Stakeholders experience Svalbard expedition cruising

For one week, Eva Britt Kornfeldt, from Svalbard Cruise Forum, and Kjetil Br?ten, from Port of Longyearbyen joined Ponant’s vessel, Le Lyrial on an expedition cruise in Svalbard. They were invited guests on AECO’s Stakeholder Cruise, an educational program to experience Arctic expedition cruising from a guest perspective.

What were your expectations of the cruise?

- Our ambition was to learn more about expedition cruising through observation and participation, and to learn more about the operators’ use of AECO guidelines, resources and tools. We also wanted to get a better understanding of the operations in the field, how cultural heritage sites, communities and wildlife are approached. And to get a chance to interact with guests and hear about their expectations and experience during the cruise.

Did you find what you were looking for?

- This cruise was very valuable to us. First, we learned how Ponant organizes and executes their operations on the Le Lyrial, and spending time with crew and guests gave us insight into different cultures, how it affects communication, and how messages are sent and received.

- From a local perspective we got a better understanding of how our guests experience in Svalbard. Conversations with in-depth information and a description of the destination's possibilities and limitations were well received by the management on board. Increased interaction with the ship's management in port can contribute to simplifying the call for all parties and how we deal with everyday challenges.?

What do you take with you from this experience?

- When it came to excursions and visits to selected locations, we felt that as representatives of tourism in Svalbard, we wished for a more comprehensive presentation of history, various natural elements and their significance in a historical perspective and today. We believe that building up anticipation and knowledge in advance of the place we are going to visit will enhance and improve the guest's experience.?

- The preparations before, during and after landing operations were conducted in a clear, safe, secure and friendly way, and well aligned with relevant guidelines. And we want to thank Ponant for an inspiring week onboard Le Lyrial.

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