Aurora Expeditions vs Poseidon Expeditions: which is better?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Aurora Expeditions and Poseidon Expeditions each publish on their own websites, read 9 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

Aurora Expeditions vs Poseidon Expeditions: which is better?

Neither is better for everyone: Aurora Expeditions carries 130 passengers on expedition on each ship and prices Spirit of Antarctica from US$15,436 per person twin share for departures from December 2026, while Poseidon Expeditions sails one ship, Sea Spirit, with 114 passengers and prices Classic Antarctica, 28 November to 9 December 2026, from US$8,846 per person with 25% off; the fare section below sets out what each includes and leaves out.

What is each line?

Aurora Expeditions runs small-ship expedition voyages under its own name and was founded in 1991 by Greg and Margaret Mortimer. Source

Poseidon Expeditions was founded in the UK in 1999 and runs polar expedition cruises under its own name on one ship, M/V Sea Spirit. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

Aurora Expeditions sails three ships under its own name: the Greg Mortimer (built 2019), the Sylvia Earle (2022) and the Douglas Mawson (2025). Source

Poseidon Expeditions sails one ship, M/V Sea Spirit, an all-suite ship with 54 suites; it has put its North Pole icebreaker cruises on hold since 2022. Source

How many guests are on board?

Aurora Expeditions carries 130 passengers on expedition on each ship; maximum capacity is 130 on the Sylvia Earle, 148 on the Greg Mortimer and 154 on the Douglas Mawson. Source

Poseidon Expeditions carries 114 passengers on Sea Spirit with 72 crew; it also describes the ship as having a maximum capacity of about 100 guests. Source

Where does each line sail?

Aurora Expeditions sells named voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Antarctic Circle and the Weddell Sea, the Ross Sea, South Georgia and the Falklands, Svalbard, Norway, the Scottish isles, the Northwest Passage and southern Patagonia. Source

Poseidon Expeditions sells named voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, across the Antarctic Circle, to the Falklands and South Georgia, Svalbard, East and West Greenland and Iceland. Source

Who leads the landings?

Aurora Expeditions gives an Expedition Team-to-Expeditioner ratio of 1:7 and a staff-to-expeditioner ratio of 1:1.5; its team includes naturalists, historians, marine biologists and geologists. Source

Poseidon Expeditions gives an expedition staff-to-passenger ratio of 1:9; its team includes naturalists, wildlife biologists, geologists, historians, ornithologists and a doctor. Source

How much time ashore?

Aurora Expeditions says IAATO and AECO limit landings to 100 people ashore at a time; it aims for two to three landings a day in Antarctica and includes daily Zodiac cruises and guided walks, weather permitting. Source

Poseidon Expeditions says it takes all guests ashore together with no group rotations, normally averaging two activities a day and around 2.5 hours off the ship per passenger, weather permitting; in Antarctica no more than one hundred guests land at a site at once. Source

What can you do off the ship?

Aurora Expeditions includes the polar plunge, Zodiac cruising and guided walks; kayaking, diving, snowshoeing and camping are optional extras, each needing a deposit of 25% of the activity cost. Source

Poseidon Expeditions includes Zodiac cruising and hiking; its Sea Kayak Club and Antarctic camping (30 campers per voyage, ages 18 and over) cost extra and are booked in advance. Source

What does a voyage cost?

Aurora Expeditions prices Spirit of Antarctica, 11 days, from USD $15,436 per person twin share (brochure price $19,295), with departures in December 2026 and February, November and December 2027. Source

Poseidon Expeditions prices Classic Antarctica, 12 days on Sea Spirit from Ushuaia, 28 Nov to 9 Dec 2026, from US$8,846 per person with 25% off and a free upgrade. Source

What does the fare include?

Aurora Expeditions' fares include all meals, drinks with premium spirits and wine (from the 2026/2027 Antarctica season), Starlink wifi, a 3-in-1 polar jacket, use of Muck boots, daily shore excursions and Zodiac cruises, port surcharges and landing fees; optional activities cost extra and a gratuity of USD $20 per person per day is added to the onboard account. Source

Poseidon Expeditions leaves flights to and from its ports, travel insurance and gratuities out of the fare, suggesting 31 USD per person per day for gratuities; kayaking and camping cost extra. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

Aurora Expeditions offers dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement, 10 on the Greg Mortimer and the Sylvia Earle and 4 on the Douglas Mawson, plus a stateroom-sharing service; the usual solo supplement is 50%. Source

Poseidon Expeditions charges a single supplement for a cabin to yourself, offers Single Suites and matches same-gender solo travellers through its Request-Share programme, waiving the supplement if no cabin-mate is found. Source

How much is the deposit?

Aurora Expeditions asks a deposit of 25% of each ticket within 7 working days of booking; final payment is due at least 120 days before departure. Source

Poseidon Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

What happens if you cancel?

Aurora Expeditions keeps the deposit if you cancel 121 days or more before departure and 100% of the ticket price from 120 days; its Voyage Assurance Program instead offers a credit equal to the deposit (121 days or more) or to 50% of the fare (90 to 120 days), valid for 24 months. Source

Poseidon Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

Is your money protected?

Aurora Expeditions places all voyage deposits in a separate trust account, the Aurora Passenger Trust, under its Deposit Protection Program; deposits are released from the trust 180 days before departure. Source

Poseidon Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

What insurance do you need?

Aurora Expeditions requires comprehensive travel insurance with medical and emergency evacuation cover of at least USD $250,000, with proof emailed no later than 60 days before departure. Source

Poseidon Expeditions requires comprehensive travel insurance covering polar cruise travel, with evacuation and repatriation cover of no less than 200,000 USD per person on Arctic and Antarctica cruises. Source

Can children come?

Aurora Expeditions takes bookings from age 6; under-18s must be with an adult at all times and children aged 6 to 15 pay the adult price unless a promotion applies. Source

Poseidon Expeditions says families with children are welcome in principle, with no minimum age or family programme stated; camping ashore in Antarctica is for ages 18 and over. Source

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• Aurora Expeditions: not the fit if you may cancel late: from 120 days before departure the cancellation fee is 100% of the full ticket price. Source
• Poseidon Expeditions: not the fit if you require walking assistance: it advises such guests to strongly consider not joining. Source

How do their reviews compare?

Their figures per platform, read 9 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.

• Aurora Expeditions: Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 107 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
• Poseidon Expeditions: Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 36 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.5 out of 5 from 595 reviews, newest 3 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.

The lines at a glance

One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel expedition page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 9 November 2026 · updated 9 November 2026