Reviews

Eine eindrückliche Reise, tolle Natur & Tierwelt. Das Expeditionsteam ist hervorragend und verfügt über ein fundiertes Wissen. Die Crew leistet grossartige Arbeit, Essen ist lecker. Das Schiff hat einen nostalgischen Charme, der. Esssaal ist recht laut und die Gänge eng. Gut geeignet für Alleinreisende. Tipp: Gästestruktur im Voraus checken! Mit 75% Chinesen zu reisen ist etwas gewöhnungsbedürftig.

Speziell der Tag im Packeis war ein ganz besonderes Erlebnis. Gesamte Mannschaft der Plancius und das Expeditionsteam haben dazu beigetragen, daß wir viel sehen und erleben, uns wohlfühlen und eine wunderbare Zeit genießen.

Ausgezeichnet

We recently joined an Arctic cruise with Oceanwide Expeditions and were disappointed by several aspects of the experience. The ship lacked basic amenities, including an elevator. Most of our group were seniors aged 70+, and the constant need to climb multiple flights of stairs for drinking water, meals, and excursions was exhausting. There were no accommodations offered for older guests or those with mobility challenges. Meal service was poorly managed, with only one-hour windows and all passengers eating at the same time. This led to long lines and, on several occasions, the buffet was cleared before we reached the front. Staff were often unaccommodating and unresponsive to concerns. For an expedition of this caliber, the lack of accessibility, organization, and guest care was disappointing. We hope Oceanwide makes meaningful improvements for future guests. We did enjoy the expeditions and the guides leading those activities.

On the last day of the trip log it says: “Saying goodbye is never easy, but it often also means that you’ve had a fantastic time and that made it totally worth it.“ I am pretty sure I was the inspiration (or one of many) bawling my eyes out which made Guide Valeria sing “don’t cry for me Argentina”. Well dear staff and crew of Plancius, I am almost done planning my next trip to Antarctica (via Argentina) on Plancius in 2026 so I can’t promise I won’t cry again. This trip has been nothing but magical and I will treasure it forever. Thank you 🩵

Thank you Oceanwide Expeditions for a truly unbelievable and memorable experience on board the Hondius. What an amazing crew, expedition team and ship to explore the Arctic region. When I booked this adventure, my travel agent told me that an expedition on Oceanwide was the only way to visit Svalbard, and they certainly delivered on that promise. This voyage will be remembered as one of our top expedition adventures. A special thanks to the expedition team for giving every one of us on board a lifetime of memories and for making every day a new experience. The team went out of their way to give us all that experience. I will recommend Oceanwide Expeditions to anyone interested in visiting the polar regions. They are definitely the best in the business! My goal was to witness a polar bear in the wild, and while I know viewing wildlife can be hit or miss, the Oceanwide Expedition team delivered us a once in a lifetime experience, thanks to the skillful eyes and the team's determination. How anyone could spot a polar bear in a somewhat foggy ice packed landscape is beyond anyone's imagination, but once spotted, the captain did the impossible to make viewing the King of the Arctic a reality. It was truly the highlight of the trip. Thank you Oceanwide Expeditions!

Very instructive, beautiful and professionally accompanied

The trip on Plancius far exceeded my expectations. Every effort was made to get ashore or see wildlife and to maximize time off the ship / encounter with nature. The guides were of an extremely high standard and were extremely enthusiastic. Keep doing what your doing Oceanwide.

The trip exceeded all of my expectations, from start to finish. Julian was a fantastic kayak guide with excellent support from Paulo and Alexis. I would especially like to compliment Rose and Damien who were our dining room stewards, and Victor who minded our cabin 322, we especially loved the towel animals! And the polar bears, what can I say......... a Nat Geo moment

The 18 days off this journey were all fantastic. I've seen a lot off birds and animals in there own environment, the beautyfull, sometimes dramatical landscapes. And we where able to walk (dance) on the Pack Ice. Thanks to Captain Jan and his team to bring us there. And of course many thamks to Expeditie leader Chris and his team for all the times to bring us on land or make a zodiac cruise with us. They all are experts in guiding this trip and telling us every thing we wanted to know. I had a great time with a lot to do and to see. And verry good food, served by a ferry friendly crew.

5

The trip was amazing from the very beginning. The Expedition Guides were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The ship Crew did wonderful job. Everyone did an extra mile to make sure we are safe and able to see as much wildlife as possible. Very memorable time!

We spent very nice time on the Arctic Ocean. We're lucky with the weather and spotting a lot of wildlife- Guides and all the crew have been very nice with us and very well prepared

Overall, the experience was truly exceptional. The expedition guides were not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly personable, always engaging with guests and eager to share their expertise. The entire crew demonstrated a high level of professionalism, kindness, and attentiveness—many even remembered passengers’ names and preferences, which added a thoughtful, personal touch to the journey. The accommodations were very comfortable and well-designed. The porthole cabins were spacious, with large closets that made it easy to unpack and hang coats, as well as mirror cabinets in the bathroom for toiletries. There was also room to store suitcases under the bed. I was genuinely impressed by the functionality and size of the cabin. The food onboard exceeded expectations. Each day brought a new and diverse selection of dishes, and the dining team provided consistently outstanding service throughout the trip. With 101 passengers and 55 crew members, the ratio felt ideal. There was always a staff member available, and the guides remained approachable and actively engaged with guests—answering questions, offering insights, and participating in daily activities. When inclement weather prevented one of the excursions, the guides hosted insightful lectures on Arctic-related topics, maintaining the educational and enriching atmosphere of the cruise. The excursions themselves were a highlight. The guides helped us spot wildlife and explained fascinating details about the Arctic environment—such as glacial formations, ice behavior, and animal patterns. They were patient, informative, and clearly passionate about conservation and sharing the unique beauty of the region. One of my favorite things was the open-bridge policy, which welcomes passengers to spend time with the captain and guides—offering not only stunning views but also real-time insights into navigation and wildlife sightings.

Expedition Crew from Oceanwide has tried their very best to bring everyone on board to Snow Hill and meet the Emperor Penguins twice! That was really a memorable and touching moment. Thanks for the great effort you have made!