Poseidon Expeditions - your polar cruise operator
SOLAR ECLIPSE IN THE ARCTIC
SPECIAL GUEST
02 Aug - 15 Aug 2026
14 days
13 days
Dates | days | Activities | Special Offers | Rates from | |
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Arctic Odyssey 10 Aug - 23 Aug 2025 |
14 | Early Bird Special |
US$ 10 095
US$ 9 086 per person |
Request a quote | |
Arctic Odyssey 22 Aug - 4 Sep 2025 |
14 | Early Bird Special |
US$ 10 095
US$ 9 086 per person |
Request a quote | |
Arctic Odyssey 3 Sep - 16 Sep 2025 |
14 |
Sold out
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Welcome to Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Svalbard and starting point of our Arctic expedition! At the Longyearbyen airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to a quality hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the itinerary. You will then be free to explore the charming, walkable town center.
We recommend starting your discovery of this fascinating Norwegian High Arctic territory at the excellent Svalbard Museum, where you can also purchase hard-to-find polar books and maps. Afterward, you can enjoy an excellent dinner at one of Longyearbyen’s many delightful restaurants. If you are still awake at midnight, you will notice the sun has not set. In fact, the sun will not set for the entire duration of our time in Svalbard.
After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Longyearbyen. Take in the views of icy fjords and glaciated mountains surrounding this historic former coal-mining town. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship. For lunch, Longyearbyen offers quick and easy meal options including the most northerly pizzas and kebabs in the world.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the gorgeous scenery in 24-hour daylight as we pass through the wildlife-rich waters of Isfjorden.
Svalbard is a true High Arctic wilderness and this part of the voyage is a real expedition. Our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.
We anticipate exploring in the northwestern part of the island of Spitsbergen. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to a wide variety of marine mammals. Polar Bears can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard.
Also in this area is Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers, complete with museum, gift shop, and post office. This was also a staging area for historic attempts to discover the North Pole.
From Svalbard we head southwest across the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland. In these far northern latitudes it is possible to encounter sea ice any time of the year. All along the way we remain vigilant for sightings of marine mammals such as whales and seals.
This expedition cruising is at its most authentic. Our itinerary and exploration opportunities in East Greenland depend on weather and sea ice conditions. Rest assured, our experienced captain and expedition leader will seize every chance for exceptional wildlife viewing, discovering incredible scenery, and going ashore wherever possible. We will navigate through the world's largest national park, home to the Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar Fjord systems, and explore Scoresby Sund, the planet's most extensive fjord system.
These ice-bound regions showcase the Arctic's most breathtaking landscapes, emphasizing the natural splendor and the significant influence of climate and geography. Beyond the scenic vistas, our expedition explores the Arctic's rich cultural heritage, from ancient Thule sites to the contemporary Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit.
This trip isn't just about seeing beautiful places; it's also about experiencing a rare celestial event—a total solar eclipse. It will happen on August 12, 2026 and will pass over the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, and northern Spain. Our ship, the Sea Spirit, will anchor in the best location in the waters of Greenland to ensure you enjoy this moment to the fullest. The journey is further enriched by astrophysicist Paul Sutter. Known for his ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging, Paul will enhance your eclipse experience with expert insights, making the moment of totality on August 12, 2026, even more unforgettable
After our amazing time in East Greenland we cross Denmark Strait toward Iceland, crossing the Arctic Circle on the way. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.
Our last expedition day is spent in the beautiful Vestfirðir (Westfjords) of Iceland. This remote and sparsely populated region of crenulated coastlines, voluminous waterfalls and rugged mountains sees only 10% of Iceland’s visitors. Deep fjords are home to whales while estuaries abound with seals and birdlife.
After breakfast we say farewell in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and ending point of our expedition. We provide a transfer to the airport or to the city center if you wish to spend another day or more in Iceland before flying home.
Reykjavík is home to a wealth of cultural institutions such as museums, galleries, and the Hallgrímskirkja church. Leisure possibilities inside the city include parks, gardens, and thermal baths. You can also take advantage of Reykjavík’s wide range of shopping possibilities, excellent dining options, and famous nightlife. And of course the entire country of Iceland is accessible through day tours or longer journeys by rental car. The options for additional adventures are endless!
