Blog
North Norway, Northern Lights, and All the Pretty Whales
At first glance, visiting Northern Norway at any other time except a blazing-hot summer might seem an undertaking unfit for the average trav
OTL11-18, trip log, Around Spitsbergen
We woke to our first morning on Ortelius entering Kongsfjorden under blue skies and sunshine. The relatively calm waters overnight had made
Right up with the Best: Oxford to Arctic with Roly Pitts
Having returned to a rather hot Oxford after 12 days of exploring Arctic islands on a century-old historic schooner, I decided to pen a few
8 Scientific Wonders of the Arctic
The Arctic’s frozen landscape not only contains scenic gems, it also prompts fascinating advances in research. Here are some of the eight be
OTL09-18, trip log, Around Spitsbergen
We woke to our first morning on Ortelius entering Kongsfjorden under blue skies and sunshine. Calm waters overnight had made for a restful s
Tracking Greenland’s Wildlife from Space
Despite Greenland’s harsh environment, life has found a way to thrive there. If you’re lucky enough to embark on a Greenland cruise, you sta
PLA09-18, trip log, Around Spitsbergen
The day began with a wake up call from our Expedition Leader, Beau on this beautiful sunday morning as we passed the Rentierflya (reindeer p
The Ice-Jewelled Geology of Spitsbergen
The Svalbard archipelago is found in the Arctic Ocean, approximately 660 km (410 miles) north of the northernmost tip of Norway. It is a geo
Hello, Hondius: Former Passengers Visit Our Future Vessel
It’s hard not to be flattered when our former passengers speak highly of our voyages, vessels, and staff. But it’s altogether impossible whe
El mejor viaje de nuestra vida
Estuvimos en Spitsbergen el pasado 1 de junio hasta el día 10, navegando en el precioso barco velero Rembrandt. Ha sido una experiencia inol
PLA08-18, logbuch, Spitzbergen Eisbären Spezial
Sah die Landschaft von Ferne noch ganz unwirtlich und vegetationslos aus, so erstaunten uns auf der Wanderung unzählige kleine Pflänzchen, v
The First Float of m/v Hondius
On the morning of Saturday, June 9, a newly constructed polar expedition cruise vessel slid down the timber-and-steel slipway of a sprawling
Trip log, PLA07-18, Spitsbergen Polar Bear Special
At 3pm we had a lecture. Michael invited everyone to the lounge and organized a lecture and discussion about sea ice and how important it is
The Art of the Arctic: Interview with Udo Prinsen
Most of us lucky enough to visit the Arctic recognize instantly how picturesque it is, far more striking than even the most expertly capture
OTL06-18, trip log, North Spitsbergen – Polar Bear Special
During lunch we moved a little deeper into the Smeerenburgfjord towards Smeerenburg on Amsterdamøya. Here we went ashore for several differe
Bring out the Bowheads: Our Largest Whale Count in Years
Researchers aboard Oceanwide Expeditions vessel m/v Plancius spotted between 104—114 bowhead whales during a June 1st cruise along the east
PLA06-18, trip log, Spitsbergen - Polar Bear Special
This year is an unusual year for sea ice, the sea ice has been broken up and dispersed by the winds and melted away all around the island ve
OTL05-18, trip log, North Spitsbergen – Polar Bear Special
While the Expedition Staff handed us out the Rubberboots Ortelius sailed into the Raudfjord (Red fjord) for a planned landing in order to ge
PLA05-18, logbuch, Ice Age 3 x 60
Letztlich wurden wir auch in die rasante Welt des Zodiacfahrens eingeweiht. Die Schlauchboote bieten bis zu 12 Passagieren Platz und würden
OTL04-18, logbuch, Nordspitzbergen: Eisbären-Special
Die Wanderung bot atemberaubende Ausblicke auf die umliegende Landschaft mit schneebedeckten Bergen, steilen Klippen, tief eingeschnittenen
PLA04-18, logbuch, Nord-Spitzbergen Eisbären-Spezial
Am Nachmittag vereitelt leider ungünstiger Wellengang unseren Plan, die Hamiltonbukta zu besuchen. Wir fahren nun erneut gen Süden in den Ra