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Quark Expeditions · Expedition cruising
Quark Expeditions cruises
Polar specialists since 1991, exploring the Arctic and Antarctica by Zodiac, kayak and, on Ultramarine, by helicopter to places ships cannot reach.
Quark sails three ships: Ultramarine with its two helicopters, the all-suite World Voyager and the X-Bow Ocean Explorer. Select drinks, basic Wi-Fi and a parka to keep are included, and on many voyages so is the charter flight and hotel package. Booking with us costs the same as booking direct with Quark Expeditions, and we look after the flights, hotels and transfers around your voyage.
Where Quark Expeditions sails
Polar specialists
Only the Arctic and Antarctica, with helicopters on Ultramarine to reach places ships alone cannot.
The Antarctic Peninsula
Classic 11 and 12 day voyages on all three ships, plus Antarctic Circle crossings, fly-the-Drake options and Ultramarine's helicopter voyages to the Weddell Sea and beyond.
South Georgia, the Falklands and Snow Hill
Penguin safaris to South Georgia and the Falklands, and Ultramarine's helicopter voyages to the emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island.
Svalbard
Spring and summer voyages in search of polar bears and walrus, including a full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen. Helicopters do not fly on Svalbard voyages.
Greenland and Iceland
Ultramarine flies guests over South Greenland's peaks and onto the ice sheet and circles Iceland by sea and air, while West Greenland voyages visit huge icebergs and Inuit communities.
The Canadian High Arctic
Northwest Passage voyages and Ultramarine's Canadian Arctic expedition with helicopters, exploring the islands and wildlife of Nunavut.
Ultramarine's helicopters
Two twin-engine Airbus H145 helicopters operate from Ultramarine's helidecks for flightseeing and landings, alongside 20 Zodiacs launched from a water-level hangar.
Highlight sailings
Three to start with
A few voyages we love right now. Booking with us costs the same as booking direct with Quark Expeditions.
Antarctica by Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains and Remote Lands
The Weddell Sea side of the Peninsula, from Brown Bluff to Paulet and James Ross Islands, with one heli-landing and two helicopter flightseeing trips included.
From £13,476 per person
Ask about this sailing
South Greenland: Alpine Exploration by Helicopter
East Greenland's Lindenow Fjord, then Prins Christian Sund and Tasermiut Fjord, known as Arctic Patagonia, with helicopter flightseeing and a helicopter visit to the Greenland ice sheet.
From £11,486 per person
Ask about this sailing
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent
Quark's classic introduction to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, also sailed by the all-suite World Voyager.
From £13,136 per person
Ask about this sailingPrices are per person, based on two sharing, and show Quark's lowest published fare for the season shown on its UK website. They do not include flights. Checked on 30 October 2026; prices and availability change, and we will confirm the latest when we quote.
Everything you need to know
Quark Expeditions at a glance
The questions our guests ask most, answered.
| The feel | Properly polar and outdoorsy, with lots of landings, a large expedition team and a sociable crowd who care more about wildlife than dressing up. |
|---|---|
| The ships | Ultramarine (199 guests, two Airbus H145 helicopters, 20 Zodiacs), World Voyager (168 guests, all suites, sailing Quark's Antarctic seasons from November 2026) and Ocean Explorer (138 guests, Ulstein X-Bow). |
| Cabins | World Voyager's suites all have a walk-out or glass Juliet balcony, Ultramarine ranges from Explorer Suites to Balcony Suites and the Owner's Suite, and almost every Ocean Explorer cabin has a veranda. Ultramarine has Solo Panorama cabins and Ocean Explorer has Studio Singles. |
| Included | All meals, select beer, wine and cocktails during bar hours and dinner, basic Wi-Fi on one device, a Quark parka to keep, boots on loan, Zodiac cruising and landings, and on many voyages the charter flight and hotel package. Helicopter voyages include set flightseeing trips. |
| Costs extra | International flights, waterproof trousers (essential for Zodiacs), adventure options such as kayaking, camping and some heli-landings, spa, laundry, premium Wi-Fi, gratuities and travel insurance, which we arrange for you. |
| Dress code | Casual and layered. Smart on an expedition means a collared shirt, and closed, non-slip shoes are worn on board at all times. |
| Children | Families do travel, but these are adult-focused polar voyages without a children's club. We will check age rules for your chosen voyage. |
| Solo travellers | Dedicated single cabins on Ultramarine and Ocean Explorer, and we will check current single supplements for you. |
Inclusions are as published by Quark Expeditions and can change. We will confirm exactly what your fare includes when we quote.
What our cruise guests say
Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 88 reviews on Trustpilot
Our guests often mention Ben, Hugh, Ashlie and the team by name. We think that says it all.
Read our reviews