Ocean Adventurer

There is one dining room located on the Upper Deck. If there is one constant at sea, it is that you’ll enjoy delicious meals on a daily basis. While meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you’ll always be served three meals a day. Hours of operation will be posted around the ship, and are subject to change based on the activities planned for each day.

There is one seating for all passengers at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dining room has an open seating policy.

Assortments of fresh-baked cookies and/or pastries are offered each afternoon. There is also a selection of hot and cold snacks available in the lounge during cocktail hour.

Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet style, while dinners are served plated. À la carte meals are made at the time of your order, allowing our chefs to prepare each dish to your individual needs. Working in a small kitchen, our chefs are able to monitor and control the quality of food being served, ensuring you receive top quality meals during the course of your expedition.

A comfortable space where passengers learn more from our world-class experts about the adventures enjoyed and the wonders to come, featuring a high-resolution LED screen, real-time translations, and live broadcasting for those who prefer to listen from the ease of their suite.

If you forgot any essentials or need a little souvenir from your voyage, the Polar Boutique on the Main Deck is our onboard gift shop. Opening hours will vary based on the daily expedition activities.

Gifts and souvenirs are great to bring home as mementos of your polar expedition. In addition to small souvenirs, our Polar Boutique offers a selection of expedition gear, including base layer clothing, waterproof pants, gloves and more.

The well-stocked bar on the ship is open to enjoy with your fellow shipmates in the late morning, afternoon and evening. Soft drinks, juices and water are available at no cost, and beer and wine are offered with dinner. A selection of liquors, spirits, and premium beer, wine and champagne is available and can be charged to your shipboard account.

Please note that it is Quark Expeditions®’ policy to not serve alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 18 years.

On the Captain's Deck, you will find a small library of polar books, reference materials and general reading material. The library is open 24 hours a day and also includes a selection of games for your entertainment. Whatever your personal interests are, we’re sure you’ll find something worth reading. The collection includes books in multiple languages covering subjects like wildlife, history, marine biology, ecology and geology. A selection of field guides, picture books and reference books is also at your disposal.

More information coming soon.

Zodiacs are used for transferring you ashore, transporting your luggage when necessary and for taking you ocean-level cruising among icebergs, whales and seabirds. During the expedition, you will visit remote and isolated sites that are accessible only by Zodiac.

These large, heavy-duty inflatable vessels are extremely safe and were specially designed for expedition work. Zodiacs are the workhorses of Polar expeditions. Separate air compartments retain a large reserve of buoyancy even if these sturdy boats are damaged. Their flat bottom design permits the craft to land directly onto the cobble and ice-strewn beaches that you will encounter on your Polar expedition.

Sea Kayaking in the Antarctic

Positioning yourself in the seat of a kayak is one of the most intimate ways travelers can connect with the polar regions—at water level, up close, where you can touch and feel every polar sensation imaginable. The Sea Kayak Program enables a small group of like-minded individuals to forge bonds as they explore fjords, glacial faces or mazes of sea ice.

Quark Expeditions Sea Kayak Program is a voyage-length program available in Antarctica, in which kayakers (those who have minimal experience as well as seasoned paddlers) will enjoy the polar regions from a unique perspective.

Conditions and logistics permitting, your kayak guide(s) will endeavor to have you paddling as often as possible throughout the voyage. Typically, sea kayakers are shuttled by Zodiac from the ship to an ideal starting point, where the kayak excursion begins. Guests return to the ship by Zodiac at the end of their paddling experience. Some kayak excursions are designed so guests can go ashore and explore.

In addition to the kayak guides, a safety driver in a Zodiac will always stay nearby to offer assistance if required. Excursions typically last one and a half to three hours.

Note: Due to its popularity and limited space, if you want to ensure a space in the Sea Kayak program, please register when you book your expedition. While the program routinely fills up well before the voyage, if there are vacant spaces when you board the vessel you may sign up. Quark Expedition guides attempt to lead guests on as many sea kayak excursions as possible, but the number of excursions will depend on weather and sea conditions as well as logistical factors. Be prepared to paddle in a double or single kayak depending on availability.

Is Kayaking Experience Necessary?

The Sea Kayak program was developed to accommodate kayakers with a range of experience. Please don’t hesitate to consult with our polar travel advisors if you have any questions.

