Quark Expeditions offers cruises to the most remote places on the planet, in the Arctic and Antarctic. On these true expedition cruises, you will be taken on an excursion to very beautiful places with privileged fauna and flora and unique nature. You will follow the footsteps of the great explorers on board ships designed entirely to navigate in extreme conditions. Your Quark cruise will forever remain in your memory!
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Founded in 1991 in Connecticut by Mike McDowell and Lars Wikander, Quark Expeditions was the pioneering company in expedition cruises to the Far North. It was the first to successfully cross the Northern Passage, notably with the help of the icebreaker Sovetskiy Soyuz.
The company joined the TUI Travel PLC group in 2007. A cruise with Quark combines the scientific and high end aspects you would expect from an expedition cruise. Passengers are accompanied by bilingual experts who will give them all the information they need about the wildlife.
Quark Expeditions has a fleet of 7 ships. Quark offers intimate and personalized cruises to its passengers, so that they can enjoy an even more rewarding cruise experience. The company's ships can accommodate a maximum of 200 passengers. On each ship, zodiacs are installed to ensure access to the most remote areas. There is also a doctor and a laundry on board. Quark's fleet is divided into two categories:
Two boats in the authentic icebreaker category:
The 50 Years of Victory is the largest ship in the fleet. It has a capacity of 128 passengers on board, divided into 64 cabins. This icebreaker can easily destroy up to 2.5 meters of ice.
The company's second icebreaker is the Kapitan Khlebnikov. It can accommodate 110 passengers in 51 cabins. Cruisers can even take advantage of helicopter tours.
And five boats in the small expedition boat category:
The Ocean Diamond can accommodate 189 passengers. Certified CarbonNeutral, it is an eco-friendly boat, which will seduce you with its modernity and speed.
With a capacity of 78 passengers, the Ocean Nova is a ship of incomparable comfort and modernity.
The Ocean Adventurer can accommodate 128 passengers on board. This ship is the redesigned version of the 2017 Sea Adventurer. A true technological marvel, it has a smaller carbon footprint and more efficient engines.
The Ocean Endeavour can accommodate 199 guests on board. You can relax and unwind after a day's expedition in the spa, which includes a Jacuzzi and sauna.
The company's latest arrival is the World Explorer. At 126 meters long, this ship accommodates 176 passengers for a breathtaking experience.
Quark is specialized in expedition cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic, and takes you to polar destinations with exceptional, undiscovered landscapes that will leave you breathless. Get ready to discover distant lands on your Quark cruise accompanied by experts.
Be amazed by the seventh continent of the globe: Antarctica. Meet penguins, whales, seals and sea lions, and get up close and personal with zodiacs to the most remote areas. For 7 to 20 days, you'll experience the wildest nature, wildlife and flora as you walk on ice during your excursions. In the evenings, you'll enjoy relaxing on board the comfortable Quark ships.
Discovered in the 1800s, the Arctic has many surprises in store for you. During your expeditions, discover lynx, polar bears and rare birds! Travel through Canada, Iceland, Russia, Alaska, the Arctic, Greenland and experience an unforgettable cruise with Quark!
Quark Expeditions has set up a unique 'Adventure Camp' programme in collaboration with Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge. For one week, 26 cruisers camp on the continent in total immersion with nature. Don't miss out on this unique experience!
Your taste buds will be delighted during your cruise with Quark! You can enjoy a different menu every single day, prepared by international chefs. In the morning and at lunchtime, you will have access to a full vegetarian-friendly buffet with a variety of delicious dishes. For dinner, all passengers will dine in the ship's restaurant. At 16:00, Quark offers Tea Time on the return from your expedition: a perfect way to warm up!
Quark Expeditions makes it a point of honor to respect the environment. Quark tries to make its passengers as aware as possible during their cruises, by transmitting these values of respect and protection of the planet. The paper used onboard is recycled paper, the ink is acid-free, the cleaning products are environmentally friendly etc. The company is committed to ecological tourism and wishes to make its passengers aware of the fragile beauty and importance of preserving our planet.
The company also supports a number of organizations whose aim is to preserve the planet and its wildlife. These include Clean Up Svalbard, Underwater Bait Setter, Polar Bears International, The South Georgia Heritage Trust etc. This is yet another step in the company's efforts to raise awareness of sustainable development issues.
The company's loyalty programme is called the Shackleton Club. It is named after the great Antarctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton. Membership of this club is completely free and allows passengers to be rewarded with many privileges. Your status changes according to the number of Quark cruises completed: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
