The Weather
Arctic Climate
Our expeditions travel to the Arctic during the boreal summer months. We visit high latitudes where the ice never disappears. Sunny conditions are common but they can change quickly to storms with cold winds and snow flurries. Travelers must be prepared for rapid weather changes.
Antarctic Climate
Austral summers in Antarctica typically afford mild temperatures. However, crisp, cold sunny conditions can swiftly shift to storms with very cold winds and snow flurries. Travelers must be prepared for rapid weather changes.
Currency
The US dollar is standard currency on board. Other currencies may be accepted at prevailing rates at the discretion of the Hotel Manager. Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express are accepted on board for settling shipboard accounts.
Visas
Arctic
To reach the high Arctic latitudes, our ships depart from ports in Canada and Russia, with staging points in Canada, the USA and Finland. Travelers must check with local consulates for the countries visited on their chosen itinerary to determine whether an entry visa is required.
Antarctic
To reach Antarctica our ships depart from ports in Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia. Travelers should check with local consulates for these countries to determine whether they will need an entry visa.
Insurance
Travelers aboard Quark Expeditions voyages to the polar regions must be covered by insurance that will reimburse them for emergency medical evacuation, should it be required. Travelers must provide proof that insurance has been purchased prior to joining the expedition. While our ships offer a clinic staffed by a licensed doctor, serious medical emergencies would require evacuation, which is extremely expensive, because our voyages travel to remote locations far from medical care facilities.
