Atlas kicks off Arctic season, highlights expedition team

Atlas Ocean Voyages is showcasing its expedition team members leading the upcoming Arctic season. 

This month, World Traveller begins embarking on the cruise line’s northernmost itineraries with journeys discovering the Arctic, Norwegian Fjords, and Greenland. 

Expedition Leader Ekaterina Uryupova, alongside Assistant Expedition Leader Jean-Roche de Susanne, will provide expert guidance and captivating lectures during each voyage. 

Johanne Kuhle and Live Wålberg are joining them, esteemed lecturers and local residents of Svalbard, Norway, who will enrich the experience with their deep knowledge of the region. 

Additionally, the team comprises 14 other dedicated members, including an ornithologist, marine biologist, meteorologist, and experienced expedition guides, ensuring a comprehensive and diverse range of expertise throughout each journey.

“The Arctic season expedition team combines global experience and regional expertise to deliver incredible experiences for our guests,” said James Rodriguez, president and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “Exploring remote regions by Zodiac and kayak, or simply enjoying a discussion led by a local resident in the warmth of our auditorium, I look forward to hearing the stories of our guests and expedition team creating extraordinary memories together.” 

Meet the team

Ekaterina Uryupova (Expedition Leader) holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from Lomonosov Moscow State University and a master’s in international journalism from the University of Salford (UK). 

Her academic interests include marine biology and oceanography, climate change on ecosystems, and interdisciplinary research in environmental protection. 

Ekaterina’s expedition experience includes Antarctica, where she interned at the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty in Argentina and the Smithsonian Institution. 

She is a member of the APECS (Association of Polar Early Career Scientists) and PYRN (Permafrost Young Researchers Network) councils, working in polar cap regions for over 10 years onboard nuclear icebreakers and expedition vessels. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Arctic Institute, Centre for Circumpolar Security Studies in Washington, D.C.

Jean-Roche de Susanne (Assistant Expedition Leader) left France at 24 for a backpacking trip to discover Latin America and, after arriving in the Galapagos first as a volunteer, worked for the Galapagos National Park. 

After graduating as a certified Galapagos Naturalist Guide, he became an expedition guide expanding his experience as a tour leader in Cuba, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, France, and Portugal. 

In 2019, Jean-Roche combined his experience in tourism and communication to join expedition cruises in Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula and looks forward to bringing his expedition knowledge to the Arctic region.

Johanne Kuhle (Svalbard resident/lecturer) is from southern Norway but has loved the Arctic since she was a young girl and lived a year in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, with her family. 

She moved back 13 years later to finish her bachelor’s degree in biology, specializing in Arctic biology. Johanne is fond of everything outdoors and likes hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, and skiing. This is her second year of guiding in the Arctic.

Live Wålberg (Svalbard resident) has lived in Svalbard for her entire life and was introduced to dog sledding there. For the last four years, she has lived in Alta to work with Alaskan huskies, guiding dog sledding trips and competing in long-distance races. 

Wålberg recently finished a 600 km race in Northern Norway and enjoys hiking, hunting, mountaineering, and climbing.

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