Blog
Right up with the Best: Oxford to Arctic with Roly Pitts
Having returned to a rather hot Oxford after 12 days of exploring Arctic islands on a century-old historic schooner, I decided to pen a few
8 Scientific Wonders of the Arctic
The Arctic’s frozen landscape not only contains scenic gems, it also prompts fascinating advances in research. Here are some of the eight be
OTL09-18, trip log, Around Spitsbergen
We woke to our first morning on Ortelius entering Kongsfjorden under blue skies and sunshine. Calm waters overnight had made for a restful s
Tracking Greenland’s Wildlife from Space
Despite Greenland’s harsh environment, life has found a way to thrive there. If you’re lucky enough to embark on a Greenland cruise, you sta
PLA09-18, trip log, Around Spitsbergen
The day began with a wake up call from our Expedition Leader, Beau on this beautiful sunday morning as we passed the Rentierflya (reindeer p
The Ice-Jewelled Geology of Spitsbergen
The Svalbard archipelago is found in the Arctic Ocean, approximately 660 km (410 miles) north of the northernmost tip of Norway. It is a geo
Hello, Hondius: Former Passengers Visit Our Future Vessel
It’s hard not to be flattered when our former passengers speak highly of our voyages, vessels, and staff. But it’s altogether impossible whe
El mejor viaje de nuestra vida
Estuvimos en Spitsbergen desde 1 al 10 de junio de este año 2.018, navegando en el precioso barco velero Rembrandt. Ha sido una experiencia
PLA08-18, trip log, Spitsbergen Polar Bear Special
Next to this was the much larger calving front of Smithbreen, and a few of us witnessed small calving events as chunks of ice fell from the
The First Float of m/v Hondius
On the morning of Saturday, June 9, a newly constructed polar expedition cruise vessel slid down the timber-and-steel slipway of a sprawling
Trip log, PLA07-18, Spitsbergen Polar Bear Special
At 3pm we had a lecture. Michael invited everyone to the lounge and organized a lecture and discussion about sea ice and how important it is
The Art of the Arctic: Interview with Udo Prinsen
Most of us lucky enough to visit the Arctic recognize instantly how picturesque it is, far more striking than even the most expertly capture
OTL06-18, trip log, North Spitsbergen – Polar Bear Special
During lunch we moved a little deeper into the Smeerenburgfjord towards Smeerenburg on Amsterdamøya. Here we went ashore for several differe
Bring out the Bowheads: Our Largest Whale Count in Years
Researchers aboard Oceanwide Expeditions vessel m/v Plancius spotted between 104—114 bowhead whales during a June 1st cruise along the east
PLA06-18, trip log, Spitsbergen - Polar Bear Special
This year is an unusual year for sea ice, the sea ice has been broken up and dispersed by the winds and melted away all around the island ve
OTL05-18, trip log, North Spitsbergen – Polar Bear Special
While the Expedition Staff handed us out the Rubberboots Ortelius sailed into the Raudfjord (Red fjord) for a planned landing in order to ge
PLA05-18, trip log, Ice Age 3 x 60
lounge or dining room. After a short afternoon break, we were arriving at 14th July Glacier, where we planned a combined landing and Zodia
OTL04-18, logbuch, Nordspitzbergen: Eisbären-Special
Die Wanderung bot atemberaubende Ausblicke auf die umliegende Landschaft mit schneebedeckten Bergen, steilen Klippen, tief eingeschnittenen
PLA04-18, trip log, North Spitsbergen Polar Bear Special
All of us went past the Trapper's hut used by Stockholm Sven (now used by the Sysselman), admiring the creativity involved in building from
OTL03-18, trip log, North Spitsbergen – Polar Bear Special
Turning eastward and then southward into the Woodfjord we reached the Liefdefjord. Zodiacs were launched and we set off for a zodiac cruise
A Diving Dream Fulfilled
Last January, Mark Hatter accomplished a dream he’d been training two years to fulfill. Booking his berth aboard our m/v Ortelius and making