Kayaking in the Arctic was on my bucket list...and on Swan Hellenic's SH Vega, I was able to mark that goal complete. By circling a section of the Svalbard archipelago and stopping off in fjords for Zodiac excursions near glaciers and landings for hikes on the arctic tundra, the cruise presented an awesome glimpse of life at the top of the world. The enthusiastic excursion leaders were personable, knowledgeable and professional and did everything they could to keep us safe and informed. We saw polar bears, walruses, seals, reindeer, caribou and even an arctic fox not to mention tens of thousands of birds. The intimate ship was immaculate and handled the one day of 10-foot seas with ease. The crew-- from the super friendly captain to the diligent cabin steward-- made this cruise so pleasurable. The food was delicious and served by an incredibly attentive waitstaff. I especially enjoyed the onboard laid-back vibe-- no need to get dressed up for dinner or be forced to dine at assigned tables or times. No, we were there to experience the Arctic in all its icy, snowy splendor. The parkas we were given to keep for good often got wet in the Zodiacs, but they kept us dry and warm. I am not a cruise person at all-- I hadn't been on a cruise ship in over 40 years-- but this experience was a memorable one. To get up close and personal with the stark, barren, other-worldly landscape was a trip of a lifetime for me, made even more special by the opportunity to kayak among the ice floes.
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Cultural Expedition Cruises
