If you’re dreaming of ice-covered landscapes, remote polar outposts, and up-close encounters with Arctic wildlife — this is the trip to put at the top of your bucket list. I recently sailed aboard the Greg Mortimer with Aurora Expeditions on their Svalbard Odyssey, and it was an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most remote and extraordinary regions.
Getting There: Oslo to the Arctic Circle
Our expedition began in Oslo, Norway, where we stayed at the Radisson Blu next to the airport. Aurora Expeditions had a welcome desk set up in the hotel lobby, making check-in simple and stress-free. We received our luggage tags and a full briefing on what to expect the next day.
The following morning, we met again in the lobby and walked as a group to the terminal for our charter flight to Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s largest settlement. One surprising detail? Even though Svalbard is part of Norway, we passed through border control and had our passports stamped. An unexpected but memorable start to the adventure!
Exploring Longyearbyen
Upon arrival, we boarded motorcoaches for a half-day tour of Longyearbyen — a quirky and fascinating Arctic town. Highlights included:
- A stop at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (yes, that famous seed vault)
- A visit to the local church
- Iconic viewpoints and Arctic landscapes
- A chance to get a sense of life in this extreme environment
After our tour, we made our way to the pier and boarded our home for the next several days: the Greg Mortimer.
Life On Board the Greg Mortimer
This expedition ship was designed for exploring remote places — but it didn’t sacrifice comfort. Despite being smaller in size, the Greg Mortimer was incredibly well-designed and even featured an elevator — a rarity on expedition ships.
Our cabin was spacious, many with private balconies, and with a capacity of only 148 passengers (and just 89 on our trip), the experience felt personal and uncrowded.
Once on board, we:
- Located the lecture hall where daily briefings would take place
- Completed our lifeboat drill
- Met with the Expedition Crew to go over gear sizing, hiking options, and ship orientation
They also pointed out important locations like the library, gift shop, doctor’s office, and lounge — where we would often gather before dinner.
Daily Adventures & Expert Insights
Each evening before dinner, the Expedition Team hosted informative and entertaining recaps of the day — complete with photos, wildlife sightings, and a preview of what was coming next.
The team members were specialists in fields like:
- Glaciology
- Marine biology
- Geology
- Arctic ecology
And they made learning fun. We learned about bears, ice, rocks, glaciers, and even Arctic plants — and had plenty of laughs along the way.
Choose Your Own Adventure: Hikes & Icefields
Every day offered a choice of three activity levels:
- Strenuous hikes
- Moderate treks
- Casual strolls
Whether you wanted a physical challenge or a peaceful walk along an Arctic beach, there was something for everyone.
We even spent days cruising through ice fields, scanning the horizon for polar bears and seals from the deck or Zodiac boats — it was like stepping into a BBC nature documentary.
Fun Arctic Facts You Might Not Know
- There are trees in Svalbard! They’re only about an inch tall, but yes — they count as trees.
- Over 2,100 glaciers exist in the Svalbard archipelago.
- Despite its remoteness, Longyearbyen has modern touches — including a café and a brewery.
Final Thoughts
Svalbard truly feels like another planet — harsh, beautiful, and endlessly fascinating. What I thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience now feels like something I would gladly repeat.
If you’ve ever considered going to the Arctic, I can’t recommend Aurora Expeditions and the Svalbard Odyssey enough. This isn’t just a trip — it’s a story you’ll be telling for the rest of your life.
