Svalbard advice?

[where-to-next]

Our Svalbard expedition cruise is quickly approaching and we are starting to think seriously about packing.

 

We are considering taking hiking poles, they were invaluable in Antarctica, but will they be beneficial on Svalbard, will we be walking on ice on this trip?

For that matter, do the zodiacs actually make landings? Possibly not very smart if we are hoping to find polar bears, they might find us first!

 

Any advice from those who have previously done this cruise will be greatly appreciated. 

[aliaschief]

We have been there in mid summer and there was really no snow that we had to walk through in Svalbard. In Svalbard as your walking around there were signs to walk no further without an armed escort due to Polar Bears. Now in scenic cruising around the Polar Ice Cap there were many glaciers so I’m not sure if your cruise plans some zodiac visits.

Our cruise there was on another line.

Enjoy. It was a neat place to visit.

[BasandSyb]

We are currently in Svalbard. Did Bear Island yesterday and now on Spitsbergen. There is lots of snow and sea ice. We were to do a landing this afternoon but it’s looking more like a zodiac trip although they are still scouting. We did Antarctica in Feb/March and this feels colder, surprisingly.
 

At the briefing last night it was indicated there wouldn’t be any real hikes and the area of any landing would be restricted given bears - 3000 bears to 2000 persons living here. There are wooden poles on board to assist with general walking around.

 

 

[BasandSyb]

A landing has been made.

[DTtravelers]

BasandSyb:  Thank you for posting!!  We just set foot in Australia for the first time in April (only Hobart/Melbourne/Sydney)...

 

We'll be in Iceland/Greenland on Venture in August, and if we don't see a polar bear (or muskox), then Svalbard will elevate to next on our list! 

 

I have been trying to figure out a way to get there that does not involve an airplane...  no success on that yet...

 

Have a great trip!

[BasandSyb]

Thanks DTtravelers. Glad you concentrated on an area in Australia. It’s a big place and pretty daunting.

 

We are hoping for a polar bear or refund 😇

 

Svalbard - ship is the best way. We have had very smooth seas from Tromso and tonight as per below.

 

 

[CurlerRob]

Svalbard is a unique place and completely worth the visit.

 

However, if people really want to see polar bears, consider Churchill, Manitoba:

https://www.churchill.ca/p/polar-bears

 

This from Ny Alesund, Svalbard - it is never just a suggestion ... 🍺🥌.

 

 

[where-to-next]

Thanks All.

 

BasandSyb (Don't you run a hotel in Torquay?)

Thanks for the tips and what great photos. I hope you see polar bears. We will be very disappointed if we don't.

 

CurlerRob 

We seriously considered Churchill but decided the odds were good in Svalbard and my wife decided the level of comfort onboard Seabourn sounded much better than the two nights on the train from Winnipeg that I wanted to do. But if we don't see polar bears in Svalbard ............ 

[Paulcw]

Hi,

 

We will be taking Seabourn Venture on Jun 30 to Svalbard Island. Much appreciated if you have any tips on the experience and pictures as well just in case we can't see any polar bear..lol.

 

Thank you!

[aliaschief]

Just now, CurlerRob said:

Svalbard is a unique place and completely worth the visit.

 

However, if people really want to see polar bears, consider Churchill, Manitoba:

https://www.churchill.ca/p/polar-bears

 

This from Ny Alesund, Svalbard - it is never just a suggestion ... 🍺🥌.

 

 

That is how the ground looked when we were there. No snow in town.

[CurlerRob]

8 hours ago, where-to-next said:

Thanks All.

 

BasandSyb (Don't you run a hotel in Torquay?)

Thanks for the tips and what great photos. I hope you see polar bears. We will be very disappointed if we don't.

 

CurlerRob 

We seriously considered Churchill but decided the odds were good in Svalbard and my wife decided the level of comfort onboard Seabourn sounded much better than the two nights on the train from Winnipeg that I wanted to do. But if we don't see polar bears in Svalbard ............ 

 

Not possible to dispute your choice regarding the level of comfort! Best of luck for sightings in Svalbard. 🍺🥌

[BOB999]

They do have rudimentary walking sticks available at the landing sites in Svalbard.  These are long wooden sticks that I've seen several use.  A few people have also brought their own to use. 

[BasandSyb]

Polar bears at 5:15 am yesterday.

Today - ice sheet cruising and looking for more bears (footprints in the ice below). Polar plunge has just commenced at 80 degrees.

 

 

 

Edited June 17 by BasandSyb

[BasandSyb]

[where-to-next]

Thanks BasandSyb, great photos, so pleased you saw the bears!

 

We sail from Tromso on 30 June so hope they are still around.

 

How cold is it up there. When you say 80 degrees, I'm assuming that's 80 north not 80F?

[BasandSyb]

Yes, 80 degrees north.

Temps for the last week have been between 1 and 5 degrees C. Hovering mainly around 1.

 

Sea has been flat and not much wind. Zodiacs have been cool for the face and hands but haven’t needed gloves or neck gater, fastening the yellow to the chin has been sufficient. I prefer to be hands-free to take photos.

 

Landings it’s been a comfortable temperature just with the provided yellow and black HH gear over a long sleeve t-shirt. Walking around it’s got to the point of uncomfortably warm and just need to open the gear for awhile to let some cool air in.

 

Hope this helps. The only tip I have is to bring a decent body lotion with you. Between hot showers, air conditioning and cool breezes on the deck taking photos when the ship is moving, it’s a very dry environment and the Molten Brown body lotion isn’t effective and very perfumed.
 

[where-to-next]

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated.

 

Just read one of your earlier posts re. dress. I understood expedition ships were more casual. My packing list is predominantly polo shirts and slacks. Would a wise man bring a few dress shirts as well? 

[BasandSyb]

My husband has worn a long sleeve cotton linen business style shirt to dinner every night with a pair of chinos or slacks. He brought one woollen cable knit pullover, one sports jacket and one Ben Sherman garberdene jacket I guess you could call it a golf jacket. He’s worn the sports jacket a couple of times. There is a lot of namebrand pullovers and zip up cardigans in that modern tech fabric in the restaurant. It has been very casual but some people have chosen to wear sports jackets each night and some ladies are wearing nice dresses. Basically anything goes as long as it’s not a T-shirt and a pair of thongs 🩴 

[BasandSyb]

PS bring cold and flu medication. There has been something very lingering around the ship and most people seem to have had a touch of it. A packet of strepsils from the medical centre is $25US🤧

[where-to-next]

More invaluable advice. Thanks again.

[highplanesdrifters]

@BasandSyb

Major score on the bear with cubs, congrats.

 

We took home whatever crud was on the ship. Not horrible, but not fun.

Hope you can avoid.

[BasandSyb]

Just because… 

 

photos from a trivia mate who has a higher powered lens. 
enjoy.

[branndie]

Beautiful photos.

[Paulcw]

Thanks Basandsyb! Wonderful pictures and valuable tips. Please update us with more pictures and experiences.

 

btw did Seabourn provide a city tour at Longyearbyen before boarding? I am not sure they will provide between disembarkment and airport. Hope they do. It would be a waste that we are unable to have a quick tour. Hard to visit the city again.

 

Paul

[sfvoyage]

How many landings have you had so far on this segment?  Have they been dry landings, with rubber boots or regular walking shoes? 

 

I understand there isn't much walking around - does that mean everybody would be crowded around in a small area?  Thanks.