Poseidon Expeditions' Steve Wellmeier Shares A Quick Update

Poseidon Expeditions’ Steve Wellmeier Shares a Quick Update

By Heidi Sarna

We love asking experts in the industry what they’re thinking. Especially these days, as we all want to know how and when small-ship and expedition-style cruising will re-start in various regions.

Yesterday, we asked Steve Wellmeier, managing director for Poseidon Expeditions, what their restart plans currently are.

50 Years of Victory is a Russian icebreaker that can reach the North Pole. * Photo: Poseidon Expeditions

Poseidon Expeditions Update

Poseidon’s views on restarting — like those of other polar operators — appear to depend almost entirely on current border restrictions in place for Norway and Russia and Greenland.

Norway’s Svalbard

Norway’s Svalbard Archipelago, which is the base of operations for nearly the entire summer for the Sea Spirit, has of last week released a ‘phased’ re-opening. It appears this phased system will allow cruising in Phase 4 (they’re still in Phase 1), which could be put in place by July (2021) earliest. But even that seems iffy for some international travelers.

Iceland

We do not have any Iceland circumnavigation cruises scheduled (we only use Reykjavik as turn-around for cruises to Greenland), though as I understand it, Iceland has opened its borders to vaccinated travelers.

Shipboard Protocols, Procedures & Practices

Regarding shipboard protocols, procedures and practices, these will fall into place when border restrictions are lifted. US travelers don’t seem to be the problem, as we’re already at a high vaccination level and those who are vaccinated are ready and anxious to go.

However, European travelers are seeing a surge of infections and lower vaccination rates. This is affecting Europeans’ ability to plan trips for a few more months.

Other countries that provide us with a good percentage of travelers like China (groups and charters) currently have strong outbound restrictions in place.

Antarctica?

Ask me in a couple of months!”

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Poseidon Expeditions’ Steve Wellmeier Shares a Quick Update