Spitsbergen Explorer

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Moira Gardner

  Ice, Zodiacs and Bears

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Sailing through the ice and being very close to a mother bear and her two 7 month old cubs was an unforgetable experience.  We had a fantastic view from the ship, recorded by hundreds of photographs over a few hours as the cubs played like youngsters unperturbed by our presence.  Binoculars were not needed as we were so close. A few days later we were able to see humpback whales feeding, followed by gulls and us in our zodiacs.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  This was a special trip led by Paul Goldstein and our Expedition Leader was David ' Woody' Wood. Both men are inspirational and experts in their own field.  Their drive, sense of humour and fun had us all hanging on every word.  They were a double act ,who were simply brilliant.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take plenty of clothing that can be worn as layers as it can be cold sitting on a zodiac.  The main problem is cold feet through wearing wellingtons a lot if the land is very wet.  Two pairs of socks at least are needed.  Try taking warming gel packs which heat up when exposed to the air.  Some clingfilm is also useful as it can be wrapped around an activated gel pack to deactivate it, as cutting off the air supply cools it down for use in the future.

  If you travel with the airline SAS be aware that you need to buy food on board and they only accept Euros, Norweigen currency or credit cards.  You must pay even for a glass of water.  The choice of food is poor and not very nice.

  Shops in Longyearbyen will accept credit cards or US dollars.  The museum is worth a visit.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I am a well travelled persion and this is the best trip I have ever done.  The ship is warm, comfortable with excellant food ,serving good choices and vegetarians will have no problems. The experience of travelling in a zodiac is exhilarating and all the staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

   

  I would recommend this trip.

   
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  Sean Philip Crosby

  Ice is nice!

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Polar Bears are a huge feature and a huge attraction - but this is not a zoo so you do have to work to find them. We saw 9 bears, which seems to be fairly average luck - but no-one was disappointed. Whilst looking we also found incredible ice bergs, towering cliffs teeming with birds, curious seals, glaciers, a pod of white Beluga whales who milled around the zodiacs and a sky-hopping Humpbacked whale. We also saw walrus (we were a little unlucky and saw relatively few) and a polar mirage

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  All of the Vavilov's crew are great at what they do - Dutch, Aaron, Woody & Annie, Scottie, David McG & David Sinclair, Bjorn, Maggie & Chloe, Ian. They are passionate about this place & work hard to make sure their passengers leave equally enthused

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Make sure you have warm clothes because an afternoon sat on a zodiac drifting through an ice field can be chilly - but then if you do find bears you certainly don't want to cut the experience short by returning to the ship. Also, you do need to be flexible and not need a rigid itinerary - ice is beautiful but unpredictable so your route may need to be adapted at short notice to accommodate this, and wildlife is never predictable so you can not guarantee to see the animals you want at the precise time you want.

   
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  Elisabeth Lloyd

  Polar Bear magic

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Without doubt the most inspirational part of our trip was seeing two families of mother polar bears with twin cubs from the ship at really close quarters.   The captain hovered the ship, the bears were unconcerned - we must have looked like a big ice berg.  Knowing the bears habitat is under such threat from global warming, I feel very priviledged to have seen them for myself.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Well, what can you say about Paul Goldstein's leadership? over the top, loud, enthusiastic, full of himself.  On the other hand the regular leader Woody was great without the noise!  There were so many really knowledgable members of staff that every outing was a treat - It didnt matter whose zodiac you were in they all were so enthusiastic.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  We stayed one night in Oslo both going out and coming home and this I can thoroughly recommend.  It provided a good break in the journey and was completely different from Spitzbergen.  It was just lovely to sit in the sun enjoying a beer by the harbour on the way back having spent ten days dressing up in many layers of clothing and boots.  The hotel by the airport was fine.  It's in such a good position and the train ride into the centre of Oslo is so easy.  If you are a 'senior' you can get a discount on the train fare but you have to go to the ticket booth in the airport to buy your ticket rather than using the machines on the station.

  For the ship, take many layers of light clothing.  You will need liners for your gloves and three pairs of socks.  Neoprene or sheepskin boot liners will keep your feet warm.

   
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  Helen Barbour

  Something new and amazing to experience every hour of every day

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The phenomenal wildlife sightings - polar bears, walruses, seals, whales, Arctic foxes and all the varied bird life - so many of which were truly 'up close and personal', thanks to the knowledge, patience and skill of both the expedition and ship's crews.  Particular mention must go to the captain's amazing maneouvring of the ship among the ice floes, which gave us outstanding polar bear viewing.

  Also the ever-changing, awe-inspiring landscape.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Outstanding, as were all the expedition crew, who demonstrated unlimited energy, patience and good humour, alongside their expert knowledge, which added immeasurably to the whole experience.  My favourite guide had to be the inimitable Martin Gray - join him on just one of his 'contemplative' walks and you'll be hooked; his knowledge and humour made each one a walk to remember.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't expect the itinerary to be as shown in the trip notes - they really do tear it up on Day One.  But don't be disappointed about that, because the crew's expertise and knowledge of the area means that, wherever you go and whatever you do, it will be memorable.  It's not 100% guaranteed that you'll get to Ny Alesund, with the world's most northerly post office, or that you'll cross the 80 degree parallel - we didn't do either and it really didn't matter.  Given the choice between sending a postcard from Ny Alesund or focussing on the scenery and wildlife viewing, I know what I'd choose.  Be as open-minded and flexible as the crew and you'll have the experience of a lifetime.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This clearly isn't a cruise, but the ship's communal areas and cabins are nevertheless extremely comfortable, the cabins (we had one with our own bathroom, on deck 5) being surprisingly spacious with more storage space than we needed.  And the food is phenomenal: a good variety, excellent quality and ample quantities.

  This trip is clearly not cheap, but you will absolutely get what you pay for - it is worth whatever it takes by way of scrimping and saving to do it.  This was undoubtedly the most memorable trip of my life and, nearly two months after our return, I'm still missing the Vavilov, the landscape, the animals, the crew, my fellow passengers.  One final warning: be prepared for a major dose of post-holiday blues if you go on this trip! 

   

   

   
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  Robin Linford

  Where are the PBs?

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

   Calving icebergs - watching the spray then the multitudes of birds eager for the new food which has been stirred up.

  Sitting for an hour, waiting for a motionless polar bear to raise its head - the cold did not matter.

  Being part of the walrus' environment.

  Sunshine at midnight.  Exciting zodiac rides through ice, waves and spray.

  Elation at simply being there - at the top of the World

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  The group leaders were without exception excellent.  Nothing was ever too much trouble for them and even the most simple questions were answered with gravity and sensitivity.  They were also great fun.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take care on the tundra - it can at times give way and leave you feeling rather wet and cold!

  Layers of thin clothing will make dressing for the cold easier than thick, heavy sweaters.

  There were loads of wellies on the boat, so save yourself the bother and weight of taking any with you.

  Don't expect gourmet catering - the food on board was adequate, but somewhat unmemorable.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A wonderful experience - a pity the polar bears were so 'shy' and unwilling to show their faces to us as often as we had hoped.

  Magnificent skies - even amateur photographers can create breathtaking images.

   

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