Poseidon Expeditions is a global leader in polar exploration, offering once-in-a-lifetime voyages to Antarctica and the Arctic. Since 1999, we’ve specialized in immersive expedition cruises that blend comfort, adventure, and a deep respect for the remote environments we visit.Our vessel, the Sea Spirit, accommodates just 114 guests, creating an intimate and personalized experience. With this ship, we explore breathtaking destinations such as Antarctica, Svalbard, Greenland, Franz Josef Land, and Iceland—regions celebrated for their raw beauty and extraordinary wildlife.What sets us apart is our commitment to meaningful exploration. Guests travel with a hand-picked team of expert expedition guides who bring every landing to life. Whether navigating ice-packed waters aboard our vessel or stepping ashore via Zodiac, each journey is designed to inspire awe and deeper understanding.With offices in the US, UK, Germany, Cyprus, and China, we welcome travelers from around the world to discover the polar regions with us.At Poseidon Expeditions, we believe that true adventure begins where the map ends—and we’re here to take you there in comfort, safety, and style!
Poseidon Expeditions (poseidonexpeditions.com) has 546 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.
Also known as
poseidonexpeditions.com
Website
poseidonexpeditions.com
Category
Travel Agencies
Location
Miami, Florida
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
About these reviews
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The company replied to 35% of reviews.
Latest
Most recent review: October 2026.
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Dear Soukayna,
We are sorry to hear that you found our expedition staff unprofessional. We’re not sure why you didn’t give any examples of this—i.e. how you or other guests were treated unprofessionally, or what actions were taken by the expedition team that you consider unprofessional. Also, our Expedition Leader and Captain were surprised to learn of this rating from you, as neither of them recall your bringing to their attention any concerns or complaints about unprofessional behavior. If they knew at the time there was an issue, they would have tried to understand your concerns and address them. And so, a learning opportunity for us was lost.
The majority of the other guests on your cruise disagree with your assessment. In an onboard satisfaction survey, 93% of those answering the survey said that the landings were either excellent or good, 94% said the same about the expedition leader, and 95% also rated the expedition team as excellent or good. You will also see other good and excellent reviews about your cruise from your fellow passengers here on TrustPilot.
Our staff strives for the best possible experience for our passengers while maintaining the guidelines set forth by IAATO. We are required to adhere to these guidelines for the safety of our passengers and the pristine environment which we visit. We would be pleased to address your concerns directly if you email us at [email protected].
MV
Michelle V.
Poseidon Expeditions cancelled our…
Poseidon Expeditions cancelled our 13-day cruise to the British Isles ON THE DAY OF OUR DEPARTURE to London. Completely screwed all of our other reservations surrounding the cruise. No explanation other than stuck in dry dock. What kind of company does that??!! How could they not have known sooner? DO NOT TRUST.
Response from Poseidon ExpeditionsMay 14, 2024
Dear Ms. Vardeman,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.
Like our other guests scheduled for the May 8th expedition cruise of the British Isles, you or your travel agent received an email from us as soon as the determination was made that the Sea Spirit would not be able to leave dry dock in Las Palmas, Canary Islands in time for the scheduled program. As you note, some guests had already departed their homes and others, like you, were about to, and this created a cascading effect in impacting air tickets, pre-cruise visits overseas, etc., in addition to the cruise itself. We apologize wholeheartedly for this unfortunate situation.
To address your question, we unexpectedly learned that additional time in dry dock would be necessary to ensure the Sea Spirit is delivered to the highest standards expected by our guests. Regrettably, this unforeseen development did not allow us to give our guests more advanced warning.
Our email notification outlined a number of options enabling you to get the full value of your ticket price, and we are working with all guests and their travel agents to address other related expenses. If you haven’t yet discussed the best option for you with your travel agent, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully,
Poseidon Expeditions
EA
Edith Ann P.
Poseidon Artic cruise 1 star - Why??
We booked this cruise in 2022. When we arrived in Svalbard, they would not allow my husband on board as they claimed he tested positive to covid, although he had all vaccinations and no symptoms. They would not allow me on board although I tested negative. We were stranded on Svalbard with no help from the company and the boat left. They would not refund monies. Thus, we rebooked in 2023 at an increased cost and lower cabin quality. The boat and food were good and the staff well organized. But we rate the trip a 1 star. Our trip included a flight from LYR to Oslo. at the end of the cruise. We requested an early flight which we needed to make our ongoing arranged and paid for travel plans to Mongolia possible. We were informed late June, when we were in Europe, that we were on a 7:30 pm flight (not listed in their information). We were told that there were no spaces on earlier flights. She refused to change the flight plans. We asked the company rep in Svalbard for help and were told they were independent contractors and could not help us. In panic, we booked an earlier flight (which was available) at a cost of $926.00. On board, we asked the company rep for help and requested a refund. We were told again that they were independent contractors and could not help us. Upon disembarking at the end of the trip, the company arranged for bus transportation to the airport for those on the two earlier flights but did not even have transportation for the later flight we were put on. We could not find who to contact with our problem or where the main office is located. Is this a company you want to trust with your travel plans and monies?
