EVENT: CLIA EXPEDITION SUMMIT

WHERE: LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD, ARCTIC

WHEN: 16^th-20^th JULY 2025

An epic 4 days in Svalbard, where we visited not 1, but 6 expedition ships!

Below is a summary of each expedition ship we visited:

1. Sylvia Earle (AE Expeditions) £££

‘Small ships-big adventures’

• X-Bow design

• 130 guests

• Expedition team ratio of 1:7

• B-Corp & carbon neutral

• Onboard Science-centre

• Full board Plus

• 2 dining options, 2 bars, heated outdoor pool, 2 jacuzzis, gym & sauna

• Complimentary Star Link Wifi

Winter: Antarctica, Falklands, South Georgia, Costa Rica, Patagonia

Summer: Svalbard, Greenland, Scotland, Iceland, Norway

Part of the renowned Aurora Expeditions, AE Expeditions is an award-winning, Australian-owned company founded by Greg Mortimer. AE Expeditions is deeply committed to environmentally responsible travel. They are 100% climate-neutral and certified B-Corp.

We loved the design of this expedition ship. It had a real Australian feel with calming colours throughout, a real comfortable home from home. There are plenty of places to relax onboard…we loved the large outdoor spaces to maximise wildlife viewing from all angles. There are good solo options on AE expeditions too…10 cabins per sailing with no solo supplement! Or, opt to keep the cost down by sharing a cabin with one or two others. You will be placed with another solo traveller of the same gender. A wonderful range of activities…scuba diving, skiing and snorkelling in Antarctica.

Other AE Expedition/Aurora Cruise Ships: 

• Greg Mortimer Aurora Expeditions (AE Expeditions)
• Douglas Mawson

What is an X-BOW? Hear from Sarah from Mapping Your Travel...

2. Ocean Albatros (Albatros Expeditions) ££+

• X-Bow design

• 199 guests

• Hydraulic Viewing platforms on the bow-these were a little bit special!

• Full board Plus

• Triple cabins and single cabins available

• Full board Plus

• All excursions included

• 2 dining options, gym & sauna, hot tub

Winter: Antarctica, Falklands, South Georgia

Summer: Arctic, Svalbard, Greenland

This ship has the same hull as Sylvia Earle, with its X-bow.  It has a relaxing Scandinavian design throughout. All excursions are included, which is a lovely touch. This has a slightly lower price-point...if you are travelling solo, you could share a triple cabin with others, to help keep the cost down. Albatros focuses on the Polar Regions. This ship was on a private charter in Svalbard when we visited!  Albatros has an onboard lecture programme and a citizen science programme is in development. We felt very at home on this ship! Albatros & Polar Latitudes are soon joining forces.

What do Albatros Expeditions cost?

Find out by requesting a quotation today:

3. Swan Hellenic's SH Diana ££+

'See what others don't'

• Relaxed luxury-boutique yacht style expedition ship

• Beautiful cabins & design

• 192ppl

• All-Inclusive & Wi-Fi

• Citizen Science Programme

• Unusual Destinations

• All-Inclusive 

• 3 restaurants & room service

• SPA & beauty salon & gym

• Outdoor heated infinity pool

Winter: Antarctica

Summer: Arctic

Wow! SH Diana has more of a private yacht feel, she is absolutely beautiful. If you want to sail to faraway destinations in style, and be on an all-inclusive board-this is the ship for you!  The cabins are wonderful-calming neutral tones and textures, floor to ceiling windows & lovely touches with an espresso machine and snacks. We loved how the cabins had holographic fireplaces. Imagine lying in bed with your freshly brewed coffee, the curtains are open-you're sailing past giant icebergs and there's a warm glow from the fireplace. Where do I sign up!

The all-inclusive package also includes 24hr room service, beverages, shore excursions, expedition gear & wi-fi. 

Swan Hellenic ships don't just visit the polar regions! They have lots of wonderfully curated itineraries, including-The Seychelles, The West Coast of Africa, The Amazon.

