Chelsi

Before joining Swoop, my career spanned over 17 years in the travel industry. This journey has been defined by intrigue and a desire to educate myself and others on what this planet offers.

My early years were spent on the ground in Italy, working seasonally for four years as a customer service representative. From helping customers check in and fixing on-site issues to stepping in to babysit for parents who needed a little respite, my focus was always on making their travel experience seamless and joyful.

Following this, I spent 12 years with a leading travel specialist. I started in worldwide sales, specialized in cruising, and then joined the Polar team in 2018. After three incredible years there, I moved on to manage my own branch, coaching and developing sales teams. However, my heart remained anchored to the wild and icy corners of the Earth. My goal has always been to help travellers move beyond the role of the spectator and encourage them to truly immerse themselves in new and extraordinary surroundings.

My passion for travel has always been driven by a desire to truly immerse myself in the world’s most remote surroundings and cultures, be it through human interaction, wildlife observation, or embracing the scenery that surrounds us.

For me, travel is about those unforgettable sensory moments. I’ll never forget watching the Margerie Glacier in Alaska calve; the roaring sound of ice crashing into the bay still echoes in my mind, and the vivid, centuries-old blue ombré of the glacier was mesmerizing.

I’ve also been incredibly lucky with marine wildlife encounters. I’ve dived with whale sharks in Western Australia, come face-to-face with Great Whites in South Africa, and caught the humpback crossover season in Ningaloo. But my first true "David Attenborough" moment was in Alaska, watching humpback whales from a Zodiac. Even though they were in the distance, hearing their breath and feeling their immense presence was completely overwhelming. Travel not only allows you to learn so much about the world, but it also helps you learn even more about yourself.

I do not think it gets much better than helping others plan those life-changing journeys to the ends of the Earth. Drawing on my years of experience, I love helping people navigate the exciting choices of a polar expedition.

Hearing customer stories from Antarctica never ceases to amaze me. Everybody's experience is so personal and individual. Often, I am the initial cog in helping customers experience this inspiring continent, and this is always both exciting and a privilege. If I can help ease my customers' journeys in exploring a destination dictated not by a schedule but by the rhythm of the wild, then I am wholly satisfied and cannot wait to hear of their adventures when they return.