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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  karen beswick

  SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER

  

  Written July 2010

  Way beyond my expectations. Dreams are made of this. I went thinking we may see polar bears but it was fab. We had 31 sightings (not 31 different bears) One day we had six or seven bears in sight. Mother with two cubs who walked across the ice towards the zodiacs and came very close. You could not repeat this trip or ever describe it to give it justice.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The trip to Monaco glazier was my highlight (apart from the bears). Surrounded by icebergs of varying shades of blue and weaving through them. Then sitting there in a zodiac in complete silence. The only other place I have managed silence is Lake Louise in Canada. I thought of home. In the evening when Woody was talking about our day I became very tearful. I hadn't realised just how wonderful this place was and what lasting effect it would have on me.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Woody is fabulous, funny, calm, smiley, knowledgeable and just great. Felt very easy in his company and obviously is great to work with as this reflected through the rest of the team. We shared the trip with Paul Goldstein who is unique in his own way. The relationship between Paul and Woody was good with lots of banter.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  We took small foam gardening kneelers with us. They were excellent for using in the zodiacs as they have metal bottoms and this can get your knees cold and can become very uncormfortable. Also good for landings and kneeling to take photos. The other thing we took were hand and feet warmer that you slip inside your gloves and socks. Cheap to buy, disposable and did the job. Don't miss an opportunity to go out on a zodiac. We took two trips that people did not join in the evening and saw mother with cub one night and then the two cubs the next time.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I would not do this trip again because I don't feel I could ever beat it and it would ruin the memories that I have. However I recommend it to everybody. The ship was comfortable and the food was good with lots of choice. Be prepared to get tired and view it as a trip and not a restful holiday. 24 hour sunshine takes alot of getting used to and you find you are taking photos in the early hours. If I could have 'bottled' Kathy's wake up call for breakfast I would have. "good morning, breakfast will be ready in 30 minutes and today we have banana pancakes" sure beats the beep beep beep of my alarm clock.......................................

   
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  Ken Petch

  SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER

  

  Written July 2010

  What a fantastic place.  We were very fortunate to have near perfect weather and loads of polar bear sightings of a very high quality allowing us to appreciate many aspects of polar bear life and behaviour, including some intimate and very gentle scenes between mother and cub that brought some close to tears. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Where do I start - perhaps the polar bear that came to look at the ship, standing up to get a better view and then embarrassing himself by slipping on the ice - or the polar bear mum suckling her poor wee infant - or the polar bears feeding from the whale carcass and spin shaking themselves dry - or maybe that fantastic day at the Monaco Glacier with the sea calmer than a village pond and perfect reflections of the stunning scenery.  Each day just seemed to be perfect.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Woody was great mixing knowledge and humour perfectly.  Paul used his endless energy to ensure we got the best photographic oportunities and was always willing to give advice. The combination of the two was a sure recipe for success - and some great banter!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't think twice.  If your enjoy nature and wild scenery and accept that your are on more of an expedition than a holiday then book it now.  Be prepared for the cold with warm gloves and particularly warm socks for the wellies.  Photographers should ensure they have a polarising filter for their wide angle lenses.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The Vavilov is a very well stabilised ship and the cabins are very comfortable.  The food is great - don't expect to lose weight! The staff and crew are all very helpful and friendly.  If you have the good fortune that we enjoyed with weather and wildlife sightings then you cannot fail to have the trip of a lifetime. 

   
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  Claire Hilton

  SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

  

  Written July 2010

  Absolutely amazing trip.  Feel tremendously privileged to have experienced so many spectacular polar bear sightings.  The expedition crew, group leader and ships' company worked incredibly hard to make us 'lucky' to see so much widelife. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Experiencing an inquisitive sub-adult polar bear coming right up to the ship and then 'entertaining' the passengers with a 'show'

  On a different occasion, going out in the zodiacs late evening in poor visibilty conditions and then being rewarded with great polar bear sightings when the clouds lifted. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Group leader (Paul Goldstein) - inspirational,

  Expedition crew (Woody, Annie, Ian Stirling, John...) were amazing.  Meticulous planning, fantastic organisation, highly professional, world class experts that not only brought their vast knowledge and experience to the trip but were also a lot of fun!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The search for wildlife can be unpredictable but the expedition crew will do their utmost to get you to the best places to be 'lucky'.  We certainly were. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I've now booked my 3rd polar trip on the Vavilov. Totally hooked and can't wait.

