Svalbard!
Halfway between Norway and the North Pole, home to polar bears, walruses, whales, and a myriad birds.
Just you and eleven other passengers!
June 7-18, 2022
The M/V Polarfront - our home for eleven days
I've always been captivated by the name 'Svalbard', which seemed to me more imaginary than real. Then I heard more about it from wildlife photographers on Hudson Bay, who kept referring to it as a mecca for polar bear watchers. The more I learn about it, the more I want to go.
I have been twice on polar cruises with Worldwide Quest, a Toronto company - once south, once north. When I learned of their - already full - 12 passenger 2021 cruise around the mysterious Svalbard, I decided I'd like to get together a group of twelve adventurous friends and head north in 2022.
The itinerary will be similar to the 2021 cruise described in the document above at right. Please click on it since I have added important information relevant to 2022.
As of March 10, 2020, we have space for four more: Two to share a cabin, and two of differing genders to share with existing passengers.
To make the adventure even better are the resource people we'll have aboard, one of whom will be bear specialist Marty Obbard. He's easy to find on the internet, and even easier to get along with. Here's an entertaining video of his bear-tagging outing with popular Canadian TV personality Rick Mercer.
We will also have experienced expedition leaders to direct our comings and goings in zodiacs, and all else related to our adventures and pleasure. You can expect to be well informed and entertained, on top of being well taken care of. We will be in good hands. I couldn't ask for more!
Please let me know right away if you want to come, or if you are seriously considering it. There may still be space, or cancellations. There will be a waiting list.
... or if you have any questions.
Here is a link to more information about Svalbard , It may give you ideas of what you don't want to miss seeing or doing while there. (This is from the website of another company. I asked them the cost of a trip like ours - same month, same boat, same resource people, etc. The cost was similar.)

The website for Polarfront is Latitude Blanche . As you'll see, you will be traveling in great comfort, yet with a small ecological footprint.

Remember - it will be OUR expedition, so we'll have some input into what we do!
Meanwhile, the reasons I want to go in June are...
1. The arrival of continuous daylight to the High Arctic makes exploration possible night and day. No wasted moments.
2. Retreating ice allows the Polarfront to cruise further north along the coast, giving many more opportunities for seeing wildlife.
(Note - there are supposedly more bears than people in Svalbard.)
Northern fulmars
Thick-billed murres
3. Both sea and tundra birds are beginning to lay eggs, with millions of sea-birds in the colonies. Noisy, noisy!
4. Minke, humpback and fin whales arrive back north having spent the winter in warmer tropical waters. I hope to see some dramatic feeding activity.

5. Flowers! This is one I especially want to see. The Arctic poppy - just one of the many species springing from the tundra and rocky soils.
Do you have any questions or require additional information? Please contact me by email or by phone at (819) 459-2110.