Quark Expeditions
Quark Expeditions is a polar specialist that sells small-ship voyages only to the Arctic and Antarctica. It is headquartered in Seattle and belongs to Travelopia, a UK-based travel group, and its ships carry no more than 200 guests, with an expedition team that leads Zodiac landings, lectures and optional activities such as kayaking and camping.
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About Quark Expeditions
Co-founders Lars Wikander and Mike McDowell started the company in 1991 and took the first tourist group to the North Pole aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker. For years Quark chartered Russian icebreakers and ice-class ships, among them Kapitan Khlebnikov and 50 Years of Victory. Its first owned ship, the 199-guest Ultramarine with two helicopters, arrived in 2021. The current fleet pairs Ultramarine with the chartered Ocean Explorer, and from the 2026–27 season adds World Voyager on a seasonal charter from Atlas Ocean Voyages. The long-serving charters Ocean Adventurer and World Explorer left in 2024 and 2026.
Antarctic voyages, including Falklands and South Georgia routes, run in the southern summer and mostly start in Ushuaia, Argentina; northern summer voyages visit Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland.
What Quark Expeditions is known for
Quark is one of the longest-established names in polar travel, and reviewers often credit its experienced expedition teams, the range of activities on offer and the careful way it runs landings. Ultramarine's helicopter program and water-level Zodiac hangar are frequently singled out, since few rival ships offer either, and the company's small ships allow frequent time ashore.
The main criticisms relate to cost and consistency. Polar voyages are expensive, and the most distinctive experiences, such as helicopter flightseeing or camping, have limited places. Because much of Quark's fleet has been chartered, the ships, cabins and onboard style have changed from season to season, and travelers booking a specific voyage should check which ship operates it. Crossings of the Drake Passage can be rough, which affects any Antarctic operator sailing from South America.
Who it's for
Expedition · small ships to remote places, with naturalists and landings
- Adventure seekers
- Couples
- Solo travelers
Quark suits travelers whose priority is the polar regions themselves: first-time Antarctic visitors who want an experienced operator, and returning polar travelers looking for more active options such as kayaking, camping or helicopter flights from Ultramarine. Solo travelers will find dedicated offers, and the small guest numbers suit people who want time ashore rather than time on board.
Anyone looking for warm-water cruising or a broad mix of destinations needs another line, since Quark sails only to the poles, and travelers who want extensive luxury amenities, large suites or a varied entertainment program should compare luxury expedition lines.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 4/5
- Dining
- 3/5
- Entertainment
- 2/5
- Service
- 4/5
- Pools & decks
- 2/5
- Value
- 3/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 2 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
Where Quark Expeditions sails
Ships
Best rated
#13.0 ★Ocean Explorer2021 · 138 guests · Antarctica · Northern EuropeOcean Explorer is a 138-guest expedition ship completed in 2021 at the Haimen shipyard in Jiangsu, China, and chartered by Quark from her owner, SunStone, from the 2024–25…
#23.0 ★Ultramarine2021 · 199 guests · Antarctica · Northern EuropeUltramarine is Quark Expeditions' first wholly owned ship, built at the Brodosplit yard in Split, Croatia, and delivered in 2021. The 128-meter ship carries up to 199 guests with…Every ship
Former ships
| Ship | Sailed | Gross tons | Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Explorer | 2019–2026 | — | April 2026 |
| Ocean Adventurer | 1975–2024 | 4,376 | October 2024 |
Photos
Quark Expeditions' Ultramarine in polar waters.Quark Expeditions / Sam Crimmin
Where to fly in
- Ushuaia - Malvinas Argentinas International (USH)2 Quark Expeditions ships sail from Ushuaia, Argentina1 lounge on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is Quark Expeditions known for?
Quark is one of the longest-established names in polar travel, and reviewers often credit its experienced expedition teams, the range of activities on offer and the careful way it runs landings. Ultramarine's helicopter program and water-level Zodiac hangar are frequently singled out, since few rival ships offer either, and the company's small ships allow frequent time ashore.
Who is Quark Expeditions best for?
Quark suits travelers whose priority is the polar regions themselves: first-time Antarctic visitors who want an experienced operator, and returning polar travelers looking for more active options such as kayaking, camping or helicopter flights from Ultramarine. Solo travelers will find dedicated offers, and the small guest numbers suit people who want time ashore rather than time on board.
Where does Quark Expeditions sail?
Quark Expeditions's ships in service sail Northern Europe (2 ships), Antarctica (2 ships) and South America (1 ship).
How is Quark Expeditions rated?
Quark Expeditions's fleet averages 3.0 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 2 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is Ocean Explorer at 3.0.
How many ships does Quark Expeditions have?
Quark Expeditions has 2 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Ocean Explorer and Ultramarine.
Who owns Quark Expeditions?
Quark Expeditions is part of Travelopia.
Where is Quark Expeditions based?
Quark Expeditions is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It has operated since 1991.
What is Quark Expeditions's loyalty program called?
Quark Expeditions's past-guest loyalty program is The Shackleton Club.
Cruising with children
A Quark voyage is an expedition to share with an older child, subject to the operator’s contract and activity rules. Age eligibility should be confirmed before comparing optional adventures.
Read the Quark Expeditions family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
House wine is included in Quark Expeditions' fares, so you may not need a drinks package. If you'd want cocktails or premium wines, enter what they cost.
House wine is included in Quark Expeditions' fares, so you may not need a drinks package at all. Quark Expeditions ↗
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A typical drink you'd buy on board.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
6drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 5.8 drinks at $13. Over 7 days that's $525, or 41 drinks for the cruise.
Pay as you go
At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $70 less than the package.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $455
Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about Quark Expeditions and its ships
- What a glass of house wine costs on cruise lines, and which ones pour it free
From $9 on Royal Caribbean to $14 on MSC, and free on 25 lines. The prices behind Cruise Frog's drinks package calculator.
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- 5 things Quark Expeditions does well—and 1 it doesn’t
Five strengths of Quark Expeditions, one clear drawback, and the travelers most likely to enjoy its cruise style.
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