Summer is often synonymous with sunshine, sandy beaches, and lazy afternoons by the sea — but true adventurers know the greatest summer stories are written in the land of ice and midnight sun.
At Poseidon Expeditions, we believe the Arctic is where summer truly shines in its own, wild way. This past September, we wrapped up our Arctic 2025 season — and while it’s always hard to say goodbye, we’re filled with gratitude and unforgettable memories.
We completed thirteen expeditions this Arctic season — here’s what made them special.
Around the British Isles
Our season began on May 7, setting sail from Portsmouth on an unforgettable voyage around the British Isles. We marveled at the volcanic beauty of Staffa Island and its legendary Fingal’s Cave, stepped back in time at Conwy Castle, and watched thousands of seabirds soaring over Saltee Island and Bass Rock. Every stop offered its own blend of nature and history — the perfect start to a season of exploration.
Our expedition leader, Dr. Huw Lewis-Jones, a historian with a PhD from the University of Cambridge, brought each destination to life with stories, insight, and enthusiasm — making these voyages true highlights of our season.
.png)
The Sea Spirit and Bass Rock (British Isles)
Staffa Island and Fingal’s Cave (British Isles)
Puffins of the British Isles
The Faroe Islands
Next, we sailed north to the Faroe Islands — a place where steep cliffs meet emerald-green valleys and waterfalls plunge straight into the sea. We explored small villages with turf-roofed houses, watched puffins dart through the waves, and hiked along wild ridges that revealed breathtaking views at every turn. Visiting this remote archipelago is a rare privilege — we come here only twice a year, during our British Isles & Faroe Islands voyage and the Crossing the Arctic Circle cruise, making every visit truly special.
Crossing the Arctic Circle
One of the season’s most memorable moments was our Crossing the Arctic Circle cruise. Departing from Edinburgh, we journeyed through the Faroe Islands and Jan Mayen toward Svalbard. As we neared the Arctic Circle, tradition came alive — the mighty Neptune, God of the Seas, appeared with his two mermaids, challenging guests to earn their Arctic passage through fun and frosty tests.
Laughter filled the lounge as everyone joined in, from kissing a fish to braving icy challenges. Sailing farther north, we reached Jan Mayen, shrouded in mist and crowned by the Beerenberg volcano — one of the world’s northernmost active volcanoes. From there, our journey carried us into Svalbard, which we reached on June 4, marking the true beginning of our Arctic season.
Edinburgh — the starting point of our expedition
Crossing the Arctic Circle Ceremony
Volcanic beaches of Jan Mayen
Six Voyages Across Svalbard
Over the following two months — June and July — we completed six unique voyages, each exploring a different corner of this polar paradise. Some itineraries traced the wild west coast, rich with glaciers and wildlife, while others completed a full circumnavigation of the archipelago, visiting remote islands such as Kvitøya, navigating drifting sea ice, and offering unforgettable encounters with Arctic nature at its finest.
Ice Landing — and an Ice Bar
During one of our West Svalbard cruises, our ship Sea Spirit skillfully navigated deep into the ice pack and “parked” on the frozen surface. Stepping out onto the ice was an unforgettable moment — the silence, the vastness, the feeling of being truly at the top of the world. Then our bar team took it one step further, setting up an ice bar right there on the sea ice — a toast we’ll never forget.
The Polar Bear Realm
A new regulation in Svalbard now requires a minimum distance of 300 meters from polar bears — a vital step to protect both wildlife and visitors. Even so, we were fortunate to witness many incredible sightings: bears roaming the ice, hunting, and resting in their natural habitat.
One day during our Svalbard Circumnavigation cruise stood out in particular — guests counted 17 bears in a single day around Kvitøya under perfect conditions for photography.
“That was a memorable day — first six bears on one side of Kvitøya and later eleven on the other. Even with the new rules, it was amazing. The conditions were superb for using the long lens.”
Thanks to our expedition photographer, Alex Williams, we now have a stunning set of images capturing that unforgettable encounter.
Polar Bears on the Island of Kvitøya
Zodiac cruising
Polar Bears in Svalbard
Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland
Our time in Svalbard brought standout experiences — from bird cliffs teeming with life and sightings of walruses and arctic foxes, to glacier landings and sending postcards from the world’s northernmost post office in Ny-Ålesund. Many guests also took on the ultimate test of courage: the Polar Plunge — and we had a lot of brave plungers this season!
In August, we set sail for Greenland, continuing our Arctic journey through icy fjords and colorful coastal villages. One of our most exciting itineraries combined Svalbard, Greenland, and Iceland — an opportunity to explore three Arctic islands in one voyage. We were fortunate to complete two cruises of this kind.
Beautiful landscapes of Greenland
Inuit Culture
Iceland completes our 3 Arctic Pearls cruise
Northern Lights
The last cruise of the season took us to East Greenland and the magnificent Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord system. There, we experienced the warmth of Inuit culture and were treated to the Northern Lights dancing across the sky almost every night.
The Northern Lights marked our departure from Reykjavík, lighting up the sky as if to send us off on our final voyage of the season. For four unforgettable consecutive night, the aurora danced above us — a curtain of green, violet, and gold rippling across the Arctic sky. Then came a brief pause… only for the lights to return, night after night, as if the Arctic itself refused to let us go.
What a voyage it was — a perfect farewell to the North. Watch our short video and share this experience with us!
And if you’d like to witness this natural wonder for yourself,
join us next year on our East Greenland cruises —
where the aurora, ice, and silence of the Arctic await you.
Thank You to Our Expedition team, Crew and Guests
This remarkable season wouldn’t have been possible without our dedicated expedition team and crew. Their skill, warmth, and passion made every voyage exceptional.
Our small expedition ship, Sea Spirit, welcomes up to 114 guests, offering an intimate and friendly atmosphere perfectly suited for polar exploration. Over the course of 13 Arctic cruises this season, more than 1,000 travelers joined Poseidon Expeditions to dive into polar waters, cross the Arctic Circle, and create memories that will last a lifetime.