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.

Diana Lester

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written August 2010
Simply The Best! This was the most brilliant trip I have ever done - a truly amazing experience in every respect. It far exceeded all expectations and my problem now is, how can I ever follow that?!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Close encounters with polar bears were definitely the highlights - and there were many! And the silence as we drifted through the ice watching the bears, even though there were well over 100 spectators, was awesome!
Other inspirational moments included watching Arctic fox cubs, seeing huge bird colonies on the cliffs, experiencing the midnight sun and enjoying stunning scenery to name but a few!
What did you think of your group leader?
Woody and Paul headed a really excellent team, all of whom were extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Svalbard and its wildlife. They worked round the clock to make sure that we had the best possible trip, and they succeeded!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are interested in wildlife and wild places, book now for next year! If you have reservations about travelling on a ship, cast them aside! This is NOT a cruise, it's an expedition and although it was my first sea voyage, I enjoyed everything about it. The food was fantastic (though I shouldn't have eaten so much of it!), the accommodation is good, and have no worries about travelling alone - I made lots of lovely new friends!
Annette Cunningham

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written August 2010
This trip was a superb experience. We cannot praise the expedition team, crew and all on-board staff enough. It was simply one of the best holidays we have ever had.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The whole trip was inspirational --every moment was memorable.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was superb. He and his team had our respect and we were completely comfortable with their competence in every area, so that we always felt extremely safe. He also made us feel part of the team and not just paying guests. He made every effort to ensure that our Arctic experience was as good as possible.
He also clearly had the respect of his whole team.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We were so pleased that on any similar expedition we will chose to go with Exodus.
Jon Whitmore

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written August 2010
I had high expectations for this trip and all were not just execeeded but blown away. It was not only the best wildlife holiday I've ever had, but possibly the best one I'll ever have.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The bears on the sea ice of the Hinlopen Strait is the obvious winner here. The sheer quality of sightings in perfect conditions amazed even the expedition staff.
What did you think of your group leader?
"Woody", Paul, the expedition crew and the hotel staff were all fantastic. They deserve every trip they do to be as succesful as this one for all the hard work and dedication they put in.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't hesitate, DO IT.
Be prepared for a flexible itinery as unforseen circumstances can force a quick change of plan.
Take a laptop or external storage device to download your photos.
Don't mention it if you happen to like Puffins
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Akademik Sergey Vavilov is a fantastic vessel for wildlife viewing, quiet, manouverable and stable. The food is superb and the staff excellent. If I get the chance to to another wildlife polar cruise the first name I'll look for is Exodus, the second is Vavilov.
Sally Cross

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written August 2010
An unforgettable voyage into the Arctic. An adventure and a revelation.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I have to write about two, seeing polar bears on the sea ice and kayaking in a lagoon created by a glacier
What did you think of your group leader?
Brilliant, unflappable, organised, amusing and informative
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
wrap up warm
Jenny Myers

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written August 2010
My best holiday ever. Knowledgeable and friendly expedition staff made a wonderful trip even better. Woody is an outstanding leader. The idea that we reached 550 miles from the North Pole with nothing but water, ice and polar bears in-between still sends a shiver down my spine.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Our first bear on the pack ice. The moment of eye contact with a walrus in the water 3 feet away. The glaciers. The pack ice.
What did you think of your group leader?
The best.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do it! You won't regret it.
Don't let the fact that you suffer from sea sickness stop you. I do, and we were unlucky to encounter weather rough enough to upset the Vavilov (unusual) on our way back from the pack ice. The couple of occasions it caught up with me were easily managed with a couple of missed meals and medication from Dr Bob. (I only found out about high strength Phenergen, available from your pharmacist, whilst on the trip.)
Take the best camera you can afford but don't worry if it's not professional standard. I got some wonderful shots with my 12X zoom. And don't forget to just look too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I chose to share a cabin with someone I didn't knowand it worked very well. I was not made aware that the overnight stop in Oslo would also be a shared room. My only tiny quibble!
Lorna Roper

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written August 2010
Excellent in nearly every way, just the first night accommodation that was very basic.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the polar bear sliding down the glacier.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take walking boots, so you do not need to wear your wellingtons when just going out on the Zodiac. (This very helpful advice was given to me by Carl)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Very friendly ship, especially as I was on my own.
Robert Meardon

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

Written August 2010
We did not really know what to expect, but there was nothing to remotely disappoint us. The skills of the crew and holiday guides, plus a good helping of luck, combined to make an unforgetable experience. We took books for the boring bits, but there were none.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The sympathetic way we were able to observe the wildlife at close counters, without causing it any apparent concern.
What did you think of your group leader?
It was useful having Paul helping to lead the exploration. His skills in photography meant that we got into the best positions for photographic opportunities and general enjoyment.
Woody and the rest of the, 'ologists', provided a very professional, interesting and entertaining background to the trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is not possible to predict precisely where the wildlife will be. Leave it to the team to be flexible with the itinery; they want to have a good time too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It will be very difficult to match this experience.

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Spitsbergen Explorer

Our Clients’ Reviews

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER