Quark Expeditions: polar only, priced in full
Quark is a polar company first: Antarctica, the Arctic, and Patagonia on the way south. For 2026-27 that means three ships under 200 guests, the only helicopters in its fleet on Ultramarine, and a two-hour flight that skips the Drake — plus a list of costs the fare leaves out.
Quark is the specialist you book for the hardware: helicopters on Ultramarine, a fly-the-Drake program, and a parka you keep. It’s a polar company, not a cruise line with a polar division, and its calendar shows it.
The fare is leaner than the luxury lines’. Kayaking, camping and most helicopter time are priced on request, gratuities are up to you, and the charter packages are described two ways. Quark values the charter flight and hotel package on its Buenos Aires voyages at $1,295, and its pages describe it both as included and as an exclusion — so get the quote in writing.
Quark also requires at least $50,000 of medical cover. Budget the extras first, then compare.
Two days of open ocean, or two hours in the air
Quark sells the Drake three ways. Pick the crossing first, because it sets the ship, the port and the price.
Every Antarctic trip starts with the same question. The Drake Passage is the open-water crossing between Ushuaia and the Peninsula, and Quark’s own FAQ concedes that everyone reacts differently to it.
Antarctic Express is Quark’s answer. A charter flight leaves Punta Arenas, Chile, and lands on King George Island in the South Shetlands in about two hours.
Flying buys back sea days. It doesn’t buy more Antarctica.
Fly the Drake runs 8 days; Antarctic Explorer runs 11 and sails both ways. Flying costs more per day — about $2,460 against $1,330 on the lowest fares — largely because you’re paying for the charter, not for extra landings.
| Program | Days | How you cross | Ship, 2026–27 | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctic Explorer | 11 | Sail both ways | All three (Ocean Explorer from Ushuaia; Ultramarine, World Voyager from Buenos Aires) | $14,595 |
| Fly South, Sail North | 9 | Fly Punta Arenas to King George Island, sail to Ushuaia | World Voyager, Ocean Explorer | $15,640 |
| Sail South, Fly North | 10 | Sail from Buenos Aires, fly home to Punta Arenas | World Voyager | $18,295 |
| Fly the Drake | 8 | Fly both ways | World Voyager | $19,695 |
| Express: Crossing the Circle | 11 | Fly both ways, then south of 66° | World Voyager, Ocean Explorer | $35,795 |
The flight is weather-bound — in both directions. Quark asks you to reach the Punta Arenas hotel by 3 p.m. on Day 1, because a good forecast can move the flight earlier.
If the charter still can’t fly on the last attempt day, Quark’s terms offer a rebooking or a refund of the cruise fare and unused add-ons, plus one hotel night. Your own airfare isn’t covered. Book flexible flights home.
Quark’s year, south then north
Dark cells are peak. Pale cells are thinner months or the edge of a window.
The Quark calendar
Built from Quark’s 2026–27 departure lists, its Arctic 2026 brochure and its 2027 region pages. Tap a month for the voyages.
The fleet follows the light, not the calendar year. Antarctica runs November to March from Ushuaia, Buenos Aires and Punta Arenas. From May, the ships move north to Svalbard, then Iceland, Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic through September.
One route is missing — the one at the top. Quark’s North Pole page lists no departures; trips that include Russia are off sale because of the war in Ukraine. That ended the 50 Years of Victory voyages, at least for now.
Pick the region and the wildlife first. Our Antarctica, Arctic, Greenland and polar bear guides explain what each month trades away.
What the fare actually covers
Bold means Quark lists it as included. Everything else lands on your invoice or your packing list.
| Item | In the fare | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Quark parka | Included | A hooded parka, yours to keep |
| Waterproof boots | Loaned | Insulated muck boots for the voyage; you hand them back |
| Waterproof pants | Not included | On the required-gear list. Bring your own |
| Zodiac cruising and landings | Included | As the daily program allows |
| Bar | Select drinks | Beer, wine and cocktails during bar hours and at dinner |
| Wi-Fi | Basic, one device | Premium packages cost extra |
| Gateway hotel and transfers | Varies | One Ushuaia night on Antarctic Explorer; Buenos Aires voyages carry a charter flight and hotel package Quark values at $1,295 |
| Gratuities | Not included | Quark leaves the amount to you |
| International flights | Not included | On every voyage we checked |
The rows come from Quark’s 2026–27 Antarctic Explorer voyage sheet, its FAQ and its Arctic brochure. Quark says inclusions vary by itinerary, so read your own voyage’s list.
