Quark Expeditions’ newest vessel, the 138-passenger Ocean Explorer, is a polar expedition ship that will set sail under the Quark Expeditions banner at the start of the Antarctic 2024/2025 season. And that’s just the start of what’s new with Quark, says Jake Rogers, BDM, Canada/North Sales in this edition of Take 5.

1. Quark Expeditions has a leadership position in polar adventures – as well as a fleet of ice-class expedition ships. And now we understand there’s a new ship on the way! What can you tell us about it?

“We’re proud to welcome the state-of-the-art Ocean Explorer into our fleet of expedition ships starting with our Antarctic 2024/2025 sailing season.

“In the words of Andrew White, President of Quark Expeditions: “Any new ship to join our fleet must meet our incredibly high bar: exceptional purpose-built expedition ship, industry-leading safety and sustainability features, modern space and amenity design, and an undeniable ability to go-beyond, to explore the world’s most remote polar regions. Ocean Explorer fits this bill on every point.”

“Highlights of the state-of-the-art Ocean Explorer include …

• ULSTEIN X-BOW: The industry-leading X-Bow design guarantees that guests will glide effortlessly hrough even the heaviest of seas. The ship’s unique, forward-sloping X-Bow minimizes vibration, noise, and impact for a comfortable passage in any polar sea conditions.
• LEADING-EDGE SUSTAINABILITY: With the latest sustainability technology in polar expedition, the ship features fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines and the ground-breaking MAGS gasification system that converts waste into energy, eliminating the environmental impact of waste transportation.
• OFF-SHIP ADVENTURES: With four separate sea-level embarkation points and a fleet of 15 Zodiacs, Ocean Explorer offers a comprehensive breadth of off-ship activities including Zodiac cruising and paddling, allowing guests to intimately connect with the polar wilderness.
• STUNNING INTERIOR DESIGN: Each interior element was carefully hand-picked by designers for guests to enjoy, from the dramatic two-storey forward lounge, the floor-to-ceiling glass refuge in the library, to the grand fixtures and luxe furnishings throughout the ship.
• QUIET AND COMFORTABLE: Spacious and luxurious cabins ensure a quiet ambience with no sound disturbance from adjoining cabins—and almost all cabins feature a balcony for outdoor viewing.
• ULTIMATE RELAXATION: A dry sauna and two outdoor Jacuzzis for guests to rejuvenate after a day of off-ship adventures.

2. Quark Expeditions’ Antarctic 2025-2026 season will include the new ship. What should travel advisors know about the product and itineraries?

“Here’s what’s in store for Quark Expeditions guests in Antarctic 2025/2026 …

• New ship: The 138-passenger Ocean Explorer, an Infinity class expedition ship designed for best-in-class comfort and safety, complements sister ships Ultramarine and World Explorer
• Biggest portfolio of off-ship adventures: The widest array of adventure options in the Antarctic, including helicopter-supported activities for guests on Ultramarine.
• 41 departures: Guests can customize their expedition by selecting from a multitude of departure dates, destinations, off-ship adventures and ships.
• Five destinations: Featured destinations include the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falkland

Islands, Patagonia—plus a return to Snow Hill in response to guest demand after Quark Expeditions’ two highly successful landings in November 2023.

Two new fly and sail itineraries: Travellers can choose from two Antarctic Express options. Sail south across the Drake Passage and then fly north on their return—or fly south and cruise north across the Drake on their way back.

Sailing with Quark Expeditions (photo credit David Merron)

3. Quark made headlines last summer with the introduction of its agent portal, complete with Parker the Polar Bear, the industry’s first real-time, AI-driven virtual polar resource. What’s been the reaction from travel agents, and how can the portal help them?

“As with any program that’s designed to help traveller advisors increase their polar expertise — and generate more sales — the launch of our Partner Portal along with Parker the Polar Bear has met with rave views from travel advisors, for a number of reasons.

“The Partner Portal is a veritable one-stop shop, providing travel advisors with all the tools, resources and supports necessary to help them fulfill their clients’ travel goals.

“Travel advisors can easily — and quickly — access training resources, marketing materials, advisor incentives, our latest news, expedition and season brochures—and expert tips on how to sell Quark Expeditions’ portfolio of innovative polar itineraries.

“And, of course, travel advisors really appreciate the ability to get quick expert answers from Parker, our virtual assistant!”

4. Quark’s Wave season offer includes savings worth up to 30%. What’s the booking deadline, and travel window, for the deal, and is there anything else you’d like agents to know about it?

“Our 30% Off Escape Sale is the perfect opportunity for travel advisors to close deals by offering an incredible 30% off select Arctic 2024 voyages. It’s a win-win deal!

“Travel advisors get to unlock greater commissions while helping their clients book an extraordinary Arctic adventure in 2024—and save them money.

“The booking deadline is Jan. 31, 2024. Select Arctic 2024 voyages in Spitsbergen and Greenland are available at 30% off — plus there’s an additional 10% off select voyages if paid in full at time of booking. Our Arctic Escape Sale is the season’s best opportunity for adventurous travellers to explore the realm of the polar bear and the Northern Lights this year in 2024.”

5. Expedition cruising, especially exploring the Arctic and Antarctica, has never been more in demand. Do you have any selling tips for agents looking to widen their horizons?

“Yes, immersive polar experiences—led by true experts—are in demand. We’ve experienced a surge in enquiries as a result of our ‘Rethink Your Bucket List’ campaign, which encourages travellers to choose destinations that take them beyond the standard and overly popular travel experiences.

“Through this campaign, we’ve shared useful selling tips with our community of travel advisors, such as encouraging their clients to go bold and take the less-travelled route away from the metropolises of Rome and New York and instead explore remote Arctic destinations like Svalbard, the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia or the Canadian High Arctic.

“We’ve provided concrete examples to support our travel advisors. An example: we’ve highlighted the difference between hiking the Grand Canyon versus heli-hiking the Antarctic Peninsula.

“Also, as mentioned above, we’ve designed our Partner Portal to specifically help travel advisors sell polar travel. We’ve provided ready answers that travel advisors can use with their clients, such as ‘When is the best time to see polar bears in Spitsbergen?’ and ‘Where can I see those amazing Emperor penguins?’ By expanding on their polar expertise, travel advisors can more easily curate—and sell — the best polar itineraries for their clients.”

Quark Expeditions’ site is quarkexpeditions.com.

Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine (photo credit Michelle Sole)