Quark Expeditions Opens Early for Polar Travel
Quark Expeditions has gone early on its next big polar drop, opening bookings for Arctic 2028 and Antarctic 2028/2029—the earliest season launch in the company’s 35-year history. For travellers who like to plan their bucket-list escapes well ahead of time, this is the kind of announcement that tends to trigger immediate spreadsheet behaviour.
The new seasons include more than 70 departures across the Arctic and Antarctica, along with fresh expedition extensions, a new Northwest Passage itinerary and a photography program designed to make the ice even more photogenic than it already is. You can explore more on the official website: Quark Expeditions.
What’s New This Season
Quark is clearly leaning into what polar travellers want most: more ways to experience the wilderness without losing the sense of discovery. The biggest additions include a new Guided Photography Program, available across both seasons, plus the brand’s first-ever Expedition Extensions for travellers who want to add time on land before or after their voyage.
Those extensions sound especially appealing. Guests can pair their expedition with experiences in places like Torres del Paine, Iguazu Falls, Finland and Iceland, turning a great voyage into a much bigger story. It is a smart move for a line that already knows its audience likes to go further, not just farther.
A Better Way To See The Ice
The new photography program is designed for all skill levels and limited to 16 guests per excursion, which is a nice touch for anyone who prefers learning without feeling like they are in a crowded workshop. Expect priority Zodiac positioning, extra time in the field, daily workshops and image reviews that help travellers actually improve their photos rather than just fill storage space.
That kind of detail matters in polar travel, where light, wildlife and weather can change by the minute. A guided approach gives guests a better shot at the kind of images that make people say, “wait, you took that?” It also reinforces Quark’s reputation for turning expedition travel into something both adventurous and surprisingly thoughtful.
Antarctica’s Big Moments
In Antarctica, the line is offering voyages across five regions: the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, Patagonia and Snow Hill Island. That last one is a headline in itself, thanks to its rare Emperor Penguin colony and helicopter access aboard Ultramarine, depending on ice conditions.
Quark is also putting its research and conservation focus front and centre. The company will provide 470 cruise nights to scientific and conservation partners across the upcoming seasons, supporting work in wildlife, climate and environmental monitoring. That makes the voyages feel less like sightseeing and more like being part of something bigger.
The Arctic Standout
The Arctic program is just as compelling, especially with a new Canadian Arctic/Northwest Passage itinerary. That route will visit Arctic Bay and Lancaster Sound, adding another chapter to one of the world’s most storied exploration corridors. For travellers who love the idea of following in the wake of historic explorers, that is hard to beat.
Quark is also bringing back Tundra to Table, a culinary program created with Greenlandic chef collective Igapall. It celebrates Indigenous food traditions, regional ingredients and cultural storytelling, which gives the Arctic season a welcome layer of flavour and place. Because let’s be honest: even in the polar regions, a memorable meal never hurts.
Why This Launch Matters
Early booking for polar travel is not just a marketing tactic; it is practical. These voyages are limited, demand is rising and the most interesting departures tend to disappear quickly. Quark’s early launch gives travellers more time to choose the right itinerary and lock in the kind of once-in-a-lifetime trip that usually requires both planning and a sense of adventure.
For expedition travellers, this season has a little bit of everything: wildlife, science, photography, culture and some of the most remote places on Earth. Quark seems to understand that the modern polar traveller wants more than a checkbox expedition. They want the story behind the ice.
Learn more at Quark Expeditions.
