Ocean Waves Podcast

Hotel Director of Ocean Atlantic, Oliver Sevilla, joins us on this episode of Ocean Waves Podcast for a behind-the-curtains visit to life onboard a vessel traversing the Polar Regions. From the sourcing of the food to provide fresh, sustainable, regional meals, to the clean initiative program that aims to minimize waste and promote a more environmentally-friendly way of traveling. Oliver also shares with us his story, the many places he has visited, and the sacrifices made by those who choose a life in the sea.

Originally from Canada, Yuri Choufour is a nature & travel photographer, who’s been fascinated with the natural world since early childhood.  Choufour is most driven to create images that cultivate a greater appreciation for the natural world. His photos are sold to galleries, tourism companies, as fine art prints, and cards/calendars.  Yuri travels for a large part of the year, teaching photography in the polar regions, and across North America. In this interview, he gives us advice on how to take the best shots during a polar adventure.

Expedition guide, photographer, kayak master and adventurer Slava Nikitin has many reasons to keep returning to the polar regions. He is an avid admirer of the history of explorers and expeditions, but also enjoys deeply the calmness and spellbinding environments that can only appreciated from the perspective of a Kayak.  Learn more at www.albatros-expeditions.com

Samuel hails from Quebec City, Canada. He has an education on Electromechanical automated system, and speaks fluent French, English and some Spanish. 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. On this episode of Ocean Waves Podcast, Sam shares with us what it's like to be the Expedition Leader onboard Ocean Atlantic, his favorite aspects of being a member of the Expedition team and why he enjoys the great unknown so much. Learn more at www.albatros-expeditions.com

Nadine is a proud Londoner, an inspiring and brave woman who embraces change and adventure, and who for around ten years worked in High Jewellery 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 jewellery and managing onboard boutiques on both Large and small cruise lines. On this episode of Ocean Waves Podcast, Nadine talks to us about the power of transition, autonomy and adventure, what it's like to manage a shop in the middle of the ocean, seasonal trend forecasts and data management... and the most random products guests sometimes forget to pack. 

Steve Traynor 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. 

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. Her focus became the little known but highly fascinating common minke whale. She's a lecturer and expedition guide for Albatros Expeditions. When at home she produces life-sized animals for schools and environmental education.

Armed with a pepper shaker and a heart as wide as the seas, Herman likes to find the perfect occasion to reward the guests of Ocean Atlantic with an exclusive experience: His songs. As part of the crew onboard, Herman spends most of his time at sea as the Head Waiter. On this episode, he shares with us what to expect in regards to foods and deserts during a voyage, and how him and his colleagues create unique environments and experiences for each guest.

From the latest news about Ocean Victory's inside features and focus on comfort and sustainability, to the new itineraries being developed for this vessel in the Antarctic region, Hans Lagerweij, president of Albatros International, joins the Ocean Wave Podcast and shares all the exciting developments of Albatros Expeditions.     www.albatros-expeditions.com

On this episode of Ocean Waves Podcast we invited the founders of Greenland Trees to our Copenhagen headquarters for a conversation on their project, which aims to draw down atmospheric carbon, capturing atmospheric CO2 by planting trees in southern Greenland where trees thrive today. As part of Albatros Expeditions' Corporate Social Responsibility, we have teamed up with Greenland Trees to raise funds for their organization onboard our vessel during the Arctic seasons and support this great and positive initiative.   Learn more at:    https://greenlandtrees.org/

Award-winning photographer and regular contributor to the BBC, Renato Granieri has been featured in a number of international contests, and visited over 70 countries. Renato talks to us about his greatest passion: Documenting the world with his lens.  "You can decide to watch a documentary... or be a part of it" he adds, when talking about his passion for the polar regions.  "Make photographs with your brain, not with your camera. Your camera is only a device, photographs must be conceived in your feelings and emotions". Read his interview here:  https://albatros-expeditions.com/inspiration/interview-expedition-photographer-renato-granieri

Polar adventurer, author, lecturer, expedition guide and founder of the Polar School in Denmark, Gregers Gjersøe has made it a profession to dream impossible feats... and then surprising everyone, including himself, by achieving them.  From crossing Greenland on skis, facing extreme weather conditions, frostbite and many other challenges, to being a member of the first Danish Expedition on skis to the South Pole, a goal achieved in 56 days.  Gregers joins Ocean Waves to share his adventures, the lessons learned, and his passion for the polar regions, which he hopes to share with youth in Scandinavia.  www.polarskolen.dk

Expedition Guide Jon Danielsson has a story worthy of its own film. Born in Iceland, in the Westmann islands, Danielsson was a witness to the volcanic eruption of 63 that gave birth to Surtsey island, and later was also a survivor of the Heimaey eruption which began without warning on the eastern side of Heimaey, in the Westman Islands, on 23 January 1973. The eruption caused a major crisis for the island and nearly led to its immediate evacuation. Ash fell over most of the island, destroying around 400 homes, and a lava flow threatened to close off the harbour... but the people of Heimaey are resilient, and Jon tells us how they not only survived, but also rebuilt and now thrive together in this beautiful island.  Oh yeah, Jon has witnessed other eruptions too. He calls them "tourist eruptions", and smiles. Thank you, Jon, for sharing your story with us.

Originally from Korpo, in the southwestern Archipelago of Finland, Mikaela Von Koskull inherited her love and respect of nature and sea, from a long line of seafarers in her family. Following her passion she attended navigation school and became a radio officer, and then sailed around the world racing sailing yachts.  Now she's a member of our Expedition team with incredible experiences and knowledge, and on this episode she shares with us her story, her curiosity for cultures, places and the planet, and advice for traveling in the polar regions.   Recorded onboard the vessel Ocean Atlantic, somewhere in the Arctic Circle.  Welcome to the Ocean Waves Podcast!

Follow the footsteps of the great explorers. Sail to some of the most remote settlements. Encounter calming glaciers and rare wildlife.  Meet the women and men who dreamt of exploring the seas and going beyond their wildest fantasies. Listen to field recordings, conversations onboard our vessel...and the narratives of the characters who make our expeditions.  Welcome to the Ocean Waves Podcast, by Albatros Expeditions.  www.albatros-expeditions.com