— How did you first find yourself in Antarctica?
— To be honest, it was more of a coincidence than a deliberate choice. In 2007, the company I was working for at the time was given a contract for a vessel bound for Antarctica. I had never sailed in icy conditions before and had no experience in polar navigation. But when I first saw Antarctica, I realised it was a truly special, unique place. Since then, I have returned there regularly, worked on various ships, and gradually built up the necessary experience.

— Why did ice navigation become so special for you?
— First and foremost, I was drawn by the very nature of the polar regions. It is a unique environment, a completely different world compared to the seas we are used to. Working with ice requires a captain to have special skills, intuition, and caution. You can never truly relax. You must always be alert, understand how the ice behaves, and be able to predict weather changes. This is what makes such work both challenging and incredibly fascinating.
I gradually realised that ice navigation was what truly interested me. There is always something new to encounter, and each voyage is different from the last. It captures you and never lets you go.

— How many years have you been working in the polar regions?
— For more than 15 years now. Since starting in 2007, I have been sailing to both Antarctica and the Arctic almost every season. You could say the Arctic and the Antarctica have chosen me themselves. Today, this is my main field, my specialisation, and I have no plans to change it.

— How does ice navigation differ from ordinary navigation?
— The differences are huge. First of all, the conditions are completely different. In open seas, there are fewer dangers and navigation is simpler. In icy waters, the captain must constantly analyse the situation: take into account ice thickness, wind direction, and temperature. Even a small patch of ice can be extremely dangerous for a modern vessel, so there is no room for mistakes.

— What is an ice class and why is it so important?
— Ice class is a special classification of ships that indicates the conditions in which they can operate safely. For example, there are ships with an icebreaker class, like Ponant’s vessel Le Commandant Charcot. It can pass through almost any ice, even the most challenging. Our ship is not an icebreaker, but it has an ice class and special ice protection, allowing us to operate safely in polar regions for extended periods.
Ice class refers not only to the hull structure but also to equipping the vessel with special systems: heated liferafts, enhanced safety measures, and advanced navigation systems. All of this is regulated by the Polar Code — a dedicated set of rules mandatory for all polar ships.

— What other challenges come with ice navigation?
— Ice is constantly changing. You can never predict exactly what the ice conditions will be like in a few hours. We regularly receive ice chart data, use radar and visual observation, but even that can be insufficient. Sometimes the ice situation changes abruptly, and we must quickly decide to change course.

— How is the crew prepared for work in icy conditions?
— We regularly hold drills and training sessions, practising various emergency scenarios. We run exercises involving helicopters, rescue equipment, and even have special programmes for simulating collisions with ice. The crew must know exactly what to do if something goes wrong.
Recently, we had a joint exercise with a coastguard helicopter that came to practise a rescue operation. We were moving at full speed in open waters, and the crew trained to receive people and cargo from the helicopter in those conditions. Such training helps everyone feel more confident and be prepared for anything.

— What is the most important piece of advice you would give a captain navigating polar waters for the first time?
— Be cautious and never overestimate yourself. In ice navigation, there is no place for overconfidence. You must always be ready for nature to prove stronger than you expect. It is essential to have clear backup plans and not be afraid to retreat if it is necessary for the safety of the ship and the people on board. Ice and the polar environment are not enemies but partners — you must learn to interact with them with respect and care.

— How does the Swan Hellenic expedition vessel differ from regular cruise liners?
— In essence, SH Diana is not so different from any other passenger ship. It has all the same features: comfortable staterooms, restaurants, public areas, technical systems. But the key difference is that this vessel was designed specifically as an expedition ship. That means it has an ice class and special ice protection, allowing it to operate for extended periods in temperatures down to minus ten degrees Celsius. In addition, it is equipped with specialised systems for working in polar conditions.

— What kind of equipment is that?
— First of all, inflatable Zodiac boats, used for landing guests ashore and for excursions at sea. We also have special heating and protection systems. All this allows us to work safely and effectively in cold regions. At the same time, the ship remains a hybrid, which means we can easily switch from polar expeditions to regular cruises in more comfortable climates, such as the Mediterranean. Right now, we are finishing the polar season and will soon head south, where the standard cruise season begins – a new port every day, regular routes, and completely different conditions.

— Why is a smaller ship more convenient for expeditions?
— Because on a ship like ours, guests are much closer to the water. If we encounter whales, passengers can see these animals literally ten metres away. On a large cruise liner carrying one or two thousand passengers, such closeness and interactivity simply aren’t possible. Even if such a liner is near whales, the distance will still be significant due to the vessel’s height and size. SH Diana is purpose-built for expeditions, which means it allows guests to feel a much stronger connection with nature.

