Adventure Canada vs Quark Expeditions: which is better for the Arctic?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Adventure Canada and Quark Expeditions each publish on their own websites, read 9 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

Adventure Canada vs Quark Expeditions: which is better for the Arctic?

Neither is better for everyone: Adventure Canada charters its ships, sails the Canadian Arctic and Greenland with fewer than 200 guests and prices Into the Northwest Passage, 25 August to 10 September 2027, from US$18,995 per person, while Quark Expeditions says it goes only to the polar regions on ships of 138 to 199 guests.

What is each line?

Adventure Canada sells small-ship expedition cruises under its own name on vessels it charters or sub-charters from their owners and on some tours acts only as a reseller of independent operators. Source

Quark Expeditions sells expedition voyages under its own name and says it only goes to the polar regions. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

Adventure Canada charters Ocean Victory from Polar Latitudes Expeditions GmbH & Co. KG and Ocean Nova from Nova Logistics Ltd.; its specialty cruises use La Pinta (owned by ETICA), Heritage Adventurer (Heritage Expeditions), Ocean Albatros (Polar Latitudes) and MV Cascadia (Maple Leaf Adventures). It does not say it owns any ship. Source

Quark Expeditions sails Ultramarine, for whose owner, Vinson Expeditions LLC, it says it is the exclusive agent. It also lists Ocean Explorer and World Voyager without saying who owns them; World Voyager is also in Atlas Ocean Voyages' fleet. Source

How many guests are on board?

Adventure Canada gives no figure per ship; says you travel in the company of fewer than 200 like-minded adventurers. Source

Quark Expeditions says its ships accommodate anywhere from 138 to 199 guests. Source

Where does each line sail?

Adventure Canada sells named voyages through the Northwest Passage, to Baffin Island, East and West Greenland, Ellesmere Island, Labrador's Torngat Mountains, Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Source

Quark Expeditions sells named voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, across the Antarctic Circle, to South Georgia and the Falklands, Greenland and the Northwest Passage. Source

Who leads the landings?

Adventure Canada says its resource staff numbers more than a hundred, with scientists, historians, artists and naturalists sailing alongside guests; it gives no guide-to-guest ratio. Source

Quark Expeditions gives a 6:1 guest to guide ratio and says it guarantees one staff member to every 9.5 guests; its team includes paddle guides, photography guides, geologists, ornithologists and marine biologists. Source

How much time ashore?

Adventure Canada splits guests ashore into smaller guided groups by interest and physical ability wherever possible; it does not say how many go ashore at once. Source

Quark Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

What can you do off the ship?

Quark Expeditions offers sea kayaking, a night camping on the snow, heli-landings, stand-up paddleboarding, mountain biking in South Greenland and guided photography; some activities are included as standard and others are booked in advance at extra cost. Source

Adventure Canada does not publish this on the pages read.

What does a voyage cost?

Adventure Canada prices Into the Northwest Passage, 25 August to 10 September 2027, from $18,995 to $37,495 USD per person based on double occupancy. Source

Quark Expeditions prices Greenland to Newfoundland, 14 days on Ultramarine from Reykjavík, from $13,551 USD per person, departures September 2027 to September 2028. Source

What does the fare include?

Quark Expeditions' Greenland fares include a parka to keep, loaned waterproof boots, all meals and soft drinks, select beer, wine and cocktails during bar hours and dinner, Wi-Fi for one device and port charges; international flights, insurance, waterproof pants and the voluntary gratuity are extra. Source

Adventure Canada does not publish this on the pages read.

What do solo travellers pay?

Adventure Canada offers dedicated solo cabins, shared accommodation and roommate matching on select expeditions; it states no single supplement figure. Source

Quark Expeditions offers solo, couple or group cabins across its fleet. Source

How much is the deposit?

Adventure Canada asks a non-refundable deposit of $2,500 USD per person, per cruise to register; the balance is due 120 days before departure. Source

Quark Expeditions asks a deposit of 25% of the total booking when you book 151 days or more before Day 1; the full amount is due no later than 150 days before Day 1. Source

What happens if you cancel?

Adventure Canada refunds what you paid less a $2,500 USD per person penalty up to 121 days before departure, charges 65% of the cruise cost from 120 to 91 days and keeps everything from 90 days; credit-card refunds carry a further 4% handling fee. Source

Quark Expeditions offers free cancellation within 15 days of the booking confirmation when you book more than 180 days ahead; after that it charges 25% of the total booking up to 120 days before Day 1, 75% from 119 to 90 days and 100% from 89 days. Source

Is your money protected?

Adventure Canada says it must keep all customer deposits in Client Trust Accounts, audited annually by a CPA and inspected by TICO auditors; its TICO Registration Number is 4001400/5002 1860. Source

Quark Expeditions says it is a member of the United States Tour Operators Association and fully covered by its Consumer Protection Plan, posting $1 million with the USTOA to reimburse advance payments if it goes bankrupt or ceases business. Source

What insurance do you need?

Adventure Canada requires emergency medical and emergency medical evacuation insurance of at least $500,000 USD per person; cancellation and interruption cover is strongly recommended. Source

Quark Expeditions makes comprehensive medical insurance a condition of joining its expeditions and strongly recommends trip cancellation cover; it offers a Travel Protection Plan to US residents. Source

Can children come?

Adventure Canada says children can come: its cruises have no minimum or maximum age, guests 16 and under must travel with and share a cabin with a companion over 18, there is no babysitting or childcare; select specialty programmes, Antarctica among them, set age limits. Source

Quark Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• Adventure Canada: not the fit if you cannot manage stairs: guests must climb the stairs between decks and the external gangway stairs to reach the Zodiacs. Source
• Quark Expeditions: not the fit if you may cancel late: from 89 days before Day 1 it keeps 100% of the booking. Source

How do their reviews compare?

Their figures per platform, read 9 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.

• Adventure Canada: Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 29 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
• Quark Expeditions: Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 604 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.9 out of 5 from 578 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.

The lines at a glance

One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel expedition page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.

Which other lines sell the same voyages?

The lines that sell voyages to the same regions are compared on What are the best alternatives to Quark Expeditions in 2026?

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 9 November 2026 · updated 9 November 2026