Atlas announces expanded expedition teams for 2024-25 Antarctica season

Atlas Ocean Voyages has announced its expanded expedition teams for the 2024-2025 Antarctica season.

Each of the three vessels will be staffed with a team of 17 seasoned polar expedition guides and an expert expedition leader.

The teams will also comprise specialists — including naturalists, geologists, marine biologists and historians— who enrich the journeys through lectures, guided Zodiac landings and onshore hikes.

“This season we’re excited to expand the team even further with additional experts on each expedition,” said James Rodriguez, president and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “Their knowledge and dedication help us deliver the immersive, top-quality experience our guests expect both on board and ashore, ensuring each polar expedition is truly exceptional.”

Led by Aaron Strahlke, World Voyager’s expedition team delivers expert knowledge and immersive experiences. With a background in geology and extensive polar experience, Strahlke brings a passion for wildlife and exploration.

Supporting him is Assistant Expedition Leader Christophe Bassous, who brings expertise in microbiology, sailing and polar expeditions.

The team aboard World Voyager includes Gabriele Lamartina (Kayak Master); Gino Pereira, Carlos Segura, Jan Tiddo and Alejandro Ursino (Naturalists); Beatriz Camara (Geologist); José Junior (Expedition Photographer); Rodrigo Rocha, Anais Buily, Florencia Juarez (Marine Biologist and Naturalists); Xiuyang “Margarette” Yan, Liya Gu and Ting Gu (Expedition Guides and Translators); Nathalie Ansel (Expedition Historian); and Thomas Silcock (Kayaking Guide and Photographer).

Expedition Leader Jonathan Zaccaria brings over a decade of polar experience to his role onboard World Navigator. With a background in spectrometry, his career began with research in Antarctica, where he spent months at the remote Dumont d'Urville and Concordia Stations.

Since then, he has led more than 170 polar voyages, pioneering new exploration sites and working closely with Emperor penguin colonies.

Supporting him aboard World Navigator are Christian Garwood (Assistant Expedition Leader); Marcos Sperr (Kayak Master); Fernando Drew (Kayak Guide); Hernán Cabria, Malany Ferrufino, Susan Ellison, Fiona Johnson, Mélanie Magnan, Susannne Polap and Martin Jimenez (Expedition Guides); Ignacio Canepa (Expedition Guide & Photographer); Janel Saydam (Expedition Guide & Ornithologist); Mara Unkefer and Louisa Mooij (Expedition Guides & Marine Biologists); Shao-Wei Peng (Expedition Guide and Interpreter); and Fernando Terapow (Expedition Guide & International Law Expert).

Expedition Leader Ekaterina Uruypova (Katya) has a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and extensive experience across the Arctic and Antarctic. She brings a wealth of expertise in polar exploration, environmental studies, and leadership to World Traveller.

The expedition team aboard World Traveller includes José Sanchez Martinez, Lizelle Naude (Expedition Guides & Naturalists); Luis Turi (Kayak Master); Mats Erik Svendsen (Kayak Guide & Naturalist); Elsa Ross (Kayak Guide); Olena Bulych (Kayak Guide & Photographer); Sasha Zulas (Expedition Guide & Polar Meteorologist); Eber Gomez Berrade (Expedition Historian); Malcolm Pringle, Alejandro Sanz (Expedition Guides); Fabrice Jonckheere, Sergey Shirokiy, Selby Wilkinson (Expedition Guides & Photographers); Zhang Sicong (Expedition Guide and Translator); Maria Borodavkina (Expedition Guide & Ornithologist); Michaela Tremblay (ORCA Expedition Guide).

Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Polar Expeditions to Antarctica offer guests adventures that start with a pre-expedition hotel night stay and private charter jet service from Buenos Aires or Punta Arenas. Each expedition includes a Cultural Immersion tour—either Tierra del Fuego with lunch from Ushuaia or a Taste of Chile with dinner from Punta Arenas—along with the thrilling Polar Plunge, a complimentary parka, and an eco-friendly water bottle.

For those seeking additional adventure, optional experiences like overnight camping ashore in Antarctica and kayaking excursions are also available. While limited space remains this season, a selection of expeditions are offering a 10 per cent bonus savings.

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