About Ship to Shore Traveler

< Lorraine testing gear for comfort and performance

Kenyan born, Betts earliest memory of gearing up was of preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with her father as a young girl. "We selected the best high-tech equipment available." Lorraine later explored the world as a zodiac driver in the polar regions and as a cruise director in the tropics for over a decade. Her first, of 62, Antarctic expedition was in 1983.

In 1991, Lorraine founded her first on-board retail company. Over the past two decades she has used her extensive expedition experience and design and manufacturing knowledge to outfit expedition cruise staff, deck crew and passengers with destination-specific gear.

Environmental stewardship ranks highly on Lorraine's priority list. As part of her ongoing commitment, she works with One Percent for the Planet and has forged relationships with conservation groups.

< Kristy with her two future explorers

Kristy uses her expedition cruise and small business background to streamline operations and maintain quality customer service and to keep Ship to Shore Traveler running smoothly.

Kristy brings more than 20 years experience in the adventure travel arena to Ship to Shore Traveler, including founding and operating an adventure travel company for over a decade. As expedition staff, Kristy has been to Antarctica over 50 times, worked on Icebreakers in the Arctic, traveled throughout the Galapagos, Baja, South Pacific, and has lived and worked with Amazonian Indians in the Peruvian Amazon. Kristy is the proud mother of two young girls and the co-founder of CoolMom.org, a non-profit organization that unites mothers to address climate change.

< Annie trying out the Wi-Fi in a remote area in Australia

A lifelong world traveler, Annie hails from Australia and her relationship with Ship to Shore Traveler spans over a decade. Annie is responsible for the online operations and marketing of Ship to Shore Traveler's wide range of services. Annie offers experience in marketing communications and project management for the cruise industry. Annie's clients rank among the major cruise lines. Her project management experience encompasses online travel agent training and special events, and she has managed the marketing collateral for ten new ship launches in Europe and North America.

Annie has explored all seven continents. Tropical Bali and the polar regions, Antarctica and the North Pole, are dearest to her heart.

< Linda at the Ship to Shore Traveler Distribution Center in Arizona

Linda Gallie operates and manages distribution operations and the Ship to Shore Traveler customer service team. Originally from South Africa, Linda has traveled extensively. Linda worked as expedition staff aboard a variety of expedition cruise vessels visiting remote destinations in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

As a former manager of shop boutiques onboard the ships, Linda excels at meeting the gear requirements for passengers traveling in extreme weather conditions. She knows what works best, maintains environmentally friendly practices, and is a joy to work with.

< Martin kayaking in Argentina

Martin organizes the logistics of getting gear to and from the ships in Ushuaia, Argentina. With almost a decade of experience as a sea kayak and canoe guide in the Beagle Channel, Martin is a wealth of knowledge on gear and outdoor equipment. Martin can handle any gear situation you may encounter while in Ushuaia. Martin holds a degree from the National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco.

< Stella skiing in the U.S.

After managing two of Ship To Shore Traveler's expedition ship shops, Stella Sandapin brings an obvious aplomb at handling orders and an expert knowledge of global destinations. Stellas warmth and familiarity with numerous adventure cruise companies consolidated our decision to welcome her to our team in fall 2010. Stella also serves as co-coordinator for private jet charters for a worldwide affiliate. She commutes to work by bus, raising our green quotient.

< Miss Meiling waiting for the UPS shipment to arrive

Paid in treats, Miss Mei never misses a day at work. Our canine companion does what dogs do best: waits for the UPS Driver. After seven years with STST, she is on a first name basis with Lay, our Gear Customization Expert, Paul from UPS, and Tim the Postman. Miss Mei spends her weekends at Washington's picturesque Lake Entiat.