Get in touch to find out more about Swan Hellenic cruises:

4. Ponant's Le Lyrial £££

• Luxurious Design (glass, metal, soft furnishings)

• Refined French Elegance

• 244ppl

• Full Board & beverages. 24hr room service

• Panoramic Views

• Zodiac excursions included

• 2 restaurants & 2 lounges/bars

• Guest speakers

• Hammam, hair salon, fitness studio, outdoor pool

Winter: Antarctica

Summer: Arctic

Visit the most extraordinary places on Earth, without sacrificing comfort or style! Searching for a  luxury expedition ship, with fine-dining and gourmet cuisine? If so, Ponant Explorations is your perfect fit.  Sustainability is at the heart of Ponant's values. All services are conducted in both French & English. 

Ponant's Le Commandent Charcot

During the expedition conference in Svalbard, we were introduced to Le Commandent Charcot during a presentation from Ponant expedition cruises.

Le Commandent Charcot is the only class PC2 luxury icebreaker in the world!

• A ship of true exploration firsts.

• She reached the Geographic North Pole (90° North), but also made history for being the first passenger ship to sail to the most navigable southern latitude in the Ross Sea (78°44.3′ South). This is the closest point by sea to the South Pole that is accessible to any vessel.

Photo Credit: Ponant Roman Farge

• You may be wondering-what makes this possible? Le Commandeant is built to Polar Class 2 (PC2). This is one of the highest ice class ratings in existence. She has been engineered for year-round navigation in thick, all year round sea ice. This luxury icebreaker cruise goes where others simply can't. No other passenger ship on Earth holds this rating.

Get in touch about this North Pole luxury icebreaker ship! Chat to us about Ponant polar cruises today:

5. Quark Expedition's Ocean Explorer £££

• X-BOW design (like Ocean Albatros & Sylvia Earle)

• 138ppl

• A modern Scandinavian decor & a super friendly crew! This ship has a relaxed feel

• A range of cabins, including solo suite categories

• All landings and zodiac cruises are included (at least 2 daily)

• Onboard educational programme, including Evening Bar Talks

• StarLink Wi-Fi included

• 1 dining room and 1 bistro

• Full board with snacks, standard beer, wine and spirits

• 2 jacuzzis, a wooden sauna, spa & fitness centre

Winter: Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Circle, Snow Hill, Falklands, Patagonia, South Georgia & Quark Fly the Drake cruises.

Summer: Svalbard, Greenland, Canadian Arctic, Iceland, Faroe Islands

Quark expedition cruises are something special. We loved visiting Ocean Explorer, she offers premium comfort and wildlife viewing! Quark have specialised in the polar regions for the past 30 years. Recently, Quark have launched the first Antarctica by helicopter itinerary, allowing you to explore Antarctica by sea, land & air!

World Voyager is joining the Quark cruise ship fleet soon (see ship visit 6, below!)

Tempted? Get in touch to get a Quark expedition price today:

6.Atlas Ocean Voyages' World Voyager ££+

• Stunning suites and cabins (our favourite out of all of the ships-great size showers, some had baths!)

• Bright open lounge space

• All-Inclusive

• Yacht expedition ship

• Entertainment onboard (singers etc)

• World Voyager is joining Quark's fleet soon.

• Nordic design 

• Multiple lounge venures, several dining options.

• Pool, hot tub, running track, fitness studio, spa.

• 198 people

Winter: Antarctica

Summer: Arctic, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard

This is a stunning yachting expedition ship, with wonderful outside areas. This agile yacht sails to remote polar regions, and also upriver to London and Seville (Atlas also offer epicurean expedition cruises). There is an observation area, just 30ft above the sea's surface!  A relaxed, stylish luxury expedition ship, with nearly one staff member for every guest. I loved The Dome observation lounge. The dining options also looked excellent, with clearly marked gluten free and vegetarian zones. 

Expedition Cruises