Poseidon Expeditions - polar cruise operator
With the 114-passenger Sea Spirit, Poseidon Expeditions offers expedition cruises to Antarctica, to the Arctic destinations of Svalbard, Greenland, Franz Josef Land and Iceland. The company also provides guests with the unique opportunity to travel to the geographic North Pole aboard the 50 Years of Victory, the largest and most modern nuclear-powered icebreaker in the world.
Poseidon Expeditions’ goal is to provide curious, discerning travellers with the perfect combination of comfort and personable service, balanced with maximum opportunities for outdoor activities in the spirit of adventure. Using a fleet of Zodiac landing craft and operating different types of helicopters aboard icebreakers, passengers are guided ashore by an exceptional team of expedition guides and educators to observe up-close the spectacular wildlife and landscapes.
In 2021, the company was named the world’s best operator of expedition cruises to the polar regions at the 28th annual World Travel Awards.
In 2022, Poseidon Expeditions became the winner of the International Travel Awards as the best polar expedition cruise operator 2022.
The company is 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).
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
NOTABLE MILESTONES
During the first full season, Poseidon Expeditions operates North Pole icebreaker voyages aboard the 100-passenger, nuclear-powered icebreaker Yamal
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.
Franz Josef Land archipelago
At the North Pole
Kapitan Dranitsyn icebreaker ship
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.
In 2004 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
Zodiac cruising at the Russian Far East
M/s Marina Tsvetaeva at the Russian Far East
M/s Sea Explorer at South Georgia
Novaya Zemlya archipelago
Poseidon Expeditions operates icebreaker voyage to the North Pole aboard i/b 50 Years of Victory in July 2013, marking the 100th attainment of the Pole in the history of icebreaker navigation
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 (until now) — Arctic and Antarctica aboard Sea Spirit
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
50 Years of Victory – the world’s most powerful icebreaker
The 100th attainment of the Pole in the history of icebreaker navigation
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)
Arctic flowers at Franz Josef Land
Polar bear at Spitsbergen