Provided gear

• Sea kayaks (single or double)
• Paddle
• Spray-skirt
• Drysuit
• Insulated rubber gloves and pogies*
• PFD (personal flotation device)
• Neoprene booties
• 10L dry bag
• Water bottle (provided in rooms upon embarkation)

Other recommended gear/clothing

• Thermal base layer top and bottom (synthetic or wool, no cotton)
• Thin fleece 200 weight top or wool sweater
• Fleece pants
• Liner socks
• Thick wool socks
• Neckwarmer
• Thin fleece or wool liner glove to wear under rubber gloves (if you wish)
• Warm hat
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen
• Camera (either waterproof, in exterior waterproof housing, or stored in a drybag)
• Waterproof backpack or a drybag

Alpine Kayaking in the Arctic

Our expert kayak guides will take you beyond to remote glacial lakes high in the upper alpine zones of Southern Greenland. Find yourself in complete tranquility as you pioneer the untouched and raw beauty of these isolated lakes. Once deployed by our helicopters, you will find yourself immersed in the most remote corners of this area of Greenland.

Arctic & Antarctic

Hiking in the polar regions differs from your typical trail experience. Here, in a tree-less terrain, you are the tallest figure on the landscape as you walk over spongy tundra, crusty snow or sandy beaches in remotes parts of the Arctic and Antarctica. Stepping ashore anywhere in the polar regions means you’re not a distant observer.

Our organized hikes range from short jaunts to the top of lookouts or visits to see wildlife or longer walks of several kilometers over ice and rock and snow. Hiking excursions may last from two to three hours with plenty of time for photographs of wildlife, learning moments from your experienced guides, or just time to stand back and admire the incredible polar surroundings.

No experience is necessary but participants should be able to get in and out of a Zodiac and walk on uneven terrain. Hiking options are tailored to all interests and abilities, from those who want to contemplate the landscape in silence to photographers who want that perfect image to energetic travelers who want to summit a peak in the hopes of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.

Equipment you’ll be provided with for hiking outings

• Trekking poles are available upon request
• Bring your Quark Parka and collapsible water bottle provided at embarkation (they’re yours to keep)
• Muck boots (loaned to you for the duration of your expedition)

Other recommended gear/clothing

• Base and mid-layer clothing
• Waterproof breathable pants
• Wool or synthetic hiking socks
• Warm hat
• Brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof and sunscreen and lip balm (minimum SPF 30)
• Backpack, preferably water-resistant (or with a rain cover)
• Warm gloves
• Camera and accessories

Arctic & Antarctic

The Polar Plunge is scheduled once during each voyage. Throughout the journey, the Expedition Leader and Captain constantly monitor conditions in order to choose the optimal time and location. The Polar Plunge sometimes takes place onshore or, in many cases, from the gangway or Zodiac. All participants wear a tethered harness and plunge into the polar waters from the side of Zodiac or safety of the gangplank cheered on, of course, by fellow passengers and Expedition Team.

Safety is paramount—the onboard physician always attends the Polar Plunge. Guides in survival gear circle the area in Zodiacs as guests take their turn jumping or cannon-balling into the polar waters.

Arctic & Antarctic

Every sweep of the paddle as your craft glides through the pristine polar waters creates an incredible soundtrack: the jostle of glacial ice, the lapping of waves against the rocky shore, the perpetual drip from your paddle, the call of seabirds, and the occasional splash as wildlife break the surface of the water.

Our Paddle Excursion Program provides sit-on-top, two-person, inflatable kayaks that provide guests with an intimate, water-level experience in unforgettable locations in both the Arctic and Antarctica. These stable, rugged and comfortable crafts are an ideal way to see the polar regions from a different perspective. On-ship, you'll be provided with instruction and equipment including dry suits, personal flotation devices (PFDs), and waterproof gloves. Experienced guides will lead you safely throughout the paddling excursion. Your group will always be escorted by a safety driver in another kayak who will stay close by to provide additional support.

Excursions last a minimum of one hour and are offered to participants once per voyage. Each group includes 10 paddlers, 1 guide and 1 one safety Zodiac driver. The wind, weather and water conditions determine the timing and location of Paddling Excursions.

Is Kayaking Experience Necessary?