The parka is the famous one. It’s the jacket you’ll wear on every landing — real gear, not a souvenir fleece.
Watch the gateway line. Ushuaia departures include a hotel night; Buenos Aires departures add a charter flight to Ushuaia and a hotel night, valued at $1,295 for 2026–27.
Quark’s voyage pages call that package included in the fare and also list it under exclusions. Ask us to confirm in writing which it is on your quote.
The add-ons, and the prices Quark quotes on request
Tap a card. Activities are weather-dependent and vary by ship and voyage.
We looked for published add-on prices on Quark’s activity pages, its voyage sheets and its brochures. None list them. The sheets say only that adventure options cost extra and must be booked ahead.
So we’re not printing a number. Any figure here would be a guess, not a price.
Two contract rules matter before you pay. Quark doesn’t refund an adventure option the weather or the captain cancels, and it never refunds unused or cancelled helicopter time, whatever the reason.
Ask us for the add-on prices on your departure before you choose between ships.
From the fare to the final invoice
Price a Quark voyage
Choose a voyage. Tick what you’ll add, and type your own figure where Quark doesn’t publish one.
Fares are Quark’s lowest published “from” prices per person, before promo codes, re-read on November 1, 2026. Charter packages are Quark’s stated values, and Quark’s Arctic overview and voyage pages can differ (Svalbard in Spring shows $11,670 on one and $12,590 for 2027 on the other), so we’ll quote the exact departure. Rows at $0 have no published price. A 2.8% surcharge applies to most card payments.
Promo codes move the fare more than anything else here. On November 1 Quark’s dates page showed a brochure fare and a promo price on each Antarctic departure, with codes from 5% to 20% off, and its offers page headlines up to 30% off select voyages. Quark says offers can end without notice. The calculator starts from the full figure, not the discount, so you can see the ceiling.
Type in the promo fare we quote you, then add the rows you’ll actually use.
What a Quark day costs, pole by pole
The Arctic is the cheaper pole on Quark’s own pages: about $870 to $1,110 a day on the voyages we priced. Antarctica starts near $1,330.
The money rules, on a clock
Tap the cards for the detail. The dial does the date math for your sailing.
These are Quark’s booking terms for reservations made on or after June 24, 2026. The schedule is stricter than it first looks.
The free window is short. On a booking made more than 180 days out, you have 15 days from confirmation to change your mind at no fee. After that, 25% of the booking is at stake.
Final payment comes 150 days out — on a December sailing, that’s July.
Put every date in your calendar the day you book, not the month you sail.
Medical cover is required, evacuation is on you
Quark’s own Travel Protection Plan, for U.S. residents, is administered by Trip Mate and underwritten by Generali. It lists $50,000 of medical cover and $500,000 for emergency assistance and transportation.
Its Cancel For Any Reason benefit must be bought within 21 days of your first payment.
The CDC puts a remote evacuation above $250,000. A $50,000 medical floor is a minimum, not a recommendation — on a polar voyage, buy for the evacuation number first.
Compare plans in our expedition insurance guide before your 21-day CFAR window closes.
Quark, or someone else
Our judgement, built on Quark’s published rules and fares.
You want to see Antarctica from the air
Ultramarine carries two twin-engine helicopters, and Quark builds whole itineraries around them. No other ship in its fleet has them.
The Drake is the thing you dread
Antarctic Express swaps the sea crossing for a two-hour flight. It costs more per day, and the weather still has a vote — on the flight, not just the landings.
