Spitsbergen in depth cruise

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION
We believe extraordinary travel experiences should never come at the planet’s expense. That’s why we select operator partners who prioritise reducing emissions at every stage of the journey. On this voyage, the ship you’ll be travelling on, The Expedition, has been refitted with advanced, fuel-efficient engines and updated systems, lowering per-passenger carbon output by as much as 30%. Quieter running means fewer disturbances for marine wildlife and a more peaceful onboard atmosphere.

Your entire adventure is shared with fellow travellers on a single vessel, with Zodiac boats used for group shore landings. This transport model minimises CO2 emissions per person. Once ashore, your exploration will be entirely human-powered, from hikes along remote coastlines to guided kayak outings, allowing you to connect with the Arctic without adding to its carbon load.

Dining on board caters for all preferences, with daily vegetarian and vegan options and a focus on fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced produce whenever possible. We also provide practical tips on reducing your personal carbon footprint both on this journey and in everyday life.

Our own operations reflect these same principles. From producing FSC®-certified printed materials and ensuring all office waste is recycled locally, to encouraging low-impact commuting for our staff, we make sure our environmental standards extend well beyond the tours we sell.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

For us, responsible travel means leaving a positive legacy in the places we visit. The operators of your tour adhere to rigorous animal welfare guidelines developed in collaboration with leading organisations such as World Animal Protection and The Jane Goodall Institute, ensuring that wildlife is observed respectfully and never disturbed.

Every ticket contributes to conservation, from supporting protected areas to assisting with ongoing ecological research. And through the “Trees for Days” initiative, a tree will be planted for every day of your journey, helping to restore habitats far beyond the Arctic.

Waste reduction is taken seriously on board, with single-use plastics being phased out and recycling systems in place. Water use is carefully managed, and landing protocols are designed to ensure we tread lightly, leaving the pristine polar landscapes exactly as we found them.

We actively support conservation worldwide, partnering with charities such as the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and Save the Albatross. We also work with global partners dedicated to wildlife welfare, adhering to strict guidelines to ensure that no wild animals are ever touched, handled, or made to perform unnatural behaviours.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
Travel can and should uplift the communities it touches. That’s why the operators of your tour work with locally based guides, suppliers, and cultural partners in Svalbard and surrounding Arctic regions, ensuring the benefits of tourism remain local. Goods and services are sourced from community-run businesses wherever possible, giving travellers a direct link to the people who call these landscapes home.

We extend this principle across all the destinations we feature by working only with partners who employ local staff, share their expertise, and reinvest in their home regions.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

We are committed to creating opportunities for everyone, travellers, staff, and local communities alike. The operators of your tour are fully LGBTQ+ friendly and have a traveller code of conduct that safeguards the dignity and safety of all. They employ local people wherever possible and build respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, ensuring tourism strengthens cultural traditions rather than erodes them.

Through their non-profit partner, Planeterra, they support projects worldwide that generate sustainable incomes for marginalised groups. As an agent, we share these values wholeheartedly. In our own operations, we champion conservation charities, operate sustainably, and work only with partners who care as deeply about the planet, its wildlife, and its people as we do.

By travelling with us, you’re joining a movement that addresses climate change, protects biodiversity, and celebrates diversity, proving that travel can truly be a force for good.