Spitsbergen Explorer Arctic Expedition Cruise

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...

Average Review Rating: from 82 reviews.

Hazel Sutton

ARCTIC - SPITZBERGEN ADVENTURE

Written July 2008
I thought I would enjoy large parts of the trip but in reality I loved every moment - thanks to a great crowd and fantastic crew (ship, quark, guest speakers and exodus) even the fog bound day had it's moments. Would love to have spent more time 'on the ice' polar bear hunting, but hey 4 bears in 3 days inlcuding two with kills I guess we shouldn't be too greedy. Not falling out of a zodiac was a bonus!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Simple: my first polar bear - on the ice; AND on my birthday! Who could ask for more? But there was more, penty more, to come.
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul was, as always, unique (actually quite tame compared to previous trips!) and kept the enthusiasm going - definitely worth putting up with for the sheer passion he has for the place!! See you again when I've saved enough for the next trip.
Woody was equally inspiring and Simon (I know not a group leader but deserves a mention) was an absolute joy to meet and share such special experiences with.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
thank you for yet another amzing experience, but why does all this have to be so addictive!!
Murrough O'Brien

ARCTIC - SPITZBERGEN ADVENTURE

Written July 2008
I never thought the Arctic could be so much fun. Fun it was, I made lots of new friends, and the whole experience was amazing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I have dwelled on this one. Thinking back to a particular moment when I felt 'the most'. Yes that bear by the ship was right up there, as was that great big fat Walrus swimming up to the sandy shore to say hi!. Arctic fox cubs behaving like Galapagos residents in showing no fear of humans, and that glacier carving, and the booming sound it made as we listened also provided a thought provoking moment. The first bear kill, I actually viewed this from a distance and enjoyed the bear parading around "it's kill", a bit like making your very own perfect Steak & Kidney Pie and then not wanting to eat it because your are proud of what you've done. As for just drifting, with no engines in a rubber dingy (zodiac) through the edge of the ice pack with crystal blue mini-bergs on a mirror-still day, well that's also be up there, amazing. But the moment that stirred me the most, when I compare back now, was just the simple announcement 'The sea ice edge is just under 4 miles away' causing me to rush up to the top deck and spending 30 minutes watching the 'thin white line' emerge from horizon to my side; that was the moment.
What did you think of your group leader?
Woody certainly knew his stuff. You could see between the lines the attention to detail and approach for every excursion was thought through. When ashore, you felt confident that nothing had been over-looked, which enabled you to relax and absorb the scenary and wildlife. The approach to bear and Walrus watching was very good, every guest saw every confirmed bear sighting.
Paul injected an enthusiastic energy that started and ended at Heathrow and never faltered. His nautical views added a daily recap and provided an ever humorous and (perhaps :) witty analysis of the day's events. His desire to ensure everyone obtained good photographic memories was there for all to see, and his 25 years in the travel game shone through as he could readily and willingly deal with camera questions and input from both the experienced and the novice whenever approached. I would certainly look at the Exodus Polar trips that are co-lead with Paul.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Not really, it's all there on the site. Just remember, the weather and the ice make this holiday what it is; as well as dictate what can and can't be done on a daily basis. The excellent and knowledgable tour staff onboard should be taken advantage of at every opportunity as they all enjoy sharing the experience with you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
As a tour and a holiday to the Arctic, this was fantastic. As a photographic charter, I feel it was a little lacking. Yes we had some good chance viewings and luck. However for a photographic enthusiast looking for the extra special things, I would say not enough was made of the 24 hour light (How I wanted to take shots in the golden hours of night when the sun was low in the sky, but the ship always seemed to be in the middle of nowhere rushing into fog for it's next port of call, whilst leaving clear weather and excellent light behind). All the excursions were based around the solar day and revolved a little too much around meal times. Twelve people in a Zodiac is too crowded to allow for good photographic framing, and there was no second chance to go out again and photograph the same thing. I would have loved to have gone out at 3 in the morning with 4-5 people in a zodiac and stayed out till 9 with a packed breakfast on board. A smaller ship may be the answer if you really want to enjoy flexibility as a photgrapher.
Norah Wright

