MV Sea Spirit

The 1991-built Sea Spirit cruise ship was constructed by Nuovi Cantieri Apuania SpA (in Marina di Carrara, Italy) and launched as “Renaissance V” for Renaissance Cruises (1989-founded/2001-defunct). The vessel was later operated as “Spirit of Oceanus” by Cruise West (1973-founded/2010-defunct) before undergoing a major drydock refit in 2010, during which her hull was ice-strengthened for polar cruising. Since October 2010, she has operated exclusively Arctic and Antarctic itineraries.

The vessel (IMO 8802868) is currently Portugal-flagged (MMSI 255806397) and registered in Funchal, Madeira. Prior to 2019, she was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 309224000/Nassau-registered).

Her sisterships built by the same shipyard include Caledonian Sky (Renaissance VI), Hebridean Sky (Renaissance VII), and Island Sky (Renaissance VIII).

NEWS: In May 2019, shipowner SunStone Ships Inc. listed Sea Spirit for sale. The vessel remained under charter to Poseidon Expeditions through May 2022, allowing either bareboat charter or purchase with delivery in May 2022.

PSE (Poseidon Expeditions, founded in 1999) is a subsidiary and travel brand of Poseidon Arctic Voyages Ltd (owned and led by CEO Angelica Vorea). The company is among the leading operators specializing in high-end polar cruises, including voyages on icebreakers. It maintains offices in the USA, UK, Germany, Greece (Cyprus), Russia, and China.

Decks and Cabins

The ship has 6 decks, of which 5 are accessible to passengers and contain accommodations. A total of 60 staterooms provide capacity for up to 114 guests. The smallest cabins measure 20 m² (215 ft²). All accommodations are exterior-facing (oceanview) and have en suite bathrooms. Deluxe-category cabins and Suites feature private step-out balconies.

Most cabins are designed for double occupancy, with triple-occupancy options available on the lower decks (family cabins with a sofabed). Standard amenities include an en suite bathroom (WC, shower, washbasin, hairdryer), sitting area (mirrored dressing table/writing desk with chair, TV, DVD/CD player), spacious wardrobe, mini-bar, and individually controlled air-conditioning.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities (Dining and Entertainment)

The vessel carries its own fleet of RIBs/tender boats (10 Zodiacs) used for landings, coastal cruising, and transfers in ports lacking docking facilities. She is equipped with retractable fin stabilizers ensuring smoother sailing.

All guests receive complimentary expedition gear, including rubber boots (on loan) and parkas/jackets (to keep). Voyages are multilingual (typically English and German), with Russian and Chinese guides offered on select departures. Communications are via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet).

Key public areas include the Club Lounge & Library on Club Deck (with extensive polar literature and DVDs), the Oceanus Lounge & Bar on Ocean Deck (bar, presentation venue, lecture hall), outdoor observation areas (including Club Deck’s promenade), Lido Bistro, Gym (aerobic and weight-training equipment), Sundeck with hot tub on Bridge Deck, Boutique (near Reception on Lobby Deck), Infirmary (with a licensed physician), and the Main Deck Restaurant.

One elevator serves all passenger decks. Aft on Main Deck, a marina platform enables efficient Zodiac deployment.

MV Sea Spirit offers a full-service bar, and wine and spirits are widely available. Coffee, tea, cocoa, and bottled water are complimentary 24/7. Dinner each evening features a 4-course menu prepared by the culinary team. Special dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice. Meals are served in a single, open-seating arrangement in the Main Deck Restaurant.

Optional excursions such as kayaking, birdwatching, snorkeling, and hiking are available. Daily naturalist briefings prepare passengers for upcoming activities and wildlife encounters. The onboard gym (Sports Deck) features treadmills, stationary bikes, and multifunctional training machines.

Itineraries

In 2017, Poseidon Expeditions chartered Sea Spirit for a range of Arctic voyages. The program included the company’s inaugural “Voyage to the Arctic” (June 17–29), calling at Iceland’s northern fjords and sailing along the Arctic Circle to Norway, then continuing to Bear Island and the Spitsbergen Archipelago. Russian High Arctic territories, including Franz Josef Land, were featured in the August 14–29 itinerary.

In September 2017, following an Arctic sailing to East Greenland, the ship repositioned to South America for the 2017–2018 winter season, offering voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. Departures were roundtrip from Argentina (Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia). The 19-day “Best of the Southern Ocean” itinerary (via Beagle Channel) visited both Falklands and South Georgia. Prices ranged from USD 7,500 pp (Triple Classic Cabin) to USD 22,500 pp (Owner Suite).

For 2019–2020, Poseidon Expeditions introduced additional departures and new destinations.

