North Spitsbergen cruise, realm of the polar bear

Planet

With a maximum of only 114 passengers, our Arctic ships are smaller, less imposing on the Arctic landscape than the bigger 'cruise' ships. Group landings by zodiacs are more easily managed and a personalised ratio of leaders to passengers provides an added value experience. Your onboard natural history experts, through guided walks and evening talks, reveal the wonders of Arctic scenery and wildlife and introduces some of the local and global conservation issues which this fragile habitat faces.

Our polar trips are made under full membership of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and as such abide by their strict codes of conduct in both the Antarctic and the Arctic. Encounters with polar bears, walruses and whales are controlled by strict responsible codes of conduct.

People

Where opportunities exist, we encourage guests to purchase souvenirs – other than shells and polar bear related goods. In the Arctic and in particularly in Iceland, we advise strongly against the purchase of whale meat in the local restaurants, which showcases the whaling trade (by the tourist) when the local population do not themselves eat whale meat.

In Ecuador with Rainforest Concern, we paid for the purchase and protection of Choco-Andean cloud forest which extends the habitat of a newly discovered mammal: the Olinguito.

Our overall commitment to the environment is also reflected within our office environment. We source office supplies from local retailers, use recycled stationary where possible and recycle office waste.