Exploration Leaders

Alastair Newton

"It's the first trip of the season and we are drifting off Savoonga, St. Lawrence Island, surrounded by a sea of ice. There's a beautiful sunrise over the snow-covered island and the ice off shore. Out a ways from us is a lone Zodiac, the driver standing, silhouetted against the rising sun, looking just like another piece of ice."

Alastair grew up sailing everything from dinghies to 50-foot yachts and developed apassion for all things nautical. He came to the United States from England in 1997 for a six month internship at the Large Animal Research Station in Alaska. He returned home with the intent of attending college in London, but after a year of missing Alaska and its incredible wildlife, he packed up and moved back to Alaska to complete his degree.

While living in Anchorage, Alastair taught natural history and general biology at the University of Alaska. He brings to Cruise West a tremendous enthusiasm for biology, wildlife and the great outdoors. Alastair’s special interests include environmental education, hiking, reading and sailing. He is also fascinated with how animals adapt to the challenges of their specific environments.

Alastair recently became a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society. He spends his off time visiting schools in England, giving lectures on life and biology in northern climates. He was also a guest speaker in several English schools during National Science Week. If he could tap the heels of his hiking boots and go anywhere in the world? He'd go to Fairbanks, Alaska.

Join Alastair on theseCruise West adventures*:

Voyages of the Great Explorers 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

Alison Ashton

"While traveling around the eastern islands of Indonesia, I disembarked a local ferry in a remote volcanic village only to find myself with no place to stay for the night. For a moment I felt alone and thought my travel instincts had failed me until a mother and her young child grabbed my hand in a gesture of mutual trust, smiled, and led me to their home. Without a common language, we relied on and cared about each other as life guides with intertwined spirits."

 

What does Alison cherish most about travel – people caring for each other and the simple shared experiences of life.

 

Born in Seattle and raised in Olympia, Washington, Alison completed her undergraduate studies in Cultural Anthropology, Latin American Studies, and Native American Studies at Evergreen State College and the Universidad de Chile, she then received a Master of Science in International Business, Development and Management from Oxford Brooks University. Alison has continued to expand her knowledge of Science with extensive studies in geology, oceanography, and entomology.

 

She is also passionate about adventure travel and after studying in Chile was inspired to backpack overland from South America to North America. This epic journey took a year and the proof is in her numerous stories – just ask and she’ll gladly share her encounters with diverse groups of people, Amazonian insects, Bolivian Pink Dolphins, Peruvian Condors, Panamanian sea turtles, Honduran tarantulas, and Mexican barracuda. Infused with an appetite for adventure following her epic journey, Alison has lived, studied, and worked all over the globe – in South America, Central America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and most recently New Zealand.

 

Whether close to home or out trekking the globe, Alison enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, fishing, and printmaking. She's also an Advanced PADI Scuba Diver (her most recent trip had her diving in Borneo). Come onboard and share some life stories with Alison!

Join Alison on these Cruise West adventures*:

Columbia & Snake Rivers 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

 

Alyssa Firkus

Alyssa’s love for sea life began as a young girl when she attended Ocean Camp on the Cayman Islands and the island of Puerto Rico. This passion lead her to pursue a B.S. degree in marine biology. During her undergraduate studies, she worked at a marine lab. And she spent her junior year in Australia studying marine life and conducting research on Brown Banded Bamboo sharks. After graduating from Humboldt State University in 2008, Alyssa pursued a job as a naturalist at the Delaware Brandywine Zoo where she fell in love with education. Driven by the desire to teach, she began her graduate studies in environmental education at Western Washington University, with graduation planned for December of 2010.

When not studying, Alyssa loves traveling, hiking, kayaking, biking, reading, and competitive running.

Join Alyssa on these Cruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage aboard the Spirit of Yorktown

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

Bethany Ryals

Bethany comes to Cruise West with a wide variety of expertise and experience. Her degrees are in Earth Science and Education. After 22 years of teaching 3rd – 12th grade Physical Education/Outdoor Adventure, she “retired” to follow her passion as a Marine Naturalist. She has traveled the Oceans of the world with a personal goal to SCUBA as many coral reefs as possible.

Bethany is also Lieutenant Colonel Ryals and has served 27 years in the Air Force Reserve. She is a Veteran of Iraq where she served as an Operations Officer for Aeromedical Evacution. She currently serves as a Liaison Officer for the Air Force Academy and counsels young people on Military service opportunities and challenges.

