There really is a quality difference. Several of Jules Verne's works were serialized in news papers at the time and then a slap-dash translation was made very quickly so they could publish them in other countries. The translations were often so bad that Verne himself commented on them. In some cases the translations omitted and abridged parts of the works as well.

It very much does a disservice to Verne's reputation to read such poor quality translations. Indeed, perhaps the reason why you do not consider Verne's work to be "great poetry" is because you've never been exposed to any good translations.

Here is a volume that might be worth acquiring, for example: http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Journeys-Journey-Circling-Leag...