We work hard to deliver the best polar expeditions possible. But you don't have to take our word for it. The travelers who have contributed these reviews have done so voluntarily. We thank them for their time and hope you find them useful.
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"Sitting down in the snow and having little penguins waddle up to me and climb into my lap - that was precious. The true highlight was having a humpback whale swim right up to the side of our zodiac boat. He swim under us, around us, spyhoped and dove down exposing his fluke for us and played with us for over an hour...that was amazing and once in a lifetime experience!"
Megan Gunn, February 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"Each day was a highlight once arriving in Antarctica, but the Zodiac excursions amongst the icebergs, seals and penguins were thrilling. We had a bit of an adventure when our Zodiac engine died, a katabatic wind pushed us into the pack ice requiring ropes, paddles and scrambling over rocks to get to a working zodiac... Staff was very professional and serious about the matter, but it was fun."
Lydia Wytrzes, February 2009
Amazing Antarctica
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"I can not recommend this trip, and Quark, highly enough! I have been on a 19 month 'round the world odyssey (still going!) and my Antarctic trip has been, and will be, my most amazing and memorable experience! Out of many, many wonderful experiences, the highlight would have to be the afternoon known as "whale soup". We saw so many whales that day, including one humpback that was showing off just for us, breaching, rolling over and diving right under our zodiac. truly jaw-dropping!!"
Deanna Sorenson, February 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"It's hard to describe the highlight of our trip to Antarctica... the whole journey was fantastic!! From the second we left Ushuaia to the second we set foot in the harbour again!! Friends and family often ask: why would you want to go there, there is nothing to see... how wrong!! The landacape and wildlife are unique, the silence... never heard anything like that before! It's an unforgettable experience and we are looking forward to going again.. maybe in 2011!! "
Daria Di Pede, February 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"Seeing the penguins and the newly born babies."
Elizabeth Jensen, November 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"I hesitate to say it's an once-in-a-lifetime experience, because I do intend to go back some time, to see the blue Antarctic ice, penguins and sea birds. Everything there is just fascinating. "
Yi Rong, December 2007
Antarctic Adventure
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"Seeing the ice breaking off in november as we approached the continent was amazing. the other amazing travelers + quark expedition team we got to know really enhance the trip experience"
Raman Sehgal, November 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The trip was so well organized and we had terrific leaders!"
Agnes Stark, January 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"My highlight of my trip was an evening zodiac ride in Iceberg Alley. Surrounded by massive ice bergs and snow capped mountains, while encoutering whales and seals, made the experience become surreal. I knew I was in a magical place."
Jean Lambros, January 2010
Explore the Antarctic!
Very good - we'll be recommending you to our friends!"The highlight of my trip was viewing the Orlova in the Antarctica waters from on top of a hill and then glissading down. From on top of the hill, I would never have imagined I would be standing in Antarctica looking out."
James Chen, December 2007
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"This trip was one of the most amazing things I have ever done! The scenery was breathtaking and the wildlife viewing was fantastic."
Nina May, November 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"Looking out of our room windows or from the ship's bow, over the vast ice fields and ice berg filled sea, left an indelible impression on our spirits. There are a few wide-open, pristine places on our globe and the Antarctic is certainly one of them. Even if there were no sea birds, penguins, seals or whales (which we loved, especially the Albatrosses), just being among the ice bergs again some day is a goal for us. We will return!"
Joanne Schwartz, November 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"We had four days of perfect weather on the Antarctic peninsula, two excursions per day, a few hours each. We were lucky to have the perfect trip."
Richard Fromberg, December 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"The highlight of my trip was waking up in the morning to see the sunset after we'd camped out overnight on land."
Annette Amadin, January 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"Everything was a highlight!! Kayaking with whales, hanging out with penguins, meeting seals in the beach,the polar plunge, the food, the people... the list goes on!!"
Lisa VanNostrand, February 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The big snow and ice. I grew up in New York and have seen lots of snow in my life, but what I've seen pales in comparison to Antarctica."
Jamie Stowell, November 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Very good - we'll be recommending you to our friends!"Without a doubt, the penguins were the highlight of my trip."
Kelly Kam, December 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The first sight of land after two days across the Drake was unforgettable. Just these beautiful, snow-covered mountains jutting gracefully out of the water."
Joshua Conley, December 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The highlight of the trip for me was my first view of Antarctica, the only continent which my wife and I had never visited. After a rough crossing of the Drake Passage, I awoke the the third morning to calm seas, looked out the cabin window, and was overwhelmed by some of the most incredible scenery I have ever set eyes on, ice everywhere and mountains under a perfect blue sky."
