Laura Torr brings more than a decade of experience in the expedition yacht industry to her new role with EYOS. Her career has spanned yacht operations, crew, charter and yacht support, including time as a yacht purser and a season working in Antarctica with an EYOS Expedition Leader. A lifelong traveler and self-described nature-lover, Laura is now bringing her extensive experience in luxury yachting to the world of expedition travel. We sat down with Laura to discuss what drew her to expedition yachting, what makes a successful expedition, and the destinations she is most excited to explore.
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You’ve spent much of your career in the yacht world, working across yacht operations, crew, charter and yacht support. What was it about expedition yachting that drew you to this side of the industry?
I am a nature-lover and explorer, albeit usually on foot. I am happiest when changing scenery and becoming acquainted with unknown lands, so I wanted to be closer to people who share that spirit. Yachts tend to congregate in places where the infrastructure provides pleasures such as shopping, dining and entertainment, usually in and around developed marinas and airports.
Expedition yachting offers the opportunity to escape busy areas and discover untouched parts of the world while taking the highest levels of comfort and service with you. It requires a little more creativity when it comes to entertainment and logistics, but I appreciate a challenge, as do all explorers!
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Expedition yachting is as much about the destination and the experience as it is about the yacht itself. You spent years working as a purser onboard yachts, including a season in Antarctica. From your perspective, what do you think makes a truly successful expedition aboard a yacht?
A dynamic, spontaneous Expedition Leader and a crew willing to move the vessel or take the tender to the most exciting environment at that moment. Having a leader who understands the rhythms and signs of wildlife is key, as is someone who encourages all guests, and crew, to experience the best that nature has to offer.
It is about feeling as connected to the surroundings as possible: taking in spectacular views from a different perspective, looking along the coastline from the sea, and being able to step ashore in places that are impossible to reach without a tender. It is also about tasting local food and getting to know the people who live there.
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One of the appeals of expedition yachting is the ability to go places that larger vessels simply can’t reach. What destinations or types of environments do you think are particularly well suited to exploring by yacht?
Remote lands abundant with beautiful flora and fauna, free from cars and hotels. Areas with dramatic yet stunning weather conditions: icy, snowy and mountainous. Seeing animals in the wild that most people will only ever see on television.
I am drawn to environments with glaciers, sandy islands and mountains you can walk on, knowing you have the place almost entirely to yourself. Smaller vessels offer the ability to anchor closer to shore and have greater maneuverability, allowing you to stop in a bay, explore narrow waterways and get closer to the action.
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Looking ahead, how do you think expedition yachting will evolve? Are there particular destinations, experiences or trends that you think will shape the next generation of private yacht expeditions?*
I think we will see more activity-specific expeditions for people who want to focus their trip on surfing, fishing, heli-skiing or other particular interests.
Since the invention of digital media, people seem increasingly interested in capturing their memories on film, so I believe the desire for drones and helicopters will continue to grow. They offer an exciting new perspective for video and photography.
Antarctica is very popular now, and I think there is a sense of urgency to see it before it becomes too busy. Much of Antarctica can only be reached by boat, which makes it all the more special and rare to visit.
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You’ve been to 66 countries and are currently hitting the road in an RV across the States. What destination is next on your list?
Indonesia. Although I haven’t visited this part of Asia, I love Indonesian food, and the Indonesians I have worked with have been so kind and caring. I would like to experience those cultural aspects of the country itself.
I am also rather new to diving, and I understand Indonesia offers some of the best diving in the world. I have yet to spot a seahorse during my underwater adventures, and apparently Indonesia is a global hotspot for them!
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Before joining EYOS, you worked with us as a yacht purser in Antarctica for a season. Did anything stand out from the outside looking in that is making you excited to join the team for this season?
Having worked with an EYOS Expedition Leader onboard in Antarctica, I understand firsthand the importance of having one onboard and on hand before the trip to help prepare the vessel and guests. Their deep knowledge adds so much to the experience. They know where to look for particular wildlife, how to behave around animals and which routes to hike for the best viewpoints. They can take photos if guests wish and have wonderful stories to tell, to name just a few benefits.
The Expedition Leader created incredible experiences for the crew as well as the guests. We all learned a lot, felt a closer connection to the destination and became Antarctica ambassadors. When I close my eyes, I can still visualize the penguins and orcas swimming next to the tender, and I remember how cold the polar plunge was!
These are experiences that last a lifetime, and I am excited to help others forge those same memories.