5 independent reviews for Spitsbergen Arctic cruise
Reviews for Spitsbergen Arctic cruise
Fee Cowan review 28 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The entire trip was awesome but the most memorable was the sighting of the polar bear with her cub walking across the tundra and then swimming. Something I had hoped to see for a long time but didnt really think would happen.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for short notice changes which are made either due to weather or for potential wildlife sightings, but are done with the best possible interests of the guests. Take layers of clothes as the temperature fluctuates massively and its important to have several options. Good binoculars are a MUST, a lot of the viewings are quite a distance away.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There aren't many local people around to benefit! The tour operator was very respectful of the wildlife and the environment, using fuel in the most economic way, not going too close to wildlife or the ice flow so as not to cause any damage and travelling very slowly when there were whales/ walruses around to avoid disturbing them. Noise pollution was kept to a minimum too when close to land and particularly bird colonies to reduce unnatural sound. The tour operator foundation supports many conservation projects across the world and encourages guests to contribute to this whilst on board in different ways to avoid food wastage, electricity and education etc.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was amazing. All the staff on the tour operator ship were friendly but professional, making everyone feel very welcome and part of a large family. The knowledge of the expedition team was phenomenal and they were always happy to share it. The feeling of being on top of the world in a massive wilderness is overwhelming and humbling.Alicia Boyd review 7 Aug 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing polar bears in their natural habitat.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Su-a Lee review 16 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing polar bears and wildlife up close and personal!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get the best binoculars and camera that you can get a hold of!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It certainly made me aware of the effects of global warming and global human excess...4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
excellent!Mish Hicks review 1 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The only close encounter with one polar bear.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Have a very clear understanding of what exactly the trip actually entails.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Unfortunately what I understood I would be experiencing was not what I experience at all. The Expedition Leader was more concerned about activities than actually searching for more polar bears. The trip says in search of Polar Bear and Pack Ice but we spent more time hiking and I certainly did not sign up for this at all. The trip was exceptionally expensive and had I understood that we were going to hike and would not have gone on this trip.Read the operator's response here:
Dear Mish,
We’re really sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your trip Mish. We do our best to align our customers with a wildlife expedition that is ideally suited to their aspirations and expectations. Sadly, it seems in your case we didn’t get that quite right.
Thank you for taking the time to discuss the trip in detail with us during follow up communication. Your insight will help us fine-tune our information to ensure our customers are better informed in the future.
We were also really glad to hear that aside from the disappointment you describe, the trip did have numerous highlights and that there were many aspects of your voyage you did enjoy, including a memorable polar bear encounter.
Kind regards,
Simon
Holiday Reviews
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