Aurora's Expedition Team onboard the Sylvia Earle

Photo: Adrian Wlodarczyk

The Expedition Team onboard Aurora’s Sylvia Earle

On my recent 16-day expedition cruise to Svalbard with Aurora Expeditions, I had the pleasure of getting to know the incredible Expedition Team onboard the Sylvia Earle. They're knowledgeable, passionate, and great fun to be around. Beyond their roles are people with their own stories, and personalities. I wanted to capture a little of that and share what life on board felt like for us.

I gave each member of the Expedition Team a number between 1 and 25, and behind each number was a random question. They didn't know what question they would get until they picked their number.

So, let me introduce you to the people behind the adventures…

Rune

If your teammates gave you a nickname by the end of the expedition, what would you hope it would be?

"Viking."

Reza

What's your go-to snack after a long day?

"Baguette fromage."

Ed

What's something that always makes you laugh?

"Rob and myself."

Rob

If this expedition had a soundtrack, what song would you add?

"Poi E."

Bruno

What's a hobby people might not expect you to have?

"I play the guitar."

Dani

What's one item you never travel without?

"My plushy whale."

Ben

What's one place in the world you'd still love to explore after many expeditions there?

"Antarctica."

Sergey

Describe yourself in one word.

"Zodiac maniac."

After spending time on the water with him, I'd say that's a pretty accurate description.

Gabe

If you were stranded with just one book, movie, or podcast, what would you choose?

"The Hobbit."

Adrian

Describe yourself in three words.

"Sense of humour, drive, calmness under pressure."

Aviaaja

What's one thing you're most looking forward to on this expedition?

"That first breath of fresh Arctic air."

Elle

What's something that always makes you smile after a long day in the field?

"Food."

A very relatable answer.

Lelia

If you could instantly become an expert in one thing, what would it be?

"Biology."

Laura

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

"Teleportation, so I could be with all the people I love at the same time."

Edu

How would you describe to your family what you do on an expedition?

"Be responsible."

Short, simple, and probably an understatement.

Thomas

What's your favourite piece of field equipment?

"Sunglasses."

Sam

Describe your expedition vibe using only three emojis.

☀️💃🏼🥰.

Over the course of 16 days, this team became much more than the people guiding hikes or driving Zodiacs. Their enthusiasm, knowledge, humour, and passion for the polar regions helped make every day memorable.

Hopefully these answers give you a small glimpse into the wonderful people behind the red jackets. They play a huge part in our experience onboard Aurora Expeditions voyage, and I feel incredibly lucky to have shared this adventure with them.