Poseidon Expeditions is a provider of polar expeditions. The company was started in 1999 as a tour operator specializing in expedition cruises to the North Pole and the Russian High Arctic aboard icebreakers and ice-strengthened ships.^[1]

History of Poseidon Expeditions

• Poseidon Expeditions is a United Kingdom company established in 1999. In 2001 it operated the first North Pole cruise aboard the 100-passenger nuclear-powered Yamal icebreaker.
• In 2003 it operated two cruises to Franz Josef Land and Svalbard aboard the 100-passenger conventionally propelled icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn.
• In 2004 it operated 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 the Yamal.
• In 2005 it operated the inaugural "Pearls of the Russian Arctic" expedition cruise including Novaya Zemlya, Oranskie Islands, Vise Island, Severnaya Zemlya and the ruins of Khabarovo Gulag aboard the Kapitan Dranitsyn.
• In 2007 it introduced a new destination to the travel market: the Russian Far East (Kamchatka, Kuril Islands, Wrangel Island).^[2] aboard 115-passenger conventionally propelled Marina Tsvetaeva (now MV Ortelius).
• In 2008 it chartered the 128-passenger nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Years of Victory during its first season in tourism service. This icebreaker is capable of breaking through ice up to 2.5 meters (9.2 feet) thick.
• On July 30, 2013 it reached the North Pole for the 100th time via icebreaker navigation.^[3]
• In 2014 it began operating Antarctic expedition cruises aboard a small conventionally powered ship Sea Explorer^[4] with one voyage including the Falkland Islands & South Georgia.
• In 2015 it began operating polar cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic aboard all-suite expedition ship, MV Sea Spirit.^[5] and introduced a new destination to the travel market: cruises to the British Isles.
• In 2016 it marketed its first West Greenland cruises.
• In 2021 it was named the world’s best operator of expedition cruises to the polar regions at the 28th annual World Travel Awards.
• In 2022 it won an International Travel Award as the best polar expedition cruise operator in 2022.

Poseidon Expeditions' fleet

For 23 years of polar cruising Poseidon Expeditions has charted a number of vessels such as the Yamal icebreaker, the icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn, passenger ships Marina Tsvetaeva and the Sea Explorer. Currently Poseidon Expeditions operates its Arctic and Antarctic cruises aboard a small expedition ship, the Sea Spirit which can navigate into protected channels and bays that are out of bounds to larger cruise vessels. The Sea Spirit offers accommodation up to 114 passengers. The vessel has an ice-strengthened hull, a fleet of Zodiac Nautic, and a set of retractable fin stabilizers for smoother sailing.^[6]

Since 2008, Poseidon Expeditions has operated North Pole cruises aboard the 124-passenger nuclear-powered Russian icebreaker 50 Years of Victory.^[7]

50 Years of Victory is equipped with helicopters and rubber inflatable boats, enabling travelers to explore wild Arctic areas.

However, as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Poseidon Expeditions has put on hold its cruises that travel in Russian territory.

Company highlights

Poseidon Expeditions offers expedition cruises to Antarctica, the North Pole and the Arctic destinations of Svalbard, Greenland, Franz Josef Land and Iceland. It is the only operator in the industry offering direct sailing from Longyearbyen to Franz Josef Land within 1.5 days.

Poseidon Expeditions is a member in good standing of IAATO and AECO.

The company advocates the small ship concept which allows cruise passengers to have more time ashore and a larger selection of landing sites. The company offers helicopter tours, photography workshops, camping, kayaking, educational lectures and briefings.

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