Europe, with an Arctic cruise, a Balkan tour and bits of France and Malta

[drron]

Well done TR. But I knew there was a reason we avoided the northern Hemisphere in July.
Our cruise to Svalbard was in August so much less sea ice so a lot more polar bears. We were very lucky and came across a Celebration of polar bears. Six including a mother with a young cub.




That second picture I showed to the birder on board and made his cruise. The gull in the picture is rare and he said only about 10 breeding pairs on Svalbard. I had to send him the photo.
We saw lots of other bids, a couple of different species of seals and 2 actually followed our zodiac. Also arctic foxes, reindeer and geese. A few whales. But we didn't see walrus. went to 3 known haul outs but weather was atrocious and no visiblity.
Also going later you see some flowers.




But most importantly I took the plunge. Note the rope. i was tied up by one of the women on the Expedition staff. I asked if she was used to tying men up. she assured me she was but as soon as I hit the water the rope came off.


So I think later in the season is better for wildlife. Ours was the last Svalbard cruise of the season.

 

[VPS]

Thanks, great report to read and beautiful photos. I really like the look of the San Souci and it has been ages since I visited the Loire.

You won’t regret it

 

[VPS]

Thanks for another comprehensive and informative TR

 

[RooFlyer]

Our cruise to Svalbard was in August so much less sea ice so a lot more polar bears. We were very lucky and came across a Celebration of polar bears. Six including a mother with a young cub.

Was that on the east or west of the archipelago? As I noted, they told us that the east has more sea ice, and more bears, but as it melts later, only the later cruises do along the east coast.

 

[drron]

Both the east and west coasts. We were on track to do a circumnavigation of Svalbard but an Atlantic gale scuppered that plan. All of the bears were seen on the west coast. The east was mainly millions of birds and a huge glacier.

 

[bPeteb]

Great report as always RF. Loved the Exodus tour. Something for bAlt and I to consider. Waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy too many churches for us. Actually, one would be too many. The chateaus though were wonderful. I have heard the same about Ponant from a colleague. Not that they were ever on our list of potential cruiselines but definitely now crossed off in case we win the lotto.

 

[somebol]

Thanks for another excellent report, enjoyed following you around.

Really disappointed to read about the French / Anglo divide on ponant, that is not acceptable on many levels.

 

[ric_melb]

Many thanks Roo Flyer for an excellent Trip Report. I was looking forward to it; and really enjoyed your commentary, photos, and the variety of places you visited. You put a lot of thought into preparation for this trip, and as well as many days travelling spent a lot of time writing the report for us.

 

[RooFlyer]

I have heard the same about Ponant from a colleague. Not that they were ever on our list of potential cruiselines but definitely now crossed off in case we win the lotto.

I wouldn't cross off their cruises in Asia/Australia necessarily. Their Kimberley cruise is fantastic (amazing remote Aboriginal art etc) and not at all French/Anglo, just Anglo with Ausie/Kiwi expedition crew. I'm doing the eastern Indonesian archipelago Bali through to Cairns in December; I believe that will be the same.

Really disappointed to read about the French / Anglo divide on ponant, that is not acceptable on many levels.

There was a feedback form on board at the end, which I filled out but tore up as it was so negative I thought they'd simply ignore it (not just French/Anglo issue, but some other issues as well).

I told my travel agent who immediately put me onto the Ponant rep in Australia. Had a talk on the phone and she asked me to e-mail her detailing all the issues, which I have, to be passed on up the chain.

But my greater concern is some additional Ponant cruises I have booked, besides the Indon one. As I've mentioned, I like Ponant because they offer a huge range of cruises where as a solo traveller I only have to pay a single fare, not two like most cruises; and these go to places I want to go.

The additional cruises are around Canary Islands and another around Sicily (back-to-back). These aren't expedition, but there is a risk that Anglos may be in a small minority and so may not be catered well on the land excursions. This wouldn't be the end of the world, as I could probably self-guide if they just provided bus out to the various sights. I've asked the question of the Ponant rep how these land excursions will be run.

There is yet another cruise I've paid a deposit for, around the Greek islands, then through to Italy and ending in Nice mid next year. This will be another French-heavy cruise and I'm almost certainly going to cancel (I can get almost all the deposit back).

I should say of course that Ponant is a French cruise line and one should always expect a majority French contingent and French to be the first language on board. But unless they want to charge us Anglos less, I'm expecting much the same overall experience.

 

[RooFlyer]

And, 2 days later, I now have a reply from Ponant Asia/Pacific addressing each issue I mentioned (they got my e-mail forwarded). That's not bad.

Gave me a bit of assurance re forward bookings but not totally.