Born in Washington State, Bethany is an outdoor enthusiast. She explores and “worships” her wilderness home by backpacking, kayaking, sailing, and biking through the wonders that surround us. Over the years she has led thousands of students on exploration trips from islands of the San Juans in Washington to the islands of Hawaii.

She has traveled and studied extensively through the wilds of Alaska and is thrilled to share her knowledge and “sense of wonder” with you.

 

Join Bethany on theseCruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage 2010

European Rivers 2010

Voyages of the Great Explorers 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

Cal Ulberg

"To me your trip is more than what you see or hear; it is a total experience."

Cal joined Cruise West in 2007 bringing a diverse background with him. And so far his experiences at Cruise West include serving as a licensed deckhand in Southeast Alaska, an inflatable excursion craft operator and Exploration Guide in Mexico.

Cal grew up in Seattle, graduating from the University of Washington with a chemistry education major, a physics minor and a master’s degree in education from Seattle Pacific University. Cal spent over two years serving in the Coast Guard teaching at their academy in Connecticut, and sailing the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Bering Sea.

Cal’s other teaching experience includes 14 years at the elementary school level and 10 years teaching high school science and math. He also coached wrestling and soccer. Cal has earned a 100-ton near coastal masters license and has worked in Alaska as a fishing guide, in Hawaii as a deckhand on a snorkel boat and in Seattle as a duck driver.

 

Join Cal on theseCruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage 2010

British Columbia 2010

Gold Rush Inside Passage 2010

Mexico's Sea of Cortés 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

Chelsea Leven

Chelsea's love of the outdoors led her to a degree in geology from Amherst College, with additional time studying marine biology in New Zealand. She actively contributes to a variety of research projects, most recently – paleoclimate and ecology investigations in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Other notable contributions include using SCUBA to study the seafloors in Cozumel, Mexico, studying spotted owl and northern goshawk populations near Yosemite National Park, and working as a minerals geologist in north-central Idaho, surveying abandoned mines.

From invitations to tea in a Bedouin cave and snorkeling remote soft coral reefs in Fiji, to being helped by new friends in a Patagonian snowstorm – the people and wonders of the world have inspired and moved Chelsea. Amongst her travels, Chelsea has volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitation center in rural Costa Rica and throughout Sri Lanka following the tsunami – and been fortunate enough to return and view the progress in both places.

 

Having spent six years working as a professional snowboard and skiing instructor, and also a substitute teacher – when it comes to learning and teaching she is most passionate about our natural world. She looks forward to welcoming you onbard and exploring the dynamic natural history of the surrounding landscape.

 

When she’s not working, Chelsea likes to kayak, go caving, paint, draw, race sailboats, photograph, backpack, mountain bike… as you can see basically anything to be outside.

Join Chelsea on theseCruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage 2010

British Columbia 2010

Gold Rush Inside Passage 2010

Mexico's Sea of Cortés 2010

Panama Canal & Costa Rica 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

 

David Miller

David began with Cruise West in 1983; first as a driver/guide in Alaska's Interior and more recently as an Exploration Leader aboard a number of our vessels. In between, he has worked on numerous ships as a Cruise Director, Lecturer, and Singer. He offers a wealth of knowledge on the history, geology, flora, and fauna of Alaska.

 

Born and raised in Seattle, David attended the University of Washington, earning a B.S. in Forest Management and Environmental Science. After graduation, he worked as a Forester in the Columbia River Gorge involved with timber harvesting and forest fire fighting. He recalls his favorite duty – appearing as Smokey the Bear during Fourth of July celebrations.

Sailing and backpacking the world has always been a passion of David's. His love of Asian culture led to a two-year project of living with and photographing the many indigenous cultures. Other adventures include teaching English in Thailand, owning a tour guide operation in the Virgin Islands, and helping with sea turtle breeding efforts in Borneo.

 

David has finally settled in Orlando, Florida where he teaches 6th grade science. His goal each year is to instill in his students an appreciation for the environment and the world around them.

 

Other interests of David's includes golf, sailing, fishing, and antiquing. He also spends time with his other "children" – a classic Triumph Spitfire and '66 Mustang.

 

Join David on theseCruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage 2010

Gold Rush Inside Passage 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

 

Debbie Carlson

Debbie is a native Oregonian who has lived and traveled the world most of her adult life. Her passion for travel was sparked after four years in the United States Air Force as an Air Passenger Specialist serving in both Europe and the United States – and for her, this naturally evolved to a career in tourism.

