Expedition Team
A diverse team of experts accompanies this expedition — seasoned naturalists, undersea specialists, and researchers — who will share their knowledge and insights with you and bring each destination to life. Listed below are some of the experts and the departure date(s) they will be joining.
Lech Walesa
From electrician to labor leader to Nobel Peace Prize Laureate to elected President of Poland, Lech Walesa was a key player in Poland's transition from communism. In 1980, he led the 10 million-member Solidarity labor movement, engaging workers in the struggle for human rights. He will meet with guests on the Exploring the Baltic's Historic Waterways departures in Gdansk.
Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson
Photographers Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson have collectively photographed more than 50 stories for National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler magazines. They have spent most of their careers working in Europe, shooting stories from the Arctic and Scandinavia to Italy and France. Sisse and Cotton have been awarded prizes by Pictures of the Year International, the National Press Photographers Association, White House Press Photographers Association, and Communication Arts. Based in Denmark, Sisse and Cotton will share their insights into the cultures of the Baltic region, as well as their love of photography.
Mikhail Gorbachev
A Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Cold War reformer, and political visionary, former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev was one of the 20th century's most pivotal leaders. In 1990, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his extraordinary efforts to lead the peace process during the Cold War. Now retired from politics, Gorbachev continues to strive towards achieving his global vision of peace. He will meet with guests on the Exploring the Baltic's Historic Waterways departures in St. Petersburg.
