Reviews

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.

above all expectations!!! an unforgetable experience.

Everything about this Spitsbergen , N.E. Greenland to Iceland adventure was perfect . The expedition staff were so impressive - knowledgable , friendly , immensely capable -just wonderful people working as a tight team, sharing a huge range of tasks ,always patient, enthusiastic , supportive and good company. The ship Plancius was no frills comfortable, the crew were most impressive. Meals were excellent. The itinerary was masterfully managed by Exped. Leader Andrew and the Captain. Always plenty to see and do and talks from expedition staff on many subjects were great. Landings and zodiac cruises were fun and challenging. Couldn't recommend this trip more highly.

Amazing trip to one of the most beautiful places in the world. The M/V Ortelius is a great vessel and it is perfect for this type of trips. The entire time aboard I felt safe and not once I lost confidence on the ship's strenght or the crew. My cabin was spacious, comfortable and it was kept very clean. The crew was knowledgeable and very professional and ran the trip smooth and on time. There were a few hiccups during the trip but they were caused by the weather, to be expected in that part of the world, and not by the crew. The food was much better than what I was expecting and the desserts kept me asking for seconds every day. Landings in Antartica made me feel like a true world explorer and the photo ops were simply out of this world. This trip is a most for any photographer whether you are an amateur, a pro or you are starting at the hobby. Just make sure you bring the best gear you possibly can and that you store your gear in water proof bags. I definitely recommend Oceanwide Expeditions and based on the comments I heard from locals in Ushuaia, Argentina, the company is regarded as the best and safest in the trade.

I had some concerns about taking this trip. I am older, not in the best shape, have type 1 diabetes, but REALLY had an interest in the Arctic. Our trip could not have been better. We had a wonderful group leading our explorations. The ship was plenty adequate for the trip. The onboard staff was warm and friendly. And, the wildlife we saw was beyond incredible. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is interested in a guided overview of the Svalbard/polar area. Our group leaders tailored our activities to our interests and abilities. The weather cooperated. It was great!!

The crew and staff aboard the Plancius helped make the holiday even more enjoyable. Even though we experienced rough winds, everything was done to make sure we experienced as much as possible, and the zodiac ride amongst the pack ice was wonderful and standing on the pack ice was amazing. We managed to see polar bears, walrus, reindeer, arctic fox, minke, fin and humpback wahles, and many bord species. A truly wonderful trip.

A trip into the unknown and wow couldn't have been better. The mv Plancius is a lovely ship with plenty of room, very good cabins and social areas and excellent amount of viewing space at different levels. Food very good, all the crew worked very hard and had learnt your name and room number within 24 hours! Expedition staff very informative, we manage to see 99% of the wildlife we all come to see with a few extras thrown in. The weather apparently was a bit of an issue but plan B (C,D,E and I think F) came in to play, I certainly wasn't disappointed if we couldn't do what was originally planned as something else was organised very quickly. The log which had been written during the trip was a great idea and lovely keep sake. Would definitely recommend this trip and vessel

Habe sehr viele Informationen erhalten über die Tier- und Pflanzenwelt auf Spitzbergen. Es war fantastisch.

Viaggio bellissimo. Itinerario splendido. Nave confortevole. Capitano straordinario. Staff per niente disponibile ad aiutare partecipanti di lingua italiana o francese che, pur parlano un inglese un po' stentato. Bene invece lo staff alberghiero che ha collaborato in maniera egregia. Voti: capitano 10, hotel manager 9, staff alberghiero 10, Cherry e Melanzane 10 Cum laude. Staff guide (Andrew Cris ecc......) 4

I have returned from this trip hungry to read all about the early Polar explorers thanks to two riveting talks by Henryk. I am looking to go to the Antarctic too as I have been wowed and inspired by the sights, sounds and total beauty of this wild and beautiful landscape. The Captain was masterful in his handling of the ship close to rocks, walls, glaciers ,ice flows wildlife and rough seas. The crew were brilliant from the laundry ladies to the Chef (delicious food) and all in-between. The ship was clean and comfortable. The Team looking after us was lead by the most able and good-looking Andrew Bishop - a man of many talents and a great big Aussie smile. Everyone was interesting, helpful, professional and endlessly willing to talk about anything at any time. My final comment has to be for Gerard - the most beautiful man with THE most beautiful French accent when speaking in English! I would run away with him!!!!!

