A superb 14-day trip with Waterproof Expeditions on board the newly modernised MV Vestland Explorer. The trip was run by Expedition Leader Rinie van Meurs and guide Szymon Nietzobitowski. There was a lot more ice than has been usual in recent years, and although it restricted the areas we could visit, it was very good for us in finding Polar Bears. We spent many days in a very small area around Raudfjord, seeing in total 23 different bears, some individuals many times over a number of days. The new ship is superb, a delight to travel on, and perfect for this type of expedition with its high ice class and large safe open deck areas. My thanks to Waterproof Expeditions, Rinie and Simon, and the crew of MV Westland Explorer for making this one of my best ever trips to Svalbard!