Itinerary, landings and all other activities during the cruise depend strongly on ice and weather conditions and are subject to the decisions of the Expedition Leader and the Captain of the vessel. Encounters with any mentioned wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
Effective January 1, 2025, new regulations by the Norwegian Government require a minimum distance of 300 meters from polar bears in Svalbard at all times, except from March 1 to June 30 - minimum distance is increased to 500 meters. If a polar bear is spotted closer than the distance limit, it is required to move away to observe the legal distance. The distance limit does not apply in inhabited areas and outside Svalbard territorial waters (12 nautical miles of the shore). Our cruise operations have adapted well to the new regulations while delivering the most memorable experience to our adventure travelers.
Triple Suite |
US$ 11 495
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Main Deck Suite |
US$ 15 895
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Single Suite |
US$ 23 695
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Classic Suite |
US$ 16 895
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Superior Suite |
US$ 17 195
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Deluxe Suite |
US$ 19 395
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Premium Suite |
US$ 21 195
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Owners Suite |
US$ 27 195
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Cruise rates are quoted per person. Sharing is available in Triple, Main Deck, Classic, and Superior Suites. If you prefer a cabin for yourself, the following categories are available with the single supplement: x1.7 for Main Deck, Classic, and Superior Suites; x2 for Deluxe, Premium, and Owner's Suite.
Nate Luebbe grew up in the mountains of Colorado, spending nearly every waking moment out in the woods hiking, climbing, and exploring. Although Nate is still semi-feral, he has channeled his love of nature into becoming an Eagle Scout, college graduate, and now works as a full time nature photographer specializing in landscapes and wildlife. Nate combines his past work as an environmental scientist with his storytelling capabilities and uses his photography to encourage responsible wilderness ethics and promote conservation efforts. Nate is a member of the Sony Alpha Imaging Collective, Sony's handpicked ambassador group. He teaches workshops all over the world, with a particular focus on wildlife and astrophotography. During the cruise, Nate will deliver photography lectures and host master classes to share his expertise, ensuring our guests capture stunning photos of the solar eclipse.
Paul M. Sutter is a Research Professor of Theoretical Cosmology at Stony Brook University’s Institute for Advanced Computational Science and a visiting professor at Barnard College, Columbia University. He received his PhD in Physics as a Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before completing post-doctoral fellowships at the Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris and at the Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste. Paul also serves on the external advisory council for NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program and as a consultant for the Department of Energy.
An award-winning science communicator, Paul has authored three popular science books and has hosted television shows on Discovery, Science Channel, History Channel, and many digital channels. In addition to writing for Scientific American, Nautilus, Ars Technica, and more, Paul has developed one of the most popular podcasts in the world and is a globally recognized leader in the intersection of art and science, especially in his role as a United States Cultural Ambassador. Paul will enhance your eclipse experience with expert insights, making the moment of totality on August 12, 2026, even more unforgettable
Autumn is a full-time photographer and Sony Alpha Ambassador who specializes in travel, astro, and landscape photography. Her work is known for its bright, saturated colors and tranquil outdoor scenes, and she can often be found trekking in search of the most photogenic locations, while raising awareness about mental health and our changing ecosystem. When she’s not behind a camera or computer, she also enjoys doing yoga, nomming sour candy, winning Mario Kart, listening to film scores, seeing how well she can balance on a SUP board, and snuggling her kitties. While on the cruise, Autumn will lead lectures and conduct master classes, sharing her knowledge to help our guests take breathtaking photos of the solar eclipse.
Kayaking fee $795 - €695 - A$1200 - £650
Sea Kayaking is typically offered on voyages that include High Arctic destinations such as Greenland, Svalbard (Spitsbergen), Franz Josef Land, or a combination of these thrilling places. Experience calving glaciers in Svalbard, cathedral-like icebergs in Greenland, or labyrinthine expanses of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, all from our sturdy and stealthy sea kayaks. Join us for an unscripted kayaking adventure as we explore rugged coastlines and remote waters that very few people have ever paddled.
Free option
The Polar Regions are perhaps the most photogenic on earth, with countless beautiful scenes presenting themselves every day. Endless expanses of ice, beaches crowded with seals or penguins, sunsets over unbroken horizons, starlit skies, and even the majestic northern lights – they all present fantastic photographic opportunities – and in order to make sure that you come home with some spectacular images we offer you the chance to learn and practice your photography alongside an experienced professional.
Our expert Photographer will be on hand to answer your questions and give advice, both in the form of on-board lectures and workshops on shore. Explore the key elements of photography in a fun and relaxed setting, with plenty of opportunities for questions and feedback. Learn how to see light in a new way and experiment with the techniques of composition and framing.
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