Poseidon Expeditions

Last updated
Poseidon Expeditions
IndustryCruise line
Founded1999;26 years ago (1999)
Headquarters
Limassol
,
Cyprus
Services
  • Polar Expeditions
  • Polar Cruises
  • Adventure Travel
Website poseidonexpeditions.com

Poseidon Expeditions, a travel company founded in 1999, offers expedition cruises to the polar regions of Arctic, Antarctic and the North Pole (until 2022). With its headquarters in Cyprus and offices / representations in the UK, US, Germany and China the company markets travel programs worldwide.

Contents

History

Awards

Poseidon Expeditions long-time operation in the expedition travel market is acknowledged by several world-level awards in travel industry:

Current map of expedition routes

As of 2025, Poseidon Expeditions operates expedition cruises to:

Poseidon Expeditions' fleet

Sea Spirit vessel in Antarctic. Piet van den Bemd, Poseidon Expeditions Sea Spirit vessel.webp
Sea Spirit vessel in Antarctic. Piet van den Bemd, Poseidon Expeditions

For 26 years of polar cruising, Poseidon Expeditions has charted a number of vessels such as the Yamal icebreaker, the 100-passenger, conventionally propelled icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn, 115-passenger conventionally propelled Marina Tsvetaeva ship (now MV Ortelius) and the Sea Explorer [8] . From 2008 to 2022 Poseidon Expeditions has operated North Pole cruises aboard the 124-passenger nuclear-powered Russian icebreaker 50 Years of Victory [9] , equipped with helicopter that enabled travelers to explore wild Arctic areas. This icebreaker is capable of breaking through ice up to 2.5 meters (9.2 feet) thick.

Currently Poseidon Expeditions operates its Arctic and Antarctic cruises aboard the Sea Spirit expedition vessel. Due to its size this ship navigates into protected channels and bays that are out of bounds to larger cruise vessels, and allows all the passengers to go offshore at the same time, avoiding any queues. It offers accommodation up to 114 passengers, has an ice-strengthened hull, a fleet of Zodiac boats for observation trips and a set of retractable fin stabilizers for smoother sailing. [10]

Sustainability initiatives

Operating in fragile polar regions, the company is committed to safe and environmentally responsible travel. Poseidon Expeditions is a member of IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) and AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) following all strict regulations concerning the cruise operations.

Company supports South Georgia Heritage Trust and Polar Bears International.

Other steps of commitment to the further development of Arctic and Antarctic conservation include active participation of naturalists and scientists in expedition programs. Poseidon Expeditions’ onboard team includes polar specialists: conservationists, prominent guest scientists, marine biologists, ornithologists, climate specialists, geologists and sea ice experts. While involving the passengers into true polar experience, company highlights the importance of keeping the polar regions pristine for future generations.

Penguins observation in Antarctic cruise of Poseidon Expeditions Penguins observation in Antarctic cruise.jpg
Penguins observation in Antarctic cruise of Poseidon Expeditions

In Spitsbergen Poseidon Expeditions staff take part in the “Clean Up Svalbard” initiative, reducing beach waste on each of tourist landings, often joined by passengers of the cruise.

During shore excursions tourists and staff follow the guidelines established by AECO and IAATO to protect the local flora and fauna, including rigorous bootwashing before and after landings to prevent accidental transmission of biological pathogens between penguin colonies. All passengers vacuum their outwear and backpacks to eliminate any possibility of transporting an alien species of seed or other flora.

Travelers are offered to participate in citizen science projects through observation. Photographs and descriptions become high-value data if the image is of good quality and has a verifiably correct date and location for GLOBE Clouds, cloud observations platform, and Happywhale platform, serving the research community as a data source for studies of many whale and seal species.

Arctic expedition cruise of Poseidon Expeditions Swarovsky Collaboration with Poseidon Expeditions.jpg
Arctic expedition cruise of Poseidon Expeditions

References

  1. "Breaking the Ice: How to Board Arctic Expedition Ships". Frommers.com. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  2. "The North Pole Has Been Reached for the 100th Time in the History of Icebreaker Navigation: Poseidon Expeditions Sets Foot on Top of the World". Prweb.com. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  3. "Poseidon Expeditions to Add Another Ship".
  4. "World's Leading Polar Expedition Operator 2021". World Travel Awards. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  5. Staff, DRIFT (2022-09-07). "Poseidon Expeditions Voted Best Polar Expedition Cruise Operator By 2022 International Travel Awards". Drift Travel Magazine. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  6. "Poseidon Expeditions Voted Best Polar Expedition Cruise Operator By 2022 International Travel Awards". Poseidon Expeditions. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  7. "Poseidon Expeditions Voted Best Polar Expedition Cruise Operator at 2025 International Travel Awards". Poseidon Expeditions. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  8. emailwire. "Poseidon Expeditions Announces Antarctica Cruise Booking Aboard m/v Sea Explorer for 2013 and 2014". emailwire.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  9. Cruises. "The best unusual cruises". Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  10. "Poseidon Expeditions Acquires Sea Spirit". 25 February 2014.