Seabourn in Alaska: An Elevated Expedition Experience

Ultra-luxury Seabourn will elevate exploration in Alaska this summer. How so? It will bring an elite expedition team on board every Seabourn Quest voyage.

During the ship’s maiden season in Alaska and British Columbia, guests will discover 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. You’ll find those on voyages between Vancouver, British Columbia and Juneau, Alaska.

Through the exclusive Ventures by Seabourn program, guests will delve deeply 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,” says Robin West, Seabourn’s VP and general manager of expeditions. “This season in Alaska will be no exception,” 

(Shown above, Seabourn’s guests head out to explore by Zodiac in Alaska. Photo by Seabourn.)

Seabourn in Alaska: Expedition-Style Adventures

What’s planned? The expedition team will lead optional expedition-style adventures. So, guests can head out hiking, kayaking, and taking wildlife- or glacier-viewing Zodiac cruises.

Guests will discover Ventures of Seabourn expeditions at Hubbard Glacier, Tracy/Endicott Arm, Inian Islands, Rudyerd Bay (Misty Fjords) and Alert Bay in British Columbia.

They’ll also learn about the region’s eco-sites and wildlife via complimentary Seabourn Conversations presentations. Guests can also converse and share meals with the expedition team members. 

Expedition Team Leaders

Who will organize and lead the Alaska expeditions? Hand-selected for their expertise in bringing the region’s wonders to life, Seabourn Quest’s Expedition Team will include a skilled expedition leader such as these adventurers:    

Expedition Leader – Adam Jenkins started sailing on the Salish Sea off British Columbia. He earned his United States Coast Guard Master license at 19. He also served as skipper of the Peregrine, navigating remote anchorages in Southeast Alaska and British Columbia.

Jenkins, who has spent 25 years as a field biologist, has worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Antarctic Program. He has also led marine research expeditions in Antarctica and along the Pacific Coast.

In addition, he holds NOAA Master Diver and Dive Master certifications and owns a yacht delivery company.

Expedition Leader – Sean Bercaw – After circumnavigating the globe with his family on a 38-foot-ketch at age 13, Bercaw then turned his eyes on other seagoing adventures. A commissioned U.S. Naval Officer who has trained with the Navy SEALS, he has spent time aboard a submarine.

In total, Bercaw has covered nearly 200,000 miles under sail. He always considers himself a teacher first and sailor second, though.

Seabourn says he’s always ready to explore new venues and take scientific forays. For instance, he navigates remotely operated vehicles for deep ocean exploration.

Seabourn in Alaska: Expedition Team Members

In addition, Seabourn’s Alaska expedition team members, varying by voyage, may include these experts:

Kayak Guide – Nathan Williams – Known as “The Kayak Guy,” Williams has been an avid kayaker since 2014. He has led, guided and instructed kayaking trips and expeditions in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, as well as along the U.S. East Coast and Ireland’s northwestern coast.

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 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Mahoney has completed 25+ years of field investigations in the western U.S., Baja California, Argentina and Honduras.

He takes a “whole Earth” approach to teaching and research. That makes him a strong source for detailing the geology of Alaska to guests of Seabourn.

Lecturer & Naturalist – Kristina Rau — Dedicated to wild animals and pets, Rau has volunteered at the Sacramento Zoo. She has both monitored Hawksbill Sea Turtle nests and tracked humpback whales off Maui, Hawaii.

Passionate about educating others about wildlife, Rau is an instructor-level certified SCUBA diver. She’s led many snorkeling, diving, and whale-watching trips. She has also served as a whale behavior interpreter for BBC, Disney, and National Geographic documentaries.

Other Seabourn Expedition Team Members

Lecturer & Naturalist – Lori Beraha — As an avid explorer, paddler, sailor, and SCUBA diver, Beraha has participated in research and educational expeditions worldwide. She studied marine biology and cultural anthropology at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

With a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts Education degree from San Francisco State University, she also developed curricula there combining creative arts and marine science. In addition, Beraha completed her Master of Science degree 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 tall ship Californian. While his aviation career took him across the globe, he also pursued his love for the sea — earning a United States Coast Guard Master license.

After settling in Seattle, Niles connected with the local sailing community, taught sailing and delivered 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 ecology.

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. That’s dedicated to the protection of humpback whales in Hawaiian waters.

She has also captained vessels dedicated to research projects for National Geographic and Silverback films. Venema has migrated to Alaska every summer since 1998, working as an expedition guide and naturalist

Seabourn in Alaska: More Team Members

Lecturer & Naturalist – Ben Dilley – A seabird and island ecologist, Dilley has spent much of the past decade and a half on remote sub-Antarctic islands in Earth’s southern oceans.

Dilley has focused his doctoral scientific research on quantifying the impact of invasive mice on burrowing petrels. He’s also gathered 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 across the globe. She’s completed research projects 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. That includes Alaska’s polar regions where she has researched freeze tolerance adaptations.

Lecturer & Naturalist – Lori Snyder – An earth scientist, Snyder has shaped her expertise on igneous petrology and economic geology. At the same time, she’s maintained a strong background in oceanography, astronomy, meteorology, earth consumption and climate change.

When she not teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Snyder works with the U.S. Geological Survey and other groups. Typically, she’s accompanied by eager graduate students during those research projects.

Want More Information?

“For more details about individual Seabourn voyages, pricing, accommodations and Seabourn Ventures, contact our experienced team of travel professionals,” emphasizes Shelby Steudle, president of Pavlus Travel. “The Alaska season is just months away!”

Important Information from Pavlus Travel