Emperor penguins are the goal
Emperor Penguin Quest and Snow Hill to the Peninsula aim for the Snow Hill colony, from $30,490 and $38,970.
You’re traveling with young children
Quark takes minors above age 8. Lindblad accepts children from age 4 on its polar voyages.
You want tips and the full bar in the fare
Quark pours select drinks in bar hours and leaves gratuities to you. Compare what Silversea and Seabourn fold into theirs.
You’ve set your heart on the North Pole
Quark isn’t selling it. Read Ponant’s page, then ask us who is selling the Pole for 2027.
What people ask before booking Quark
What's included in a Quark Expeditions fare?
Quark's 2026-27 Antarctic Explorer sheet lists a Quark parka to keep, loaned waterproof boots, all Zodiac cruising and landings, meals and snacks, select beer, wine and cocktails during bar hours, basic Wi-Fi on one device, port charges, and, on that voyage, one hotel night in Ushuaia with transfers. International flights, waterproof pants (required gear), laundry, premium Wi-Fi, gratuities and most adventure options are extra.
Does Quark require travel insurance?
It requires medical cover. Quark's FAQ sets a minimum of USD $50,000 of medical insurance per traveler, and its expedition contract makes comprehensive medical insurance a condition of joining. Quark publishes no separate evacuation minimum, but the contract says evacuation and repatriation costs are yours alone. Its own plan for U.S. residents lists $500,000 of emergency assistance and transportation.
What is Antarctic Express?
It's Quark's fly-the-Drake program. A charter flight takes about two hours from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island in the South Shetlands, where you board the ship. Fly the Drake flies both ways (8 days, from $19,695); Fly South, Sail North and Sail South, Fly North fly one way. Quark's terms set out what happens if weather grounds the flight.
Can I still go to the North Pole with Quark?
Not now. Quark's North Pole page lists no departures and says that, as a consequence of the war in Ukraine, it isn't operating or accepting bookings for trips that include Russia. Those voyages used the Russian nuclear icebreaker 50 Years of Victory, which no longer appears on Quark's ships page.
How much are kayaking, camping and helicopter add-ons?
Quark doesn't publish the prices. Its voyage sheets say adventure options cost extra and must be booked in advance, and the activity pages ask you to request a quote. Some helicopter time is built into itineraries such as Antarctica by Helicopter on Ultramarine. Quark's contract says unused or cancelled helicopter time is never refunded.
When is final payment due on Quark?
Under the booking terms for reservations made on or after June 24, 2026, a 25% deposit holds the cabin and the balance is due 150 days before Day 1. Cancel within 15 days of confirmation (on bookings made more than 180 days out) and there's no fee beyond nonrefundable items. After that the fee is 25% to 120 days, 75% from 119 to 90 days, and 100% from 89 days.
How old do children need to be on a Quark expedition?
Quark's expedition contract welcomes minors above the age of 8 at the time of travel, with a parent present at all times. On adventure options, guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 21.
Weighing a Quark voyage? We’ll price the parts it doesn’t.
Tell us the pole, the month and who’s coming. We’ll get the add-on prices Quark quotes only on request, apply the live promo code, and set the full total beside one or two other lines.
- Kayaking, camping and helicopter prices for your departure
- The charter package and the promo fare that apply
- Whether your insurance meets Quark’s rule
No fee, no obligation. You pay the cruise line’s own fare. A real advisor replies, usually within one business day.
Ask about Quark
Answers come straight from this guide.
Answers come from our guides and are general information. Confirm details with us before you book.
Where each figure comes from
Fares, inclusions, terms and ship details are Quark’s own published figures on the date shown. Per-day costs, the cards’ verdicts and the fit picks are our arithmetic and judgement, not Quark’s. Add-on prices aren’t published, so we don’t show any. Fares and promo codes change often; your booking confirmation governs.
Where to go next
The voyage, the gateway night, and the cover that matters out there.
Expedition trips have more moving parts than a Caribbean week: a charter flight, a night in a gateway city, gear lists and an evacuation clause the line sets for you. We book them together and check that the dates and the fine print agree.