Overview
Is Quark Expeditions right for you?
Quark Expeditions has sailed nothing but polar routes for more than three decades, giving it a depth of Arctic and Antarctic experience few competitors can match. Its fleet ranges from ice-class expedition ships to 50 Years of Victory, a genuine Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker that is one of the only vessels on earth capable of reaching the geographic North Pole. Itineraries span classic Antarctic Peninsula crossings, remote East Greenland and Svalbard voyages, and rare deep-Arctic expeditions, all led by polar specialists — many of whom have spent entire careers working in these regions.
Who it’s best for
- Bucket-list polar travelers, including North Pole seekers
- Wildlife-focused guests wanting deep Antarctic and Arctic access
- Adventure travelers wanting the widest range of polar itinerary options
- Repeat expedition cruisers looking for the most specialized operator
Popular ships
50 Years of Victory
A nuclear-powered icebreaker — one of the only ships on Earth that can reach the geographic North Pole.
Ultramarine
A purpose-built polar ship carrying twin helicopters for aerial wildlife viewing and remote landing access.
World Explorer
A comfortable expedition ship balancing polar capability with more traditional cabin amenities.
Cabin recommendations
Best value
Triple share and standard cabins on the ice-class ships offer the lowest entry point into a genuine polar expedition.
North Pole voyages
Book 50 Years of Victory well in advance — true North Pole sailings run only a handful of departures per year.
Wildlife photographers
Choose Ultramarine for its helicopter excursions, which reach viewing spots Zodiacs alone can’t access.
Dining
Included dining in a single main restaurant with hearty, flexible menus built around unpredictable polar schedules — meal times shift for wildlife sightings and landing opportunities. Casual lounges and a bar round out the onboard food and drink options.
Entertainment
Daily Zodiac landings, polar plunges, kayaking on select sailings, and nightly briefings from an expedition team of polar historians, glaciologists and wildlife experts. On Ultramarine, helicopter flightseeing adds a further layer most competitors can’t offer.
What’s included
- Daily Zodiac excursions and expert-led landings
- Expedition parka to keep on polar voyages
- Nightly recap talks from polar specialists
- Gratuities included on many sailings
- Helicopter excursions on select ships (Ultramarine)
Quark Expeditions FAQs
Yes — 50 Years of Victory is a genuine nuclear-powered icebreaker and one of very few ships capable of reaching the geographic North Pole, though these sailings are rare, expensive and book years in advance.
Quark sails exclusively polar routes and has for over three decades, giving it deeper regional expertise and a wider range of Arctic and Antarctic itineraries — including extreme voyages most lines don’t attempt — than operators who split their fleet across the globe.
Yes — alongside its most extreme sailings, Quark offers more classic, accessible Antarctic Peninsula and Svalbard itineraries well suited to first-time expedition travelers, and the team scales excursions to every guest’s comfort level.