Quark Expeditions® Wins Gold ‘Small Cruise Ship’ Magellan Award
MEDIA RELEASE
Polar Expeditions Brand Recognized as Industry Leader by Travel Weekly
[Seattle, WA] – 19 September 2016 – Quark Expeditions®, a leading provider of expeditions to the Polar Regions, is honored to accept the Gold Magellan Award for best ‘Small Cruise Ship’ for the second year in a row. The Magellan Awards presented by Travel Weekly honor outstanding services in a broad range of industry segments including Hospitality, Travel Destinations, and Cruise Lines.
“This year’s winners continue to raise the bar, establishing themselves as not just the most talented and creative people in the travel industry but among the most creative and talented of any industry,” said Arnie Weissmann, editor in chief of Travel Weekly, a leading B2B travel industry publication.
This year, Quark introduced a number of exciting, one-of-a-kind experiences for adventure travelers from around the globe. The expedition brand hosted Adventure Week at Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge, welcomed astronaut and speaker Chris Hadfield with his Generator Arctic crew onboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov icebreaker as part of a history-making 75-day Arctic Circumnavigation expedition, and introduced Island Sky, the first premium, all-inclusive fly-cruise in Antarctica.
In addition to winning the Gold Magellan Award, Quark Expeditions was named ‘World’s Best Specialist Cruise Line’ by World Travel Awards. The company also topped the Fodor’s Travel Guides list of ‘World’s Best Cruises for 2016’ for Arctic Icebreaker Expedition: Ultimate Northwest Passage. In 2015, Quark Expeditions won both the Gold Magellan Award for ‘Best Small Cruise Line’ and the Silver Magellan Award for ‘Best Cruise Blog.’
The Magellan Awards are judged and overseen by a one-of-a-kind panel of top travel professionals representing the best names and most accomplished leaders from the industry. With entries from across the U.S. and around the world, Magellan Award winners represent the best in the travel industry and salute the outstanding travel professionals behind it all, say organizers.
Since 1991, Quark Expeditions has specialized in Arctic and Antarctic travel. Its ice-worthy ships are designed for passenger comfort and piloted by seasoned captains, expedition leaders and crew. Quark’s commitment to safety and sustainability is industry leading in many ways. Quark’s staff-to-passenger ratio of 1:9.5 is one of the highest in the industry and every ship carries two onboard doctors, as well as First Aid and CPR-certified expedition staff.
The company leads the polar expedition cruise field in innovation, as well. Quark’s recently launched Antarctica: 360° Virtual Reality Experience, a series of 15 VR videos released recently, completely immerses viewers in the Antarctic experience. Internet are able to explore ice-laden inlets by kayak, get up close and personal with penguins, experience a guided hike and more, with the ability to view, hear and experience Antarctica almost as though they were there. The trailblazing expedition company has made it easier and faster than ever before to get there, too -- new Fly-Cruise and Fly the Drake expeditions whisk travelers to Antarctica and back in just 7 to 10 days.
Flash Sale – 50% Off Antarctic Expeditions
Now, experiencing a Magellan Gold Award small cruise expedition is easier than ever. For 5 days only beginning Monday September 19, Antarctic passengers can save 50% off their chance to explore the world’s wildest continent with the Quark Expeditions Antarctic Flash Sale.
About Quark Expeditions®:
Specializing in expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica, Quark Expeditions® has been the leading provider of polar adventure travel for 25 years. With a diverse fleet of specially-equipped small expedition vessels, icebreakers, and unique land-based adventures, it offers travelers unparalleled access to the most remote places on earth. Led by passionate and seasoned expedition teams, including scientists, naturalists and researchers, the on-board program focuses on guest interaction to educate and enrich the passenger experience. The company is known for its unwavering commitment to safety and sustainability, including its partnership with The Nature Conservancy (USA). It also offers passengers — free of charge — carbon offsetting aboard Ocean Diamond and Ocean Nova voyages.
About the TUI Adventure Division:
The TUI Adventure Division offers premium, experience-based adventure holidays and expeditions worldwide for active travelers. In addition to QuarkExpeditions.com, the division includes expedition specialists IEtravel.com and Zegrahm.com; leading European adventure and activity specialists ExodusTravels.com, Headwater.com, World-Challenge.co.uk, Sawadeee.nl, TrekAmerica.co.uk and GrandAmericanAdventures.com; as well as US-based destination management company AmericanAdventures.com. From reaching the top of Kilimanjaro and canoeing on the Zambezi, to catching tiger cub sightings and breaking ice en route to the North Pole, the TUI Adventure Division offers inspirational experiences that create lifelong memories.
- 30 -