Viking or silversea for polar bear cruising ARTIC

[rosewood jo]

Anyone know which of the 2 cruises do a better job? Viking Octantis going July 2025.  SILVERSEA Endeavor July 2024/2025.  Any imput would be appreciated! 

[hallasm]

It will be easier to answer if you included the itinerary for the two cruises. The best chance of seeing polar bears is on Svalbard.

Without knowing the itineraries I would think Silversea if Svalbard is included.

Edited August 2, 2023 by hallasm

[Kiwi Brenda]

You should consider Seabourn Venture as well

[rosewood jo]

Basically one cruise is leaving Churchill & the other Nuuk.    Canada vs Greenland basically.   Both doing Baffin Island.    Is Svalbard much like Iceland in its La escape? Same weather etc?   Just more bears than Greenland?   We just got back from a cruise around Iceland:) 

[hallasm]

I have no experience with these itineraries. Cannot tell the difference regarding chances for seeing polar brars.
 

Big difference between Iceland and Svalbard - cannot be compared. Iceland is a Volcano with lava plains while Svalbard is an artic wildernes.

 

Iceland has a temperate maritime climate, with mild winters and cool summers due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. 

Iceland boasts diverse landscapes, including glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, and geysers.

Iceland is home to various bird species, including puffins and arctic terns, as well as some land mammals like reindeer and foxes.

 

Svalbard experiences a polar climate, characterized by extremely cold temperatures, long winters, and relatively short summers with midnight sun.

Svalbard is characterized by its icy Arctic wilderness, comprising glaciers, polar deserts, and stunning fjords.

Svalbard's unique wildlife includes polar bears, arctic foxes, reindeer, and numerous seabird colonies.

Edited August 2, 2023 by hallasm

[LHT28]

save yourself  some $$  fly to Churchill & do the buggy tour  in the fall 😄

https://churchillscience.ca/about/the-churchill-area/polar-bears/

https://www.lazybearlodge.com/

 

 

The only polar bears  we saw in Svalbard was one in the museum & one outside a shop   both were stuffed

[rosewood jo]

I looked at that but bears are not showing up near Churchill like they used to.    Big difference ? See these two below agendas.    Polar bear trip 

[rosewood jo]

LGT28.   What month were u in SVALBARD?  that had u seeing only stuffed bears:)

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, rosewood jo said:

LGT28.   What month were u in SVALBARD?  that had u seeing only stuffed bears:)

July /Aug

[Cruzaholic41]

Those are 2 fantastic cruise lines on 2 ships I cannot wait to experience. I would give the slight edge to Octantis. Viking is one of my favorite lines and Condé Nast recently named them best cruise line. 

[mom says]

7 hours ago, rosewood jo said:

U must work for business in Churchill I’m guessing 🙂

Since I live 1,982 km away from Churchill, that would be a no.

[Host Kat]

14 hours ago, rosewood jo said:

I looked at that but bears are not showing up near Churchill like they used to.    Big difference ? See these two below agendas.    Polar bear trip 

@rosewood jo

 

Your post containing information re Churchill's bears and the maps had to be removed due to the Copyright Infringement section in the Guidelines we all agreed to follow when registering for our free Cruise Critic memberships. Please repost just the link to the information which is allowed.

 

[mrgabriel]

On 8/2/2023 at 7:15 AM, LHT28 said:

save yourself  some $$  fly to Churchill & do the buggy tour  in the fall 😄

https://churchillscience.ca/about/the-churchill-area/polar-bears/

https://www.lazybearlodge.com/

 

 

The only polar bears  we saw in Svalbard was one in the museum & one outside a shop   both were stuffed

 

A friend went to Churchill this past winter and I've seen the pictures. It was absolutely amazing.  They saw polar bears. It was nothing like a cruise. Even though it was an extremely expensive tour, it was comfortable but not at all fancy.