Frequently Asked Questions

Antarctica is accessible for cruise travel exclusively during the period of November to March. Due to the absence of hotels, visitors are required to reserve a cruise for accommodation. The cost of travel to Antarctica typically ranges between $8000 to 10,000 per person. The duration of most sailing trips is nine nights, with departure from Ushuaia situated in the southern region of Argentina. To access the departing location, visitors would have to fly to Buenos Aires. Included in the travel package is the feature of a convenient hotel stay, along with a charter flight to and from Ushuaia for a seamless travel experience.

Due to the location’s remote nature and the substantial fees associated with landing rights and adherence to environmental protocols, expenses are unfortunately higher. Additionally, staff wages for these ships reflect the increased challenges associated with sailing in these areas and require highly skilled and specialized expedition staff and experts. Furthermore, the significant distance traveled to reach these destinations results in high fuel consumption. These factors all contribute to the higher costs associated with these types of voyages.

As per the regulations set forth by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), landings are prohibited for vessels carrying more than 500 passengers in Antarctica. Additionally, there is a strict limit of 200 visitors that can be on Antarctica at any given time. Hence, for vessels with less than 200 passengers, a maximum of two landings a day may be permitted. However, if the number of visitors exceeds 200, only one landing will be allowed.

Considering the World Health Organization having determined that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, Most of the Ships will no longer be requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to boarding. We continue to recommend to our passengers that being vaccinated and up to date with boosters as they become available is an important measure in maintaining health while travelling.

At a minimum we require all passengers to purchase medical insurance coverage of USD $50000 per traveler. We recommend that you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers you for both medical and trip cancellation/delay aspects of travel. The purchase of your expedition includes USD $500000 of emergency evacuation insurance. –

Weather conditions are variable, with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark. The continuous daylight warms sheltered areas so that you may find temperatures warm enough for t-shirts. However, you may encounter snow squalls, fog and white-outs, during an expedition. Always pack for all eventualities. Generally speaking, most of the ships run warm so you may find you’re comfortable in just t-shirts or shirts onboard.

Packing is the exciting bit for many of us. You will find a handy packing list towards the end of your Trip Brochure. Moreover, we have shared two informative videos that can aid you further, and these can be accessed via the following link:

• What to Pack for Your Polar Expedition
• How to Dress in the Polar Regions

Every passenger joining an expedition to the Polar regions will be presented with a complimentary Expeditions Parka upon arrival, a gift that they can retain as a keepsake. However, it’s important to be aware that the complimentary parkas can differ based on the specific ship you are sailing with. Furthermore, they will also provide you with a pair of waterproof and insulated muck boots for the entire duration of your journey.

The expedition parka is a versatile outer garment, consisting of a waterproof jacket with an inner puffer jacket that can be detached and worn separately. Specifically designed for the demands of the Polar Regions, this parka ensures exceptional warmth. Similarly, the muck boots, or a similar quality brand, have been chosen for their comfort during excursions. To enhance warmth and comfort, we recommend wearing a couple of pairs of socks with the boots.

Should you decide to partake in any of our optional water-based adventure activities, rest assured that all extra equipment like dry suits, dry bags, flotation devices, and more, will be furnished, negating the need for you to bring any additional gear. It’s important to be mindful, however, that these arrangements might be subject to change based on the chosen ship.

Absolutely! All of the vessels provide a top-notch laundry services. The pricing list and laundry bags are conveniently located in your lavish cabin. Should you choose to avail of their service, one of our well-trained staff will promptly collect and return your laundry within 24-48 hours.

We recommend soft-sided luggage as the optimal choice . Most of the cabins offer ample storage space for all your belongings, but hard-shelled suitcases may not fit in our wardrobes or under the beds.

As for your carry-on, we suggest a comfortable backpack or light bag for easy maneuverability on and off the ship. You may need to walk around with your carry-on before and after your voyage, so we want you to feel confident and comfortable with your choice.

Our valued guests can enjoy the convenience of luggage storage areas in most of the hotels we partner with, depending on availability. We also understand that additional baggage may require a more secure and reliable storage solution. Therefore, we recommend exploring the exceptional storage facilities and lockers available in the airport of your destination. Many airports offer outstanding services in this regard, and we are confident that you will find an option that suits your requirements.As some of the Vessels does not have its own storage facilities that we can offer to our guests

If your expedition includes charter flights arranged through us, the weight allowance will be specified on your invoice once these flights are confirmed. Please note that we do not accommodate excess baggage, so it’s important to ensure that both your checked and carry-on bags adhere to the stipulated limits. In terms of size, you are free to bring bags of any dimensions that would be acceptable on a standard commercial flight.

If you love taking pictures, it’s really important to bring the right things with you on your trip. If you have a camera, make sure you bring extra memory cards and batteries, and maybe a laptop or hard drive to save your pictures. If you’re not sure which lenses to bring, take a couple – one for landscape pictures and one for pictures of animals up close, like a telephoto lens. You probably won’t need a tripod unless you’re making videos. Don’t bring a drone on our boats though – they’re not allowed.

You will find the appropriate plug type and electrical current details in your Ship Book. Please contact our Travel Advisor if you do not have a copy. Your Ship Book also includes lots of other useful information about the amenities onboard your ship.

Antarctica: the Notorious Drake Passage
The Drake Passage is a place in Antarctica that can sometimes have choppy waters that can make people feel sick. It’s normal to feel this way, so it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before your trip and bring medicine that can help prevent sickness. Don’t worry if the journey is smooth – not all trips are rough at this place. And just in case, there will be a doctor onboard to help if someone feels unwell.

The Arctic: The Strait Goods
The Arctic is a good place to sail because it mostly has calm waters, especially when compared to the other Polar Region. However, if you sail through the Bering or Denmark Straits, you may encounter some rough seas.

Most Vessels have WIFI onboard, but because we travel to remote places and use satellite connections for WIFI, sometimes the connection may not be very good. So we can’t always guarantee good WIFI all the time. You can check your Ship Book for more information on the WIFI connection for your boat. We encourage you to get away from your phone and enjoy nature. If you’re worried about staying in touch with friends and family, you’ll get emergency contact information for the ship before you go. You can give this information to your loved ones so they know how to contact you in case of an emergency.

Passengers can visit the bridge on all ships, but there will be rules about when and how many people can go. The captain and other officers will decide when it’s okay for passengers to visit, depending on the situation. Just keep in mind that the rules might be different on different ships.

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Both the Arctic and Antarctica stand as safeguarded zones, and the Quark Expeditions team takes exhaustive measures to safeguard the immaculate Polar Regions we have the privilege to explore. As you prepare for your journey, we encourage you to pack only necessities and minimize the use of single-use items. We kindly request that you endeavor to depart with as much as you arrived, thereby minimizing the residual waste. Although waste facilities exist in these regions, their capacity is limited.

Furthermore, it’s vital to remain cognizant of the potential risks associated with introducing non-native species into these delicate ecosystems. We urge you to diligently clean and inspect all your garments, thoroughly removing any dirt or organic materials. Please meticulously examine shoes, interior pockets, fleece, mesh inserts, and Velcro closures.

If you would like to know more, we recommend checking out IAATO’s website for Antarctica, and AECO’s website for the Arctic.