 

A certified Professional Tour Guide and graduate of the International Tour Management Institute, Debbie led tours in the United States and abroad for over nine years. Her foray into a naturalist career started after her first trip to Costa Rica, which was followed by four winters in Costa Rica working with a licensed naturalist and ornithologist. Working in this same specialty she later hiked to Machu Picchu, floated the Amazon, trekked to Mt. Cotopaxi, Ecuador and Alto Plano, Peru, and birded throughout Central and South America. This magical part of the world fueled her desire to learn even more about birds and eco-tourism.

 

Debbie’s experiences and love of travel make her a perfect Exploration Leader for Cruise West. She relishes every opportunity to share her knowledge and sense of adventure with like-minded guests.

 

Debbie continues to enrich her life while living in the Pacific Northwest. She is actively involved in leading hikes, kayaking, skiing, bird watching, living history presentations, guiding wine tours, broadening her love of the outdoors, and traveling the world learning about new destinations and the experiences they offer. When you meet Deb you instantly realize, this isn't work for her... this is her passion and it becomes infectious.

Join Debbie on theseCruise West adventures*:

Columbia & Snake Rivers 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

 

Geoff DeVito

Geoff was raised in rural New Hampshire where he spent much of his youth exploring forests, lakes, mountains, and streams. When old enough to work, Geoff's summers found him in the employ of The New Hampshire Conservation Corps and The Audubon Society.

 

While he's always enjoyed wildlife and the natural world, he also desired to understand and experience the cultures and customs that would map his future. Geoff received an MA in Social Anthropology from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland – where his commitment to travel, culture, and exploration was confirmed.

 

Combining wanderlust with his professional experience – Geoff comes to Cruise West after years working at sea – having visited every continent, over 100 countries (has even bowled in 58 of them), and no less than 400 different ports of call. He's also been known to "show up at" local wedding ceremonies in places such as Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Argentina.

 

Geoff's interests include the continual adaptation of traditional cuture to tourism, the influence of mass media on traditional values/social structure, and the notion of what makes a great explorer. Ever curious, he continues to look at how Americans perceive and are perceived by cultures while traveling abroad. Onboard, Geoff will share his knowledge of indigenous peoples, local food and beverages, sea monsters, and the Great Explorers!

 

Join Geoff on these Cruise West adventures*:

Voyages of the Great Explorers 2010

 

Janine Kuehn

Janine’s love of the outdoors and wildlife developed in a childhood spent hiking the trails of Lake Tahoe in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At the age of 14, partly at her urging, her family moved to Nikiski, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula where Janine attended high school. Her love of nature and the environment grew even stronger during these years as she observed and explored this spectacular land.

Janine attended college at the University of Nevada, Reno where she earned an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. Upon graduating, she worked for the United States Forest Service collecting field data and spending time in Eastern Washington’s Colville National Forest. After earning a Masters degree in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho, Janine returned to Eastern Washington to investigate the environmental impacts of dam removal on riverine ecosystems.

When not working Janine is inspired by the words of John Muir and Aldo Leopold as she writes about the places she has been and those that she wants to visit. To people embarking on an Alaskan adventure, her message is simple and heartfelt… “Alaska changed my life and I hope it changes yours too.”

JD Trebec

Working, as a naturalist, while attending Texas A&M University and New Mexico State University getting his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Geography, was something JD did on the side during his college years. But it wasn’t until after a detour in the realm of city planning, computer mapping, and office life that he returned to his first love – sharing his wonder for the natural world with others.

 

JD has since served as an interpretive ranger for the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, a guide for the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, and more recently spent part of a year leading young adults in ecological restoration projects for the Student Conservation Association in Southern New Mexico. His passion is ethnobotany – the traditional use of plants and the scientific study of the relationships between people and plants. This interest began with friendly ‘weed feeds’ in central Texas and led to field studies in Ecuadorian Amazon, grinding his own mesquite flour, and quixotic quests for Apache mescal festivals in New Mexico.

 

When not working in some “natural” capacity, JD enjoys travel, reading, gardening, and an endless numberof outdoor pursuits – his backpacking and camping adventures have carried him on explorations throughout the west from Baja California to the Grand Canyon to Denali National Park. Do us a favor though while you’re onboard with JD… try to find out what the JD stands for (we’d tell you if we only knew) – that’s his official name on his passport!

 

Join JD on these Cruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

Kate Caldwell

"Nature has a way of inspiring people all on its own, but it's the 'ah ha!' moments that I look forward to the most – the times when I'm interpreting a plant, or an animal, say – and the light bulb goes off and the guests say, 'I get it! … and then that moment is theirs."