The Paddle Excursion was created for guests with little or no paddling experience, or for those who want a single paddle experience to add variety to their expedition. Participants must be fit enough to enter and exit the kayak from the Zodiac, and to maneuver with your paddle.

Provided Gear

• Inflatable Super Lynx sit-on-top kayak
• Paddle
• Drysuit
• Insulated rubber gloves
• PFD (personal flotation device)
• Neoprene booties
• 10L dry bag
• Water bottle

Other recommended gear/clothing

• Thermal base layer (top and bottom)
• Thin fleece or wool sweater
• Fleece pants
• Liner socks
• Thick wool socks
• Neckwarmer
• Warm hat
• Brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen and lip balm
• Camera (either waterproof, in exterior waterproof housing, or stored in a drybag)**
• Waterproof backpack

Tip: It’s a good idea to protect any camera gear in a drybag. Small waterproof cameras should be attached to your PFD with a string and carabiner.

Antarctic

Imagine for a moment, staring at the stars in the indigo glow of an Antarctic night as you bed down for the night outside in the elements. The buzz of your daily life becomes a distant memory as you listen to the bray of penguin, the ethereal calls of the Weddell sea – even the exhalation of a humpback whale. And then you fall asleep.

Antarctic Camping with Quark Expeditions is an unforgettable experience. After dinner onboard, you'll be escorted ashore by Zodiac to camp out on the snow for the night in your ready-to-roll bivy sack (tents can be used upon request). Once you decide on your spot, you set up camp and enjoy the peace as the Antarctic night unfolds.

Camping in Antarctica is limited to 50 participants, all of whom will be briefed beforehand on the principals of basic camping. Prior to you settling down for the night, Quark Expeditions staff will prepare the site, including setting up a perimeter in safe, flat to gently-sloping and beautiful site. You’re free to choose where (within the perimeters) you want to settle down for the night.

You’ll be equipped with the following:

• Mummy-style sleeping bag
• Bivy sack
• Insulated sleeping pad
• Sleeping bag liner
• 3 or 4 season tent provided upon request (pending availability)
• Quark Expeditions Parka
• Waterbottle (Small collapsible reusable water bottles provided onboard upon embarkation)
• Muck Boots (insulated waterproof boots provided onboard upon embarkation)

Other recommended gear:

• Base and mid-layer clothing
• Warm hat
• Warm gloves
• Hand-warmers
• Camera and accessories
• Backpack
• Eye mask if you wish complete darkness
• Need a pillow? Roll up your parka!
• Essential medication and or supplements

Greenland Camp Experience - Arctic

Join local hosts at one of the most exclusive camps in Greenland. Our local guides will lead you on an immersive experience through the wonders of their homeland. Spend ample time, in intimate groups, walking through the beautiful landscapes and remote fjords, roam the tundra with a local chef who will show you local ingredients and then prepare an incredible meal. Overnight at the camp and, if conditions are right, experience the magnificent colours of the polar twilight which will bring the beautiful mountainous surroundings into full effect.

Antarctic

Participants, using crampons or snowshoes and the occasional use of an ice axe, will find themselves hiking up the angled slopes of mountain glaciers and high peaks.

The Mountain Trek adventure option in Antarctica takes participants over glaciers, snow, rock, scree and talus. We’ll use a rope whenever the group treks across a glacier or if the terrain is too steep. Client safety is always paramount. Team spirit is also an important factor as the entire group pulls together to summit a mountain peak or to reach a vantage point to take in the incredible polar views.

Duration: Up to 4 hours

Elevation: Up to 500 metres

Guide to client ratio: 1:5

What’s the level of difficulty?

Moderate: Expect uphill hiking and scrambling on low- to moderate-angled terrain of a low technical nature. This could include snow, ice, rock and scree and talus. Ropes are used when traversing glaciers and occasionally for short steeper sections of terrain if required.

What fitness level is required?

Moderate: The Mountain Trek program is open to those who exercise regularly, can carry a light pack (10kg/22Ib) and are capable of moving for several hours at a stretch with short stops every hour. Participants should be in good health and have no preexisting injuries or medical issues that could possibly cause problems or difficulty during the activity.

