Quark Expeditions

• 1Fare includes all meals, soft drinks, coffee and tea, beer, wine and cocktails during bar hours and dinner, basic Wi-Fi on one device, Zodiac landings, a parka to keep and loaner boots; gratuities are voluntary and many itineraries include a charter flight and hotel package.
• 2Three polar-class ships of 138-199 guests: Ultramarine with two twin-engine helicopters, Ocean Explorer (X-Bow), and the all-balcony World Voyager, new for Antarctica 2026/27.
• 3Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea and Snow Hill emperor penguins, South Georgia and the Falklands, plus Arctic voyages to Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland and the Northwest Passage.
• 4Shackleton Club loyalty: automatic Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers with booking credits, shipboard credit and Adventure Option discounts.

Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.

Gratuities (standard rooms)

Not included: voluntary, at the guest's discretion (no suggested amount published)Per cruise line

Gratuities (suites)

Not included: voluntary, at the guest's discretion (no suggested amount published)Per cruise line

Drink package

Included during bar service hours and dinner: beer, standard wines, spirits and cocktails (Ocean Explorer); select beer, wines and select cocktails (Ultramarine, World Voyager)Per cruise line

Sources differ

Quark's pages word the free bar differently. Ocean Explorer inclusions and the Dec 2023 release say beer, standard wines, spirits and cocktails are free during bar service hours and dinner; Ultramarine and World Voyager inclusions say 'select beer, wines and select cocktails'. The same exclusions lists still name 'bar' charges, and the Expedition Contract charges for alcohol 'unless expressly stated'. We show each ship's inclusions as the itinerary pages list them; drinks outside those and outside bar hours are charged.Antarctic Explorer inclusions Free Wi-Fi and bar release (Dec 2023) Expedition Contract

Premium drink package

Extra cost: drinks outside the included 'select'/'standard' range and outside bar service hours (no list or prices published)Per cruise line

Soda package

Included (soft drinks and juices)Per cruise line

Non-alcoholic package

Included: coffee, tea and cocoa around the clock (no specialty-coffee charge or package published)Per cruise line

Wi-Fi (basic)

Included: basic Wi-Fi on one device (browsing, email, social media, voice apps); World Voyager guests get a free 1GB data cardPer cruise line

Sources differ

Quark's pages differ on Wi-Fi for World Voyager. Itinerary inclusions say 'World Voyager guests will receive a free 1GB data card for limited Wi-Fi access for use on one device'; the Company Information fleet table lists 'Complimentary Wi-Fi at limited speeds, premium Wi-Fi available for purchase' for all three ships, including World Voyager. We show the itinerary inclusions.Antarctic Explorer inclusions Company Information

Wi-Fi (premium)

Extra cost: premium Wi-Fi packages (World Voyager: additional data); prices not publishedPer cruise line

Specialty dining package

Not offered (all meals included; Ultramarine's Bistro 487 and Ocean Explorer's Observation Bistro are alternative casual venues, no charge published)Per cruise line

Specialty dining (avg per meal)

Not applicable (no extra-charge dining)Per cruise line

Fitness classes

Gym on every ship; informal yoga studio space on Ultramarine; no class schedule or prices publishedPer cruise line

Spa / thermal pass

Spa treatments and massages extra, by booking (no prices published); sauna on every ship, steam room on Ultramarine, Jacuzzis on Ocean Explorer and World VoyagerPer cruise line

Air program

International air not included and Quark doesn't book it. Many itineraries include a Charter Flight & Hotel package (e.g. Buenos Aires-Ushuaia group flights plus a hotel night, valued at $1,295); Antarctic Express voyages fly across the Drake on Quark's charter.Per cruise line

Other fees & perks

Included: miscellaneous service taxes and port charges, Zodiac landings and cruising, expedition team, parka to keep, boots on loan, onboard luggage handling. Extra: international air, mandatory waterproof pants, laundry, bar outside inclusions, spa, Adventure Options (kayaking, camping, heli-landings etc.), extra hotel nights, insurance. 2.8% surcharge on U.S.-billed credit cards. Changes: US$500 admin fee (requested 120+ days out); date transfer within the same season US$1,000 per person (180+ days out). Mandatory medical insurance of at least USD 50,000.Per cruise line

How to tell the cruise line

Tell Quark at booking (or any time after) of any medical or physical disability or limitation; complete the online medical form at least 90 days before Day 1, with a physician-signed form for listed conditions or prescription medicines. Dietary needs go on the medical form. Per cruise line

Wheelchairs & scooters

Very limited. Guests need a high level of mobility, must manage safety drills and evacuation without help, and need good knee and hip mobility for Zodiacs; Quark says trips may not suit anyone who needs an assistive device to move about. Doorways to outer decks have raised watertight frames. Per cruise line

Service animals

No animals of any kind allowed on board or on the expedition; the contract makes no service-animal exception. Per cruise line

Medical equipment & pregnancy

An expedition doctor and a basic infirmary on every voyage; adequate medical facilities can be 72+ hours away; prescriptions can't be refilled and over-the-counter medicines are very limited. Medical services are at the guest's expense. Per cruise line

Sources differ

Quark's pages differ on how many doctors sail. The Ships page says 'two doctors onboard every ship'; the Health & Safety page says 'an expedition doctor on board for every voyage' and the FAQ 'a ship doctor on board'. We show the Health & Safety page and FAQ.FAQ: Health & Safety Ships at a Glance FAQ

Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.

Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium