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Quark Expeditions

Lars Wikander and Mike McDowell, the cofounders of Quark Expeditions, took the first group of commercial travellers to the North Pole In 1991. That inaugural, game-changing expedition – the first-ever tourism transit of the Northeast Passage – set Quark Expeditions on a course that would put them at the forefront of polar exploration. Quark have spent the last three decades taking travellers on polar expeditions to remote parts of the Arctic and Antarctic where no one else has set foot. Polar expeditions have evolved since Quark Expeditions’ 1991 journey aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker Sovetskiy Soyuz. Since then, Quark Expeditions have expanded their fleet considerably; 2019 saw the luxury vessel the World Explorer, and their first purpose-built polar vessel the Ultramarine embarked on its maiden voyage in 2021.

Quark’s Expedition Team is comprised of seasoned veterans with rich backgrounds in marine biology, history, glaciology, geology and more. With the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the industry, our Expedition Teams safely deliver your trip-of-a-lifetime to maximize your polar adventure every step of the way.

Quark Expeditions are the perfect choice for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers who want an immersive expedition experience with multiple polar landings

Ultramarine Sauna
Ultramarine
Balcony Suite onboard Ultramarine

Featured Cruises

Quark Expeditions Itineraries



What's included with your Quark Expedition Cruise?


Wifi

WiFi throughout the ship

Dining

All meals included, complementary water, coffee & tea. Beers and wine at mealtimes.

Accommodation

Basic cabin amenities

Gift

Complimentary Quark expeditions parka to keep

Excursions

Select excursions including Zodiac cruising, hiking, snowshoeing, and polar plunge.

Things to do onboard

Food & Drink

Dining and drinks onboard

The dining room is a comfortable space where delicious meals are guaranteed. Guests can enjoy a quiet dinner with a loved one or join a larger table of new friends.

The Ultramarine offers an additional dining venue at the Bistro, where guests can enjoy an indoor/outdoor dining experience with impressive views of the polar landscape.

Various lounges offer views of the polar landscapes while guests engage in conversation, play board games, enjoy a tea or coffee, or indulge in an alcoholic beverage from the bar.

Onboard Accommodation

Onboard Accommodation

Ultramarine

  • Solo Panorama – perfect for a private, solo travel experience.
  • Explorer Triple – perfect for solo guests wanting to share with like-minded travellers, or groups of three travelling together.
  • Explorer Suite – the standard double or twin suite.
  • Balcony Suite – an entry level balcony suite with connections available for families or groups travelling together.
  • Deluxe Balcony Suite – featuring a larger living room, full bathroom with enclosed toilet, and a substantial balcony.
  • Terrace Suite – generous interiors and the largest balcony on the ship.
  • Penthouse Suite – wake up to unobstructed polar views from the warmth and comfort of this spacious suite.
  • Owner’s Suite – luxurious suite with two living spaces and private balcony.
  • Ultra Suite – the largest and most luxurious suite with a private bedroom, walk-in closet, bathroom with bathtub, separate powder room, and private balcony.

World Explorer

  • Triple – a double or twin room with extra sofa-bed and private bathroom.
  • Veranda Suite – a comfortable double or twin suite with a walk-out balcony.
  • Infinity Suite – a generous double or twin suite with floor-to-ceiling glass French balcony.
  • Superior Suite – featuring an additional walk-in closet and a walk-out balcony with access from the bedroom and living room.
  • Deluxe Suite – featuring a multiple-access balcony, double closet, and large living space.
  • Owner’s Suite – featuring a multiple-access balcony and a large private bathroom with shower, bathtub, and dual vanity.
Spa, Health and Wellness

Spa, Health and Wellness

Onboard wellness facilities include a spa, sauna, and fitness centre.

Onboard spas feature L’Occitane spa treatments including massages, facials, and hand and foot treatments.

The World Explorer also offers a large heated outdoor pool flanked by two hot tubs.

Excursions, Entertainment and Activities

Excursions, Entertainment and Activities

An overnight camping experience on the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most exciting excursions on offer with Quark Expeditions.

State-of-the-art auditorium for presentations from the Expedition Team.

Quark Expeditions’ open bridge policy enables guests to observe how the Captain and officers sail and navigate the ship.

A small library is another facility on board the World Explorer.

Enrichment Programmes

Enrichment Programmes

With the launch of Quark Academy in 2017, Quark Expeditions became the first polar expedition company to institute its own proprietary polar training program. The underlying goal was to establish standard levels of training and safety that surpassed anything else offered in the industry—for the ultimate benefit of the guests and for the protection of the polar regions visited.

Sustainability

Sustainability

Quark Expeditions is profoundly committed to environmentally responsible tourism. Protecting the places they visit is necessary to ensure that travellers can continue to be introduced to the spectacular beauty of the polar wilderness. Through a comprehensive sustainability strategy framework, Polar Promise, Quark have incorporated existing sustainability initiatives into a cohesive plan for the future, including:

  • Embedding responsible business practices.
  • Reducing footprint and building resilience. Emissions were decreased by 13% from 2014-19.
  • Funding key polar environmental research.

Quark Expeditions Ships