Day 1 (May 27): Arrival in Edinburgh, Scotland (hotel night)

Welcome to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and starting point of our expedition. To provide you with more time to enjoy this metropolis rich in history and culture, we’ve arranged pre-cruise hotel accommodations. Relax and take a stroll through town, enjoying both medieval and classic 18th-century architecture. The famous Edinburgh Castle rises majestically above it all.

Day 2 (May 28): Welcome Aboard!

Enjoy the morning and early afternoon at leisure. Each corner of Edinburgh’s old streets opens beautiful unexpected vistas of green hills or a blue flash of the distant sea. In the afternoon, you will be transferred from the hotel to the ship in the nearby Port of Leith. Before dinner, there’s time to explore the Sea Spirit, your home-away-from home for the next days.

Day 3 (May 29): Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland

Kirkwall is a small, quiet town, with a gentle pace of life. The town is the capital of the remote and amazing Orkney archipelago. Kirkwall is first mentioned in Orkneyinga saga in 1046. Such a long history has left a rich heritage that we explore today. The most famous are the sandstone St Magnus Cathedral, considered the finest medieval building in the north of Scotland, the Bishop’s Palace and the Earl’s Palace.        Included tour “Ancient treasures of Orkney with St Magnus Cathedral.” Depart Kirkwall and head into the west of Mainland, Orkney’s largest island. This tour passes through the gentle rolling landscape of Orkney and into the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney; an area designated as a World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology. Passing the Standing Stones of Stenness, we will stop at the Ring of Brodgar; a huge ceremonial circle of stones dating back almost 5000 years. We then continue on to the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae, beautifully interpreted in the visitor centre. See the remarkable dwellings revealed from beneath the sand dunes by storms only 150 years ago.         Hear some of the stories from your guide today en route back to Kirkwall. Once back in the island capital we will take a tour of St Magnus Cathedral, built by the Vikings during their 500 year reign over the islands.

Day 4 (May 30): Fair Isle, Shetland Islands

Fair Isle is a real paradise for birdwatchers. Huge number of birds inhabits the lush grasslands and spectacular cliffs. Over 345 species have been recorded here – more than anywhere else in Britain. During our walk across the island, we hope to see northern fulmars, kittiwakes, northern gannets, puffins, and great and arctic skuas.

Day 5 (May 31): Torshavn, Faroe Islands

National Geographic Traveler had designated Faroe Islands as “authentic, unspoiled and likely to remain so”. It seems that the Nature spares no colours in “painting” the islands. Deep-green hills, bright blue sea, colourful houses and boats, orange-red puffins’ beaks make the sceneries unforgettable, meanwhile traditional wooden dwellings with turf roofs look like they belong in a fairy tale.

The rugged Faroese are proud of their Viking heritage and their love of the sea. Today we will explore Tórshavn, the capital and largest city of Faroe Islands.

Tórshavn is a unique city, where history meets modernity, where picturesque old turfed houses and modern buildings stand side by side...

Day 6 (June 1):­ At sea
Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.

Day 7 (June 2): Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen hosts the landscapes of breathtaking beauty and northernmost subaerial active volcano on the planet – the Beerenberg. The island is wild and uninhabited not including members of Norwegian weather station. The signboard at the entrance door says (translated from the Norwegian): “Theory is when you understand everything but nothing works. Practice is when everything works but nobody understands why. On this station, we combine theory and practice in a way that nothing works and nobody understands why”. Northern fulmars, Kittiwakes, and Brünich’s guillemots breeding on steep cliffs and slopes represent the birdlife of Jan Mayen.

Day 8 (June 3): At Sea

The lectures of our invited speakers prepare us for meeting with the unique Arctic wildlife and awesome landscapes of Svalbard.

Day 9-12 (June 4 - June 7): Exploring Svalbard

This is a real expedition in a true High Arctic wilderness. As such, our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic. Polar bears and other quintessential Arctic wildlife can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard. We exploit every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, to discover incredible scenery, and to walk in the footsteps of the historic polar expeditions that came before us. We anticipate exploring the spectacular fjords, coasts, and islands in the western part of Svalbard. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to walrus and a wide variety of whales. The whole area is alive with migratory birds, including numerous rare species, taking advantage of summer’s fecundity in 24-hour daylight. To complete the Arctic experience we also explore places rich with history. Our area of exploration contains the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins, staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole, and even an abandoned polar research station. The days are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough stunning scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.

Day 13 (June 8): Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard

After filling up with one last buffet breakfast on board, we bid you farewell in Longyearbyen. We provide transfers to the airport or to the town center in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard. By this time, you may already be making plans for your next amazing trip with us into the polar worlds!

What activities can you expect on a polar expedition with Poseidon?

Due to the small ship size, we normally have an average of two activities per day, each lasting about 2.5 hours — ensuring you can fully immerse yourself in the polar world! Enjoy landings with scenic hikes for all levels (walking sticks provided), wildlife encounters with insights from experts, and Zodiac cruises. Onboard, you’ll find expert-led lectures, masterclasses, bridge visits, and polar photography tips. Alternatively, you can relax in the jacuzzi, unwind in the library, or enjoy a drink at the bar. On one of the days, we’ll host a BBQ on the open deck! For the bravest, there’s the Polar Plunge — those who prefer not to participate can enjoy watching the fun. Each day is packed with exciting, unforgettable experiences.

INCLUSIONS

• 1 pre-voyage hotel night on Day 1 in Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre;

• Seamless group transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2;

• Cozy accommodation aboard the elegant Sea Spirit, your home away from home;

• Delicious gourmet meals crafted by our chef throughout your voyage;

• AECO fees, governmental taxes, and port fees are included for a worry-free experience;

• 24-hour tea and coffee station, complete with cookies for a quick energy boost;

• Scheduled landings and excursions (weather permitting) to explore breathtaking landscapes;

• Expert leadership from our experienced Expedition Leader and top-notch Expedition Team;

• A stylish branded Poseidon Expeditions parka to take home as a cherished memento;

• Comfortable rubber boots for shore landings during your cruise;

• Welcome and Farewell cocktails to celebrate your journey with fellow travelers;

• Group transfer upon disembarkation;

• Comprehensive pre-departure materials to prepare you for your adventure;

• A Digital Voyage Log with photos and a memorable video from our expedition photographer;

• Wi-Fi on board to stay connected during your journey.
  

EXCLUSIONS

• Airfare

• Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations;

• Personal expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges;

• Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per person;

• Staff gratuities.

A deposit of 25% is required to hold your spot withing 14 days of being invoiced and final payment is due 90 days before departure. Payment can be made via bank transfer or debit and credit card. Cards accepted are Visa or Mastercard.