Poseidon Expeditions Reviews

Our recent adventure with Poseidon in Antarctica was simply amazing.

The crew was incredibly welcoming. Every single person we encountered on the ship greeted us, even the engineers popping up from below decks.

Rafael, our cabin steward, felt like a big brother. He took such great care of us, and nothing seemed to be too much for him. He would open our door whenever he spotted us and always remembered our names. We’re truly thankful for his attentive service.

Dining was a delight, with meals of outstanding quality. Our waiter, Handrie, played a huge role in making our experience enjoyable. The service and warmth we received were just exceptional.

The expedition team was not only skilled but also very knowledgeable. Special shoutout to Sergey, who we absolutely adored. His expertise and dry wit were fantastic, and he turned out to be a brilliant historian and storyteller.

We picked Poseidon mainly for the smaller ship size, and that turned out to be the best decision ever. We noticed much larger cruise ships anchored far from the shore, with no Zodiac excursions happening, while we enjoyed two landings each day. Sure, the luxury might be greater on those bigger ships, but we got to truly experience Antarctica up close, rather than just seeing it from afar.

I genuinely feel we made the best choice by going with Poseidon, and I wouldn’t hesitate to choose them again.

The Sea Spirit truly shines with its charming crew, fantastic expedition team, and top-notch restaurant, bar, and housekeeping. They even had stabilizers for those choppy waters! Plus, there was a great photographer who gave everyone a memorable video (big shoutout to Piet). Unfortunately, it was just a tad short on Antarctic scenes to be considered epic.

As seasoned travelers who love nature, wildlife, and photography, we aim to spend as much time outdoors as possible. We picked this cruise because Poseidon markets it as an expedition, claiming an itinerary that goes halfway down the Gerlache Strait, which is said to be a stunning and calm area teeming with wildlife.

The journey kicked off with the breathtaking Falklands and the stunning views at South Georgia. What a remarkable place!

However, things took a turn when an elderly passenger tripped and broke her arm during a rather lackluster hike. This led to an evacuation being necessary. With no backup plan to offload a passenger at King George Harbour, the ship had to drift for a night and nearly two full days until a plane was ready to take off. This meant that our four-day Arctic itinerary got chopped down to just one day, leaving us unable to visit key spots like Portal Point and Wilhelmina Bay.

The only place we could reach was 'Cierva Cove,' where they opted for a quick ten-minute photo stop on a rocky beach. So, we technically made our 'official step on the 7th continent' before heading north again. But, honestly, we didn’t even set foot on snow or ice on the Arctic continent.

By sheer luck, we encountered a group of humpbacks, and a quick zodiac cruise turned things around a bit. Other than that, wildlife sightings in that area were pretty scarce.

In my view, this is still more of a luxury cruise than a true expedition. The target audience seems to be retirees or those with disposable income, which naturally comes with a higher risk of injuries. The lack of a plan to offload a passenger at the Shetlands is a gamble Poseidon took, putting the entire journey at risk. An IAATO shared 'waiting station' at King George Island could easily fix this issue.

Before you board, you have to confirm that you’re fully vaccinated and in good health. The passenger who was evacuated had health issues that made her bones fragile. She had been assisted down the stairs from day one and even talked about her recent injuries at dinner. To top it off, she was the first COVID case on board and was under medical supervision.

Poseidon recently stated that the responsibility for the health form ultimately lies with the passenger, but I think that contradicts their own guidelines. Whether she skipped her medical form or not, the doctor should have screened her and deemed her unfit for certain activities.

The customer is required to have a medical examination before the trip, possibly with expert advice, to ensure that participating in the journey and its specific activities is suitable for their health condition. In such cases, the traveler agrees to be checked by the ship’s doctor, who will determine if they are fit to travel, and that decision is binding for both parties.

This is where Poseidon dropped the ball, in my opinion. They took the health declaration form too lightly and jeopardized a cruise with over 100 people having to wait adrift for one individual who didn’t meet the medical and physical criteria for activities.

The usual excuse for any complaints about being stranded will be 'due to bad weather,' but there were calm seas near the original destinations further south. They hurried in a few extra landings to meet the minimum requirements, and the continental landing (which lasted about ten minutes) was also checked off the list.

That just doesn’t sit right with those who saved a lifetime for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Still, most other guests will likely rate this as excellent due to the luxurious dining and services rather than the actual destinations. Many don’t even realize what they missed, like Portal Point and Wilhelmina Bay, or the wildlife they harbor. For me, this luxury cruise missed its most anticipated final destination.

