There’s a new ship that’s upping the ante on one of the biggest trends in cruising.
More and more cruise travellers are leaving evening gowns and tuxedoes at home and packing warm layers for a polar expedition cruise.
Perhaps the ultimate entry on travel bucket lists, polar expedition cruises allow travel clients to explore the world's natural wonders and the most distant reaches of the planet in an active way: out of a Zodiac, in a kayak, hiking to the tops of peaks, gazing in awe at Nature’s masterpieces, and photographing rare creatures in their natural environment.
The category attracts not just the ‘sweet spot’ of young boomers, but also Gen X: advisors report that the vast majority of expedition cruise bookings are for clients 45-64 years of age.
Pioneering Small-Ship Polar Expedition Cruising
Quark Expeditions invented consumer polar expedition travel, guiding the very first group to the North Pole in 1991. Thirty years later, while larger cruise brands have begun trips to the world’s poles, independent cruise brand Quark Expeditions remains a category leader, in the top three polar cruise brands for travel advisors.
Specializing exclusively in expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, Quark Expeditions’ fleet has consisted of specially-equipped small vessels and icebreakers the company points out are “able to take guests deeper into the Polar Regions than anyone else.”
Quark Expeditions' polar expeditions allow travellers to tap into their inner adventurer. On its fleet of small ships – the largest fleet of polar-class ships in the industry - guests are transported off the beaten path in icy waters to isolated landscapes where no other ships are docked, where they’ll be able to embark and disembark quickly, providing more time for exploring on shore. With fewer guests on small ships, they quickly get to know their fellow guests, as well as the scientists, wildlife experts and researchers that make up the expedition teams.
“The Future of Polar Travel”
Quark Expeditions' newest ship, the purpose-built Ultramarine, continues in the best traditions of the company’s small-ship polar expedition cruising – but now features comfort rarely seen on expeditions.
When Quark Expeditions took delivery of Ultramarine, company president Andrew White called it a “gamechanger,” and a reflection of “our confidence in the future of polar travel.”
He added that the new Ultramarine, “underscores our commitment to delivering life-changing polar experiences no one ever thought possible.
“Every aspect of Ultramarine has been designed and engineered to enable our teams to get guests off the ship and deep into the polar wilderness better than ever before.
“This new vessel–in the hands of the most experienced team in the expedition industry–will allow us to create truly immersive off-ship adventures for our guests while providing them with a superior onboard experience.”
Ultramarine: Ultimate Polar Expedition Ship
When it launches in late 2021, Ultramarine will become the polar expedition home to just 199 guests and 140 crew and expedition team members.
According to Quark Expeditions, Ultramarine’s debut means “Quark Expeditions now offers more off–ship adventure options than any other operator in the polar regions.”
Two twin-engine helicopters and two heliports allow more guests to benefit from more heli-supported experiences than any other ship, including flightseeing, heli-hiking and helicopter-supported alpine kayaking.
In addition, the Airbus H145 helicopters are designed to take travellers deeper into the Polar Regions than any other helicopter in its class, allowing guests to be transported to new destinations accessible only by air, where few humans have ever walked— an experience exclusive to Quark Expeditions.
Twenty quick-deploy Zodiacs at four embarkation points on the ship mean guests can board Zodiacs faster and easier than ever. This gives the expedition team more flexibility to initiate unscheduled, close-up exploration if the ship comes across exciting wildlife or other sightings.
Having operated sea kayaking tours for years, Quark Expeditions now also offers guests Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP) – the first cruise line to bring this newly-popular marine activity to the Antarctic. Truly adventurous guests can even participate in a night of Antarctic camping under the clearest, most brilliant skies on the planet.
Comfort and Sustainability
In addition to life-changing polar experiences off Ultramarine, guests enjoy a shipboard life that doesn’t compromise on comfort or environmental impact.
This expedition ship offers spa-inspired suites including some with floor-to-ceiling windows, and amenities that provide comfort and ease after a day exploring: an onboard spa, a sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows, and more wildlife viewing spaces than any ship its size, to keep guests connected with the region as they sail through it.
Preserving that delicate environment is the goal of Ultramarine’s advanced sustainability features, including converting waste into energy on site, eliminating the impact of waste transportation.
“Ultramarine will be more than just a ship,” says Quark Expeditions' president Andrew White, “It’s an unrivaled operational base for polar adventure. Guests travel with Quark Expeditions to enhance their perspectives, push their boundaries and experience the magic of the Polar Regions.”
Inaugural Season
Quark Expeditions' Ultramarine is scheduled to embark on its first sailing on 25NOV, 2021 – in time to transport fortunate guests to the once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic Solar Eclipse in early DEC.
The ship will remain in the southern polar area until Spring 2022, when it repositions to cruise Norwegian fjords, followed by North Sea iconic destinations Iceland and Greenland. Sailing west, Ultramarine will cruise in Canada’s Arctic and transit its Northwest Passage later in the summer before returning to the Antarctic in Fall of 2022.
For more information visit www.quarkexpeditions.com
