Quark Expeditions

We recently did Quark's Epic Voyage from Ushuaia to the Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Circle and back on m/v Ultramarine.We ‘pushed the boat out’ financially to do this outstanding extended trip, feeling we would not get down to Antarctica again and needed to see as much as possible whilst there - we were not found wanting for anything! The expedition team, ship's Captain and Hotel Captain ensured we had a truly life-enhancing trip, one that we had been looking forward to from the day it was booked and the memories of which will remain with us for the rest of our days.It really was a trip of superlatives.Ultramarine was super comfy and even on the days we experienced a bit more of a swell it was not uncomfortable at all - that said, the Expetition leader and Captain 'outwitted' the weather the whole way round and even got us across the Drake Passage without having to test her capabilities in a really rough sea-state! The hotel team ensured we were well looked after and so very well fed (gratifyingly, despite 3 amazing meals a day; tea/coffee and nibbles on tap, more alcohol than I would normally drink and a huge birthday cake on the last day, I only put on 1lb). Our cabin was very comfortable and so capacious we didn't even use all the cupboards.But it was the exped team, the scenery, weather and the wildlife that we were in awe of; the team managed all our expectations so very well from the outset and they in turn were far exceeded at every twist and turn of the daily programme. What a simply SUPERB trip it was and the fantastic weather was, like the icebergs and glaciers the 'icing on the cake'. My only regrets, if I had any, were that I didn't go on one Zodiac Cruise - thereafter I pledged not to miss a single trip out as each subsequent venture did indeed prove to be so very different from any of the others and we just loved each and every outing. I also didn't do the Polar Plunge (I was told I would regret it and regret it I have, but there we go - another life-lesson learned). Every single one of the team was phenomanal: knowledgable about their own specialiasation; huge fun; highly professional and extremely personable and they always went above and beyond to help us all with smiles on their faces - be it species identificaton; glaciation, help getting in and out of Zodiacs; introducing many to flying, helping us all so 'pick' our boots and velcro and making sure we were all safe. I keep looking at our TV wondering whether we are going to be introduced to yet another species of penguin; another Polar explorer or expedition, cetacean or glaciation process. We learned so much from all the phenomenal guides. To be quite frank TV here in the UK is looking extremely dull and banal after the excitement of the past month!I felt a little apprehensive before we left for the trip, but the confidence they all exuded made the trip so very easy and enjoyable. When I did my heli-landing I was standing quietly alone on the mountainside, with just the wind and sunshine for company, looking down at the ship, a mere pinprick amongst the icebergs, with the HUGE vista laid out before me in every direction. It really was a 'Biblical' moment for me and only now do we realise what draws all the amazing staff to these spectacular locations. It was the most moving moment of the trip for me - how very small we are in this magical world we call home. I felt totally at ease up there in that wilderness, knowing that if something did go wrong - weather close in etc, we were in the safest of hands and that they would get us safely back onboard.The resulting photo journal is such a lovely reminder of our time with Quark, and the many new friends we have made, It really was the most remarkable journey and hope that we may venture north on another voyage with Quark, once we have had a chance to refil the coffers - Thank you one and all.