The light of the Svalbard Svalbard fascinate and kidnap. Sometimes the violence of natural phenomena limits the possibilities for hiking and sightings, but let a bit of sun appear in the sky and at once dramatically intense landscapes open to the gaze. In Svalbard Islands light is a special and determining element, which remains like a mark into the mind. Sometimes it is a strip of fire between dark blue sea and purple cirrus; sometimes it is the glare of the snow on the cover of clouds; sometimes light creates long shadows in the tundra; sometimes it is a sudden ray of sunlight that pierces cumulus and nimbus. More seldom, it is a hot spring in the sky that pushes you to remain in shirt even if the actual temperature does not exceed 5 °C. The light gives unexpected colors (pink, indigo, orange, emerald green) to natural scenarios, highlighting the stratification of the mountains and the thousand shades between green and blue in the water. When the light is missing, unfortunately, the images flatten and lose contrast, but you have to accept it.

Wir haben mehr erlebt als wir uns vorher gedacht haben. Die Crew war unheimlich perfekt, freundlich, zuvorkommend und nicht zu überbieten. wir waren rundherum glücklich und zufrieden. Die Guides waren perfekt organisiert und informiert, tolle Vorträge, viele Landgänge mit guten Guides. Das Wetter war perfekt, zwar manchmal viel Wind, aber dadurch sicher gute Sicht. Das Schiff sehr sauber, ordentliche Kabinen, ganz tolle Verpflegung!

It was a fantastic tour for us, one of the best of our life. The ship was very confortable and the attentions for the customers where excellent. The captain made a great job that permitted us to see many polar animals. The night run with the wales was very excited. The crew of the restaurant was very fantastic and made always ourselves at home. The excursions where organized very well and join with the staff was fantastic and permitted us to see spectacolar landscape of the Svalbard. An experience unforgettable!

THE EXPEDITION STAFF WERE MUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN I EXPECTED. ALL OF THEM HAD INCREDIBLE KNOWLEDGE OF THE FLORA, THE FAUNA, THE GEOLOGY AND THE HISTORY OF THE AREA. THEY WERE VERY COMMITTED TO SAFETY. ALL STAFF WERE GOOD. THE FOOD WAS OF A MUCH HIGHER QUALITY THAN I WAS EXPECTING, AND I COMPLIMENT YOU ON THAT. THE CABINS WERE MUCH LARGER THAN I WAS EXPECTING AND VERY COMFORTABLE. THE SHIP WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND FUNCTIONED BEAUTIFULLY

Eine gelungene, interessante Reise auf einem Schiff mit junger, sehr freundlicher und aufmerksamer Besatzung und einem wundervollen Expeditionsteam, einem Kapitän, der alles ihm Mögliche unternahm um uns die Beobachtungen eines breiten Spektrums der arktischen Fauna und Flora zu ermöglichen. Wir hatten extremes Glück auf der ganzen Reise. Das Wetter spielt mit, kaum Seegang, Finnwale und Buckelwale bei der Jagd, direkt neben unserem Schiff, ein Eisbär, der fast zu uns an Bord kam, mächtige und sehr neugierige Walrosse, Rentiere und Polarfüchse und eine riesige Auswahl an verschiedenen Vögeln, sowie Vogelkolonien, kalbende Gletscher... alles was die Arktis bieten kann wurde uns geboten. Dank an Michael und Kathi, den Chefs des Schiffhotels für die perfekte Betreuung, dem Küchenchef und dem gesamten Expeditionsteam unter der mit jugendlichem Charme und hohem Fachwissen geführten Leitung von Christian und der gesamten Besatzung, die uns den Aufenthalt zu einem unvergesslichen Erlebnis werden ließen. Gesamturteil: Sehr empfehlenswert!!!