• (May 2019) “Best of the British Isles” from Plymouth (England).
• (June 2019) 12-day voyage from Leith-Edinburgh (Scotland) to Arctic Norway (Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen).
• (2019) Two “East Greenland Cruise” itineraries, roundtrip from Reykjavik.
• (August 2019) Two “Arctic” voyages to Franz Josef Land.

The Antarctica 2019–2020 program included the Antarctic Peninsula plus three extended itineraries to South Georgia and the Falklands. During summer 2019, Poseidon Expeditions also chartered Russia’s nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory for the “Top of the World” itinerary (departures July 7, 18, 29).

Listed below are Sea Spirit voyages scheduled for 2020–2021 but later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arctic 2020 Program (Double Occupancy Pricing)

• “West Spitsbergen and the Polar Ice Edge” – 5 departures (9–12 days), roundtrip from Longyearbyen (May 31–June 30), from USD 7,290 pp.
• “Arctic Odyssey: Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland” – 14-day voyage (Longyearbyen–Reykjavik), Aug 25, from USD 10,980 pp.
• “Franz Josef Land Archipelago” – 14-day roundtrip from Longyearbyen, departures July 20, Aug 1, Aug 13, from USD 12,510 pp.
• “East Greenland: Arctic Sights and Northern Lights” – two 11-day Aurora-themed voyages, roundtrip from Reykjavik (Sept 6, 15), from USD 7,830 pp.

Two Arctic itineraries scheduled for 2020:

• May 8 – “British Isles: Legendary History and Wild Nature Discovery” (13-day Plymouth–Edinburgh), from USD 7,466 pp.
• May 21 – “From the Highlands to the High Arctic: Crossing the Arctic Circle, Jan Mayen & Spitsbergen” (12-day Edinburgh–Longyearbyen), from USD 5,935 pp.

Antarctica 2020–2021 Program (Double Occupancy Pricing)

• Six “Antarctic Peninsula” departures (11–12 days), roundtrip from Ushuaia: Nov 29, Dec 8, Dec 18, Dec 27, Feb 7, Feb 17; from USD 8,910 pp.
• Four “Antarctica, South Georgia and Falkland Islands” itineraries (21–24 days), departures Oct 19, Nov 10, Jan 6, Feb 27; from USD 15,480 pp. Embarkation/disembarkation varied between Ushuaia and Montevideo.

The classic “Antarctic Circle: Crossing 66° South Latitude” voyage was scheduled for Jan 25, 2021 (15-day roundtrip from Ushuaia), priced from USD 14,220 pp.

Operations resumed December 20, 2021, with a 10-day Christmas-themed voyage (Ushuaia roundtrip) ending December 30, including a pre-cruise stay at Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa.

Poseidon Expeditions Sea Spirit 2022 (Arctic) and 2022–2023 (Antarctic)

In late October 2020, Poseidon Expeditions announced the 2022 Arctic program for West Greenland. These included a 12-day crossing (May 2022) from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq and an 8-day roundtrip (June 2022) from Kangerlussuaq.

The schedule continued with repositioning to Norway’s Svalbard Archipelago and Russia’s Franz Josef Land, followed by two 11-day East Greenland sailings (September 2022) themed on the Aurora Borealis. In October 2022, the vessel repositioned to Antarctica for the 2022–2023 season. The program featured four 11–12-day Antarctic Peninsula voyages, three 21–23-day itineraries including South Georgia and the Falklands, and one 15-day “Crossing 66° South Latitude” expedition.

Early-booking promotions included a 10–15% discount (by Dec 31, 2020) plus USD 250 onboard credit. Bookings made by June 30, 2021, received the 10–15% discount only.

Due to the Russia–Ukraine crisis, the 2022 European Arctic program involving Russian territorial waters was cancelled. This also affected the charter of the 50 Let Pobedy icebreaker.

Poseidon Expeditions Cruise Deals

Poseidon Expeditions’ fares include:

• 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay and group transfers (airport–hotel prior to departure; hotel–ship on embarkation day)
• onboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner); note that kosher meals cannot be prepared
• all Zodiac landings, cruising and transfers (weather permitting)
• lectures and media presentations by the Expedition Team and guest experts
• waterproof expedition boots (for shore landings)
• complimentary branded parka
• lifejackets and immersion suits
• complimentary tea, coffee, cocoa (24/7)
• hairdryer and bathrobe (in all cabins)
• pre-departure materials (including maps)
• all port fees and service taxes
• onboard luggage handling
• emergency evacuation (medevac) insurance up to USD 100,000 pp
• laundry and ironing services (additional cost)
• satellite phone/Internet via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (additional cost)