OceanPrince

I think it's more likely from ship as polar bears like to hangout by the edge of the ice. During ground excursions, guides are required to bring a gun for protect against polar bears, but sightings are rare

FYI for anyone interested

I would be surprised (and very very unlucky) if I dont see any polar bears in Svalbard, but just hope I see one close enough to get a good cell phone picture for the 'gram lol. Saw an interview with a expedition team member [not Seabourn] who said during a season of 2-week cruises around Svalbard, the least polar bears he saw in one voyage was 3 and the most was 40.

Hi M&J! it's Wayne from your Iceland/Greenland cruise last June. Hope you and family are doing well. I'm booked on the Venture June 9th going to Svalbard. Expecting to see Polar Bears and Puffins, hoping to see Belugas and Narwhals. Based on research, there will be some glaciers but not expecting anything spectacular.