Quark ExpeditionsReviews of quarkexpeditions.com

An absolutely once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic experience. We were incredibly lucky with both the weather and wildlife, and it made this expedition truly extraordinary. Calm seas, clear skies, and breathtaking landscapes allowed us to fully experience Antarctica in all its raw beauty. Wildlife sightings exceeded all expectations — penguins, seals, and whales in abundance, often at very close range. The expedition team was exceptional: knowledgeable, passionate, and deeply committed to safety and environmental stewardship. Every landing was well organized, informative, and memorable. The combination of stunning scenery, remarkable wildlife encounters, and seamless execution made this journey unforgettable. I feel profoundly grateful to have experienced Antarctica under such ideal conditions. This expedition surpassed every expectation and is something I will treasure for the rest of my life.

The ship was so well organized when a plan had to be revised it was done smoothly. All the personnel from the captain to the hotel staff were pleasant and efficient. The expedition staff were knowledgeable and passionate.

The whole logistic arrangements are great. Every event is organized smoothly. All the staff members take good care of each and every guest.

I was a passenger aboard the Ultra Marine during the period from 27 November to 8 December. Firstly, I must express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional and unforgettable service provided by the hotel staff and crew onboard. This aspect deserves a five-star rating. However, the expedition experience proved rather disappointing. The expedition leader, Ryan, demonstrated poor decision-making, which significantly diminished the quality of our itinerary. I understand that the Ultra Marine's primary selling point is its helicopter landing capability. However, despite the markedly variable and unpredictable weather conditions, Ryan persistently spent considerable time searching for landing sites. This wasted valuable time that could have been spent on other activities and Zodiac landings. We were confined to one location for nearly two days while the helicopter landing site was sought, during which we were unable to undertake any activities. During this period, the Captain suggested a return trip to King George Island to observe penguins, but this proposal was also rejected by Ryan. I cannot fathom whether Ryan's actions stemmed from blindness or arrogance. I fully understand that pre-booked activities are frequently impossible in Antarctica's rapidly shifting climate. An experienced expedition leader should never have wasted two days on a single activity. Or was the helicopter landing contractually prioritised above all else? Ryan's conduct profoundly impacted the latter half of the voyage, leaving a distinctly unprofessional impression.

My Christmas expedition to Antarctica with Quark was absolutely extraordinary. From wildlife encounters to breathtaking ice landscapes, this is a destination that stays with you forever. The entire crew & passionate expedtion team made ever day spell binding.

My family booked a fly over and sail back trip to avoid the drake 1 way. Our expedition started off quite tough with weather delays blocking our flight to Antartica. I believe this aspect is not spoken of enough and the risk factor of missing your time in Antartica and just how volatile the weather is. Not Quarks fault and they did everything to get our expedition on the way. They did their best to book land excursions while we waited in the weather. When we finally arrived the crew was as excited to see us and Quark gave us the maximum time off the boat to explore Antartica. We signed up beforehand for the kayaking so while everyone was driving around on the zodiac we were able to kayak around and glide right up to the wildlife. The ship was immaculate, comfortable and modern. The crew was top notch and the expedition leaders were out of this world. The food was really good with lots of variety. Everything was well thought out and executed right down to the polar plunge. I truly don’t have a negative comment on Quark. They were tough on our safety but generous with time when doing excursions. Truly the trip of a lifetime thanks to Quark.

Antartica is a great and unique place and the cruise was very comfortable and well organized. Excursions were very interesting and again, well organized. The only reason why i don’t give the 5 stars are due to quite poor services (in particular food) during our pre-embarking days. I have to admit that we had to stay 3 nights in punta arenas instead of the scheduled 1 due to bad weather conditions. Anyway; also in the contract it’s not clear how high is the likelihood of troubles (which i understood are not very rare, due to inherited issues when travelling in such remote place)

We had the most amazing trip to Antarctica, and spent xmass on board the Ocean Explorer. The crew was incredible, kind, generous and knowledgable. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. Antarctica is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, and we are glad we chose the right company for our trip.