A Vast Fragility
by Trevor Hicks
Departure in August 2016
It shouldn't have happened in 2016! My daughter, Siân and myself had decided that 2017 would be the year we would both head North to circumnavigate the Svalbard Archipelago. However, work bookings intervened so a hasty decision was made. "Damn it, let's go now!" Fortune smiles upon the impetuous. Not only did we end up with excellent cabin mates and travelling companions, we enjoyed first-class hospitality and witnessed some remarkable sights. The majestic scenery, with jagged peaks and blue-hued glaciers, the opportunity to take a stroll on the sea-ice at 81 deg N coupled with numerous sightings of polar bear going about their business, walrus sporting in the Arctic swell, mighty humpback whales feeding around the ship and reindeer grazing on the tundra kept the camera shutters constantly clicking. The experienced and knowledgeable expedition team, together with our resourceful skipper and the ship's crew and hospitality staff kept us safe and increased our knowledge of all aspects of the Arctic as well as our waistlines! We returned, not just satisfied travellers, but as passionate ambassadors for the vast and beautiful fragility we had been privileged to share.
Been on one of our voyages?
Leave your own reviewFull Spitsbergen Circumnavigation
OTL08-24 Take a cruise around Spitsbergen and explore the icy waters of the North Atlantic. This special expedition offers you the chance to catch sight of whales, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals, and the star attraction, the polar bear.
m/v Ortelius
Cruise date:
28 Jul - 6 Aug, 2024
Berths start from:
7700 USD
Full Spitsbergen Circumnavigation with a visit to Kvitøya
HDS10-24 This cruise around Spitsbergen gives you a great chance to see whales, foxes, reindeer, seals, and polar bears. The expedition will make a landing on the island of Kvitøya, a site of historical significance, and home of a large walrus population.
m/v Hondius
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8 Aug - 17 Aug, 2024
Berths start from:
on request
PLA10d24 When you join two outstanding Arctic cruises into one, you get powerhouse polar adventures like this. After edging the pack ice of the planet’s most stunning polar bear habitat, you head to scenically surreal northeast Greenland for views of the magical...
m/v Plancius
Cruise date:
9 Aug - 31 Aug, 2024
Berths start from:
9920 USD
Full Spitsbergen Circumnavigation with a visit to Kvitøya
PLA10-24 This cruise around Spitsbergen gives you a great chance to see whales, foxes, reindeer, seals, and polar bears. The expedition will make a landing on the island of Kvitøya, a site of historical significance, and home of a large walrus population.
m/v Plancius
Cruise date:
9 Aug - 18 Aug, 2024
Berths start from:
on request
A classic three island voyage: Ice, Inuit and Remoteness
PLA11-24 The Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with breath-taking scenery. The expedition passes through areas that are home to seals, seabirds, whales, and polar bears, topped off with nighttime viewing of the Northern Lights.
m/v Plancius
Cruise date:
18 Aug - 31 Aug, 2024
Berths start from:
10800 USD