Passionate about travel, adventure and nature, Kate has worked for The Nature Conservancy in Florida and Colorado for the past sixyears, where her responsibilities included facilitating community outreach programs, naturalist workshops, donor visits and ranch tours, coordinating with the Florida State Chapter Department and sitting on the board of the Colorado Field Institute. Prior to that, Kate spent 10 years as a Programs Coordinator at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, where she managed youth and adult education programs and earned the Walt Disney World Partners in Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award and the Excellence in Training Award.

An animal lover at heart, Kate has volunteered for the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust and the Central Florida Zoological Park, where she facilitated learning and conservation efforts and assisted with mark/recapture and radio telemetry studies of Florida box turtles. Kate enjoys scuba diving, whitewater rafting, kayaking, camping, rock climbing and biking and is a horse trainer, riding instructor and downhill ski instructor. When she slows down, she enjoys a good book (especially if it's about nature), paints watercolor and studies interior design.

 

Join Kate on these Cruise West adventures*:

Columbia & Snake Rivers 2010

Glaciers of Prince William Sound 2010

Gold Rush Inside Passage 2010

Mexico's Sea of Cortés 2010

Panama Canal & Costa Rica 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

Meriwether Gill

"We were in Endicott Arm Fjord when out of nowhere, a 'shooter' exploded in the foreground of Dawes Glacier. I'd never heard nor seen anything like it before … the thundering sound and the blue of the ice left our guests awe-inspired. The experience defined, in my mind, the true grandeur of Alaska."

Meriwether sharesher love for marine mammals and her background in cetology – the study of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Meriwether attended Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia and double majored in Biology and Psychology. She's since earned a Master’s in Liberal Arts, with a focus in marine mammal behavior and training. While an undergraduate, Meriwether worked as a marine educator at Sea World of Florida. She's also interned at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Florida, training dolphins and learning about dolphin therapy.

Part of Meriwether's past life was spent in Hawaii, where she worked as a naturalist for the non-profit Pacific Whale Foundation, educating guests on humpbacks, Hawaiian spinner dolphins and coral reefs. She also worked in the Foundation's research department, studying the function of the humpback whale’s song and the behavior patterns of Hawaiian spinner dolphins. Meriwether is involved in several conservation efforts and enjoysto educating Cruise West guests on current conservation and management issues as well as the latest research endeavors surrounding marine mammals. She recently completed a project with The Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor, Washington, assisting Ken Balcomb and his team in keeping their photo-id catalog of resident orca pods up-to-date. Through this work, she's learned to recognize individual orcas by the shape of their dorsal fins and saddle patches.

When not cruising, Meriwether enjoys sailing, skiing and traveling, and has returned recently from travels in Patagonia, Iceland and the Galapagos Islands.

Something you might like to know about her?
Meriwether is a descendant of the Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark. A possible source of her passion for exploration? We think so.

Join Meriwether on theseCruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage 2010

European Rivers 2010

Voyages of the Great Explorers 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

 

Patrick Fitzgerald

Patrick loves to travel. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Seattle in 2000, but discovered his yen for travel after volunteering for the United States Army and serving as a motor pool clerk for a tactical signal unit in the Black Forest of Germany. While there, he spent every hour possible exploring Germany and learning the language and culture. This naturally spread into more extensive explorations in much of Western Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

 

Charged with his newfound passion for travel, Patrick attended college in North Carolina and received a degree in Travel and Tourism. Professionally, he began his travel career as a Tour Director for Princess Cruise Lines, then for ten years led United States history tours throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic covering sites from Virginia to Maine and periods of pre-settlement through the Civil War. Though he's not just a history buff – Patrick has led tours throughout the Canadian Rockies and the interior of Alaska focusing on flora and fauna, as well as, the human history of the Pacific Northwest, has led tours in Costa Rica, and has explored the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. He's even worked as an activities coordinator at an upscale retirement community developing programs and activities for emotional, spiritual, social, and vocational wellness. Unsurprisingly – he was a good fit for Cruise West!

 

So many passions – we know about travel, but music and cooking? Patrick likes to mix it up a bit by going to ethnic and international festivals, enjoying music perfomances, and exploring the Olympic Peninsula, Puget Sound, and Cascade Mountains. Future travel plans include an adventure in Ghana West Africa to discover the ethno musicological roots of gospel, blues, jazz, and rock n roll. Patrick has been playing guitar for over twenty years and occassionally performs in local Seattle pubs – if you're lucky you might just coax a tune out of him while onboard. But his talents don't stop there – he's also pretty accomplished in the kitchen where his specialty is international cuisine.

