About us / Company info

Poseidon Expeditions - polar cruise operator

Poseidon Expeditions was founded in the U.K. in 1999 and has since grown into a leading polar cruise operator. With its headquarters in Cyprus and representations and offices in the UK, US, Germany, and China, the company markets travel programs worldwide.

Whether you seek to explore the Arctic with destinations like Greenland, Svalbard, the British Isles, and Iceland or venture to the White Continent to see Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, Poseidon Expeditions knows how to make this adventure the trip of a lifetime.

Poseidon Expeditions is passionate about old-school expedition cruising, where the most important part is the time travelers spend off the ship, enjoying untouched nature and iconic wildlife. For this reason, Poseidon Expeditions has chosen the small expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit, with a maximum capacity of about 100 guests. The Sea Spirit is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating the narrow fjords of Greenland and entering the small bays of Spitsbergen, as well as allowing all guests to have maximum time on shore in Antarctica, where no more than one hundred guests can land at one site at the same time.

Poseidon’s edutainment program and friendly atmosphere ensure that guests are not only active outdoors but also enjoy every single moment aboard. Polar experts and special guests provide fascinating lectures and presentations, bringing the world of the Arctic and Antarctica closer to the passengers.

The company is also committed to safe and environmentally responsible polar travel. It is a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).

Start a new adventure with Poseidon and discover the charming polar worlds!

our mission

Poseidon Expeditions’ goal is to provide curious, discerning travelers with the perfect combination of comfort and personable service, balanced with maximum opportunities for outdoor activities in the spirit of adventure

Why travel with Poseidon Expeditions?

Small ship – big advantage
Small ship – big advantage

Our small ship maximizes travelers' time ashore by eliminating the need for group rotations during landings, which are common on larger vessels.

25 years of polar experience
25 years of polar experience

Over the past 25 years, we’ve gained tremendous experience building a strong team of enthusiastic polar professionals who are all experts in their field.

Expedition team excellence
Expedition team excellence

Our guests continually rate our expedition team as top-notch, highlighting their expertise in their field, knowledge, and professionalism.

Environmental responsibility
Environmental responsibility

As active members of AECO and IAATO, we support cleanup initiatives, enforce no-waste policies, and reduce our footprint with our small expedition ship.

A true polar expedition
A true polar expedition

Experience active polar exploration with a variety of activities, including optional camping and kayaking.

Safety and comfort
Safety and comfort
Expedition cruising with Poseidon ensures active, yet safe polar exploration. Our highly trained team of professionals will help you navigate into the polar worlds in maximum possible comfort and safety.

Notable milestones

1999

Year of foundation

Poseidon Arctic Voyages, doing business as Poseidon Expeditions, is founded in the UK with its main office in Limassol, Cyprus, specialized in icebreaker cruises to the North Pole, the Arctic and Antarctica. Programs were marketed internationally.
2001

First North Pole cruise aboard Yamal icebreaker

During the first full season, Poseidon Expeditions operates North Pole icebreaker voyages aboard the 100-passenger, nuclear-powered icebreaker Yamal.
2003

Franz Josef Land aboard Kapitan Dranitsyn icebreaker

Poseidon Expeditions operates two expedition cruises to Franz Josef Land and Spitsbergen aboard the 100- passenger icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn.
2004

Northeast Passage

Poseidon Expeditions operates the inaugural «Transpolar Bridge» expedition cruise through the Northeast Passage, including Franz Josef Land, North Pole, Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago, Taymyr Peninsula, Lena River Delta, New Siberian Islands and Wrangel Island aboard Yamal.
2005

Novaya & Severnaya Zemlya

Inaugural «Pearls of the Russian Arctic» expedition cruise in the Russian High Arctic is operated by Poseidon Expeditions, including Novaya Zemlya, Oranskie Islands, Vise Island, Severnaya Zemlya and the ruins of Khabarovo Gulag aboard the Kapitan Dranitsyn.
2007

Russian Far East aboard m/v Marina Tsvetaeva

Poseidon Expeditions operates the inaugural expedition cruise to the Russian Far East, including Kamchatka Peninsula, Kuril Islands, Commander Islands and Sakhalin Island aboard 115-passenger Marina Tsvetaeva (now m/v Ortelius).
2008

North Pole aboard i/b 50 Years of Victory

Poseidon Expeditions operates an icebreaker voyage to the North Pole aboard 128-passenger, nuclear-powered 50 Years Of Victory, during its first season in tourism service. In 2022, as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, Poseidon Expeditions has put on hold the cruises to the North Pole.
2013

100th attainment of North Pole

Poseidon Expeditions operates icebreaker voyage to the North Pole aboard 50 Years Of Victory in July 2013, marking the 100th attainment of the Pole in the history of icebreaker navigation.
2013-14

Antarctica aboard Sea Explorer

Poseidon Expeditions markets expedition cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula, with one voyage including the Falkland Islands & South Georgia aboard the 116-passenger Sea Explorer.
2015

Arctic and Antarctica aboard Sea Spirit (until now)

The Company’s inaugural season of expedition cruises to Arctic destinations — including Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Franz Josef Land — and Antarctica, aboard the small luxury expedition ship Sea Spirit.
2021

World’s leading polar expedition cruise operator

Poseidon Expeditions is named world’s leading polar expedition cruise operator at World Travel Awards 2021
2022

The best polar expedition cruise operator

Poseidon Expeditions becomes the winner of the International Travel Awards as the best polar expedition cruise operator 2022
2023

The best polar expedition cruise operator

Poseidon Expeditions becomes the winner of the International Travel Awards as the best polar expedition cruise operator 2023
2024

Poseidon celebrates 25 years of polar exploration

We started Poseidon in 1999 and after 25 years of polar cruising, over 25,000 of travelers agree: we are the best in polar regions

More about our team

SERGEY SHIROKIY
SERGEY SHIROKIY
Expedition Leader

Sergey pursued his history studies at the University of Archangelsk. From 2011 to 2017, he served as the head of tourism for the Russian Arctic national park before relocating to Barentsburg in 2017. With extensive experience, he has been a tour guide on expedition vessels in both the Arctic and Antarctic for many years.

CHRISTIAN BRUTTEL
CHRISTIAN BRUTTEL
Expedition Leader

After having traveled around the world many times in his pursuit of the adventurous life, Christian found his calling in the High Arctic settlement of Longyearbyen and started his immensely successful career as a polar guide and expedition leader in 2012. He has a well-earned reputation as a “polar bear whisperer”.


AARON STRAHLKE
AARON STRAHLKE
Expedition Leader

As a long time member of the non-profit organization Polarworld, Aaron also started to grow a passion for Polar Regions. His last adventure trips brought him to Iceland and Greenland. Aaron is pleased to be with you on board and hopes to spark an interest in the story-telling geology of the Polar Regions in you.


Our Environmental Promise

As a member in good standing of both the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), our company pledges its commitment to the further development of Arctic and Antarctic conservation and support of related scientific research.

We actively encourage participation in our expeditions by naturalists and scientists engaged in such research, offering a platform fr om which they can pursue their important work as well as a forum wh ere they can voice their unique understanding of these fragile and remote ecosystems. Preservation of the Arctic and Antarctic habitats and the Polar Ice Cap are environmental imperatives and the responsibility of all, including tourism operators and their guests. We at Poseidon Expeditions are honored to be a part of this, and to help our passengers understand the importance of preserving Polar Regions for future generations.

Poseidon Expeditions is a member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO)