Reviews

Excellent experience

Tank sog to the Wille Crew onboard Ortelius for this great trip. Tasting with Captain Ernesto and tour leader Claudio ending with any personell in service, everybody did his best, to make us an unforgetable experience. We were lucky to see almost all animals one can see in the arctic. After our first trip with Oceanwide to Antarctica in2018 on Plancius, we were affraid if this trip to the Arktis would fullfill our expectations ......it did!

A great trip with a great crew, not only the capitain and his crew as well as the tour guides and the whole rest of the personel were always in a good mood, took so much care for all passengers, just amazing.

After two years of postponement because of Corona, it finally worked. Professional organisation and good service all around. Fabulous landscapes, wild nature and a great wildlife. Very impressive, exactly what I want. Certainly not for the last time.

Everything on the Ortelius was very good: organisation, food, the entire staff. Excellent. We were also lucky with the weather and the outdoor activities

Wonderful experience. Everything was just perfect nature, wildlife and outstanding Team.

A once in a lifetime trip. We saw so many polar bears, walruses, seals, whales, arctic foxes, reindeer and birds of all kinds. A special thanks to the expedition leader Claudio and to all his staff and also to the commander and the crew of the Ortelius: they made this experience unforgettable!

Thank you to Oceanwide and the incredible crew and expedition team on the Ortelius. The trip exceeded all expectations and every day was a highlight. The experience and knowledge of the expedition crew really stood out and make this trip extra special. I can't wait to try a new destination next year! Thank you! Michael and Jorge

It was like an absolute dream! The activities were action packed, flexible, and we always felt incredibly safe. The ship and hotel crew were incredibly kind and helpful, catering to our every need. The guides were amazingly knowledgeable, personable, and friendly. I would like to highlight two specific guides - Jakub Malecki and Hazel Pittwood. Hazel's enthusiasm for wildlife truly enhanced our experience, to the point that we were always seeking her out to ask questions and discuss the days activities. She was always welcoming of our questions and excited to talk with us. Jakub introduced us to the amazing world of glaciology. His knowledge of glaciers gave us an intimate look into a whole new world and really made our experience feel like an adventure. His passion for icebergs, glaciers, and the like was truly enamoring. We always hoped Jakub would be our days hiking guide or zodiak pilot so we could soak up every word and each amazing insight. Jakub hooked us early in the trip when we saw a glacier calve together. He looked at us and said, "that is the ice saying hello". My wife and I will always be thankful for meeting Jakub and consider him to be a lifelong friend.

Myself and my 11 yrs old twin boys went on this trip. Words can not describe how fantastic it was. I was a little bit apprehensive that the boys were a bit young but they had a fantastic time. I can not fault the trip in any way. All the expedition guides were amazing. The crew and hotelier staff were so friendly, kind, helpful and happy. They made our trip even more special.

Good expedition with seeing beautiful arctic wildlife

My overall impression on this trip is absolutely positiv, thanks to the competence of the expedition crew, the hardworking staff and to the well organised leaders. You have been all entertaining, interesting, funny and motivating showing the passion you put in your job.

An excellent trip blessed with good weather and kind seas. Superb staff and a very happy ship. Early July was perfect timing for the Arctic flora. Most memorable moments - a day in the pack ice; close up views of a polar bear under a cliff face of nesting Brunnich's Guillemots; Zodiac trip to the end of a glacier and Little auk nesting site. Would certainly recommend the trip to anyone with an interest in natural history.

What a fantastic visit to the Arctic! Aboard a very happy ship, we saw places that we could only dream about and wildlife that we had only ever seen on TV and in books. It all became real. Our guides and crew cheerfully led us safely to wonderful places and we had the chance to see Polar Bears, Arctic Foxes and Svalbard Reindeer on land. In the water we saw Bearded and Ringed Seals, Walruss and Minke Whales. In the air we saw many Arctic birds including Glaucous Gull, Arctic Skua, Snow Bunting and the charming Little Auks. Fulmar were our constant companions and the beautiful Ivory Gull visited us in the pack ice. There is far too much to mention, but the beauty and fragility of the area moved me deep inside. The recaps and lectures added to our understanding and enjoyment of the cruise. Regrets? Only that it had to end so soon. Thank you to the guides and the crew who made this a trip of a lifetime.