Reviews

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.

Photos below- from the smallest (Copepods) to the Largest (Polar Bear)! After 4 years of waiting for this trip, amid train strikes in the UK; SAS strikes and COVID I never thought I would make it,. Make it I did (although my Baggage did not! BUT despite all this the voyage was brilliant. The landscape was spectacular; the wildlife a joy and the sea ice out of this world. Everyone on the ship - Staff, Crew and all those involved in making it a great trip, are to be congratulated. They made us all feel at home from the start, and all the rest of the passengers were great companions also. I will highly recommend the voyage to others and to this great ship ( my 2nd trip on it - the last time was 5 years ago to Antarctica - and the getting there was equally difficult leaving home during the "Best from the East"! Well done Oceanwide Expeditions. Just thinking of which icey place to visit next!

This was one of the best trips I've ever been on! The scenery is absolutly spectacular, the feeling of being completly off the grid with just a couple of fellow travelers and awsome guides was amazing. This truly beautiful place is phenomenal and especially being in the packice was a dream come true for me. Another highlight were of course the Polar bears. The fantastic guides made this trip even more special and thanks to the great crew we had a perfect home on the ship. For anyone that loves pristine nature, cold weather and rare wildlife, this is the perfect trip. Can't wait to go on another journey with Oceanwide!

Knowledgeable and friendly guides and crew, marvellous food, comfortable boat - and a lot of effort put into seeing an exciting range of wildlife and land/seascapes. For me I would have liked more time on excursions and less time scheduling around meals - hence the 4* rather than 5* rating.

Outstanding ship, staff and crew

Great trip

This expedition with Ortelius was absolutely amazing. We have seen so much wildlife in Spitsbergen, with highlights such as the king eider, polar bears (!), and plenty of different whales, walrus, reindeer and let alone all the different bird species. The expedition team was very professional and each leader with his own knowledge and expertise and all very nice and smiling. The hotel and facility staff very service oriented. The landscape was overwhelming beautiful. I feel very very happy and privileged to have experienced this journey that will leave its legacy forever in my mind. As an Arctic embassasor I will spread the word on the beautiness and also on the side effects that we have seen (climate change). We all can and need to act!! Thanks to all the staff and to Oceanwide.

Not really a basecamp

What a great trip that was! A cruise near Spitsbergen. For us as a couple a first time that we experience such a trip. Everything was perfectly arranged. Activities every day. Delicious food. In the evening a drink in the bar. We really enjoyed it and gained so many new impressions. The views were fantastic and the wildlife was even better, Definitely recommended to do such a trip with Oceanwide!

It was an excellent trip with perfect Organisation and planning. The crew was very friendly and competently. We would like recommend Oceanwide to our friends.

We found no faults in this trip. The flexibility of the itinerary, together with the expertise of the expedition leaders, allowed us to enjoy the very best of arctic, included a previously unplanned tour in the ice pack. We were especially enthusiastic about the guide team: all of them so competent, so friendly and full of energy! Last but not least the ship and the housing (including meals) had the perfect level of comfort, with great environment awareness and little waste.

Wir durften wunderbare Landschaften, eine artenreiche Tierwelt und ein super Team erleben.

One of the most incredible trip I've done yet, amazing wildlife, people, staff, crew. Extremely enjoyable trip with comfortable rooms, delicious meals and exciting expeditions. Surely an adventure of a lifetime.