Learn more about Quark Expeditions 

Already know Quark Expeditions and how to sell it? You can find sales and marketing resources, plus contact details for the sales team, at the bottom of this page.

We’ve also rounded up three Arctic destinations offered by Quark Expeditions that should be top of your clients’ summer wish lists. 

And you can discover how Quark Expeditions offers a unique perspective on Antarctica, thanks to its helicopters, elite guides and small ships. 

But first, take a peek at what cruising with Quark Expeditions really looks like in this introductory video...

Q&A: Becky Francis, regional sales director (UK)

We asked Becky Francis to share expert insight into recognising when a client is right for Quark Expeditions, understanding the product and what makes it unique, plus her own tips for closing a Quark sale.

Finding the right client

Who is a typical Quark Expeditions guest? 

Quark Expeditions’ guests represent a diverse group of travellers, but many fall within these four groups: 

Escapists are middle-aged travellers, 57% of which are male. They prefer holidays that challenge and pamper. They have a stronger need for luxurious accommodation and gourmet food, and are interested in polar travel to get away from it all and reconnect with themselves. 

Adventurers are younger travellers, 47% of which are between 25 and 44 years old. They’re working professionals who lean towards active adventure and roughing it – they are willing to compromise on luxury. Motivated to see all extremes of the globe, and rating holidays by the number of good stories to retell, they’re looking for adrenaline opportunities.

Learners are more mature in age, with 73% of them over 55 years old. This group, of which 58% are female wants to travel to the polar regions to connect with nature and other like-minded travellers. They’re not motivated by the adrenaline rush, but instead values unique, small-ship experiences including the educational programmes and opportunities to connect with and learn from the experts.

Check-listers are mostly over 55 years old, with nearly half of them retired. Visiting the polar regions is a lifetime goal of these cultural and sightseeing-oriented travellers. They’d rather not push their physical limits on holiday and they’re not motivated by outdoor adventure activities. Instead it’s the private accommodation that’s a higher priority, and they value comfort and touches of luxury.

What budget does this typical Quark Expeditions guest have?

Our prices start at approximately £6,000 per person and go up to about £80,000 per person. Our average selling price, however, is £11,000 per person for cruise only. We include a lot of extras for our guests, including complimentary wine, alcohol and spirits, as well as free basic Wi-Fi; a Quark Parka that clients get to keep; free transfers; numerous excursions included in the cost of their voyage such as daily Zodiac cruises; as well as snacks, coffee, tea and other beverages.

What will make or break this client’s expedition cruise holiday?

Our Expedition Team, considered the best in the expedition industry, will do everything possible to ensure guests get off the ship and out into the polar environment as often as possible. These seasoned professionals – some of whom have participated in as many as 300 polar expeditions – are the best trained in the polar regions. Many are glaciologists, biologists, botanists, wildlife experts, geologists and polar historians – in addition to their roles as Zodiac driver, kayak guide, etc. Our guests experience the polar expedition of a lifetime thanks to our industry-leading expedition team.

Getting to know the product

How many expedition ships does Quark Expeditions have?

Quark Expeditions maintains the most diverse fleet of small polar vessels in the industry. Our guest capacity ranges from 138 to 199. The size and advanced technology of our small ships means we can take guests to places larger ships can’t on Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer and World Explorer.

Ultramarine: The technologically-advanced Ultramarine is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters and a fleet of 20 quick-deploy Zodiacs, and offers the largest portfolio of off-ship adventures in the industry. It carries 199 guests, 140 staff/crew and two helicopters.

Ocean Explorer: The state-of-the-art Ocean Explorer, the newest addition to our fleet, is modern, elegant and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger and 105-staff vessel has been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology, including the Ulstein X-Bow, which ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience. It is also equipped with 15 Zodiacs.

World Explorer: The 172-guest, 130-staff World Explorer is an all-balcony, all-suites expedition ship with six tiers of deluxe accommodation and 18 Zodiacs. Every suite has either a private walk-out or French balcony for direct ocean views.

What destinations do these ships visit?

During our Arctic season (May to late September/early October), we visit Greenland, the Canadian High Arctic and the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. We’ve recently included Newfoundland and Labrador in our Canadian itineraries.

Our Antarctic season (November to March) takes guests to the Antarctic Peninsula, across the Antarctic Circle, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, Snow Hill Island and Patagonia.

What excursions and experiences does Quark Expeditions offer in these destinations?

Quark Expeditions maintains the largest portfolio of off-ship adventures, including hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, overnight camping in Antarctica, glam camping in Greenland and mountain biking – as well as an entire range of helicopter-supported adventures such as heli-flightseeing, heli-hiking, exclusive heli-landings, a Greenland Ice Sheet Experience and heli-trekking. Another popular experience is Our Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience, which gives guests the opportunity to learn about Inuit cuisine and cultural traditions in Greenland and Nunavut. Some excursions are free; some cost extra.

 In order to take part, guests must be able to get in and out of Zodiacs and walk without assistance. Some programs, such as the sea kayaking, do require experience. It’s also worth noting our Adventure Options are only available to guests over the age of 16 – younger children are not allowed to participate.

What’s onboard a Quark Expeditions ship to keep guests entertained when they’re not exploring destinations?

Quark Expeditions offers an onboard polar learning programme led by various polar experts including glaciologists, polar historians, wildlife experts, marine mammal specialists and ornithologists. They present on a wide variety of subjects related to the specific itinerary.

Guests on select voyages (such as on Ultramarine) in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland can join our Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience, which is hosted by local chefs who are  experts in Inuit cuisine. Guests can enjoy a four-course Inuit fusion meal layered with storytelling onboard.

All of our vessels have multiple bars and lounges where guests can enjoy music, dancing, and a drink with their fellow travellers.

Does Quark Expeditions provide any Citizen Science opportunities onboard its expedition ships or in its expedition destinations?

At this time, Quark Expeditions does not offer opportunities to participate in citizen science projects, but is considering this type of engagement for the future.

Guests are, however, invited to submit photos of humpback tails to Happy Whale, an organization that engages citizen scientists to identify individual marine mammals. Similarly, guests can count penguins for Penguin Watch and seabirds for Seabird Watch.