I have to split this review into several sections as we have dealt with various people at quark.Reservation: easy and responsive communication via email. Make sure you know what you want to narrow down the available options. The booking, payment and pre-departure information were received timely. I would always book through quark’s travel agents directly again.COVID related postponements: in March 2020 we were denied boarding as we have been traveling from Europe with a layover in Italy. We were literally dropped on the sidewalk with our luggage and left without any help to replan the next 9 days, which were supposed to be the cruise. After hours of discussion with neither the friendliest nor most helpful walk representative, there was nothing else possible then to rebook the departure for the next and last ship in that season, which later was canceled due to closure of the Harbour in Ushuaia. Only then, the guest relations team started to work with us to help us to leave Ushuaia. 2 years of communication and rebooking Alternative followed before we could finally go on this trip. Quick and active support is required for such a travel, an area where Quark has not been good at that time.7th continent expedition:After several tries, we finally got to board the world explorer. This is a rather new vessel, which gives a lot of comfort to a 9 nights travel (~ 4 full on sea days). Whirlpool, gym, spa, reading area, shop and big common areas. We enjoyed our stay tremendously. We were very well taken care of especially by the hotel crew. The food was impressive. Such a great variety, plenty of food and really nice service.The communication between the expedition crew and the hotel could be improve as the reception wasn’t able to answer tour related questions. Also sometimes the information received on the daily itineraries were not accurate, which was quite confusing. All in all, noting to complain.The expedition crew is very experienced and we felt safe at all times. We enjoyed the extra information given through the lectures by various experts. Antarctica and it’s ecosystem has the highest priority, and everybody is very caution to preserve it with very little disruption by tourism, which is great. Just on the way back some seemed more to fill the time than really related to the journey.Highlights were definitely the adventure options. We opted in for sup and camping. Both definitely recommendable as these are really unique experiences. Very cool is also the package you receive after the trip, which includes all presentations, photos, exact itinerary, menus etc.What we didn’t like so much is that it was not clear how often we would be able to disembark and how many sea days were planned. From our 10 days trip 1 night is prior to boarding the vessel, 1,5 days on sea through drake passage and then on the way back another 2,5 days, thus in total 50%. Also, the airport shuttle wasn’t waiting at the airport. We had to reach out to the ground staff to get somebody to pick us up.All in all, Antarctica and Quark is highly recommended as the groups are small (140 persons), many experts are available and efficient structures.

An incredible trip to Antarctica. The whole experience was great. The world Explorer is a beautiful and very comfortable ship, the food was amazing. End of course the landings and cruising the area was a once in a lifetime experience. The staff was fabulous, answering all questions, adjusting the scheduled on the go because of changing circumstances and weather. This was my second trip with Quark - my first one was to the Artic - and again a great experience!

From booking to embarkation to disembarkation the Quark process was seamless. Our Antarctica trip was truly a trip of a lifetime. The Ultramarine is a beautiful, modern, comfortable ship that has all aspects of such an endeavor covered. There needs to be more than 5 stars for rating the staff! They went above and beyond to make sure the passengers were tended to. The staff leaders made modifications to the schedule (due to weather) to make sure we had ever experience possible.We were so impressed we have booked another expedition. Headed to the Arctic in June. With Quark, of course!

I had an 20 day cruise on the Quark Ocean Diamond in Jan-Feb 2023 called Falklands

Everything about this cruise was incredible! The expedition team was knowledgeable and always happy to answer questions and teach. Antarctica itself was full of stunning scenery and wildlife. The whole itinerary was well planned and organized with multiple landings and zodiac cruises. The kitchen crew prepared an incredible feast for every meal and even as a vegetarian, I had plenty of options to choose from. And the polar plunge was definitely the highlight of the trip! If you're looking to take a trip to Antarctica, I absolutely recommend going with Quark!

