Seabourn has announced its expedition team for the 2026–2027 Antarctica season aboard Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit. The team will include specialists in marine biology, wildlife research, conservation, geology, environmental science and polar history, supporting the line’s expedition programme through guided excursions, educational presentations and onboard activities.
Each voyage will be led by a 21-member expedition team with extensive experience in Antarctica and Patagonia. Its members have worked with research and conservation organizations, supported Antarctic research vessels and participated in marine mammal studies and oceanographic education programmes. Some also have affiliations with GLACIARIUM, a major glacier museum.
Expedition activities will include shore landings, Zodiac cruises, wildlife observation, daily briefings, lectures and optional kayaking excursions. Experts will also share their knowledge through Seabourn Conversations, the company’s onboard enrichment programme, providing context on Antarctica’s ecosystems, geology, wildlife and exploration history.
Robin West, Seabourn’s vice president of expeditions, noted that the team’s specialist knowledge and field experience were central to the expedition experience, helping guests better understand the wildlife, glaciers and historical significance of the destinations visited.
The season’s expedition leaders will be Luciano Bernacchi, Ignacio Rojas, Juan Restrepo, Dom del Rosario and Fridrik Fridriksson, supported by assistant expedition leaders Joe Cockram and Sean Bercaw. Collectively, they bring decades of expedition leadership experience, including more than 20 consecutive Antarctic seasons. Their responsibilities include coordinating expedition operations and planning activities to support safe and informative shore experiences.
The wider team includes marine mammal scientist Dr. Sean Todd, conservationist Brent Houston, ornithologist and expedition naturalist JJ Apestegui, archaeologist and Viking scholar Dr. Elizabeth Pierce, marine biologist Molly Gaughan, geologist Dr. Lori Snyder, astronomer and Indigenous cultures specialist Vishwa Rana, and marine ornithologist Kim Stevens.
Other team members include marine biologist Emily Fosbery, wildlife expert Will Wagstaff, polar expedition specialist Demetri Capetanopoulos, ecologist Rorie Duncan and reproductive biologist and science communicator Dr. Jarrod McKenna. Their combined expertise covers Antarctic wildlife, marine ecosystems, environmental science and the history of polar exploration.
Between November 2026 and March 2027, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit will operate 19 round-trip departures from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Antarctica. The voyages will range from 10 to 12 days, with selected 20-day itineraries also visiting South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
All Antarctica voyages will include a pre-cruise hotel stay in Buenos Aires and round-trip charter flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, where passengers will embark the expedition ships.