Quark Expeditions has opened bookings for its Arctic 2028 and Antarctic 2028/29 seasons, marking the earliest season announcement in the company's 35-year history. The lineup includes more than 70 departures across ten polar regions, with new curated experiences aimed at discerning travelers seeking deeper engagement with remote environments.
Expanded Itineraries and New Programs
The Arctic 2028 season covers Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, the Canadian Arctic, and Atlantic Canada, while the Antarctic 2028/29 season spans the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, Patagonia, and Snow Hill Island. Voyage lengths and vessel styles vary, with a focus on immersive shore excursions.
A key addition is the Guided Photography Program, available on both Arctic and Antarctic sailings. Limited to 16 participants per excursion and led by a dedicated Lead Photo Guide, the program offers priority Zodiac placement for optimal shooting angles, slower-paced field time tuned to light and weather, daily workshops, and image reviews. This is designed for photographers who want professional instruction without sacrificing comfort.
Quark also introduces its first Expedition Extensions: pre- and post-voyage options that allow travelers to build layered itineraries. Choices range from Patagonia's Torres del Paine adventures and Iguazu Falls to wellness stays in Finland and volcanic journeys through Iceland. These extensions cater to luxury travelers seeking to prolong their polar gateway experience.
Northwest Passage and Tundra to Table Return
New for 2028 is a Canadian Arctic voyage through the legendary Northwest Passage, visiting Arctic Bay and Lancaster Sound—an epic route for those seeking remote horizons. Meanwhile, the Tundra to Table program returns on four Arctic sailings aboard the Ultramarine, pairing Indigenous culinary storytelling with field-to-plate experiences developed with the Greenlandic chef collective Igapall.
Quark maintains strong research partnerships, providing hundreds of cruise nights to scientists and citizen-science initiatives. Guests can engage with conservation-focused projects and onboard lecture programs, including marine mammal research voyages and the rare opportunity to visit the emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island (helicopter access subject to ice conditions).
Booking Details and Practical Notes
Public bookings opened on 23 June 2026; past guests had early access from 16 June. An Early Booking Bonus is available while inventory lasts, encouraging early reservations for the best suites and shore excursions. The offerings cater to small groups, private moments, and photography- or research-focused travelers seeking exclusive experiences rather than mass-market cruising.
This early release signals growing appetite for premium, meaningful polar travel. With dedicated photography programs, curated extensions, new Northwest Passage access, and culinary-cultural experiences such as Tundra to Table, the 2028–29 seasons give luxury travelers more ways to personalize an expedition—returning home with rare memories, refined images, and a deeper understanding of fragile polar worlds.
For travel professionals, this expansion aligns with broader trends in luxury expedition cruising, as seen with Ponant's Arctic 2028 bookings and the growing demand for immersive polar experiences. Quark's focus on photography and extensions also complements the rise of personalized luxury service models, such as The Lind Hotels' One-Person Promise.