Response from Poseidon ExpeditionsAug 21, 2023
Dear Edith,
While it is true that you were not allowed to board in 2022 when your husband tested positive for Covid-19, this was the policy of our ship as well as all other expedition ships at that time. Knowingly exposing our passengers, staff and crew to an active case of Covid went against all safety and medical protocols that were in place at that time. They were clearly stated in all of our literature. As a gesture of goodwill we transferred the entirety of your payment from this cruise to the one in 2023 which was. according to the Terms and Conditions you signed, was non-refundable, non-transferable.
Your air was not booked through Poseidon Expeditions and therefore, due to privacy issues, we could not access your airline records to assist with rebooking the flight. Our sales rep, Jennifer, assisted you while in Svalbard, but she was not able to make changes for your flight. You were successful in rebooking your flight out that day. You flew home on the same plane as Jennifer.
Regarding this year’s flight issue, at no time did we publish or promise flight times. On your passenger forms you listed a flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo as your departure flight. There was no mention of a flight out of Oslo to Mongolia. We have email saying you were leaving the US early for a trip to Europe prior to the expedition, but no mention of Mongolia until June 26, 2023, ten days prior to your expedition. When we asked you about your ongoing flight we received no answer until July 5th, at which time it was too late for us to change your tickets that were non-changeable and non-refundable. The flights we booked for you were on July 17, 2023, as promised and did not cause any misconnect with your ongoing flight on July 18th. We did everything according to policy and the promise to our customers.
MR
Miriam R.
DO NOT go on this cruise line!!
DO NOT go on this cruise line!!! I went in December. Antarctica is amazing but this ship, the crew, and the food are awful. The ship is old and the movies (there is a lot of down time during the Drake Passage) we from the 80's on little little televisions. They don't have any food to snack on throughout the day except a short "tea time" and the snacks are lacking. Their overall food is buffet style and in general poor quality. No activities, not much to do and all the presentations were of poor quality, dull, and just no one seemed to care much.
Response from Poseidon ExpeditionsFeb 10, 2022
A few words are in order in regards to Ms. Rachelson's review. Overall, guests on her Antarctic trip – Poseidon’t first in nearly two years, due to a lengthy COVID-induced hiatus – rated their experience overall at 4.41, with 4.0 being “good” and 5.0 being “excellent."
Our expedition ship, the Sea Spirit, was built in the 1990s and carries a maximum of 114 guests. As one of the smaller, more intimate vessels now operating in polar waters, it does not feature the in-cabin entertainment amenities – such as large flat-screen TVs and the latest feature films – that newer and larger vessels might. But these are not of much interest to the majority of our guests, who travel with us for the experience we provide outdoors and in live educational presentations in the Oceanus Lounge. Our focus is the ample time that guests are able to spend with our expedition team – marine biologists, ornithologists, polar historians and glaciologists – all of whom take great pleasure in sharing their first-hand knowledge with our guests. This team achieved high marks overall: 4.80, with their informative presentations scoring a 4.38.
Ms. Rachelson notes the food as “awful”, but her views are again in the minority. On a scale of 5.0 (excellent), food quality rated 3.82, variety 4.26, presentation 4.31 and outdoor food service 4.55. The maître d’ rated a 4.61 and the restaurant staff 4.62. Buffet-style breakfasts and lunches are a fact of life aboard most expedition ships, designed to allow passengers to maximize their time outdoors, the primary purpose of our polar cruises.
Choosing the right Antarctic expedition ship sometimes can be challenging, balancing one's budget with desired ship features and amenities. We encourage prospective polar travelers to do their research, as a trip to the White Continent represents a big investment for most! Plan well ahead for the type of ship, the departure date and the price point that you’re looking for, and set your expectations accordingly.
AN
Ana
I booked to go to Antartica in…
I booked to go to Antartica in 28/2/2022. I have paid in full . I have been trying to register to no avail . My surname does not exist. Is this a hoax ? Have I paid for nothing ? Does this company exist or was I robbed ?
It’s less than a month to go and I cannot register . You have nothing on me except my name and money 😡😡😡
RI
Rick
Covid positive crew information withheld
Wife and I arrived a day early In Ushuaia for a 20 day Antarctic cruise (Jan 7, 2022). We were a bit concerned when we watched our ship Sea Spirit arrive into the harbor a day early from its scheduled arrival and instead of docking, it anchored in the harbor. The next day most of the other passengers for our cruise arrived to the Arakur hotel as arranged for our planned embarkation (Jan 9). At 10pm that evening the 100 plus passengers were all called to an unannounced meeting where we were informed by a cell phone call into a microphone that the cruise was cancelled because of an outbreak of Covid including the crew. The only choice we were given was to take a Covid test the next morning and if negative, put on a bus to the airport for a charter flight to Buenos Aires, at which point we were on our own to get back home.
Our complaint is that the company clearly knew the crew and passengers had Covid well in advance of 10pm the night before our embarkation but purposely kept passengers on our trip in the dark until the last moment. Had we received advance notification, alternative arrangements to either cancel our 30 hour travel ordeal to get there or have time to consider local alternatives could have been made. The moment they discovered positive Covid on board, passengers on the next (our trip) should have been notified. Disgraceful to hide this information until the last hours.