— What departments make up your ship’s crew?
— The crew is divided into three main departments: deck, engine, and hotel. The deck department is responsible for navigation and the safety of the vessel, the engine department handles technical maintenance and the operation of all machinery, and the hotel department ensures the comfort and service for our guests.
The deck department is headed by the chief officer, who oversees the watch officers and deckhands. The engine department is led by the chief engineer, responsible for all technical systems and machinery on board. In the hotel department, the hotel director manages guest comfort and coordinates all passenger and crew service teams.

— What are your main responsibilities as captain?
— First and foremost, I am responsible for the safety of the vessel and everyone on board. I make navigational decisions, oversee arrivals and departures from ports, and organise the work of the crew. In addition, I have a significant amount of administrative duties: liaising between departments, planning the day, and resolving ongoing matters. I also interact actively with guests and company partners, help them plan itineraries, and advise on the capabilities of our ship.

— How often do you conduct drills and training?
— Drills are held on board regularly – they are an essential part of our work. We practise different scenarios: fire, evacuation, collision with ice, and the use of rescue equipment. This is extremely valuable, as the crew must be prepared for absolutely anything.

— What does your usual working day look like?
— I wake up early to get some quiet work done in the morning, when fewer people are using the internet and communications, so I can calmly go through emails and documents. If we are approaching a port, I am always on the bridge, overseeing manoeuvres. During the day, there are many administrative tasks and conversations with the crew. After lunch, I always try to rest a little – it helps keep my mind fresh.
I make sure to visit the gym regularly, because three months at sea require maintaining good physical shape. In the evenings, I sometimes talk with guests or attend events. But even when I’m not on the bridge, I am always on call – my position requires being available 24 hours a day. In case of any unusual situations, the watch officers immediately contact me so that I can make the final decision.

— What does your work and rest schedule look like?
— I work for three months on the ship and then have three months off at home in Barcelona. This allows me to fully recover and return to the next voyage with renewed energy. Such a schedule is common in our industry and has proven to work very well.

— What key skills are necessary to be the captain of a passenger vessel, especially in polar regions?
— The main difference between commanding cargo ships and passenger ships is that here you are responsible for hundreds of lives on board. Your decisions directly affect people’s safety and comfort. This requires the ability to make calm decisions under pressure and a genuine skill in communicating effectively – both with the crew and with passengers.
Flexibility is crucial, especially in expedition cruises. Weather conditions, ice situations, and encounters with wildlife can change our plans instantly. You must always have several backup options ready. The ability to assess a situation quickly and adjust the course calmly is probably the most important skill for a captain in polar waters.

— How are cruise itineraries planned given such unpredictability?
— When planning itineraries, we always include several backup scenarios. We choose routes that allow us to change course if ice conditions or weather become an issue. Guests often don’t even notice how quickly we adapt, because everything is thought through in advance down to the smallest detail.

— Over the years at sea, you must have had some memorable moments. Can you recall a particularly vivid one?
— I always say: my goal as a captain is to avoid adventures. Because an “adventure” at sea almost always means that something hasn’t gone according to plan. That said, there have certainly been difficult and memorable situations that have tested my skills and composure.

— For example?
— The most striking, of course, is crossing the Drake Passage. This stretch between South America and Antarctica is notorious for its extreme weather conditions. We have often faced waves six to eight metres high and the fiercest storms. The ocean there is truly unpredictable. You very quickly come to understand why sailors have always both feared and respected these waters.

— Have there been moments when you actually felt afraid?
— Fear is not quite the word. I would say – deep respect. In such moments, you rely on your training, experience, and your crew. If you are prepared and keep calm, even difficult situations can be overcome. Panic is what makes situations dangerous. I always choose the path of clear planning and cool-headed calculation. Of course, I don’t seek to find myself in such storms again – but if they do happen, the key is to maintain composure and control.

— Do you have a favourite place among all those you’ve visited?
— I’ve been very fortunate to travel to many corners of the world. I like Australia and New Zealand – the scenery there is stunning. The Amazon River in South America is also a fascinating place. It’s not entirely navigable, but what I have seen so far left a strong impression. If I had to name my favourite destination, it would definitely be Antarctica. Nowhere else do you feel so small and yet so alive. The nature there is pure and untouched. Icebergs, mountains, the whiteness all around… it’s as if you’ve stepped onto another planet.

— And looking to the future – are there any places you dream of visiting?
— I’ve been almost everywhere, but one place still on my dream list is the Eastern Canadian Arctic. The logistics are challenging, but the landscapes, culture, and history are absolutely unique. I would very much like to work in that region and perhaps in Alaska. Although, of course, it cannot quite compare to Svalbard – this archipelago has truly remarkable places.

— What makes these places special?
— It’s simple: the silence, the vastness, and the sense of the present moment. There is no rush, no noise. Just you and the world. And when you are in such an environment, everything else fades away. You are truly present in the here and now.