   
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  Peter Barritt

  SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

  

  Written June 2010

  We were amazingly lucky with this trip. The weather was superb and polar bear sightings were exceptional. Paul Goldstein was on top form and determined to get the best possible wildlife photography opportunities. Ian Stirling, a world famous polar bear expert, added a superb extra dimension. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Watching a polar bear breast-feeding her cub

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Paul always gave 110% to maximise chances of great wildlife encounters. Be prepared for long days and very early starts.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Sometimes trips may only see one polar bear sighting a long way from the ship so make sure you enjoy everything else that is on offer such as the wonderful arctic plants and birdlife.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Get booking, organise your own flights and enjoy a few days in Oslo.

   
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  Terry Coates

  SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER

  

  Written July 2009

  A great time. More like Antarctica than we were expecting. First trip of the year so still lots of ice and good polar bear sitings. Nice people on board, and we knew the Vavilov is a great ship. Great trip and already planning on doing it again in a couple of years. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Watching a large, fat, male polar bear waddle across the ice in front of the ship, take a dip in the sea to cool down and then pass out on a bed of snow.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Brilliant. Great knowledge and great enthusiasm. Have travelled with the tour leaders before so knew what to expect.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go early in the season when there is still sea ice and the polar bears are fat on plenty of seals.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Great trip. Antarctica (and South Georgia) beats it hands down for plentiful wildlife and scenery, but then again Antarctica beats most places hands down. Will go again in a couple of years as the polar bears were simply magnificent.

   
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  Karen Riddle

  SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER

  

  Written July 2009

  An outstanding trip which met my expectations a hundred times over.  Stunning scenery, numerous polar bear sightings, not to mention the walruses, seals, birds, whales......this is a trip of a lifetime. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  For me the highlight of the trip was watching a polar bear on the ice just a few hundred metres from the ship; we had watched him all morning from a distance and our patience finally paid off when he performed and posed for us for over 30 minutes.  It was a truly unforgetable moment.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Paul was extremely enthusiastic and very willing to help and offer advice about photography.  The staff on board the Vavilov also looked after us extremely well.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared to be flexible; itineries may well change a few times a day depending on weather conditions and wildlife sightings.  The changes were always made to provide us with the best experience possible and to maximise our chances of wildlife sightings.  This is not a trip that you should expect to follow a rigid schedule, and this adds to the sense of anticipation and enjoyment.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I did this trip early in the season and there was a large amount of sea ice present at this time.  This provided some breathtaking scenery and experiences of cruising around sea ice which may not be present later in the season; I would highly recommend taking this trip in June.

   
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  Sophie Smither

  SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER

  

  Written July 2009

  Fantastic and like nothing else. Just wish it had been longer. Polar Bears aplenty but also so much more. Had an amazing experience, made some new friends - cant ask for much more! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I went for the polar bears so the first time one was spotted will be a moment I wont forget "Confirmed Mobile at 11 o'clock" was announced over the speaker. I was already on deck, soon the entire ship was. One by one people spoke up "I see it, I see it!". It took me a bit longer but that moment when a yellow spot and a black speck focused into a polar bear mother and cub was awesome.

  As well as the polar bears (and walrus, Arctic fox, whale, seal) sightings I was blown away by the scenery. 24 hour daylight means you get a lot of time to appreciate it but it never gets boring. Crusing through the ice bergs and hearing the snap, crackle and pop of ice and glaciers melting and changing is not something I'll forgot in a hurry.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The Expedition Staff were all fantastic. Woody was brilliant and I miss his gentle morning wake up calls. All the experts and other staff were so friendly and enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Kyle was hilarious, Mariano was an amazing spotter and good guy, Annie was so kind and sweet. Tony (birds), James (geology) and especially the great Ian Stirling (mammals) were unbelievably knowledebale experts in their fields and you couldnt help but be caught up in their interest and excitement for their subject matter.

  Paul Goldstein, our Exodus photographic leader is one of a kind! A unique and insane man you cant help but like him and be swept along by his passion and descriptive narratives!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  BINOCULARS are vital I'd say, as is a good dose of patience. I was never too cold so layers obviously works. Dont bother bringing any food as they dont stop feeding you. Spend loads of time outside taking it all in - you never know what might appear. Go with the flow-plans change and just accept that-everythig they do is for the best so let them change their minds.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Food was out of this world and the best presented meals I have ever seen or eaten.

  Dont drop your camera overboard! (I did but you might not all be as lucky as me and get it back!)

   

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