Expedition Experience
Embrace the unexpected!
That is the first rule of adventure cruising. Expeditions are subject to local conditions that cannot be controlled - weather, biological cycles, and in the Arctic and Antarctica - ice. There is an element of risk in a polar expedition. The education, training and real-life experience of Expedition Team members, Officers and crew lessen the risk. Risk is never eliminated.
The Polar Regions do not lend itself to bare bones travel. You cannot upgrade hotels or cut your expedition short if you find you have chosen the wrong itinerary or ship. Dare to compare ships, expertise and ask questions.
5 Essential Questions
Polar itineraries, ships and activity choices abound. Answer five essential questions and you will identify the expedition experience that suits you best:
- Do I want to travel to the Arctic or to Antarctica? Choosing between polar opposites.
- What is my travel budget? Use our price search option in the top right hand corner to find the voyage to suit your budget.
- When do I want to travel? The best times to travel.
- What style of vessel will provide the best voyage for me? Your ship choices.
- Do I want to travel with the polar expedition company that has the greatest experience, the most departures and the widest variety of itineraries to the Arctic and Antarctica? Learn more about Quark Expeditions.
5 Important Things to Know
Book a Quark expedition cruise and we will send you an informative package of polar travel resources: Information to assist you to pack and plan. Here are five important things you need to know before you book any polar exploration.
Carry a valid passport.
No matter where your expedition cruise goes, you are required to present a valid passport on boarding. When you book online or over the phone, you must provide your passport number. [Passport fees are not included in the cost of the expedition.]
The US dollar is the standard currency on board our vessels.
Other currencies may be accepted at the discretion of the hotel manager at prevailing rates. Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express are accepted on board for settling your shipboard account.
Anticipate some rough seas.
Consult your physician about effective seasickness medications and their possible side effects. Before you leave home, please read the dosage instructions. To be effective most preventative seasickness medicine must be ingested while you are feeling well.
Carry a video or still camera and a pair of binoculars.
Our expeditions often provide opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime photographs. Bring a still or video camera. Binoculars are needed for wildlife watching from the deck or on shore landings. You can purchase binoculars from the Quark Gear Shop.