Join Patrick on theseCruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage 2010

British Columbia 2010

Gold Rush Inside Passage 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

Paulino Perez

Paulino’s experiences have taken him from sailing small ships in the icy waters of Southeast Alaska to the protected areas of the beautiful islands in Mexico’s Gulf of California.

Paulino resides in La Paz, Mexico, with his wife and son. He has a degree in Marine Biology and an intimate knowledge of the flora and fauna that we will encounter on our voyages.

Taking a nature hike with Paulino will enlighten you to the fragile eco-system of some of the places we visit. He will point out flora and fauna that most eyes simply pass over.

When he is not at sea, Paulino indulges in his love of art. As an accomplished artist he often paints the inhabitants of the fragile environments through which he travels. In addition, Paulino works with the children of La Paz, teaching them environmental education through art by creating casts of plants and animals and generating multimedia presentations on natural history and cultural heritage.

Join Paulino on theseCruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage 2010

Glaciers of Prince William Sound 2010

Mexico's Sea of Cortés 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

 

Ryan Lee

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, at 16 Ryan moved with his family to New Jersey – where he started in the the tourism industry with his very first job – little did he know at the time that guiding eco-tours on the Manasquan River and running a water taxi service with his family would so prominently influence his career path. He learned a lot from that job, but it was a love for the natural world and working with people that truly motivated  him.

 

Like many who have chosen this profession, it's an understatement to say Ryan has a fondness for travel. But it's that very trait that has led him to work in some fantastic places. Working on a private yacht in Washington's San Juan Islands, at a hostel and resort on the big island of Hawaii, and cruising the Sea of Cortés are just a few of his career highlights. Ryan spent two summer working and studying as a naturalist in Southeast Alaska before joining Cruise West.

 

Wherever his travels take him, Ryan has discovered something special and learned something profound. He looks forward to sharing those experiences and fresh adventures with lots of new people onboard.

 

Join Ryan on these Cruise West itineraries*:

Glacier Bay Highlights 2010

Gold Rush Inside Passage 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

 

Teresa Mealy

"I was taking a group kayaking in Glacier Bay when we spotted a pack of wolves (rarely seen in the park) on the shore across a small inlet. We paddled closer and as we approached, the wolves began to howl. There were 5 of them, all bellowing, noses pointing towards the sky … and I'm not quite sure why – but we joined in! Suddenly, there were 7 of us howling back and forth with the pack – it was as if we were exchanging conversations about our day."

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Teresa grew up exploring the woods and waters of the Pacific Northwest. From walking the shores of the Puget Sound to hiking the Siskiyous and kayaking the pristine waters of Glacier Bay, Teresa has experienced much of what the region has to offer.

Teresa graduated from the University of Portland where she majored in Environmental Ethics and Policy and minored in Environmental Science and Social Justice. Teresa spent three years volunteering as a naturalist for the Seattle Aquarium, where she educated visitors on the marine environment, interpreted exhibits and organized and facilitated the Marine Science Day Camp. Teresa has also spent two summers as a crew leader with the Northwest Youth Corp, a non-profit organization specializing in providing jobs integrated with environmental education to youth in the Pacific Northwest. Most recently, Teresa has worked as a teacher's assistant for a Marine Biology class at the University of Portland. Teresa is Red Cross certified in Wilderness First Aid and Small Craft Safety. She was a four-year member of the University of Portland Crew team and is an avid hiker, sea kayaker and rock climber.

Join Teresa on theseCruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage 2010

Columbia & Snake Rivers 2010

Glaciers of Prince William Sound 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.

Weston Eiler

"It's priceless to see the look on guests' faces when a glacier calves or a whale breaches. Behind the sights, there's a history and culture that makes Alaska different than any other destination."

Born and raised in Juneau, Weston has a passion for Alaska and loves how there is always something new to see and experience.

Weston has worked for Cruise West over eight seasons on several different adventures. A graduate of Willamette University in Oregon, and a Certified Interpretive Guide; he has done extensive research on Alaska history, North Pacific fisheries, and natural resource policy. Westin has worked as a staffer in the Oregon and Alaska State Legislatures, and volunteers with the rehabilitation of injured birds of prey. He enjoys sharing a local perspective of Alaska with guests and showing a side of the state unseen by most visitors.

When not guiding, Weston enjoys kayaking, soccer, long walks on the beach, and falconry. Something Westin never leaves home without?  Clothes, if he's having a good day! 

Join Weston on theseCruise West adventures*:

Alaska's Inside Passage 2010

Voyages of the Great Explorers 2010

 

* Specific departure dates may vary.