Everything was perfect -food, expedition leader, guides, hotel staff. Perfect weather too. 8 polar bears and 8 blue whales too and all these rest. The trip was excellent through and through.
While I don’t really think anyone should be setting foot on this pristine wilderness, the planning and management of the sailing and Zodiac experiences raised customers’ consciousness of the potential damage. We were expected to walk in each other’s footprints to avoid damage to the fragile plants and soils, but in reality the terrain, and some of the attitudes, made this very difficult. It was sad to see tiny saxifrage plants ground into mud, aged lichens kicked off rocks. Even sea ice must be damaged by the ship. We did learn a lot about the environment and the ship seemed better suited than others.
But should anyone be going for fun and exacerbating the climate related destruction?
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland - M/V Greg Mortimer GREENLAND, SPITSBERGEN- TRIP CODE GMGI
August 2024
We joined the Greg Mortimer in Svalbard having spent the night in a hotel in Longyearbyen. The ship is modern, clean and bright. Our cabin was on the 6th deck with a balcony accessed by a sliding door with room to sit out so long as we put enough clothes on. It had ample storage space, a wonderful en-suite with a heated floor, sheer luxury! All types of plug were catered for so recharging batteries was easy. The first 3 days were spent round Svalbard looking at the wildlife and scenery. Leaving the ship on the zodiacs was very easy and well thought out. We ended up wearing 5 layers to stay warm. Sitting in the zodiac for a couple of hours could get very cold with out the right gear. The ship itself is well appointed with plenty of observation space, both indoor and outdoor. The lecture theatre is excellent and, if you don’t want to attend, you can watch the proceedings from your cabin on the TV.
The food was very good, Buffet style lunches and a good menu in the evenings.
Crossing the Greenland Sea on the 4th day was a little rough but the ship has stabilisers which worked well. There was a noticeable lack of people in the dining room on the first night though.
Reaching Greenland, the itinerary was adjusted based on the weather and conditions. Each day we generally had two zodiac trips with landings when we could. The supplied Wellington Boots were comfortable and warm although we did supplement them with a thermal sole insert and two pairs of socks.
The landscape is fantastic with towering cliffs and glaciers coming down to the sea. The scale is hard to describe as there is not much to compare it with but some mountains like the Devil’s Castle loom over the ship at some 1100m. Very impressive. Each day was at a different site with the ship moving overnight.
We did get to see a couple of Polar Bears, seals, walruses, musk ox and plenty of birds.
All in all, a wonderful trip full of fantastic scenery and wildlife on a comfortable ship designed for the job. The crew were excellent and always helpful as were the very knowledgeable Expedition staff.
If you want to see a mostly untouched wilderness with stunning views and wildlife, we can recommend this trip.
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Imagine drifting through the ethereal Arctic, where sunlight glimmers around the clock and wildlife reigns supreme. The 'Svalbard In Depth - M/V Sylvia Earle' tour is a 15-day small group expedition that both starts and ends in Oslo, offering experienced travelers unrivaled access to Norway’s remote Svalbard archipelago. Designed for those seeking relaxed-paced but immersive discovery, this trip balances comfort with the thrill of Arctic exploration.
With extra days built in for flexibility, you’ll slow down to linger in tranquil fjords, venture close to 80° north in pursuit of polar bears, and witness guillemots, walrus, and beluga whales in their natural habitats. Tundra hikes reveal a tapestry of wildflowers and perhaps glimpses of elusive arctic foxes, while historical sites tell tales of legendary explorers. The voyage also includes cruising past blue glacier fronts and pushing through pack ice, delivering dramatic scenery and rare wildlife encounters at every turn.
This tour’s unique selling point is the extended exploration time, allowing for unhurried wildlife viewing and the chance to discover lesser-known Arctic gems. For travelers who crave the untamed beauty of the far north, this trip offers an unforgettable blend of adventure and serenity in one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Circle the Arctic’s crown jewel on the "Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of Passage" tour—a fourteen-day polar cruise that starts and finishes in Helsinki. Board the Ultramarine and set forth on a flexible schedule of daily excursions around Spitsbergen and the Svalbard archipelago.
