Poseidon Expeditions Cruises Tips, Activities, and Overview
Who goes on Poseidon Expeditions cruise ships?
Poseidon Expeditions draws cruisers seeking active exploration of the poles, with people ranging in age from 20 to 80, the majority of whom are between 45 and 65 years old. People come from all over the world, although most are from North America, Europe and Australia. (QuietVox translation devices are available for all non-English-speaking passengers during lectures and shore excursions.) Most passengers are couples, but the line is seeing more multigenerational family groups, particularly during holiday periods. Single travelers are welcome and can either pay a single supplement to get a solo room or request to be placed with another cruiser of the same sex.
Do I have to dress up on a Poseidon Expeditions cruise?
Dress onboard Poseidon Expeditions cruises is informal. Expect to see folks in jeans, corduroys, casual slacks or trousers, long sleeve shirts, turtlenecks and t-shirts. Slightly dressier attire, such as a sports jacket or blazer with collared shirt for men, and the equivalent for women, is appropriate for the Captain's Dinner but not required. The lines provides a detailed packing list for the on-shore part of the cruise.
Is everything free on Poseidon Expeditions cruises?
Not quite. All accommodations, meals, an official Poseidon Expeditions parka and most excursions are included in the cruise fares, but that's it. Specialty excursions like kayaking, comprehensive travel insurance and gratuities are not included. Poseidon recommends gratuities of $20 per person, per day, on Arctic and Antarctic cruises and $24 per person, per day, on North Pole sailings.
What are Poseidon Expeditions’s most popular activities?
The two most popular activities on a Poseidon Expeditions cruise, bar none, are shore excursions (hikes, ice field treks, research station visits) by Zodiac and wildlife viewing (for penguins, whales, polar bears and walrus, depending on your itinerary) from the ship's outer decks. During North Pole sailings, cruisers also enjoy taking part in a barbecue near the pole at 90 degrees north. Select sailings even give cruisers a chance to explore further afield by helicopter.
Between excursions and wildlife viewing, cruisers enjoy onboard presentations from experts, such as marine biologists, ornithologists and geologists.
Why go with Poseidon Expeditions?
- Opportunity to travel on a working icebreaker.
- Voyages to the North Pole and Russia's Franz Josef Land.
- Helicopter onboard some sailings.
Best for: Bucket list cruisers seeking adventurous exploration of the Arctic and Antarctic regions of the world
Not for: Budget-minded cruisers or anyone who hates the cold
