Culture Discovery Cruises
A Poseidon Expeditions ship anchored beside towering polar ice
Polar Expedition Cruise Line

Poseidon Expeditions

A dedicated polar specialist, sailing Antarctica and the Arctic on a small, all-suite expedition ship.

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The line

A polar specialist, top to bottom

Poseidon Expeditions is a focused polar operator. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Cyprus, the line built its name on genuine expeditions to the ends of the earth, from the Antarctic Peninsula to the geographic North Pole.

Its expeditions center on the all-suite MV Sea Spirit, a small ship carrying about 114 guests, which keeps landings intimate and the atmosphere personal. A high crew-to-guest ratio and an expert expedition team mean you are never far from a naturalist, a Zodiac or a guiding hand.

Poseidon is best known for pioneering North Pole voyages aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Years of Victory. Those sailings are currently suspended because the route passes through Russian territory, so the line’s active program centers on Antarctica and the Arctic aboard Sea Spirit.

Style
Polar expedition
Flagship
MV Sea Spirit
Guests
About 114
Accommodations
All-suite
Sails to
Antarctica and Arctic
Founded
1999, Cyprus
In a word

“Poseidon does one thing and does it completely: small-ship polar expeditions, from the Antarctic Peninsula to the top of the world.”

An all-suite cabin with polar views aboard the Sea Spirit

A small, all-suite expedition ship

The Sea Spirit is an all-suite ship carrying about 114 guests, small enough to keep Zodiac landings efficient and personal. Suites are comfortable and well appointed, and the ship’s intimate scale means the expedition team quickly comes to know you.

With few guests aboard, more people get ashore more often, which is the whole reason to choose a small polar ship. The mood is relaxed and expedition-first, focused on wildlife and ice rather than shipboard glitz.

Guests on the outer deck of a Poseidon ship watching the polar landscape

Expert-led days on ice and water

Poseidon voyages are mostly all-inclusive, covering your suite, meals, and the excursions and landings led by the expedition team. Naturalists, historians and polar experts run daily lectures and guide the Zodiac cruises and shore landings that fill each day.

The focus stays firmly on the destination. Days are shaped by the ice, the weather and the wildlife, from penguin colonies and whales in the south to walrus, polar bears and seabirds in the north.

Dramatic polar ice on a Poseidon Expeditions voyage

Antarctica, the Arctic and a North Pole heritage

The active program runs between the poles. Antarctic voyages cross the Drake Passage from Ushuaia to the peninsula in the southern summer, while the Arctic season brings Svalbard, Greenland and the Russian and European high Arctic on Sea Spirit.

Poseidon carries a proud heritage of North Pole voyages aboard the nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory. Those sailings are currently paused because the route runs through Russian waters, and we will tell you honestly what is bookable when you enquire.

Because Poseidon Expeditions Antarctic voyages leave from Ushuaia, it is easy to add an Argentina and Uruguay tour before you sail south.

Booking Poseidon Expeditions with CDV

Why book through us

Exclusive Poseidon value

Group amenities and onboard credit on qualifying Poseidon sailings that you will not find booking direct.

Combinable offers

Our exclusive value can usually be layered with Poseidon’s current promotions, plus full loyalty credit.

Polar specialists

Advisors who know Poseidon’s ship and seasons, and match the right voyage, suite and departure to you.

Seamless land and sea

Because we run our own tours ashore, we make it easy to add a CDV land stay where your Antarctic voyage begins or ends.

Pair your voyage with a land tour

Sail south from Ushuaia, and give Argentina its due

Poseidon’s Antarctic voyages begin and end in Argentina, at the southern tip of the continent. Add a Culture Discovery stay in Buenos Aires and the Argentine countryside and you bookend the ice with the food, wine and warmth of South America.

Discover our Argentina and Uruguay tours
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Hapag-Lloyd Expedition

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Hurtigruten Expeditions

Norwegian expedition heritage across the Arctic, Antarctica and beyond.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Poseidon Expeditions known for?

Poseidon is a dedicated polar expedition specialist. It is best known for small-ship Antarctic and Arctic voyages aboard the all-suite Sea Spirit, and for a heritage of North Pole voyages aboard the nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory.

How many ships does Poseidon Expeditions have?

Poseidon’s active expedition ship is the all-suite MV Sea Spirit, carrying about 114 guests. The line also has a long history of North Pole voyages aboard the nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory, though those sailings are currently suspended.

Does Poseidon still sail to the North Pole?

Not at present. The North Pole voyages ran aboard the Russian nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory, and because that route passes through Russian territory the sailings are currently suspended. We will tell you honestly what is bookable when you enquire.

Where does Poseidon Expeditions sail?

Poseidon’s active program covers Antarctica and the Arctic. Antarctic voyages sail from Ushuaia to the peninsula, while Arctic itineraries reach Svalbard, Greenland and the high Arctic aboard Sea Spirit.

Are Poseidon cruises all-inclusive?

Poseidon voyages are mostly all-inclusive, covering your suite, meals, and the excursions and landings led by the expedition team. Items such as airfare, premium drinks and certain optional activities may sit outside the fare, which we confirm for your voyage.

Is it safe to travel to Antarctica with Poseidon?

Yes. Poseidon follows the strict guidelines of IAATO, the association that governs responsible Antarctic tourism, and its expedition teams are experienced in polar conditions. The Sea Spirit is built and equipped for these waters, and safety drives every landing decision.

What is the dress code on Poseidon Expeditions?

It is casual and practical. Days center on layers, waterproofs and sturdy footwear for landings, and evenings aboard stay relaxed rather than formal. We tell you exactly what to pack for your route and season.

How much does a Poseidon expedition cost?

Fares vary by suite, season and itinerary, and an Antarctic voyage prices differently from an Arctic sailing. Rather than quote a misleading range, we price your specific expedition and secure the best available CDV value. Request a complimentary quote and we will lay out the real numbers.

Ready to sail with Poseidon Expeditions?

Complimentary quote, exclusive CDV value, and a specialist who plans it around you.

Request a Quote+1 (656) 333-6123 ext. 403