Is Quark Expeditions a good company to book an expedition cruise with?

No verdict of ours: the facts Quark Expeditions publishes on its own website, read 9 November 2026, topic by topic, each with a link to the page it came from.

Is Quark Expeditions a good company to book an expedition cruise with?

Quark Expeditions suits travellers who want only the polar regions and activities on the ice: it offers sea kayaking, a night camping on the snow and heli-landings and gives a 6:1 guest to guide ratio. It is not the fit if you may cancel late: from 89 days before Day 1 it keeps 100% of the booking.

What is Quark Expeditions?

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

Which ships does Quark Expeditions sail?

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?

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

Where does Quark Expeditions sail?

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?

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

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

What does a voyage cost?

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

What happens if you cancel?

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

What insurance do you need?

Quark Expeditions strongly recommends trip cancellation insurance and offers a Travel Protection Plan, administered by Trip Mate, to US residents. Source

When is Quark Expeditions not the fit?

The limit below is published by Quark Expeditions on its own website.

• Quark Expeditions: not the fit if you may cancel late: from 89 days before Day 1 it keeps 100% of the booking. Source

What do reviews say?

Its 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.

• 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.

Quark Expeditions at a glance

Its card, as on every Uncompromised Travel expedition page: what it sells, why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it 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 25 September 2026 · updated 11 November 2026