Alan Bromberg, November 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"Wildlife abundance was amazing as we saw so many penguins, whales, and birds everyday. Also, the Drake Shake was the Drake Lake to all of our benefits."
Nicholas Panza, February 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"Quite possibly the best trip I have ever taken. My goal is to go again in the next few years. Everyday was an adventure. The scenery was amazing as was the abundance of wildlife. "
Palle Weber, December 2007
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The highlight of my trip was standing on the upper deck as we sailed through Neptune's Bellows, into Whaler's Bay, at Deception Island. A small ship in the crater lake of an active volcano, in Antarctic waters - if you're looking for adventure, that's a sure thing."
Anders Svensson, November 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"There were several trip highlights. First of all, the knowledgable staff gave us many insiteful lectures on everything from Antarctic animal wildlife to history lessons on how various countries have staked their claims to the continent over the years. Secondly, all the landings via zodiac really made you feel alive. Walking around and being submersed into the wildlife and terrrain were breathtaking. Also, the copious amounts of international food really made it feel like a vacation."
Kenneth Powers, February 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"Being able to see the penguins up close and personal. The guides were very knowledgable and were always ready and will to answer questions. "
Karen Biron-Dekel, February 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"The icebergs were awesome! Taking an "iceberg cruise" in the zodiac was like driving through an sculpture museum. Each iceberg had different colors and shading and a special, unique shape. "
Conni Bock, December 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"Looking over beautiful Niko bay and seeing all the icebergs around and seeing the glaciers calving. Walking by penguin rookeries and seeing the parents feed the chicks."
Mayur Joshi, February 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"Every day was a highlight, particularly our first contact with the continent of Antarcticia at the Melchior Islands. While the zodiak floated quietly in mirrored bays, sea ice, carved icebergs and weddell seals were all within an arm's length of us. "
David Smith, November 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The highlight was stepping on the Antarctica islands for the first time after 63 hours of going through the Drake Passage and seeing nothing but water. It was starting to get dark, it was slightly raining, and the seas were choppy! What a thrilling ride we had for our first zodiac trip!"
Stephanie Boehning, January 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Very good - we'll be recommending you to our friends!"It is hard for me to summarize the highlight when the highlight for me was just BEING there. I guess the kayaking was the most enchanted part, but simply being in front of the ship as we pushed onward and see the land changing, that was incredible."
How did the Expedition Team contribute to your enjoyment of the voyage?
"They were always friendly, accessible, and available. They knew their stuff inside and out and I always felt safe and like I had someone I could ask questions."
Please share with us your most memorable wildlife encounter.
"The penguins, penguins, penguins...of course. Wow, I will never forget the smell of penguin. Also seeing the humpbacks doing a jumping show at the end of trip barbeque from the back of the ship -- wow. I know that wasn't planned, but holy crap."
If you participated in any optional adventures, please tell us the best thing about: Kayaking
"The silence, the feeling like you were the only ones out there (which you kind of were!), the surreal nearness of the water and icebergs gliding by you...it was like a crystal valley of sight and light. "
Camping
"I laughed alot, because I couldn't sleep since I managed to dampen my sleeping bag (bring DRY extra clothing!), so I stayed up almost the whole "night" and was one of the few who witnessed the huge seal that swam up and parked itself right near the section of camp we had set up as our toilet. What a magical night -- I am actually glad I didn't sleep!"
Please tell us what you consider the most exciting aspect of traveling on a ship built for polar cruising.
"The feeling of being somewhere that is farther away in so many senses from anything you have ever known, and in a place so few have been. And when you breathe its like you are breathing air that no one else has ever breathed before."
What story from your Quark voyage do you most often share with others?
"Unfortunately, because people are always asking "how do you get out there" the Drake passage has been the one I end up telling most often. Yes, I "lost" a day of my life half passed out half daydreaming while trying to hold down the few crackers I ate...and it was New Year's day! But the other story is the ice camping."
Aisha Moinuddin, December 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"The highlight for me was quite simply the people. Sharing the incredible landscapes, unique wildlife, and amazing food with the Expedition Team and other passengers enhanced the experience in a way in which I never anticipated."
William Gardner, November 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"Making the first landing was by far the most exhilarating moment. The anticipation of setting foot on the continent had been building for so long and to finally be able to do it was out of this world!"
Jessica Plourde, November 2007
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"There were too many wonderful things to choose a highlight! The solitude and remoteness of Antarctica is what I will remember most."
Jutta Cor Caroli, November 2007
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"There was no single hghlight - the entire trip was incredible from start to finish. Wildlife, scenery, skiing, BBQ on the aft deck, hiking, glacier calving, all of it was phenomenal."
Thomas Dumas, December 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"After dreaming of going to Antarctica all my life, the highlight has to be my first view of land after croosing the Drake Passage and then my first landing, actually being in Antarctica!!"
