Quark Expeditions vs Aurora Expeditions: which is better?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Quark Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions 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 Aurora Expeditions: which is better?

Neither is better for everyone: Quark Expeditions says its ships take 138 to 199 guests and it goes only to the polar regions, while Aurora Expeditions carries 130 passengers on expedition on each ship and prices Spirit of Antarctica, 11 days, from US$15,436 per person twin share for departures from December 2026.

What is each line?

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

Aurora Expeditions runs small-ship expedition voyages under its own name and was founded in 1991 by Greg and Margaret Mortimer. 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

Aurora Expeditions sails three ships under its own name: the Greg Mortimer (built 2019), the Sylvia Earle (2022) and the Douglas Mawson (2025). Source

How many guests are on board?

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

Aurora Expeditions carries 130 passengers on expedition on each ship; maximum capacity is 130 on the Sylvia Earle, 148 on the Greg Mortimer and 154 on the Douglas Mawson. 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

Aurora Expeditions sells named voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Antarctic Circle and the Weddell Sea, the Ross Sea, South Georgia and the Falklands, Svalbard, Norway, the Scottish isles, the Northwest Passage and southern Patagonia. 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

Aurora Expeditions gives an Expedition Team-to-Expeditioner ratio of 1:7 and a staff-to-expeditioner ratio of 1:1.5; its team includes naturalists, historians, marine biologists and geologists. Source

How much time ashore?

Aurora Expeditions says IAATO and AECO limit landings to 100 people ashore at a time; it aims for two to three landings a day in Antarctica and includes daily Zodiac cruises and guided walks, weather permitting. 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

Aurora Expeditions includes the polar plunge, Zodiac cruising and guided walks; kayaking, diving, snowshoeing and camping are optional extras, each needing a deposit of 25% of the activity 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

Aurora Expeditions prices Spirit of Antarctica, 11 days, from USD $15,436 per person twin share (brochure price $19,295), with departures in December 2026 and February, November and December 2027. 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

Aurora Expeditions' fares include all meals, drinks with premium spirits and wine (from the 2026/2027 Antarctica season), Starlink wifi, a 3-in-1 polar jacket, use of Muck boots, daily shore excursions and Zodiac cruises, port surcharges and landing fees; optional activities cost extra and a gratuity of USD $20 per person per day is added to the onboard account. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

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

Aurora Expeditions offers dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement, 10 on the Greg Mortimer and the Sylvia Earle and 4 on the Douglas Mawson, plus a stateroom-sharing service; the usual solo supplement is 50%. 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

Aurora Expeditions asks a deposit of 25% of each ticket within 7 working days of booking; final payment is due at least 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

Aurora Expeditions keeps the deposit if you cancel 121 days or more before departure and 100% of the ticket price from 120 days; its Voyage Assurance Program instead offers a credit equal to the deposit (121 days or more) or to 50% of the fare (90 to 120 days), valid for 24 months. 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

Aurora Expeditions places all voyage deposits in a separate trust account, the Aurora Passenger Trust, under its Deposit Protection Program; deposits are released from the trust 180 days before departure. Source

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

Aurora Expeditions requires comprehensive travel insurance with medical and emergency evacuation cover of at least USD $250,000, with proof emailed no later than 60 days before departure. Source

Can children come?

Aurora Expeditions takes bookings from age 6; under-18s must be with an adult at all times and children aged 6 to 15 pay the adult price unless a promotion applies. 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
• Aurora Expeditions: not the fit if you may cancel late: from 120 days before departure the cancellation fee is 100% of the full ticket price. 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.
• Aurora Expeditions: Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 107 reviews. 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