Poseidon Expeditions (fleet) announced that it had cancelled its Summer 2022 polar programs in Russian territorial waters.
This affects a total of 7 voyages, 3 aboard the Russian icebreaker that the company has chartered and marketed since 2001 and another 4 aboard the 114-guest expedition ship Sea Spirit.
The balance of Sea Spirit's summer expedition cruises remains unchanged.
According to Angelica Vorea, CEO and owner of Poseidon Arctic Voyages Ltd. (parent company of Poseidon Expeditions), the situation in Ukraine made planned operations in Russian waters untenable and they could not support promoting those trips in any way for the 2022 season.
"As a result, we have suspended charter arrangements with the operator of 50 Years of Victory” (50 Let Pobedy icebreaker).
“We also have re-designed itineraries on four upcoming Arctic programs aboard the Sea Spirit. These 14-day voyages will continue to operate roundtrip out of Longyearbyen (Spitzbergen/Svalbard), on the same dates in July and August, but will not venture into the Russian territorial waters of Franz Josef Land. Instead, the program will provide guests with an in-depth exploration and circumnavigation of the Svalbard Archipelago or a voyage to the Northeast Greenland National Park, depending on the departure date.”
The revised programs include:
- July 10-23 Svalbard Circumnavigation & Kvitoya
- July 22-August 4 Svalbard Circumnavigation & Kvitoya
- August 3-16 Svalbard Circumnavigation & Kvitoya
- August 15-28 Svalbard & Northeast Greenland National Park
Travelers aboard the 4 departures in July & August on Sea Spirit are welcome to keep their bookings and enjoy the new itineraries. Passengers booked on any of the affected Summer 2022 programs can request an FCC (future cruise credit) for any voyage with Poseidon Expeditions or a full refund.
Poseidon Expeditions has chartered and operated the Portugal/Madeira-flagged Sea Spirit from the Miami Florida-based SunStone Ships Inc year-round since 2015.