Stephen Liuzzi, November 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Very good - we'll be recommending you to our friends!"The icebergs and the penguins."
Theodoros Mittas, December 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The highlight of the trip was watching nature at work. Penguins, Seals, Whales, and the Snowy Sheathbill."
Paul Dougherty, December 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Very good - we'll be recommending you to our friends!
"Mt family love animals, so we were delighted to look at whales, seals, birds and penguins."
Claudia Fleig Mayer, January 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Overall an enjoyable vacation"The highlight of the trip was spending so much time up close and personal with the Antarctic wildlife. We will never get another opportunity to be so close to such a variety of wildlife. That was the best part, by far."
Jocelin Hsia, December 2008
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The majesty, serenity, scale, and sheer beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula was even more captivating than I'd imagined. In only 5 days to have such a richly varied experience in such an isolated place was incredibly powerful. "
Elissa Brown, November 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The beauty of Antarctica. I'm not an overly sentimental person, but during one zodiac ride, I was almost moved to tears. There is something about the light, the water, and the other worldly views. It's difficult to put into words, just how foreign Antarctica is. Several times I had to pinch myself. Places on earth like this just don't exists, at least I didn't think they did. It's a place that photographs can never quite completely capture."
William Hibschman, November 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The highlight of my trip has to be the Kayaking. From quietly paddling amongst icebergs large and small to encounters with Leopard Seals and a Humpback Whale, Kayaking was an amazing way to experience Antarctica."
Martin Murray, December 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"Amazingly endless numbers of penguins and breathtaking icebergs from glacier ice were truly magnificent. Two excursions per day, and lectures by professionals added to experience. All staff very personable, knowledgeable, and very accomodating. Truly a trip of lifetime."
Marie Melnichuk, November 2009
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"Walking on an unthinkable place. Meeting the eyes of a penguin, while we both wait for one of us to decide who will pass first!"
Nikolaos Kapsimalakos, January 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"It was amazing to experience the pristine landscape of the Antarctic. The wildlife and scenery were like nothing I had ever experienced before."
Brook Hensley, January 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"For me, the highlight of the trip was the profound feeling of peace generated by seeing such an unspoiled place. It truly was only us and the animals wherever we went. Being there on Christmas was especially rewarding, because we were away from American commercialism and could focus on the beautiful world we often take for granted."
Laura Miller, December 2007
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The highlight of the trip was whale-watching from the Zodiacs on Christmas Day. It was great to be so low down to the water and viewing them so close."
Jeff Cadieux, December 2009
Ocean Nova Voyage - Nov 2010
Very good - we'll be recommending you to our friends!"The highlight was the Polar Plunge. It's something that I feared at first, then embraced afterwards. It's a great talking point with my friends and I have photos (taken by a Quark expedition leader) to prove that I did it."
Bob Rodini, November 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The whole trip was a highlight - every small bit of it would have been the highlight of a 'normal' vacation - be it climbing up Spigots Peak, taking a swim at Deception Island, experiencing a near-white-out on skiers or watching the penguins - but also the lecture-fed, growing anticipation during the Drake passage. "
Bjoern Strack, November 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"I took part in the camping option and spent a night just laying out under the Antarctic sky. I saw the colours of the setting sun followed by the rising sun painting a pastel landscape that was perfectly reflected in the water so still, I heard the sounds of soft rumbling from small avalanches on the other side of the mountains, and I experienced a feeling of deep connection to a continent that has mysteriously drawn so many explorers to it... What else can I say?"
Tasenka Kushner, December 2010
Antarctic Explorer
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The whole experience was the best travel time of my life! I loved zodiac cruise particularly, it was magical and the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen."
Christina Carzoo, January 2011
Antarctic Explorer
Very good - we'll be recommending you to our friends!
"It was a truly wonderful trip, the Antarctic scenery cannot be described in mere words, penguin are such fun - I'm have become their biggest fan. One thing which for me is memorable is the docility of the wildlife - they seemed to ignore us/ accept us so that if we both crossed a path close to each other - so what - they didn't seem to mind :) "
Peter Grove, February 2011
Antarctic Explorer- Ocean Nova - February 2011
Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!"The highlight of my trip was the vast beauty of Antarctica itself. It was an ever changing beauty which was laid out before my eyes every morning, noon, and night, and which never failed to reveal something spectacular. It was Antarctica's geology, its landscapes, oceans, ice, wildlife, and fauna. Antarctica revealed the important story of our planet Earth, and beckoned loudly, often in a very silent way, to each of us, to accept personal responsibility to protect our precious planet. "
Sharon Schweizer, February 2011
