I was recently lucky enough to experience Quarkâs new expedition ship, The Ocean Explorer, on their âBest of the High Arcticâ voyageâ10 extraordinary days exploring Svalbard and northern Norway.
Onboard and in awe. The Arctic is everything I imagined⌠and more. âď¸đ
Not your typical cruise â Arctic winds, icy seas, and memories frozen in time.
Honestly? This was one of the most incredible adventures Iâve ever had. Iâd never seen snow like that beforeâso deep and powderyâand Iâd definitely never hiked through it. It felt like stepping into another world entirely. The scenery was just breathtaking. Whether we were cruising in Zodiacs or hiking across silent, frozen landscapes, we were surrounded by these vast, snow-covered fjords that looked like they belonged in a dream.
The ship itself was a standoutâelegant, beautifully designed, and super comfortable. Those enormous windows meant we never missed a view. We really lucked out with the weather in May. The sun was out more often than not, and it made the glaciers glow in the most brilliant shades of blue and white, with golden sunlight spilling across the mountains. It was stunning.
Home away from home â our cozy little cabin at sea. We couldnât have asked for a better space to share this Arctic adventure
Where ice meets sky
There were so many moments Iâll never forget, but standing at the ice shelf at 80 degrees northâthe furthest we could goâwas something else. Just standing there, knowing we were at the very edge of the world… it was surreal.
Then there were the magical surprises nature gifted us. Watching a Ringed seal launch itself off a thick slab of ice into the freezing water, or spotting a polar bear and her cub wandering near an ice caveâmoments Iâll carry forever. And kayaking past walruses lounging on the ice, with the snow sparkling all around? Pure movie magic.
Svalbard is wild and remote in the best possible way. In some places, we were the only people for miles. We left fresh footprints in untouched snow while reindeer ran past us and Arctic foxes watched from the ridgelines.
See our other articles about Svalbard – Gateway to the Arctic, How likely you are to see a Polar Bear, and our Guide to Arctic Wildlife Watching
Experiencing the Arctic wildlife with these fluffy and fierce creatures
Wild, raw, and untouched
Kings of the Arctic, roaming free. đťââď¸âď¸
From cozy lounges to elegant dining, Ocean Explorer proves adventure and comfort can sail together.
Even though the temperatures dipped as low as -6°C, we were always warm and cozy on board. For a smaller expedition ship, The Ocean Explorer had everything we neededâand then some. The food was fantastic. Hearty buffet breakfasts and lunches, followed by exquisite four-course dinners in the evening. Eating while the Arctic passed by outside the window? Just amazing.
And the staff? They made the trip even more special. Warm, professional, and clearly passionate about the region. Their energy and excitement were contagious.
This is the kind of trip that stays with you. I still catch myself thinking about the silence of the snow, the shimmer of the ice under 24-hour sunlight, and just how lucky I was to experience a place so raw, remote, and beautiful.
One of the perks of sailing through small ships is getting acquainted with your co-passengers
With over twenty-five years travel industry experience (starting at Traveland), Danielle brings a wealth of knowledge to help make her clientsâ adventures as stress free as possible.
Expedition Partners (formerly Flower Travel) specialise in expedition style travel by small ship cruise and private rail journeys.
PH: 1300 654 861
Monday-Friday 9.30am â 5.30pm
