Expedition Cruise Network launches new live interview series

ECN’s new live interview series: Conversations with an Expert will include a luxury hotels mystery shopper and a captain live onboard an expedition cruise ship from Ushuaia – the launch port for Antarctica.  

Akvile Marozaite, ECN chief executive, said: “We are tremendously excited to provide the travel trade and our expedition cruise network members with new detailed sessions which will make experts of travel trade professionals and secure sales with clients keen to explore new adventures.” 

Akvile will first interview Graham Charles, the founder of the Polar Tour Guides Association, who has 24 years as a Senior Guide and Expedition Leader, to explore the critical role of expert guides in polar expeditions on Thursday 13 February at 4pm. 

The second conversation will be broadcast live from Ushuaia onboard Silver Endeavour, with Captain Tuomo Leskinen as the Silver Endeavour prepares for its final Antarctic voyage of the season. This conversation will offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to captain an ultra-luxury expedition ship in one of the world’s most remote destinations.

Tudor Morgan, vice-president sustainability and trade relations at HX Hurtigruten Expeditions will be interviewed on Wednesday 9 April, 4pm. 

Diego Renda, head of training strategy and development at LQA will talk about Redefining Luxury in the Expedition Cruise Industry on Tuesday 13 May, 4pm. As a seasoned evaluator of over 800 of the world’s most luxurious hotels across 80 countries, Diego will share his insights on what defines true luxury and explore how expedition cruise operators can elevate their offerings by drawing inspiration from the world’s leading luxury hotels.

The fifth and final expert in the series on Thursday 19 June Sara Jenner is an expedition leader and wildlife photographer will share her experiences leading expeditions, the challenges and rewards of capturing wildlife in extreme conditions. 

Alongside the expert conversation series, ECN is running a new webinar series during the first quarter of 2025.