Quark Expeditions
Why Quark Expeditions?
Quark Expeditions is one of the world’s leading polar expedition operators, specializing exclusively in small-ship journeys to the Arctic and Antarctic. This is not traditional cruising. Quark is built for travelers who want to reach the farthest edges of the planet with expert guides, purpose-built ships, Zodiac landings, wildlife encounters, and expedition teams who understand polar travel at the highest level.
The Quark fleet is designed for remote exploration, with ships such as Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer, and World Voyager sailing into regions most travelers only dream of seeing. Depending on the itinerary, guests may experience penguin colonies, polar landscapes, glaciers, icebergs, whales, seabirds, Arctic wildlife, helicopter-supported adventures, kayaking, hiking, and daily landings by Zodiac.
Best for: Curious, active travelers who want a true expedition experience in Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, Svalbard, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, or the Northwest Passage. Quark is ideal for wildlife lovers, photographers, polar first-timers, and experienced adventurers ready for a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Where Quark Expeditions Travel
Quark Expeditions focuses on the polar regions, with itineraries across both the Antarctic and the Arctic. Voyages vary by season, ship, weather, ice conditions, and expedition route.
Antarctica: Quark sails to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, Snow Hill Island, and select Weddell Sea routes. Classic Antarctic Peninsula expeditions offer dramatic icebergs, penguin rookeries, whales, seabirds, and daily expedition activities when conditions allow.
South Georgia and the Falkland Islands: These longer wildlife-focused expeditions are especially compelling for travelers who want king penguins, elephant seals, remote settlements, and some of the most dramatic wildlife concentrations on earth.
The Arctic: Quark’s Arctic itineraries explore Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Canada, and the Northwest Passage. These voyages may include polar bear viewing from a safe distance, Inuit community visits, fjords, glaciers, walrus, muskoxen, seabirds, and historic expedition routes.
Patagonia and specialty polar routes: Select itineraries focus on the Chilean fjords, remote wilderness, and specialized polar access depending on ship, season, and expedition conditions.
Contact TopFlight Travels to compare current Quark sailing dates, ship options, cabin availability, and the best polar route for your travel style.
Ships and Accommodations on Quark Expeditions
Quark operates a purpose-built expedition fleet designed for polar conditions, remote access, and small-ship exploration. Ships vary by itinerary, passenger count, cabin layout, and onboard features.
Ultramarine: Quark’s flagship polar expedition ship carries up to 199 guests and is known for its two twin-engine helicopters, spacious suites, large viewing areas, and expanded adventure capabilities on select itineraries.
Ocean Explorer: A modern, intimate expedition vessel carrying up to 138 guests. Ocean Explorer is a strong fit for travelers who want a smaller ship, close connection with the expedition team, and comfortable polar exploration.
World Voyager: A 172-guest expedition ship with all-balcony suites, designed for science, discovery, and panoramic polar views from private outdoor space.
Cabins and suites vary by ship, but may include options from entry-level staterooms to spacious suites with balconies or expanded living areas. Choosing the right cabin matters on polar voyages because itinerary length, sea conditions, deck location, views, and budget all play a role.
Contact TopFlight Travels for the full ship comparison, deck plans, cabin recommendations, and current Quark availability.
Expedition Experience, Activities, and Onboard Life
Quark Expeditions is built around active exploration. Each voyage is led by an expedition team that may include polar historians, naturalists, marine biologists, photographers, geologists, glaciologists, and experienced expedition guides.
Daily activities depend on weather, ice, wildlife, and route conditions. Guests may experience Zodiac cruising, shore landings, guided hikes, wildlife viewing, photography support, lectures, recaps, and ship-based viewing from outdoor decks and lounges.
Select Quark voyages may also offer adventure options such as kayaking, paddling excursions, camping, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, or helicopter-supported experiences, depending on the ship and itinerary.
Onboard, the atmosphere is casual, comfortable, and expedition-focused. Expect warm public spaces, observation areas, dining, lectures, gear briefings, photography tips, and time to connect with the expedition team. This is not a formal cruise environment. The focus is the destination.
