The Ultimate Spitsbergen Expedition

Svalbard is the Norwegian archipelago between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole. It was discovered in 1596 by Willem Barents and is located about 965 kilometers from the North Pole and 644 kilometers north of Norway. With a land area of 39,784 km² and 60% ice cover, Svalbard is considered the largest wilderness area in Europe. Spread across four settlements (Longyearbyen is the largest), Svalbard has a total population of around 2,700.

Expedition mode begins as soon as you leave Longyearbyen —your expedition leader and captain will determine the route based on wildlife, weather, and ice conditions.

The MS Villa is an excellent platform for photographing the breathtaking landscape as you sail toward the pack ice in search of seabirds, seals, whales, and, of course, the king of the Arctic, the polar bear.

Join your expedition leaders on Zodiac rides and shore excursions to explore nature, observe wildlife, and visit historical sites. With a maximum group size of 12 guests, you can quickly and easily take advantage of all the wildlife viewing opportunities on land or in the Zodiacs. This way, you can easily maximize your Spitsbergen experience!

Join photographer Rachel Bigsby on a Spitsbergen photo expedition from September 9 to 19, 2024!

Experience the Arctic wilderness, where breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife await you. This expedition is designed for both amateur and experienced photographers who want to improve their skills while immersing themselves in one of the world's most fascinating destinations.

Rachel Bigsby is considered one of the leading young wildlife photographers of her generation. At just 26 years of age, her work has gained international recognition. She has been a finalist in five of the world's leading wildlife photography competitions and her images have been published by National Geographic.

She is particularly known for her high-key photography and creative techniques, specializing in wildlife in cold climates such as polar bears and seabirds. Rachel is a proud Nikon Creator and brand ambassador. She has been selected to demonstrate the capabilities of their leading photographic equipment with her talents and to speak at a variety of international events.

In addition to her career as a wildlife photographer, Rachel has appeared on television several times as an up-and-coming natural history presenter. She has contributed to BBC programs including BBC Earth, BBC Springwatch, BBC's The One Show, and Countryfile. Most recently, she worked on Wild Isles, a high-profile documentary featuring Sir David Attenborough, capturing wildlife on camera.

With her extensive experience as a photographer and tour guide, Rachel uses her passion, knowledge, and camera to inspire a global audience with stories from the animal world. At the same time, she inspires young people with her professional career and shares her love of nature with everyone who listens to her.

During your time aboard the MS Villa, you will receive personal feedback from Rachel. She offers special review sessions in which she provides constructive criticism of your work and suggestions for improvement.