MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Poseidon Expeditions Announces Departure Dates and Rates for 2015-16 Antarctic Season aboard Sea Spirit

Poseidon Expedition Leader Jan Bryde

Poseidon Expeditions has published its departure dates and rate schedule for the 2015-16 Antarctic season aboard the 114-passenger expedition ship Sea Spirit. Cruises to the White Continent will range from 12 to 23 days in duration and include landings at the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and Falkland Islands.

 The Sea Spirit is designed to take its guests to remote landing sites in Antarctica while providing a high degree of luxury, exclusivity and comfort. Originally built as the Renaissance V in 1991 and sailing as the Spirit of Oceanus for nearly a decade, the 114-passenger ship was upgraded in late 2010 to include ice strengthening and other technical improvements appropriate for polar environments.

Poseidon Expeditions President Nikolay Saveliev said that offering Antarctic expedition cruises was the next logical step for the company, which was founded in 1991 and is a leader in icebreaker cruises to the North Pole. “With the acquisition of Sea Spirit for Arctic and Antarctic cruises starting in 2015, we will be taking a larger role in the polar cruise marketplace.

“Our focus is to provide an exceptional wilderness experience that is safe, comfortable and environmentally responsible. We believe in the Antarctic Treaty mandate that the entire continent is a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science. Tourism has an important role in promoting this concept, and our goal is to create ambassadors worldwide that help foster the conservation principles necessary to preserve Antarctica for future generations,” he said.

The 2015 Antarctic season kicks off with a pair of longer voyages that include the Falkland and South Georgia Islands, followed by a series of 12-day programs to the Antarctic Peninsula. While most voyages will use Ushuaia, Argentina as the turn-around port for embarkation and disembarkation, the first and last cruise of the 2015-16 season will begin and end respectively in Buenos Aires.

• Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia, Oct 31-Nov 21, 2015, 22 days

• Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia, Nov 20-Dec 9, 2015, 20 days

• Classic Antarctica, Dec 8-19, 2015, 12 days

• Christmas in Antarctica, Dec 18-29, 2015, 12 days

• New Year in Antarctica, Dec 28, 2015-Jan 8, 2016, 12 days

• Classic Antarctica, Jan 7-18, 2016, 12 days

• Classic Antarctica, Jan 17-28, 2016, 12 days

• Classic Antarctica, Jan 27-Feb 7, 2016, 12 days

• Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia, Feb 17-Mar 10, 2016, 23 days

Per person rates start at US$8,885 for the Classic Antarctic voyages, with special rates for the December 8 program starting at just US$7,990. The longer expedition cruises that include the Falklands and South Georgia Islands start at US$11,195, depending on the departure date.

The full schedule of 2015-16 departures and rates can be found on the Poseidon Expeditions website here: http://poseidonexpeditions.com/antarctica/

Poseidon Expedition Leader Jan Bryde, who has made nearly 60 voyages to Antarctica, including as a staff member aboard a rare circumnavigation of the entire continent, noted that passenger activities will be directed by an international team of seasoned polar guides and educators, and include Zodiac excursions, hiking ashore and informative presentations aboard.

He added, “We take the international nature of Antarctica literally; it’s truly a place where all the citizens of the world can share a common treasure and source of inspiration. We believe that adventurous travelers love to share experiences with like-minded individuals from other countries, and that this ‘melting pot’ onboard and ashore fosters a unique camaraderie that makes an Antarctic expedition all the more memorable to visitors.”

While all officers, staff and crew are English speaking, guests from other countries are equally welcome and well attended to, with all announcements, presentations and walks ashore facilitated by the international field staff and a Quietvox system that provides simultaneous translation in multiple languages as needed.

Poseidon Expeditions is a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). It also actively supports the efforts of Polar Bears International and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

With offices in the US, UK, Germany, Russia, China and Japan, Poseidon Expeditions is a leading provider of polar expeditions in the cruise industry. For US and Canadian reservations, agents can contact the company toll free at 877-692-5701, or locally at 631-692-5700. In the UK, call +44-870-068-9142.