With expert guides leading the way, seek out polar bears, Arctic foxes, and walruses in their natural habitat. Zodiac trips take you to glacier faces and remote islands near the North Pole, offering unparalleled photo opportunities and moments of awe.
This tour’s unique selling point? A comprehensive circumnavigation of Svalbard, delivering the ultimate polar wildlife and wilderness experience for travelers eager to explore the farthest reaches of the north.
Spitsbergen, Greenland, and Iceland—all in one seamless journey. The Three Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland (Southbound) tour is a relaxed, 15-day polar expedition that begins in Helsinki and concludes in Reykjavik. Marvel at the stark beauty of the Svalbard Archipelago, drift past Greenland’s vast fjords and glacial walls, and cross the Denmark Strait to Iceland’s rugged shores.
This guided group adventure is accessible to travelers of all ages and fitness levels, featuring educational presentations on polar history and wildlife, plus Zodiac excursions for up-close wildlife spotting. The tour’s unique selling point is its rare opportunity to traverse three Arctic nations in a single voyage, allowing guests to witness immense icebergs, rare seabirds, and the enduring spirit of Arctic exploration—all while enjoying the comfort of a modern expedition ship.
Embrace the icy allure of the Arctic on the "Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway"—a ten-day polar expedition cruise round-trip from Helsinki. Discover Spitsbergen’s wild, unspoiled landscapes, where polar bears, walruses, and seabird colonies thrive.
Stroll the flowering tundra at the base of the 14th of July Glacier, explore the dramatic cliffs of Alkefjellet, and step back in time at the abandoned whaling sites of Smeerenburg. Along the rugged western coast, untouched fjords and shifting shades of ice await your discovery.
The tour’s unique highlight? A rich blend of Arctic history, geology, and breathtaking wildlife encounters—offering an immersive perspective on one of the world’s most remote and captivating environments.
Revel in the diversity of the Svalbard Island and sail into the kingdom of the polar bear. We explore the coastline, with no open sea crossings, against a backdrop of spectacular glacier-covered peaks. We discover deep fjords in the west; mysterious, fossil-rich desert plains in the east and best of all, seal and whale in the Arctic pack ice. This voyage offers the best chance for seeing reindeer and polar bear and features wildflower walks across sweeping tundra, trapper camps and historic sites. On foot and by Zodiac, we visit abandoned whaling settlements, search for walrus, Arctic fox and reindeer and observe millions of migratory birds, including little auk, guillemot and puffin.
See the mighty polar bear - the King of the Arctic
Visit the bird cliffs of Alkfejellet - where thousands of Brunnich's guillemot swirl around
See walrus - lounging around on ice floes
Get up close to the wildlife - as you cruise by Zodiac
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
If there is such a thing as a “classic Arctic” expedition cruise, this is it. Get all the best of Spitsbergen by exploring the western edge of the island and venturing to some northern outlying areas home to Polar bears and walrus. Come across colonies of seabirds numbering into the thousands and watch for whales in the water. Packed with options for snowshoeing and sea-kayaking, this is the perfect expedition for exploring the “wildlife capital of the Arctic".
For those who dream of reaching the ends of the earth, the Journey to the Geographical North Pole - Le Commandant Charcot delivers an extraordinary 16-day polar expedition starting and ending in Paris. Trace the routes of legendary explorers like Amundsen and Peary as you set sail from Spitsbergen into the drifting ice floes, aiming for the elusive 90° North—the very top of our planet.
Onboard, gain photographic insights from British photo ambassador Ian Dawson and keep watch for polar bears, seals, and whales that inhabit these remote Arctic waters. The landscapes shift dramatically with the ice and light, from towering glaciers to jagged peaks plunging into the sea. With each nautical mile, you become part of the select few to approach this mythical point, some 700 km from the nearest land.
Perfect for experienced travelers with a taste for relaxed yet epic adventure, this polar tour package blends comfort, expert guidance, and rare wildlife encounters. The standout feature? The chance to be among a handful of people who have ever attempted to reach the Geographic North Pole—making this a true bucket-list journey for modern explorers.
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
