Our Polar Fleet
Quark Expeditions offers adventurers the most diverse polar fleet in the world. In the Arctic Fleet icebreakers take you to regions inaccessible by traditional expedition vessels, with aerial sightseeing by helicopter. Adventure ships carry kayaks for optional exploring. The Antarctic Fleet provides three styles of voyage: Icebreaker, Adventure Ship and Expedition Ship.
Arctic Fleet
Our Arctic fleet includes 2 polar-class icebreakers: the nuclear powered 50 Years of Victory and the diesel powered Kapitan Khlebnikov. These ships were purpose-built to navigate the frozen waters of the Russian Arctic. They enable us to reach the highest northern latitudes, including the North Pole! Three Adventure Ships sail the Canadian Arctic and Spitsbergen: Akademik Ioffe. Akademik Shokalskiy and Akademik Sergey Vavilov.
50 Years of Victory
Six Arktika class icebreakers were built. 50 Years of Victory is the newest to be commissioned, having taken twenty years to complete. This massive ship is the largest fitted for passenger travel to the North Pole. The icebreaker sails from its home port of Murmansk, Russia.
This ship, unlike the others, has a steel ice belt 5 meters (18 feet) wide to enable crushing through ice up to 2.5 meters (9.2 feet) thick. There are 64 cabins with five categories, all with facilities en suite and ocean views.
128 Guests
Destinations: The North Pole
Kapitan Khlebnikov
No passenger vessel has transited the Northwest Passage more often than the renowned Kapitan Khlebnikov. Powered by 24,000 horsepower engines, its advanced icebreaking technology takes you places other ships are not rated to sail.
108 Guests
Destinations: In 2008, Northeast Passage, Arctic Islands: Franz Josef Land, Svalbard, Greenland, and Arctic Quest: Canada and Greenland
Akademik Ioffe
This Adventure Ship is equipped with Zodiacs for ocean level exploration and kayaks for optional paddling among ice floes. Akademik Ioffe is powered by a 5,000 kilowatt diesel twin engine. Bow and stern thrusters provide maximum maneuverability, while a shallow draft permits passage through channels impassable by larger ships.
110 Guests
Destinations:
In 2008, Northwest Passage via Simpson Strait, Baffin Island, the Eastern Canadian Arctic and Greenland
Akademik Shokalskiy
This former research vessel also is equipped to provide optional kayaking in the Arctic, while sailing in Svalbard and Eastern Greenland, in 2008.
48 Guests
Destinations: Spitsbergen, Eastern Greenland, Iceland
Akademik Sergey Vavilov
This Adventure Ship is equipped with Zodiacs for ocean level exploration and kayaks for optional paddling among ice floes in Spitsbergen and Greenland. Akademik Sergey Vavilov is powered by a 5,000 kilowatt diesel twin engine. Bow and stern thrusters provide maximum maneuverability, while a shallow draft permits passage through channels impassable by larger ships.
105 Guests
Destinations:
In 2008, Spitsbergen and Greenland
Antarctic Fleet
Our Antarctic fleet is comprised of three styles of expedition vessels:
The icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov is equipped with helicopters and Zodiacs for shore landings.
Our Adventure Ships, Akademik Ioffe, Akademik Sergey Vavilov, Ocean Nova and Akademik Shokalskiy are for active travelers.
Lyubov Orlova and Clipper Adventurer are Expedition Ships that provide softer adventures in a comfortable environment.
Kapitan Khlebnikov
Kapitan Khlebnikov sails to regions in the Antarctic where no other passenger vessel can. Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea is surrounded by ten-tenths pack ice in October and November when the Emperor Penguins are still caring for their young. The icebreaker’s ice crushing power and onboard helicopters make visits to the rookery possible. During Epic Antarctica, a semi-circumnavigation that follows the Phantom Coast, Alexandra Shackleton will be our special guest. When the icebreaker explorers the Ross Sea, cartoonist Adrian Raeside will be special guest.
108 Guests
Destinations:
Emperor Penguins: Snow Hill Island Safari
and Epic Antarctica: Semi-Circumnavigation, Great Antarctic Explorers
Akademik Shokalskiy
Our second former research vessel also is equipped to deliver adventure options: camping and kayaking.
50 Guests
Destinations: The Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Akademik Ioffe
This Adventure Ship is equipped with Zodiacs for ocean level exploration and kayaks for optional paddling among ice floes. Akademik Ioffe is powered by a 5,000 kilowatt diesel twin engine. Bow and stern thrusters provide maximum maneuverability, while a shallow draft permits passage through channels impassable by larger ships.
110 Guests
Destinations:
In 2008, Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands(Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the Antarctic Circle.
Akademik Sergey Vavilov
This Adventure Ship is equipped with Zodiacs for ocean level exploration and kayaks for optional paddling among ice floes. Akademik Sergey Vavilov is powered by a 5,000 kilowatt diesel twin engine. Bow and stern thrusters provide maximum maneuverability, while a shallow draft permits passage through channels impassable by larger ships.
105 Guests
Destinations:
In 2008, Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands(Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the Antarctic Circle.
Ocean Nova
Active travelers will enjoy clean, crisp Scandinavian styling and Ocean Nova’s reputation as an excellent ship for Antarctic exploration. Purpose-built to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland, Ocean Nova’s ice-strengthened hull has enabled the ship to park in the ice of the Weddell Sea!
68 Guests
Destinations: The Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Falkland Islands (Islas (Malvinas), and the Antarctic Circle
Lyubov Orlova
This Expedition Ship has a reputation for reliability and comfort. The public spaces were recently renovated. There are covered outside promenades for open-air viewing.
110 Guests
Destinations: The Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Clipper Adventurer
This elegant Expedition Ship has a reputation for reliability and comfort. The public spaces were well appointed. There are covered outside promenades for open-air viewing.
110 Guests
Destinations: The Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
