Many organizations place carbon offsets at the center of their sustainability strategies. At Quark, we believe that this is a short-sighted approach to running a sustainable operation. To have an enduring positive impact, it is necessary to achieve tangible reductions in our carbon footprint, but also to inspire our guests to make changes in their own lives and advocate for broader changes in their communities.  

Goal: By 2025, 5% of guests join the Polar Ambassadors program, which seeks to further activate impactful environmental action following their return home.

Why this matters

By educating and engaging our guests, we harness their enthusiasm and commitment to environmental and social causes. These practices enhance the travel experience and promote a sense of shared responsibility for preserving the incredible destinations we explore. Together, we can create a larger, more meaningful impact than any of us could achieve individually.  

Education and Enrichment

A Quark Expeditions expedition is more than just a travel experience; it is an immersive journey that fosters a profound understanding of the Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems, their wildlife, and the pressing conservation issues they face. Each is designed to deeply engage guests with the unique environments of the polar regions.  

Our ships serve as platforms for education, staffed with top experts in ornithology, biology, geology, glaciology, history, photography, culture, and other topics salient to the voyage. Over the course of each voyage, these experts lead a series of engaging presentations that help guests understand the changing environmental conditions and their impact on wildlife and habitats. Our expeditions aim to foster a deeper understanding of the critical role these regions play in the global ecosystem.

Central to our mission is the active engagement of our guests in environmental stewardship. Throughout their voyage, our expedition team guides guests in identifying and understanding the behaviors of the unique species inhabiting the polar regions. Whether it’s spotting walrus lounging on ice floes from the deck, observing penguin colonies on a Zodiac cruise, or witnessing the majestic movements of whales, guests gain a profound appreciation for the region’s biodiversity.

In the Arctic, Quark Expeditions partners with local organizations to incorporate cultural enrichment into its onboard programs, offering guests the opportunity to learn about the history and traditions of indigenous peoples. Guests may participate in cultural presentations, interact with local communities, and learn about the human history and contemporary issues facing these regions.

Quark Expeditions’ education and enrichment program provides a holistic and immersive experience, fostering a deeper connection with the polar environments and inspiring guests to become ambassadors for these fragile and awe-inspiring regions.

Polar Ambassadors

Quark Expeditions has been an ambassador of the polar regions since our inception in 1991. Exploring and preserving these unique environments is at the heart of everything we do. This passion drives our efforts to not only guide our guests in these remarkable destinations but also to foster a profound connection that lasts beyond their voyage.

Our entire team are Polar Ambassadors. We live and breathe the polar experience, driven by a passion that goes beyond. Our enthusiasm is contagious, and we take pride in sharing our love and knowledge for the polar regions – their unique flora, fauna, ice, history, and culture – with every guest.  

The transformative experience of exploring the polar regions is profound. We aim to ensure every guest returns home with a heightened environmental awareness. Many leave deeply moved and inspired by the things they’ve learned and the connections they’ve made. Whether it inspired their voyage or it is a new personal discovery, this motivation often translates into a deep desire to share their stories and take action to make a difference in preserving the polar regions.

This guest transformation was the driving force behind the creation of the Polar Ambassador program. Catalyzed from a grassroots initiative proposed by our expedition team, which recognized our guests’ desire to engage in conservation and make a meaningful impact long after their expedition concluded, the program aims to harness guests’ excitement and enthusiasm and amplify our collective impact. Through the Polar Ambassador program, guests can extend their connections beyond their voyage, turn their passion into concrete actions that reduce their impact, and advocate for conservation efforts in the polar regions and their local communities.