Quark Expeditions vs Polar Latitudes: which is better?

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

Quark Expeditions vs Polar Latitudes: which is better?

Neither is better for everyone: Quark Expeditions says it goes only to the polar regions, on ships of 138 to 199 guests, while Polar Latitudes takes 80 to 178 guests per ship, includes a jacket to keep and prices The Pure Expedition, 4 February 2027, from US$8,817 per person.

What is each line?

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

Polar Latitudes runs small-ship expedition cruises as Polar Latitudes Expeditions, which it says joins Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions. Source

Which ships does each line 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

Polar Latitudes lists four ships as its fleet, Ocean Albatros, Ocean Victory, MV Discoverer and Ocean Nova, without saying whether each is owned or chartered. Source

How many guests are on board?

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

Polar Latitudes carries from 80 to 178 guests per ship, with a maximum of 80 on Ocean Nova; it gives no maximum for each of the other ships. Source

Where does each line 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

Polar Latitudes sells named voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula and the Antarctic Circle, the Falklands and South Georgia, Svalbard, Greenland, Norway's Lofoten, the North Atlantic isles and Patagonia's Chilean fjords. 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

Polar Latitudes' expedition team has one member for every seven to eight guests and averages a dozen years' experience, with marine biologists, environmental scientists and ornithologists among them. Source

How much time ashore?

Polar Latitudes takes guests off the ship twice daily, weather permitting, for an average of six hours each day; 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

Polar Latitudes includes the polar plunge and hiking; camping, Discover Kayaking, Immersive Kayaking, snowshoeing and the Immersive Photography Program cost extra, with a free photography coach on every voyage. 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

Polar Latitudes prices Antarctic Peninsula: The Pure Expedition, 10 days/9 nights on Ocean Victory from Ushuaia departing 4 February 2027, from US$8,817 per person. 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

Polar Latitudes' fares include all landings and Zodiac cruises, all meals, beer, wine and soft drinks with dinner, a waterproof expedition jacket to keep, boots on loan, 1GB wifi and taxes and landing fees; flights, optional activities, gratuities (it suggests USD 20 per person per day) and the mandatory insurance are extra. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

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

Polar Latitudes pairs solo travellers in a shared cabin with another of the same gender, or charges the per-person cabin rate times 1.7 to stay single; MV Discoverer has three Solo Vista Staterooms with no single supplement. Source

How much is the deposit?

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

Polar Latitudes asks a 20% non-refundable deposit to confirm a booking, with final payment due 120 days before departure. 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

Polar Latitudes charges $1,250 USD per person to cancel 181 days or more before departure, loss of the 20% deposit from 180 to 120 days and 100% of the total cost under 120 days. Source

Is your money protected?

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

Polar Latitudes does not publish this on the pages read.

What insurance do you need?

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

Polar Latitudes requires travel insurance bought at the time of booking, with at least $150,000 USD cover for medical expenses, evacuation, emergency repatriation and pre-existing conditions. Source

Can children come?

Polar Latitudes takes children from 12 years old as a rule, with ages 8 to 11 considered case by case with prior approval and a parental waiver; under-18s must room with a guardian over 21. 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.

• Quark Expeditions: not the fit if you may cancel late: from 89 days before Day 1 it keeps 100% of the booking. Source
• Polar Latitudes: not the fit if you use a wheelchair: it says its vessels are not built to be wheelchair accessible, though Ocean Victory and Ocean Albatros have accessible cabins. 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.

• 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.
• Polar Latitudes: Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 7 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.7 out of 5 from 189 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