Pricing
Quark Expedition pricing varies significantly by destination, ship, cabin category, voyage length, season, and included logistics. Shorter Arctic or Antarctic Peninsula voyages are typically less expensive than longer South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Snow Hill, or Northwest Passage expeditions.
Most Quark fares include accommodations onboard, meals, expedition programming, Zodiac cruising, shore landings when conditions allow, and expert guides. Some itineraries may include charter flights, hotel nights, transfers, or special logistics, while other items such as international airfare, gratuities, travel insurance, premium beverages, optional adventure activities, and pre- or post-cruise arrangements may be additional.
As a Virtuoso member agency and expedition cruise specialist, TopFlight Travels helps you compare Quark sailings, identify the best value by ship and season, and secure available advisor amenities when applicable. Our service is complimentary. The cruise line pays us directly, so you pay the same fare and receive expert planning support.
How To Book Your Quark Expedition
TopFlight Travels is led by Julie Jones, a Travel + Leisure A-List advisor and Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist with three consecutive years of recognition in luxury and expedition cruises. As Virtuoso cruise specialists, we handle every detail of your voyage, from stateroom selection and specialty dining reservations to pre- and post-cruise arrangements.
1. Complete our Take a Cruise form.
Share your preferred polar region, travel dates, cabin preferences, activity interests, comfort level, and any bucket-list wildlife or photography goals.
take a cruise form
2. Research and booking
TopFlight Travels reviews available Quark ships, itineraries, cabin categories, pricing, inclusions, and expedition details. We help you compare Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, Svalbard, Greenland, Arctic Canada, and the Northwest Passage.
3. Management
Once you choose your expedition, we work directly with Quark to secure your cabin with applicable amenities. We can also assist with flights, hotels, transfers, gear guidance, travel insurance, optional adventure activities, and special requests.
4. Sail Away
Before departure, we organize and confirm your expedition details so you can simply arrive ready for Quark’s unforgettable polar adventure.
YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
Quark Expeditions FAQs
Quark Expeditions specializes exclusively in polar travel. Instead of entertainment-focused cruising, Quark centers each voyage around wildlife, ice, remote landscapes, expedition guides, Zodiac landings, and access to the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Quark sails to Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, Snow Hill Island, the Weddell Sea, Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Canada, the Northwest Passage, and select Patagonia routes. Exact destinations vary by ship, season, ice conditions, and itinerary.
The best Quark ship depends on your destination, travel style, and priorities. Ultramarine is known for helicopters and expanded adventure capability. Ocean Explorer offers a smaller, intimate polar experience. World Voyager offers all-balcony suites and strong viewing comfort.
Most fares include onboard accommodations, meals, expedition leadership, educational programming, Zodiac cruising, and shore landings when conditions allow. Some itineraries may include charter flights, hotels, or transfers. International airfare, gratuities, travel insurance, premium beverages, and optional adventure activities may be additional.
Pricing varies by itinerary, ship, cabin, and season. Antarctic Peninsula and Arctic voyages are generally priced differently from longer South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Snow Hill, and Northwest Passage expeditions. TopFlight Travels can compare current dates and cabins to help you find the best fit.
Yes. Quark is a strong choice for first-time polar travelers because the expedition team handles safety briefings, daily activity planning, wildlife interpretation, and route adjustments. You do not need prior expedition experience, but you should be comfortable with remote travel and changing weather conditions.
Most Quark voyages are designed for active travelers in reasonable health. Activities may include walking on uneven terrain, boarding Zodiacs, standing outdoors in cold weather, and navigating ship gangways. Guests can usually choose their activity level each day.
Popular polar voyages can sell out well in advance, especially Antarctica, South Georgia, Svalbard, Greenland, and Northwest Passage itineraries. Booking early gives you better cabin selection, more date options, and more time to plan flights, gear, and pre- or post-expedition logistics.
TopFlight Travels helps you compare Quark ships, cabins, dates, inclusions, and routing so you choose the right expedition from the start. We also manage booking details, payments, logistics, flights, hotels, transfers, insurance guidance, and special requests. Our service is complimentary because the cruise line pays us directly.