The staff and crew of Sea Spirit delivered an amazing experience during our 20-day journey through the Falklands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula from January 21-27. Every member, from the ship's crew to the hotel and restaurant staff, especially the expedition team, went above and beyond to ensure we had the best time possible. There were even days when we enjoyed three landings or zodiac excursions. I highly recommend this small ship with its fantastic crew. Also, I want to mention Aaron, the expedition leader, who not only guided us but also made a real effort to explain the reasoning behind decisions made during the trip. I truly appreciated his transparency.

My spouse and I took a Poseidon Expeditions journey to the Antarctic Peninsula from December 30, 2022, to January 8, 2023. It was truly fantastic. The vessel (M/V Sea Spirit), the staff, and the expedition crew - all of it was just spot on.

This trip was like a dream come true.

Amazing Journey at Sea. The M/v Sea Spirit is a fantastic vessel, just the right size to reach landing spots, with around 100 guests making it ideal for adventures, and the crew delivers excellent service. The Expedition Team is exceptional, turning this trip into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If there was an option for a sixth star, Poseidon would totally earn it!

The expertise, commitment, and skills of the whole crew made my 23-day journey to Antarctica aboard the Sea Spirit incredibly enjoyable, safe, and unforgettable. They’ve become my top choice for future cruises!

Forget searching around; just give them a shot - you won’t regret it!

The team and the employees were fantastic. The food was really delicious too, with plenty of options! I reckon the rooms could use some updating.

This marks our third journey aboard Poseidon. What we appreciate the most is the intimate size of the vessel (meaning fewer folks onboard, which lets you connect with them more) and the amazing crew. We also choose Poseidon for the awesome excursions, typically two each day, whether on the zodiacs or exploring on land. The experts they have on board are fantastic, diving into both natural and human history.

First off, I gotta say the team, the grub, and the amenities on the ship were all top-notch. But, we were really let down by the absence of any noteworthy wildlife; no polar bears, no whales. Honestly, I think the cruise was hyped up too much regarding this specific point, so it was a real bummer not to spot either.

I've been on a bunch of cruises with the usual companies that head to Europe, the Caribbean, and so on. Since this was labeled as an expedition, I didn't expect the same level of quality in the food and service. I was really taken aback by the fantastic attention I received, starting from the scheduling agents all the way to the crew on board.

The selection and quality of the meals in the dining area were impressive, and I absolutely enjoyed the afternoon tea. The only reason I didn’t pack on the pounds was all the exercise from the two excursions we had each day.

The land trips to different spots were engaging and suitable for all activity levels. Even though the wildlife sightings depend on nature, we still got to see a nice variety. The team leading the expeditions was not just knowledgeable but also super friendly.

What was meant to be a one-off trip has left me so charmed that I might just have to check out one of Poseidon's other cruises.

In May 2020, I took a trip to the British Isles. It turned out to be quite the surprise since we explored islands that were home only to nesting birds. The atmosphere was incredibly calm and peaceful. We also stumbled upon stunning gardens filled with a vast variety of plants from around the globe. The zodiac landings were fantastic! The crew on the Sea Spirit was super friendly. I cherished every single moment!

I can't even express how great everything is! The rooms are roomy, the food and drinks are delicious, the staff is super friendly, and the guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. There’s a ton of fun activities every day, plus the views and wildlife are just stunning. This summer with Poseidon has been truly unforgettable.

Fantastic itinerary, expertly tailored by the tour guide and team, considering the wildlife and weather. The MV Sea Spirit is just the right size, well-equipped with zodiacs, but cozy enough to feel welcoming. I was really impressed with the crew, the meals, the wildlife, and the trekking. Definitely a top pick!

Just got back from an incredible journey through Svalbard. This was our first time on a cruise, and honestly, we were blown away by the quality of service we received. What they did for us was way beyond what I had imagined. We had one piece of luggage that didn’t make it on our flight, but they picked it up and got it onto the boat (which even changed the departure time) and left it right outside our cabin. From that moment, we realized Poseidon truly went the extra mile, and they kept that up throughout the entire trip. The expedition team, the service staff, everyone was always there to help make our day a little brighter. The experiences were unforgettable (like spotting polar bears, whales, reindeer, and kayaking with walruses), and the food was absolutely fantastic.

The crew on the expedition was super enthusiastic, flexible, polite, and friendly. Everyone aboard the ship was dedicated to making our journey unforgettable. The captain and his team really went above and beyond to help us spot wildlife. A nice touch was the USB slideshow of the trip’s highlights that every passenger received as a farewell gift. The M/V 'Sea Spirit' was quite comfy, and the food? Absolutely delicious! The team handled a tricky situation (SAS strike) with such calm professionalism, keeping us all in the loop and being as accommodating as they could.