The following gear will be provided:

• Plastic mountaineering boots
• Ice axe
• Crampons
• Helmet
• Harness
• Snowshoes
• Trekking poles
• Trekking backpack

Other recommended gear/clothing:

• Baselayers
• Mid-layers
• Socks
• Small fleece or wool glove liners
• Hat
• Sunglasses/goggles
• Scarf/buff/neck warmer
• Sunscreen
• Camera

Antarctic

Ski trekking is a cross between backcountry ski touring and cross-country skiing. But don’t confuse it with downhill skiing. Ski trekkers use lightweight touring skis that are equipped with special Ice Trek bindings, which provide flexibility, a crucial element when ski trekking downhill. In Ski Trekking, the group aims to trek on low- to moderate-angled terrain over snow-covered slopes and glaciated landscapes. If the incline is too steep to slide down safely, or if snow conditions change, we’ll all remove our skis and affix them to our packs and walk down until conditions are suitable to put the skis back on.

Your Quark Expeditions guides will do everything to foster a strong sense of team spirit. It’s by working together, acknowledging each other’s abilities and challenges, and looking out for one another, that we’ll tackle the wild mountain environments of the Antarctic Peninsula—just like the original polar explorers whose footsteps we follow across the hallowed 7th Continent.

What’s the level of difficulty?

Moderate: Expect uphill ski touring and hiking on low- to moderate-angled terrain of a low technical nature. Ropes will be used when traversing glaciers and occasionally for short, steeper sections of terrain if required. Previous ski trekking experience isn’t necessary but downhill or ski touring experience will give you an advantage. A good sense of balance and agility is essential.

What fitness level is required?

Moderate: The Cross-country skiing adventure option is suitable for anyone who exercises regularly, can carry a light pack (10kg/22Ib) and is capable of moving for several hours at a stretch with short stops every hour. We recommend strength-training activities such as regular walking on hills, gym work, light running, swimming and biking. Participants must be in good health with no preexisting injuries or medical issues that could potentially cause problems or difficulties during the activity.

Duration: Up to 4 hours

Elevation: Up to 500 metres

Guide to client ratio: 1:8 (2:15)

Equipment: All technical gear will be provided on the ship, including the following:

• Lightweight touring skis
• Poles
• Back pack
• Harness

Other recommended gear/clothing:

• Baselayers
• Mid-layers
• Socks
• Small fleece or wool glove liners
• Hat
• Sunglasses/goggles
• Scarf/buff/neck warmer
• Sunscreen
• Camera

Arctic

Imagine the sensation of rising slowly upward in the basket of a hot-air balloon during a much-anticipated visit to the North Pole. Suspended 30 metres (100 feet) high above the icy surface in the safety of a tethered hot-air balloon basket, guests enjoy a 360° view of the Arctic landscape below. Exclusive to Quark Expeditions, the hot-air balloon option provides guests an entirely new perspective at the top of the world!

Hot air ballooning is an accessible activity in one of the most inaccessible parts of the world. No experience is required. Quark Expeditions staff will make every effort to make sure you´re not only safe and comfortable but most of all, that you have a wonderful ride.

Recommended gear/clothing

• Waterproof and breathable pants
• Mid and base layers
• Warm hat and or brimmed hat
• Gloves
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen and lip balm (minimum SPF 30)
• Camera and accessories (if you have a wide-angle lens, this is a great opportunity to use it)
• Binoculars

Arctic

Our twin-engine helicopters will transfer you to the start of the most scenic hiking routes of Southern Greenland and then pick you up at the endpoint of the route. Each heli-hiking departure will be tailored to your personal needs and level of interest. You may choose to join one of our fast walking groups who will go for exploration and distance, one of our medium hiking routes where there will be plenty of time to stop for photography and reflection, or explore at a slower pace with ample time to enjoy the scenery and immerse yourself in your surroundings.

Arctic

You will be transferred from Ultramarine’s heli-decks via our two twin-engine helicopters to a pre-selected Arctic destination. You’ll have time to explore the location, accompanied by Quark Expeditions team members, after which you’ll be picked up by the helicopters in the same location and returned to Ultramarine. Note: heli-landings are dependent on weather conditions and logistics.

Located on the Main Deck, gym hours are posted at the door, with facilities available on a first come, first served basis. Please refrain from bringing glass bottles into the gym. We kindly ask that you take care using these facilities and when you leave, please ensure the equipment is as clean and tidy as when you arrived.