Update after Poseidon reply:
There is nothing in the companies reply that I disagree with. The problem is that again, they are blowing smoke with respect to the only complaint we had - that they did not notify passengers on the upcoming cruise that there was a problem with Covid on the ship. Its called transparency. We were fortunate enough to a have a fabulous travel agent who was able to book us on an alternative trip within one day of finding out our trip with Poseidon was cancelled. The trip with Ponant was fantastic! And as expected, despite all precautions, testing, vaccinations etc, by the end of the 10 day Ponant cruise, over 40 crew and several passengers were Covid positive (no one was sick). The ship we were on (Le Boreal) was to leave again for the Antarctic one day after disembarkation. However, unlike Poseidon, Ponant management notified passengers for the upcoming cruise more than 3 days before docking that there were significant numbers of crew affected and that the upcoming cruise was cancelled, thereby allowing their customers the choice to make alternative arrangement. Transparency and communication - that's the difference
Response from Poseidon ExpeditionsJan 14, 2022
Hi, Rick.
Thanks for your additional comments. We are happy to hear that you and your wife were able to quickly secure space aboard Le Boreal with the help of your travel agent, and see Antarctica as planned. We do disagree with your statement that we were "blowing smoke" and exhibited a lack of transparency about the COVID cases onboard the cruise previous to yours.
As explained, most of the Antarctic cruise departures this season – and I'm not just talking about Poseidon, but ALL of the various operators, our competitors – have had instances of COVID onboard. That's never been a secret. The only reason that Ponant notified their passengers for the next cruise that it would be canceled was that the significant number of cases onboard precluded them from disembarking these quarantining guests and crew into quarantine hotels in Ushuaia. In other words, they already knew – more than three days in advance – that the local health authorities would cancel the next cruise and Le Boreal would become a quarantine ship.
We did not have the luxury of knowing three days in advance that our ship, the Sea Spirit, would not be able operate your cruise as scheduled; we only learned the day prior to your planned embarkation. Thus, it was impossible to notify you any earlier than we did, with most travelers in transit on their way to Ushuaia when we learned the unfortunate news. We communicated it with you and the other guests as soon as we could. That is the simple truth.
We hope that clarifies things for you and other readers of your post in TrustPilot.
Dear Rick: Thank you for your comments about the canceled cruise on which you were booked, our January 8-28, 2021 Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands program aboard the Sea Spirit.
All of us at Poseidon – crew, expedition staff, office staff, management – regret the inconvenience caused you, your wife and all of the passengers, and are saddened that we could not share these polar destinations with you at this time. We would like to clarify some of the perceptions you have and provide a more accurate representation of what happened.
The majority of Antarctic cruises that have operated this season have had incidences of COVID onboard. You were made aware of this possibility in pre-departure information covering all of the stringent protocols that both Argentina and Poseidon have in place to keep it off the ship, or to isolate the virus should it find its way aboard. Due to a brand new requirement from the Argentine health authorities – which was enacted over the New Year holiday weekend – a final PCR test was suddenly mandated of all passengers and crew before disembarkation from all cruise ships with positive cases. This test had to be administered by a third party (land-based), and processing the results takes more than 24 hours. This was our reason for coming into the harbor early, enabling negative-testing guests to disembark on the 9th as scheduled.
To answer your complaint: yes, we had infected passengers on the previous cruise and were managing them according to all accepted protocols; e.g. putting them and close-contacts in quarantine cabin during the cruise. We had every intention of operating your cruise right up until the time that all of the final PCR test results were in, the morning of January 8th, with positive-testing passengers and staff ready to disembark the following day for further quarantining ashore. This is standard procedure. The government upended this procedure and informed us that positive-testing guests would stay aboard and go through quarantine on the ship. Obviously, this government action suddenly made the next cruise impossible for us to operate.
While you and your wife arrived at the pre-cruise hotel on the 7th, most other passengers were still in transit throughout the day of January 8th. We were not hiding anything. There was no practical way to contact everyone earlier than we did, and we used the time to secure a charter aircraft and hotel accommodations in Buenos Aires – all at our expense – to facilitate guests' return home as conveniently as possible. You will be receiving an email from us or your travel agent very soon regarding our policy for rebooking, credit or full refund. We appreciate your comments and hopefully our response will go some way toward an explanation.
KS
Kenneth S.
Darlene and I thoroughly enjoyed this…
Darlene and I thoroughly enjoyed this expedition. The stops were well planned with one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The staff is knowledgeable and presented excellent power point information to better prepare us for our daily advent. The food and ambiance was like eating in a 4 star restaurant.
Response from Poseidon ExpeditionsMar 5, 2020
Hello, Kenneth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your Antarctic trip with us. Your comments are very complimentary –- thank you! -- but we are confused about your giving us just one star (out of five). If you intended to give us one star, we'll just have to work a lot harder! But, if you intended to give us more –- say, a four- or five-star review -- then we would hope that you amend your review! We do hope we have the privilege of having you as a guest again in the future.