I chose Quark’s “Fly the Drake” expedition because it focused on locations immediately in and around Antarctica. The expedition departs from Punta Arenas, Chile - not by ship, but by a chartered 3-hour flight that arrives on a gravel airstrip on King George Island. This approach bypasses the Drake Passage and its potentially turbulent waters. Quark's expedition includes one night before departure at Dreams Hotel and Casino, in Punta Arenas; and another night upon our return from King George Island at the end of the trip.As the senior staff reminded us prior to the day we were to head out on the flight, conditions on the Island could restrict our ability to land (and, after the trip, to return). The gravel landing strip is shared by Spain and Russia and is rustic. Brace yourself when landing on the strip. Our initial departure time - 7 a.m. - was scrubbed in favor of an afternoon departure to the Island. This meant we commenced the World Explorer part of the trip later than expected. This underscores the point that Fly the Drake is not a cruise - it's an expedition. Apart from targeting departure and arrival dates, the captain and crew did not provide an itinerary in advance of our landing on the Island. Instead, we had nightly briefings that reported where we were and where we hoped to travel the following day. This gave our well-traveled crew the chance to get the most out of our time in the waters off Antarctica.Each day during these briefings our crew members, the naturalists, social scientists, and navigators, would explain what wildlife we might see. They did not disappoint. We saw Gentoo, Adelie, and Chinstrap penguins, petrels and cormorants, skuas and terns; and we saw fin and humpback whales, fur, leopard and Weddell seals, and witnessed the successful hunting of penguins by orcas. While much of this might have been lost on me, our crew brought these sightings to our attention in time for us to share in the experience.The expedition brought us to Active Sound, Deception Island, Yankee Harbor, Neptune's Bellows and Window, Paradise Harbor, Whaler's Bay, Elephant Point, Cierva Cove, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, and Mikkelsen Harbour. Where conditions permitted it, the crew would have us board Zodiacs (rubber pontoon motorboats) and either bring us to land or experience the land mass from the Zodiacs. Where weather obscured our view, the captain and crew would use the time to position the World Explorer to prepare for sightings at locations where the weather was more accommodating.Itinerary:Yankee Harbor 62° 32′ 0″ S, 59° 47′ 0″ WGreenwich Island (South Shetland Islands) 62° 31′ 0″ S, 59° 47′ 0″ WWhalers Bay (South Shetland Islands) 62° 59′ 0″ S, 60° 34′ 0″ WNeptune’s Window (South Shetland Islands) 62° 59′ 0″ S, 60° 33′ 0″ WNeptune’s Bellows (South Shetland Islands) 63° 0′ 0″ S, 60° 34′ 0″ WDeception Island 62° 58′ 37″ S, 60° 39′ 0″ WSkontorp Cove (in Paradise Harbor) 64° 54′ 0″ S, 62° 52′ 0″ WParadise Harbor 64° 49′ 0″ S, 62° 52′ 0″ WCuverville Island 64° 49′ 0″ S, 62° 52′ 0″ WMikkelsen Harbor 63° 54′ 0″ S, 60° 47′ 0″ WD’Hainaut Island 63° 54′ 8.72″ S, 60° 47′ 28.83″ WTrinity Island 63° 47′ 0″ S, 60° 44′ 0″ WCierva Cove 64° 9′ 0″ S, 60° 53′ 0″ WActive Sound and Brown Bluff 63° 32′ 0″ S, 56° 55′ 0″ WKinnes Cove 63° 22′ 0″ S, 56° 33′ 0″ WKing George Island (South Shetland Islands) 62° 2′ 0″ S, 58° 21′ 0″ WTips:Given the high level of service provided over the five days of the expedition, I tipped the cabin steward US$120, the two main bartenders (Carla and Jose) $60 each, and $40 each to the breakfast line cook and the two main meal attendants who were assigned to the area where I was seated for lunch and dinner. I also tipped the housekeeping service pool $300.

Just returned from a fantastic trip to Greenland. Ultramarine is a gorgeous vessel and the staff and expedition leaders are the absolute best! Zodiac cruising among the icebergs and the heli-sightseeing was memorable. Food was too good (I've put on some pounds!). I am already planning my next Quark expedition (did one with them to Antarctica four years ago).

We've just returned from a 14-night Antarctic trip with Quark Crossing the Circle" & we can't rate them highly enough!! Everything was exceptional

A friend and I had the pleasure of travelling on the Quark Expeditions West Greenland Expedition on the Ultramarine in August. Because of a number of problems beyond their control, the Expedition was changed from the original itinerary, however the Quark team worked very to provid an alternate itinerary to Greenland that was fantastic.The Expedition team were always smiling, well informed, and willing to answer any questions or to assist in boarding and exiting the zodiacs used for excursions. Many members of the team were experts in subjects such as icebergs, bird life, marine biology, geology, and other subjects.The Ultramarine facilities were top notch, and the staterooms were roomy and comfortable. The housekeeping staff did a great job, and the dining room staff were exceptionally accommodating and willing to provide any special requests or meet any dietary restrictions.Having on-board helicopters allowed everyone to experience a sight-seeing trip over the glaciers, and the pilots and support staff were always eager to answer questions.The Quark team did an amazing job to provide all guests with an unforgettable experience.