Hi Mark
We have not used Baltic Travel Company before but Mark listened to what we wanted And was on the end of an email to answer all our questions and the whole trip went off without a hitch.
We went to Svarlbard in May and the temperature was usually-3 or so which was no problem as we had the thermal layers on.
We were a bit chilled out on deck when on the boat trip but soon warmed up inside.
The hotel has a good reputation on the island and the buffet breakfast was amazing.
The room had amazing blackout curtains which are needed as it never got dark.
It was as bright at midnight as it was at midday.
We did a trip on the electric catamaran on the first day which was when we saw a Polar Bear.
It was a long way off on the shore but plenty of people had long lenses on their cameras so the pictures will be amazing.
We saw lots of birds which the crew named for us including Northern Fulmars and Puffins.
We also saw a Walrus resting on some ice as he floated by the ship.
There are plenty of shops in town if you need warmer clothes and a supermarket with a lane “only for locals” . Make of that what you will.
All the cars are unlocked and allegedly all the front doors so that if you see a Polar Bear you can hide so that you don’t become it’s lunch. This does not apply to the Reindeer that wander throughout the town.
The Camp Barenzs wilderness evening was great fun especially when the coach dropped us of in the middle of Polar Bear territory. We were met by the host who had a rifle over her shoulder and a pistol at her waist. The evening round the fire was great fun and the reindeer stew was lovely.
The Other boat trip was on a smaller faster boat and this time a Walrus came to see us and swam round the boat posing for photos.
Longyearbyen town is easy to walk round and accessible if you have mobility issues.