Expedition Team in Antarctica

Our experts are here to safeguard both explorers and the pristine environment. They serve as your invaluable hosts throughout your expedition cruise.

“I am really excited to share knowledge with our guests about the unforgettable nature and beauty that we encounter in Antarctica – like whales feeding, penguins porpoising, and amazing scenery.”
- Tudor Morgan, Expedition Team Leader

Unmatched expertise

Expedition Teams at Hurtigruten represent the best of the best. The Expedition Team Leader and Assistant Expedition Leaders are experts on safety and sustainability, making sure your exploration of these remote destinations is done right.

Together with guest lecturers and scientists, they will enhance your voyage with first-hand knowledge and fascinating insights, ensure your complete safety during landings, and guarantee the lightest possible footprint in this pristine environment.

Leading and teaching

During your discovery of the great continent of Antarctica, your Expedition Team will lead the way on landings and small boat cruises, as well as optional kayaking and camping opportunities if conditions allow.

Briefings occur before each landing, making you aware of any potential risks and of strict protocol regarding local wildlife. Both on and off the ship, lectures are held on a wide variety of specialist topics. Here are just a few examples:

birds and marine mammals
oceanography and geology
sea ice and glaciers
climate
exploration history and storytelling
photography

Expedition Team members in Antarctica

Get to know some of the Expedition Team members you may encounter on a cruise to Antarctica:

Tudor Morgan

Expedition Team Leader United Kingdom

Tudor is one of our most experienced Expedition Leaders. He worked for the British Antarctic Survey and spent over two years living south of the Antarctic circle.

He has also worked with the Antarctic Heritage Trust restoring historic Antarctica sites, and was Operations Manager at IAATO.

Tudor was awarded the Queen’s Polar Medal for outstanding service to Antarctic science and heritage.

Line Overgaard

Assistant Expedition Leader Norway

Line is Norwegian and grew up in the small settlement of Klæbu outside Trondheim. Line started working for Hurtigruten in 2001 as a crew member.

She worked on several ships on the Norwegian coast before joining MS Fram in 2008. She completed the Arctic Nature Guide study programme in 2010 in Spitsbergen

Dan Busby

Lecturer in biology and ornithology Canada

Dan holds a MSc in Ornithology. During his 30 years as a wildlife biologist with Canada’s national government, he worked on a wide variety of research and conservation activities.

He is a frequent speaker on bird photography and bird conservation topics.

Maurice van de Maele Sr

Lecturer in history and anthropology Chile

Maurice Ricardo is a social anthropologist from Chile. He was director of the Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum in Puerto Williams for 17 years and led most of the archaeological studies on islands south of Tierra del Fuego.

He is also a member of the Chilean Ornithological Society and the Omora Foundation.

Verena Meraldi

Biologist and Chief Scientist Mexico

Verena was born in Mexico City. She studied at the National University (UNAM) and received her PhD in Immunology from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland in 2002.

Verena has been traveling to Antarctica since 2007 and in the northern hemisphere (to Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Island, Orkney Island) since 2014.

As a Chief Scientist, Verena talks with lead scientists to have them on our ships so they can do their research and engage with our guests. She is always looking for new collaborations that will enhance our guests experiences while traveling with us.