exploration activities in Greenland and been far down underground digging for crystals in Slovenia.

Most of the year she spends exploring the world of rocks under the microscope discovering sources of building materials used for ancient castles and churches. In her spare time, you can find her in the forest on the mountain bike, doing walking tours around Copenhagenshowing rocks used for facades and pathways, or out somewhere on a mountain on foot or snowboard.

Shannon was born and raised in the Canadian prairies. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2011, Shannon migrated west to Vancouver Island. Here her love for the ocean flourished. While traveling overseas Shannon had the opportunity to work as a nature guide and kayak guide in Milford Sound New Zealand; thus beginning the career change from nursing to guiding. She now spends her summers leading kayak expeditions on the west coast of Vancouver Island, traveling in the shoulder seasons and occasionally working as a travel nurse. In her spare time she enjoys scuba diving, teaching yoga and embarking on personal kayak expeditions; most recently a 730 nautical mile circumnavigation of Vancouver Island.

Born and raised in Alaska, where she currently resides. Shelli is a Master in Sea Kayaking, Zodiac Driver, Marine Biologist and Polar Naturalist, who has also been a wilderness leader since 1997 and an expedition guide in both Antarctica and Arctic since 2007. Shelli is a native English speaker, can understand Flemish as well as some German and Spanish. 

Shelli has participated in many observational studies in Northern Pacific, North Atlantic / Arctic and Antarctic waters as well as in several research groups, primarily studying the identification and biology of humpback and gray whales. Her passion for spending time in the Polar Regions extends to learning about changing environments, ice, glaciers and evolving distribution of wildlife. When not guiding, Shelli is also an accomplished artist with several exhibitions under her belt and an illustrated bird book publication.

Stefano Tricanico was born and raised in South Africa. He has been exploring the earth’s wild places for 20 years and documenting his travels using photography as a tool to share his experiences. Stefano has led an adventurous and nomadic life dominated by climbing and exploratory expeditions in the Himalaya and Patagonian Andes. He has guided over 200 alpine caving trips and volunteered for the British Columbia and Alberta Cave Rescue Team. Stefano spent three winters dog sledding and instructing winter survival for the British Armed Forces on the frozen lakes of the Canadian Rockies.

In addition to being a RYA certified Yacht master Ocean skipper for sailing vessels, Stefano has instructed the technical skills he acquired over the years to many people in order to prepare them to travel and survive in challenging environments. His deep appreciation for the natural world led him to spend considerable time volunteering at sea for Sea Shepherd Marine Conservation Society as a Bridge Officer, 3^rd Engineer, Ship Medic, Zodiac driver and drone pilot to help preserve and protect our ocean environment from over exploitation.

Stefano’s dream and inspiration has always been to discover the wild and unexplored corners of the world, and this continues to be the driving force in his life. He hopes to share these experiences with others, to broaden their view of the world so that we can all grow to appreciate it more and take it less for granted.

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.

Ursula grew up in Switzerland where she enjoyed the outdoors and developed a strong interest in nature, animals and conservation. She has an MSc in Marine Mammal Science, from the University of St. Antdrews, Scotland. Ursula speaks fluent English, Swiss German and German as well as French (proficient). After obtaining her teacher’s degree for craftwork she travelled to Canada where her dream of her childhood came true and changed her life; she met whales and dolphins in the wild. She then joined the research organisation ORES and dedicated the next 20 years to the study of baleen whales and, just as importantly, to share the knowledge gained with people of all ages.

Her focus became the little known but highly fascinating common minke whale. The research focused on the habitat use, behaviours, feeding strategies and photo-identification. During thousands of hours in her zodiac she was able to unfold unique in-depth insights into their lives, their tricks to outsmart the prey as well as their individuality and curiosity. She loves to share her fascination and enthusiasm on-site and during lectures to raise environmental awareness and action. Ursula has worked as a tourist guide, lecturer and zodiac driver in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Antarctica.
During cruises she will be on the lookout for marine wildlife and always happy to talk and explain. When at home she produces life-sized animals for schools and environmental education.

Wan began his career as an Outdoor Planner in Taiwan, arranging hiking, cycling and diving tours. He has gone to Everest Base Camp twice and luckily survived the severe earthquake in 2015. Wan is skilled in activity preparation, trekking, diving, canoeing, and has previous experience as a Super Capacity R&D Assistant Engineer, English Speaking Tour Guide and Outdoor Development Independent Contractor.

Now, he focuses on outdoor education programs such as LNT and sea kayak in Taiwan and is ready to share the beauty of Antarctica with young explorers in Pacific Asia. He currently works as an Expedition Guide and Language Interpreter for Albatros Expeditions on both Arctic and Antarctic expedition voyages. In addition, he brings small groups to China, Nepal, Alaska and Canada for various outdoor programs.