DESTINATIONS CRUISE | SVALBARD
views views AGENTS’
“Svalbard opened my eyes to the unique experience that
expedition cruises offer, as well as the majesty and beauty of the landscape. I’ve had some enquiries already from clients who kept up with my adventure.” Tim Jackson-Thorpe, director, Heacham Travel
“During the wildlife boat tour, I found myself contemplating
life while looking at the view. I’d done the Clia Expedition Cruise Champion course, and it couldn’t have been better to see six ships in one place.” Kelly Uniacke, travel consultant, The Travel Nook UK, part of InteleTravel
“Longyearbyen was like a wild west frontier town, rustic
and industrial, but I fell in love with the place – especially those huskies.” Jane Middleton, director, Authentic Travel Company
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Zodiac excursion from Quark Expeditions ship Ocean Explorer; Clia Expedition Showcase agents on Sylvia Earle; Svalbard’s capital Longyearbyen PICTURES: Steve Dunlop; Atlas Ocean Voyages
Freya explains residents are not allowed to be buried
here when they die because of the permafrost, and they can’t give birth, either, as there are no maternity facilities. Once reliant on coal mining, Svalbard’s last mine shut in June this year, so the 3,000 locals now rely heavily on tourism and research. The unique rock formations are a geologist’s dream, while Arctic flora and fauna attract scientists, birdwatchers, photographers and cruise passengers – hence our excursion during Clia’s Expedition Showcase. We clamber over snow to reach the fossil-hunting
grounds – which come with breathtaking views – to find plant imprints from 40-60 million years ago. Hammering rocks is very satisfying, but not always necessary; I find a large tree bark fossil just by turning over a stone.
3 EXPEDITION SHIPS at the Clia Expedition Showcase in Svalbard
SH DIANA, SWAN HELLENIC “Service on board is very intuitive and understated. There’s a home- from-home feel; the cabins all have [holographic] fireplaces. Our line
offers the polar regions, Africa and Latin America with interesting itineraries, taking you to places that other lines don’t.” Mario Bounas, UK & Ireland general manager
34 11 SEPTEMBER 2025
LE LYRIAL, PONANT EXPLORATIONS “[Ponant] is unique for its international experience. It is French- owned so presentations are in French and English. For evening dining, you’ll
see ties and jackets, sometimes a tuxedo if guests are celebrating an anniversary. Sailaway parties may have an opera singer.” Anthony Daniels, UK & Ireland general manager
WORLD VOYAGER, ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES “The expedition team is very important. Their end-of-day recap wraps up pictures and videos in a fun, relaxed style. While expeditions leave at 7am,
passengers stay up until late having fun. World V
three winters from November 2026.” Bernie Carter, international sales lead
travelweekly.co.uk oyager will be chartered by Quark Expeditions for
Curiously, visitors are allowed to take small fossils
home from Svalbard, but my find would probably account for half my luggage allowance, so I leave it for another fossil hunter. Most of my suitcase was already occupied by thermals and waterproofs, as Svalbard can still be icy even in the height of summer.
COLD COAST Warm layers are also required on our four-hour wildlife- spotting boat trip, which sets off from the pier in Svalbard’s main town Longyearbyen, where cruise ships dock. Within minutes, we spot the white humps of beluga whales, followed by puffins and guillemots circling the boat. While we sip hot chocolate, our guide Lorna Wallis tells us about Svalbard’s history – it was discovered
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