Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, will elevate exploration in Alaska this summer with an elite expedition team on board every voyage. As Seabourn Quest embarks on its maiden season in Alaska and British Columbia, guests will be guided by a world-class team of naturalists, science, wildlife and historical experts. From May to September 2025, the expedition team will lead immersive experiences that unlock the secrets of Alaska’s untamed wilderness through the exclusive Ventures by Seabourn program, offering deep insights into the region’s geology, ecology and culture.
“Wherever we travel, our focus is always on curating immersive, one-of-a-kind adventures for our guests, and this season in Alaska will be no exception,” said Robin West, Seabourn’s vice president and general manager of expeditions. “Our Expedition Team’s passion for the region is truly infectious. They are eager to share their expertise and offer guests a deeper connection to Alaska, revealing what makes it such a captivating and unforgettable destination. Through their knowledge and enthusiasm, guests will gain a richer understanding and appreciation of ‘the Great Land’.”
The Expedition Team will lead Ventures by Seabourn, an extraordinary collection of optional excursions, offering guests expedition-style adventures through hiking, kayaking, and Zodiac cruises. Available on Alaska sailings between Vancouver, British Columbia and Juneau, Alaska, Ventures by Seabourn will include explorations of Hubbard Glacier, Tracy/Endicott Arm, Inian Islands, Rudyerd Bay (Misty Fjords), Alert Bay in British Columbia and more. The Expedition Team will also regularly interact with guests throughout each sailing, sharing their insights and in-depth knowledge on the history, ecology, and culture of respective destinations. They will provide complimentary presentations as part of the onboard Seabourn Conversations program and interact casually with guests via spontaneous conversations and shared meals.
Hand-selected for their expertise in bringing the region’s wonders to life, Seabourn Quest’s Expedition Team for the upcoming season includes the following members:
Expedition Leader – Adam Jenkins started sailing on the Salish Sea and earned his United States Coast Guard Master license at 19. He also served as skipper of the MV Peregrine, navigating remote anchorages in Southeast Alaska and British Columbia. With 25 years as a field biologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Antarctic Program, Jenkins led marine research expeditions in Antarctica and the Pacific Coast. He holds NOAA Master Diver and Dive Master certifications and owns a yacht delivery company.
Expedition Leader – Sean Bercaw – Since circumnavigating the globe with his family on a 38-foot-ketch at age 13, Bercaw has had his eyes on adventure in distant seas. A commissioned US Naval Officer who has trained with the Navy SEALS, spent time aboard a submarine, covered nearly 200,000 miles under sail, he considers himself a teacher first and sailor second, always ready to explore new venues and take scientific forays, including as a navigator of remotely operated vehicles for deep ocean exploration.
Kayak Guide – Nathan Williams – Known to those in his hometown as “The Kayak Guy,” Williams has been an avid kayaker since 2014. He has led, guided, and instructed kayaking trips and expeditions in various locations, including the Pacific Northwest, south-central Alaska, the east coast of the U.S., and the northwest coast of Ireland. Inspired and humbled by the power of water, Williams continually works on his skills to better serve his students, guests, and fellow kayakers wherever he finds them.
Lecturer & Naturalist – J. Brian Mahoney – A professor of geology covering a range of specialties at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Mahoney’s 25+ years of field investigations has taken him all over the U.S. west as well as to Baja California, Argentina and Honduras. His strong record of collaborative research and commitment to high-quality education has led him to employ a “whole earth” approach to teaching and research and makes him a strong source for detailing the geology of Alaska to guests of Seabourn.
Lecturer & Naturalist – Kristina Rau is dedicated to animals, both in the wild and as pets. She has volunteered at the Sacramento Zoo, monitoring Hawksbill Sea Turtle nests, and spent years tracking humpback whales off Maui. With a passion for educating others about wildlife, Rau is an instructor-level certified SCUBA diver and has led numerous snorkeling, diving, and whale-watching trips. She has also served as a whale behavior interpreter for BBC, Disney, and National Geographic documentaries.
Lecturer & Naturalist – Lori Beraha is an avid explorer, paddler, sailor, and SCUBA diver who has participated in research and educational expeditions worldwide. She studied marine biology and cultural anthropology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and later earned a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts Education at San Francisco State University, where she developed curricula that combine creative arts and marine science. Beraha completed her Master of Science at the University of Alaska, focusing on the biology and conservation of birds and marine mammals on remote islands.
Lecturer & Naturalist – Paul Niles – Niles has always been passionate about the ocean, from boating on San Francisco Bay to serving aboard the state tall ship Californian. His aviation career took him worldwide, but he continued to pursue his love for the sea, eventually earning a United States Coast Guard Master license. After settling in Seattle, Niles connected with the local sailing community, teaching sailing and delivering yachts both locally and internationally. His dedication to the Pacific Northwest’s waters and conservation led him to join Seabourn, where he shares his enthusiasm for boating and the natural world.
Lecturer & Alaska Expert – Amy Venema – Born and raised in the Midwest, Venema used her expertise in science for education to co-found the non-profit Keiki Kohola Project dedicated to the protection of humpback whales in Hawaiian waters and has also been captain of vessels contributing to research projects for BBC, National Geographic, and Silverback films. Venema has migrated to Alaska every summer since 1998, working as an expedition guide and naturalist while sharing her enthusiasm for protecting wild places and pristine wilderness.
Lecturer & Naturalist – Ben Dilley – A seabird and island ecologist who has spent much of the past decade and a half on remote sub-Antarctic islands in the Southern Oceans, Dilley has focused his doctoral scientific research on quantifying the impact of invasive mice on burrowing petrels and gathering visual evidence to support island restoration projects.
Lecturer & Alaska Expert – Mara Unkefer – As a wildlife biologist, science writer and expedition guide, Unkefer has studied and observed animals all over the world through research work for the Smithsonian and National Institutes of Health. Along the way, she gained a deep fascination with animals that inhabit some of the world’s harshest environments, including polar regions of Alaska where she researched freeze tolerance adaptations.
Lecturer & Naturalist – Lori Snyder – An earth scientist, Snyder has shaped her expertise on igneous petrology and economic geology while maintaining a strong background in oceanography, astronomy, meteorology, earth consumption, and climate change. When she is not teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Snyder works with the U.S. Geological Survey and The Geological Survey of Canada on various projects, typically accompanied by eager grad students.
For more details about Seabourn, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn voyages, contact a professional travel advisor, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.