ARCTIC - SPITZBERGEN ADVENTURE

Written July 2008
An excellent combination of wildlife and wilderness. Seeing polar bears, seals, etc on the ice was wonderful and so were the trips in the zodiacs and on shore. There is a lot to see, learn and absorb on this trip. An almost complete escape from the "real" world and the 21st century but with the comfort of the ship.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Watching the polar bear walking over the sea ice towards the ship and taking a good look at us, seeing the two arctic fox cubs playing amongst the rocks and just standing on the decks enjoying the tranquility and austere beauty of the landscape.
What did you think of your group leader?
Full marks to both Paul and Woody for working hard together to ensure we all saw and enjoyed as much as possible. They are both very experienced and knowledgable about the region and keen to share their enthusiasm. All the crew were excellent - I wish I could have communicated with the Russians!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take some dollars in cash for the last night on the ship as credit card bills have to be settled before. (Also useful for the flight and stops en route.) Be flexible about what you will see - the itinerary is dictated by fog and ice and changes ALL the time which can be exciting or frustrating.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Minor disappointment that there was no expert naturalist on board so no talks on polar bears, reindeer, etc. May be better not to provide a day to day itinerary which is unlikely to be fulfilled - better to keep it flexible as per the Antarctic trips and avoid any disappointments.
gundel grolimund

ARCTIC - SPITZBERGEN ADVENTURE

Written July 2008
Polarbears and foxes, but the staff and their exiting background was the big surprise for me.A pitty I did not know while on the ship..
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Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
bring your knee-pads from the garden for the zodiacs!
Shirley Hodges

ARCTIC - SPITZBERGEN ADVENTURE

Written July 2008
Exceeded expectations
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Having polar bear come right up to ship to investigate us and staying for quite a while
What did you think of your group leader?
good at spotting and recognizing wildlife behaviour.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
take an eye mask and don't expect to stick to a schedule!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
as a special photograhic trip I was surprised there was no meeting / suggestions for the non- expert photographers
Nicola Gowan

ARCTIC - SPITZBERGEN ADVENTURE

Written July 2008
I'll never forget the polar bear carvery
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing not one but two polar bears on a kill Being able to get close to a large group of walruses without disturbing them Travelling through the pack ice Being in such a wild remote place where very few had been Seeing Arctic fox cubs playing in full view of us Getting a honorable mention in the photo competition Seeing our leader Woody in his down jacket, "sock 'n crocs" and shorts, even when the wind chill was minus 10 degrees!
What did you think of your group leader?
All the staff were excellent and couldn't have been more attentive to our safety and well being. When the weather stopped us going ashore they worked very hard to put on talks both during the day and in the evening. Worthy of especial mention is David "Woody" Woods the trip leader - always wonderfully calm and reassuring and made the trip great fun as well as showing great sensitivity to the wildlife and the environment. His wife Annie is also great and a very skilled zodiac driver. We all enjoyed having Simon Calder on board and his down to earth practicality made an amusing contrast to Paul Goldstein. Paul may be a bit over the top at times but was great fun although he could have paid a bit more attention to the non photographers in the group. However he was very nice about a shot I put in to the photo competition so in my book he's a great guy! I also admire his passion for conservation and his superb photography.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take plenty of layers - you will often find yourself going from the warmth of the ship to the cold of the outside whenever wildlife are sited If you want to take advantage of walking opportunities take some walking boots or shoes. I used mine for one walk rather that wellies and was much happier since the going is quite rough. Don't expect the itinerary to be followed at all but trust that the leaders and the captain are doing there best within the constraints on the weather and sea conditions to give everyone the best possible trip.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Fantastic trip which I would thoroughly recommend - the ship is very comfortable and the food excellent. My sister, who I travelled with and I upgraded to a cabin with a shared bathroom and were glad we had and enjoyed having a window rather than a porthole. I've been back a week and my head is still trying to process the whole amazing experience.
Karen Ballingall

ARCTIC - SPITZBERGEN ADVENTURE

Written July 2008
An absolutely fantastic trip, scenery, wildlife, fellow travellers and crew were all superb. A must for any wildlife and adventure fans
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
100 people standing in total silence on the bow of the ship as a young make polar bear walked over to the ship to investigate this strange presence in his icy wilderness. The only sounds that could be heard was the blur of cameras and the gasps of astonishment.
What did you think of your group leader?
Woody and Paul worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone on board had the trip of a lifetime. The whole team were fantastic they were professional, always ready with a smile, great fun and very knowledgeable
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go, you will love it
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A real holiday of a lifetime