rosewood jo Posted August 2, 2023 #1 Share Posted August 2, 2023 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted August 2, 2023 #2 Share Posted August 2, 2023 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Brenda Posted August 2, 2023 #3 Share Posted August 2, 2023 You should consider Seabourn Venture as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosewood jo Posted August 2, 2023 Author #4 Share Posted August 2, 2023 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:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted August 2, 2023 #5 Share Posted August 2, 2023 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 2, 2023 #6 Share Posted August 2, 2023 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosewood jo Posted August 2, 2023 Author #7 Share Posted August 2, 2023 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosewood jo Posted August 2, 2023 Author #8 Share Posted August 2, 2023 LGT28. What month were u in SVALBARD? that had u seeing only stuffed bears:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 2, 2023 #9 Share Posted August 2, 2023 2 hours ago, rosewood jo said: LGT28. What month were u in SVALBARD? that had u seeing only stuffed bears:) July /Aug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzaholic41 Posted August 2, 2023 #10 Share Posted August 2, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mom says Posted August 3, 2023 #11 Share Posted August 3, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Kat Posted August 3, 2023 #12 Share Posted August 3, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgabriel Posted August 4, 2023 #13 Share Posted August 4, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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