Seabourn has unveiled the distinguished expedition teams that will guide guests on voyages to Antarctica during the 2025-2026 season aboard the purpose-built expedition vessels, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit.
Each ship will host a hand-selected team of 23 accomplished experts, including ornithologists, marine biologists, historians, oceanographers, and geologists. Renowned for their passion for exploration and deep knowledge of the natural world, these specialists bring decades of field experience, transforming every moment on board and ashore into an immersive learning journey.
“Expeditions with Seabourn are where luxury meets adventure, and our expedition teams are at the heart of that experience,” said Mark Tamis, president of Seabourn, in a statement. “We’ve carefully curated a group of world-class experts, each selected for their depth of knowledge, engaging presence, and passion for exploration. Their storytelling and expertise turn every landing, Zodiac ride, and onboard lecture into unforgettable moments of discovery.”
Throughout each sailing, Seabourn’s expedition team will guide guests on Zodiac landings and explorations, share insights during enriching lectures and casual conversations, and offer interpretation during wildlife encounters and kayaking excursions. Submarine pilots will also take guests beneath the surface in the ships’ custom-built U-Boat Worx Cruise Sub 7 submarines, revealing the stunning underwater world of Antarctica. From guided explorations with expert naturalists and immersive sessions on wildlife, climate, and polar history to personalized wildlife spotting and the Polar Plunge, each moment is designed to deepen guests’ connection with this remote and remarkable continent.
Meet the Team
Seabourn’s expedition teams comprise more than 80 accomplished professionals from around the world, each bringing unique expertise and passion to the line’s Antarctica voyages. The individuals highlighted below represent a selection of talent that guides and enriches every journey, showcasing the depth of experience and dedication found across the full roster.
Expedition Leaders
Luciano “Luqui” Bernacchi – Based in Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina: A senior polar guide with over 15 years of global expedition experience, Luqui has been part of Seabourn’s team since 2015, leading guests in polar and remote destinations. He is a Certified Senior Polar Guide (PTGA), ski patrol and birding guide, and serves as director of the Glaciarium Ice Museum in Patagonia.
Fridrik P. Fridriksson – Born in Iceland, based in Telemark, Norway: With over a decade of polar guiding experience, Fridrik holds multiple guiding certifications and a background in Business Administration and Arctic Guiding. He speaks several languages, including his native Icelandic.
Chris Clarke – Originally from Oldham, Northwest England, United Kingdom: With 16 years of expedition cruising, Chris has led voyages to Antarctica and Alaska, serving six Antarctic seasons and helping open Seabourn’s Alaska program. His deep love of remote landscapes drives his passion for exploration.
Dominic “Dom” Del Rosario – Born in Imus, Cavite, Philippines: With more than 20 years of experience at sea, including seven in expedition cruising, Dom has led voyages across the polar regions, Asia, and the South Pacific. He’s also an expert small-boat driver for remote landings.
Juan Restrepo – Born in Manizales, Colombia: A geologist with a master’s focus in Coastal Geomorphology, Juan has explored every continent and brings more than a decade of leadership experience in global expedition travel. His career began as a Divemaster on luxury yachts before expanding into full-time exploration.
Submarine Team
Dr. Merel Dalebout – Based in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia: An Australian marine biologist and botanist, Merel earned her PhD in Ecology & Evolution and has discovered several new species of beaked whales. She joined Seabourn in 2022 as a submarine pilot, combining scientific expertise with her love of global exploration.
Isaac Yebra – Born in Spain, based near Barcelona, Spain: A submarine pilot and flight instructor with dual degrees in Environmental Biology and Geology, Isaac has over 20 years of experience in travel and aviation. A conservationist at heart, he also operates a sustainable olive oil and truffle farm near Barcelona.
Photographers
The expedition photographers lead Seabourn’s Image Master’s Program, a hands-on workshop offering in-depth, in-the-field instruction on wildlife and expedition photography, composition, technique, and editing.
John Shedwick – Originally from Blackpool, Lancashire, United Kingdom: An adventure photographer and former member of the Lake District Mountain Rescue Team, John has captured landscapes from the Andes to Japan’s Minami Alps and shares his outdoor expertise with guests.
Harry Rogers – Originally from West Coast, Australia: An Australian photographer and filmmaker known for minimalist, natural-light imagery. With six years of field experience in wildlife and cultural documentation, Harry brings creativity and storytelling to every voyage.
Kayak Guides
Robert Egelstaff – Born in Oxford, England; raised in the British Isles and Northern Ontario, Canada: A world-renowned expedition canoeist named among the Top 20 in the world by Paddler Magazine, Robert has paddled on all seven continents. He holds the British Canoe Union’s rare Honorary Coach title and leads Seabourn’s kayak program while lecturing on history and exploration.
Brandon Payne – Based in Cape Town, South Africa: An African Paddling Association–certified Sea Kayak Guide with a background in Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Brandon has guided expeditions across Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and the UK.
Naturalists
Brent Houston – Based in San Diego, California, USA: With more than 30 years of wildlife research and over 400 expeditions, Brent has contributed to National Geographic Traveler and Jane Goodall’s Hope for Animals and Their World. He’s received two U.S. Navy Antarctic Medals and is known as one of the foremost penguin experts in the world.
Paul Niles – Born in California, based in Seattle, Washington, USA: A seasoned mariner and aviation expert, Paul holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain’s License and has built aviation training facilities around the world. He shares his love of the ocean and Pacific Northwest ecology with guests.
River Niles – Originally from Texas, based in Seattle, Washington, USA: A passionate sailor and licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain, River’s background includes international affairs, Peace Corps service in China, and expedition experience in Alaska, Antarctica, and the South Pacific.
Lecturer
Will Wagstaff – Based in the Isles of Scilly, Southwest England (originally from South Wales): A veteran wildlife guide and author, Will has led tours worldwide since 1985 and is the author of Falkland Islands: The Bradt Travel Guide. A Seabourn lecturer since 2016, he’s known for his deep expertise in birdlife and wildlife interpretation.
Zodiac Drivers
Gabor Zsolt Tamasi – Born in Transylvania, Romania: A Seabourn team member since 2015, Gabor transitioned from hospitality to expedition guiding with the launch of Seabourn Venture and Pursuit. He’s explored 80+ countries and is a certified RYA Zodiac operator.
Gillelli Benkarim – Born in Vught, Noord Brabant, Netherlands: A certified Divemaster and former hospitality professional, Gillelli combines diving and guest service expertise to create meaningful expedition experiences and promote ocean conservation.
Emily Fosbery – Based in Australia: A marine biologist with hands-on research experience across Western Australia and the Indo-Pacific, Emily has worked with whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, sharing her passion for conservation and marine education with guests.
Between November 2025 and March 2026 and again from November 2026 through March 2027, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit will offer a collection of extraordinary Antarctic expeditions, including the “11-Day The Great White Continent,” “13-Day Antarctica Exploration,” and “21-Day Antarctica, South Georgia and Falkland Islands” voyages. Each sailing includes a pre-cruise hotel stay in Buenos Aires and roundtrip charter flights to Ushuaia, where the adventure begins. Guests will explore some of the most breathtaking and remote destinations on Earth, with potential landings at the Lemaire Channel, Deception Island, and Neko Harbour, where immense glaciers and towering icebergs create a spectacular backdrop. To ensure comfort and protection throughout the Antarctic journey, every guest receives a complimentary Helly Hansen PolarShield parka with a removable insulated liner and a WaterShield waterproof backpack.
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