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.

Chris Bruce

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written July 2011
The experience of a lifetime. Absolutely fantastic from start to finish
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing polar bears in their natural setting.
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul Goldstein is an inspirational leader and great character. His passion and wit really comes across and helped to make the journey something we shall never forget.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just go!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We loved every minute of the adventure,
The crew members, group leaders, and ship were all exemplary.
Carol Hodgson

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written June 2011
A truly amazing trip due to the fantastic scenery and wildlife coupled with the knowledge, professional and enthusiasm of Paul and the whole Exodus team.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It has to be watching polar bears at close quarters and in particular, observing a mother polar bear with her twin cubs when she made a kill. It doesn't get better than that!
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul Goldstein and the whole Exodus team were full of enthusiasm and very professional at all times plus the amount of knowledge that was available to us, to tap into as we wished, was just mind blowing.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take plenty of layers and be flexible as day and night become one where wildlife is concerned!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
You see wildlife programmes on the TV but experiencing it first hand just cannot be bettered.
Ann Wakem

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written June 2011
The weather was fantastic, the wildlife followed the script, the staff were great. Downside running out of tonic early in trip so no G&Ts
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Mother polar bear and two babies, catching and killing a seal, and then the babies playing in the water..rivetting
What did you think of your group leader?
Paul is Paul, a one off
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you have plenty of memory cards
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We saw everything, but do be aware 24 hour daylight is hard on the body clock
David Neighbour

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER June 2011

Written June 2011
To say it was an amazing trip does not do justice to the sights and experiences we enjoyed. All the normal superlatives sound mundane. You'll just have to go yourself!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many - seeing polar bears in their own unspoilt environment; the stunning scenery and panoramas; the seabird cliffs; the Zodiac cruises amongst the ice floes; experiencing true wilderness and absence of human impact; plus lots more!!
What did you think of your group leader?
Very professional and a true leader in every sense. Expert, inspirational and authoritative yet able to relate to people at all levels.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Can't think of any except to take note of the Exodus trip notes and clothing advice. Very sound!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It wasn't just the leader, Dave Wood, who was so good, but the whole expedition team. Experts in their field, experienced in handling the equipment (and people!), they did their best to ensure everyone enjoyed the experiences to the full.
Mention must also be made of the Vavilov and her crew: a very stable and expertly handled ship with comfortable cabins, warm and scrupulously clean with a friendly and helpful crew. Could not be better!
STEPHANIE FEARN

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written June 2011
A Brilliant cruise: very friendly and well organised, plenty of variety, great trip leaders, comfortable ship, and wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities. Talks and lectures were excellent and informative.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the flowers of the tundra, watching the ice slide past the ship, having the chance to watch polar bear interactions at some length, being surrounded by tens (or perhaps hundreds) of thousand sea birds. Being able to listen to and talk to real experts in their fields.
What did you think of your group leader?
Absolutely excellent. Extremely well organised, but flexible and relaxed and willing to change plans at very short notice to maximise opportunities. Information was regularly updated, so we always knew when and where to be ready, and what to expect.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Read as much as you can about the Arctic, fiction and non-fiction, and research on the internet. Make sure you have read the trip notes so you know exactly what to expect. Only go if you are prepared for a flexible itinerary, for possibly getting wet, and are prepared for steps and stairs. (That said, several travellers on our trip found getting into Zodiacs somewhat challenging, but all the staff, crew and other passengers helped so that no-one was unable to undertake any activities in which they wanted to participate)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We could not speak highly enough of the staff and crew, who did everything possible to ensure that everyone had the best opportunities to observe wildlife, and the the most comfortable accommodation. We loved the talks and lectures, all of which were really useful in explaing what we'd seen and giving additional background information, and we really appreciated the level of expertise available from people with such wide experience over a broad range of subjects - polar mammals, birds, plants, ice and glaciation, climate change, adventure travel, geology.
It's difficult to imagine how the trip could have been improved, and it met our expectations and desires many times over.
JULIE OLDROYD

SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER ON THE VAVILOV

Written June 2011
Extraordinary, eventful, emotional, entertaining, exciting, exhausting (at times) & yet energising- this is trip for me was truly uplifting with the most amazing Polar Bear sightings guided by Paul, Woody, Ian & the rest of an enthusiastic, fun & knowledgeable crew. It was so good I have put my name down within 12 hours of getting back for next years trip to Spitzbergen. Bring it on!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing different examples of Polar bear behaviour at first hand & having that explained by the wonderful Ian Stirling & having those memories put into photographs guided by Paul that will stay with me forever.
What did you think of your group leader?
Inspitational, passionate, caring & always entertaining. Nothing is ever guranteed but by god you know that Paul & Woody & the team were doing their damndest to do it.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Book next year now! Don't hesitate- this trip will stay with you forever.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Next year I would love to see a massage therapist on board- it would be a great addition to the trip in soothing the aching muscles after being bent over a camera for hours on end!
Joan Lowton

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written June 2011
I went on this trip with the hope of seeing polar bears and we were extroadinarily lucky to see eleven. But it wasn't just the bears that made the trip a great one, it was the other wildlife, the magnificent scenery and the extremely knowledgeable and approachable experts on board.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing a polar bear kill a seal and share it with her two cubs.
What did you think of your group leader?
Woody, the group leader was excellent, always informative and with an added sense of humour.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go with an open mind and engage with the 'no schedule' ethos.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would thoroughly recommend this trip not only to anyone who loves polar bears but also to lovers of spectacular scenery, clean air and socialising with like-minded individuals.