Poseidon Expeditions Blog

Steve Wellmeier // June 1, 2020

On Intimate Terms with My Very First Svalbard Glacier

I’ll let some science nerd give you all the geological facts and figures about Svalbard’s glaciers in another blog post. But, since I’m writing this one, and because I come from an entirely different side of Poseidon’s polar expedition cruise business – marketing and sales – I’d like to write about this subject from a different perspective…

… the perspective of being on the water in St. Jonsfjord in a sea kayak with my older and wiser brother Tom, surrounded by brash ice, with a massive glacier face looming in front of me.

Poseidon Expeditions // May 16, 2020

Famous Arctic Expeditions

The same trip to the Arctic today and a hundred years ago are two drastically different things. For one, the time to get there – a few days on a modern expedition ship versus several years with dog sleds, skis, vessels getting stuck in the pack ice, and even on foot. Then there are everyday activities of the voyage – today, you may go on a Zodiac cruise and chill in the Jacuzzi among icebergs, when early explorers had their hands full with chipping ice off the decks, melting snow for freshwater or hunting for food. This makes us appreciate the early Arctic explorers even more – driven by sheer will and passion, they faced challenges and braved seas, making their way into history books and our memories.

Poseidon Expeditions // May 8, 2020

A Day of Expedition Cruising in the Arctic

Those of us in the sales & marketing departments at Poseidon Expeditions sometimes take for granted that our prospective travelers know what to expect on an expedition cruise. Yup, we assume too much. Our brochures and website feature great photos and itineraries, focus on our talented team of expedition staff – marine biologists, ornithologists, polar historians and geologists – our comfortable 114-passenger Sea Spirit, and the wildlife that you can expect to see.

Chantel Loura // February 18, 2020

Traveling British Isles, Jan Mayen & Spitsbergen

An Arctic voyage that begins much closer to home! With our new expedition cruise trailing north from the British Isles to Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen, Poseidon Expeditions invites you for a tour of rarely visited polar gems.

Chantel Loura // February 8, 2020

Why Spitsbergen?

Explore the last wild frontier - Spitsbergen - with Poseidon Expeditions. The unique Arctic environment offers you walrus, icebergs and polar bears encounters, while onboard you will find comfort, edutainment program and a lot of fun!

Chantel Loura // January 30, 2020

Svalbard: Where Does the Ideal Adventure Lead?

No matter if you are already an avid polar traveler or just seeking for an extraordinary voyage – a Svalbard cruise aboard the m/v Sea Spirit is the opportunity to discover the essence of the Arctic in one voyage.

Chantel Loura // December 17, 2019

Top Reasons to Visit Svalbard

Why is Svalbard the Most Popular Arctic Cruise Destination?

Svalbard is the number one tourist destination in the High Arctic for a variety of reasons. Firstly, its main settlement is easily accessible via its commercial airport and cruise terminal. In addition to being the perfect representation of the pristine polar environment in most people’s imagination of the Arctic, this wilderness is home to an unparalleled abundance and diversity of Arctic wildlife. Incredible opportunities for photography and activities like sea kayaking add to the appeal. But more than any single reason, it is the unrivaled combination of these attractions that makes Svalbard the top choice for travelers to the Arctic.

Chantel Loura // October 15, 2019

Discover The Beauty of Svalbard on an Expedition Cruise

The surreal Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is carved out by icy fjords and tidewater glaciers. Dramatic mountain scenery is accented by the midnight sun, providing abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing. Svalbard is ideal for a camera-distance audience with polar bears. A small cruise ship with a fleet of Zodiacs lets you discover all of the islands’ hidden treasures.

Chantel Loura // October 10, 2019

Arctic Seals of Svalbard

True Seal Species Commonly Seen on an Arctic Cruise
Svalbard is home to a huge number of seals. With their thick layers of insulating blubber, true seals (otherwise known as earless seals) are better adapted to these icy waters than are sea lions or fur seals, which are not found in the High Arctic. Unlike their Antarctic relatives, Arctic seals are hunted relentlessly by a fearsome land-based predator—the polar bear. Because of this, you will rarely see Arctic seals hauled out on land. Arctic seals prefer to rest on sea ice or icebergs, though they are not safe from polar bears here either. Witnessing a polar bear stalk a seal on the ice is one of the world’s great wildlife experiences. In Svalbard, seals can be found in all waters from the innermost fjords to the polar ice edge. The best way to see a variety of Arctic seals is to join an expedition cruise. Here are some of the seal species you can see on an Arctic cruise to Svalbard and beyond.

Chantel Loura // June 19, 2019

Spitsbergen: Essential Information for Tourists

What to Know Before Going to Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen (sometimes spelled Spitzbergen) is the largest island in the Norwegian High Arctic territory of Svalbard. Though one is technically a part of the other, the names Spitsbergen and Svalbard are often used interchangeably. Apart from Longyearbyen and a handful of other small settlements, the island is completely pristine and characteristic of a true polar wilderness. Spitsbergen is a great place to start your discovery of the Arctic. Whereas attractions in most of the Arctic are usually spread far and wide across impossibly vast landscapes, a diversity of the Arctic’s most iconic wildlife and historical treasures can be found in Spitsbergen with relative ease on a comfortable cruise without long sea crossings. Here is some tourism information to consider when planning your Spitsbergen cruise.