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.

Sally Miles

ARCTIC - SPITZBERGEN ADVENTURE

Written July 2008
Thoroughly enjoyed trip. Spectacular scenery. Ships crew are very efficient and food and facilities exceeded my expectations.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too many to mention. I probably enjoyed the fact that the scenery is spectacular and is just so different to anywhere I have visited before.
What did you think of your group leader?
I am not a keen photographer and therefore probably had less contact with our group leader than many. However I thought all staff were excellent. In many ways the trip provides a whole host of mini leaders , somoeone for every interest and personality. The balance was good.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take plenty of Tshirts and light long sleeve tops for the evening. The bar , dining room and lecture rooms are hot. You need all the heavy weather gear but much time is also spent inside.
The specific charters are possibly quite different to the general trips. Just be aware that they probably differ quite significantly from itinery. Most of us loved that but it may not suit everyone.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I really enjoyed the trip and booked it last minute over the phone. I wasn't told that it was a photographic Charter. The booking Team should make that clear.
I think the fact you chartered the boat was fantastic and in particular loved that we did not have a set itinery. However the Trip notes could probably be clearer on this point.
As highlighted above most people on the trip wish they had brought more lightweight clothing for inside. The clothing details could be clearer on the trip notes.
As soon as we arrived people advised we should use a hood (is that correct word) on our cameras would be helpful to add to trip notes.
Alun Edwards

ARCTIC - SPITZBERGEN ADVENTURE

Written July 2008
Most people won't know where it is, or why anyone would want to go there. Let them go elsewhere, it would only spoil Spitsbergen if too many go there. Inspirational.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Watching two arctic fox cubs play for about an hour, totally unphased by the 100 pairs of eyes trained onthem only a few feet away.
What did you think of your group leader?
Woody and his team couldn't be more dedicated in ensuring that everyone on the trip gained everying they possibly could from the Spitsbergen experience. The ship's crew were excellent also.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If the weather is good then you won't get a spare minute, but inevitably there may be a day or two of poor weather and visibility so a good book or two helps. Just keep your fingers crossed that you won't get to read them!
Robert Slade

SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER ON THE VAVILOV

Written July 2008
Fantastic holiday, and notable for the marvellous expedition staff and the excellent Vavilov crew.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Bears on ice followed by ice cold beer ... sun glinting on glaciers... scudding through a blue ice floe maze in a zodiac ? Sorry, it's too hard to pick one best moment !
What did you think of your group leader?
Woody and Paul were an excellent and complementary team, couldn't ask for better. The other expedition staff also all had their own very impressive "back stories" (from land mine campaining to white water rafting) and their rainy day lectures, on subjects as diverse as geology to travel writing, really made the holiday.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a smart shirt or two as the evening meals are really quite posh (but nothing like being on a c****e of course !).
Darren Medland

SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER ON THE VAVILOV

Written July 2008
A stunning trip that didn't disappoint ! Sadly over all too quickly for my liking. From a photography perspective I would have enjoyed more time in the Zodiacs or on land to take photos. Maybe the Zodiacs were a little overcrowded at times making it difficult to get sharper images due to movement. But that's not meant as a criticism in any way! Still an unbelievable adventure and not to be missed at any cost! I'm going to start saving for the Antartic now ! one day maybe ! just maybe.........
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too many to mention! The Arctic fox cubs at the end were magical, the close up encounter with the Polar bear who walked right across the bow of the Vavilov or the Walruses, the stunning scenery........ Take your pick !
What did you think of your group leader?
All of the staff/crew from the group leader down were brilliant! Professional, friendly and knowledgeable.
Faultless and a credit to both themselves and the ship.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
For photographers buy the biggest, fastest lens you can afford (300mm F 2.8 or 500mm F4) and definately one with IS or VR. Take a tripod, monopod and a large bean bag.
A portable downloader/ laptop would be a bonus.
Take plenty of layers to keep warm.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
One of the ultimate wildlife adventures still left in the world.
Raymond A Head

SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER ON THE VAVILOV

Written July 2008
Well-managed expedition with multi-skilled expedition team who helped to optimize the experience. Good wildlife sightings underpinned by a vigilant team and bridge crew.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Close viewing of large male polar bear on an ice floe & large group of walruses on land and near to shore . Female polar bear and 2 cubs frolicking on the shore. .
What did you think of your group leader?
Inspired expedition leader with great sense of humour and friendly, enthusiastic and informative team
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for extended and/or unplanned periods on the ship and late itinerary replans due to adverse weather
Graham Smith

SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER

Written July 2008
Suberb holiday - enjoyed every minute. The enthusiasm of the staff was a delight.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
First glimpse of a polar bear with cubs.
Monaco glacier.
Standing on the beach almost next to walruses playing in the water.
What did you think of your group leader?
You cannot better "Woody". His sheer enthusiasm and good humour and his obvious love of all aspects of the Arctic, its history, wild life and scenery.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't bother taking boots - just wellies. And these can be obtained on the ship.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The only very minor complaint was the mix up over the picking up of bags from our overnight hotel at Longyearbyen before transfer to the ship. We had conflicting sets of instructions.
Julie Scott

SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER

Written September 2007
A lifetime memory
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It was amazing to see a walrus swimming towards us while we were standing on the beach and our photos were worthy of National Geographic!
I had tears in my eyes watching the mother polar bear with her cub clinging to such a tiny iceberg. I will never forget it.
What did you think of your group leader?
Woodie was an excellent leader as were all the guides. They were very knowledgeable and we learned so much.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I wore 7 layers every day! Take silk thermals and forget the walking boots - just take fur lined wellies. My feet were frozen all the time. You can actually borrow wellies on the boat - and wet gear.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I took 750 photos! An amazing holiday! I always thought that photos in magazines must be enhanced but the glaciers and icebergs really are turquoise.