Itinerary
A city of the sea, Helsinki was built along a series of oddly shaped peninsulas and islands jutting into the Baltic coast along the Gulf of Finland. Streets and avenues curve around bays, bridges reach to nearby islands, and ferries ply among offshore islands.Having grown dramatically since World War II, Helsinki now absorbs more than one-tenth of the Finnish population. The metro area covers 764 square km (474 square miles) and 315 islands. Most sights, hotels, and restaurants cluster on one peninsula, forming a compact central hub. The greater Helsinki metropolitan area, which includes Espoo and Vantaa, has a total population of more than a million people.Helsinki is a relatively young city compared with other European capitals. In the 16th century, King Gustav Vasa of Sweden decided to woo trade from the Estonian city of Tallinn and thus challenge the Hanseatic League’s monopoly on Baltic trade. Accordingly, he commanded the people of four Finnish towns to pack up their belongings and relocate to the rapids on the River Vantaa. The new town, founded on June 12, 1550, was named Helsinki.For three centuries, Helsinki (Helsingfors in Swedish) had its ups and downs as a trading town. Turku, to the west, remained Finland’s capital and intellectual center. However, Helsinki’s fortunes improved when Finland fell under Russian rule as an autonomous grand duchy. Czar Alexander I wanted Finland’s political center closer to Russia and, in 1812, selected Helsinki as the new capital. Shortly afterward, Turku suffered a disastrous fire, forcing the university to move to Helsinki. The town’s future was secure.Just before the czar’s proclamation, a fire destroyed many of Helsinki’s traditional wooden structures, precipitating the construction of new buildings suitable for a nation’s capital. The German-born architect Carl Ludvig Engel was commissioned to rebuild the city, and as a result, Helsinki has some of the purest neoclassical architecture in the world. Add to this foundation the influence of Stockholm and St. Petersburg with the local inspiration of 20th-century Finnish design, and the result is a European capital city that is as architecturally eye-catching as it is distinct from other Scandinavian capitals. You are bound to discover endless engaging details—a grimacing gargoyle; a foursome of males supporting a balcony’s weight on their shoulders; a building painted in striking colors with contrasting flowers in the windows. The city’s 400 or so parks make it particularly inviting in summer.Today, Helsinki is still a meeting point of eastern and western Europe, which is reflected in its cosmopolitan image, the influx of Russians and Estonians, and generally multilingual population. Outdoor summer bars (“terrassit” as the locals call them) and cafés in the city center are perfect for people watching on a summer afternoon.
Day programme:
Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.
Longyearbyen is the biggest settlement in Svalbard. Seat of the Norwegian administration, it also has the best services and infrastructure in the archipelago. Located deep in the Adventfjord, a sidearm of the Isfjorden (Icefjord), Longyearbyen’s airport can be used all-year round, but its harbor is blocked by ice in winter. Most shops, hotels, restaurants and a hospital are within easy walking distance of the port. One of the most prominent buildings in town is the UNIS center, where several Norwegian universities have joined forces to operate and offer the northernmost higher education to both Norwegian and international students. Adjacent to UNIS, and well worth a visit, is the Svalbard Museum, covering the natural history and exploitation of Svalbard. Remnants of the former mining activity can be seen all around Longyearbyen and even in town.
Day programme:
After breakfast, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, as part of the transfer package. As you embark this afternoon, you’ll enjoy great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this seaside town.
Day programme:
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole!
Day programme:
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole!
Day programme:
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole!
Day programme:
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole!
Day programme:
During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. Finally, you will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs and, some say, the most beautiful fjord system in the world. If conditions allow, you may also visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland.
Day programme:
During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. Finally, you will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs and, some say, the most beautiful fjord system in the world. If conditions allow, you may also visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland.
Day programme:
During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. Finally, you will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs and, some say, the most beautiful fjord system in the world. If conditions allow, you may also visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland.
Day programme:
During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. Finally, you will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs and, some say, the most beautiful fjord system in the world. If conditions allow, you may also visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland.
Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation’s nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island’s population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík’s name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there’s no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city’s seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.
Day programme:
You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, at the end of your journey. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, we provide a transferto a central downtown location.
This palatial, airy apartment offers stunning views from its large private veranda on the highest cabin level. The luxurious suite features a large master bedroom, living room and dining area and two large master bathrooms, among other amenities.
Bed Config.
Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed
This unique 2-room suite is located on Deck 7 and is approximately 269 sq. f (25.0 sq. m.) in size. It has one double bed that can be configured into two singles in the inner bedroom and the outer sitting area is furnished with a sofa-bed. Walk-out from either room to a double sized balcony . There are also 2 TV’s, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor. And an additional powder room in the outside sitting area.
Bed Config.
Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed
The decor and layout of this stately suite will amaze. The private veranda, convenient Deck 6 location, plus proximity to the lounge and downstairs dining room are equally impressive.
Bed Config.
Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed
This spacious, classic stateroom allows you to stretch freely. Centrally located on Decks 4 and 6.
Bed Config.
One double bed made up of two twin berths plus fold out sofa bed
Near the center of the ship on Deck 6, this stateroom offers easy access to the lounge, dining room and a private veranda.
Bed Config.
One double bed made up of two twin berths plus fold out sofa bed
Revel in superior comfort of this stateroom on Deck 4 while taking in the panoramic ocean views from your private veranda.
Bed Config.
One double bed made up of two twin berths plus fold out sofa bed
These classic staterooms ensure guests have easy access to all amenities the ship has to offer.
Bed Config.
One double bed made up of two twin berths plus some with fold out sofa bed.
Enjoy privacy and elegance at the front of the ship where guests are treated to sweeping views from their private veranda.
Bed Config.
One double bed made up of two twin berths
More information coming soon.
More information coming soon.
Enjoy the calm ambience of this stateroom which features a porthole window and every amenity essential for your polar voyage.
Bed Config.
One double bed made up of two twin berths
Designed for one. These cabins are located on Deck 3 and approximately 177 sq. ft. (16.5 sq. m,) in size, with one double bed and a porthole view. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.
Bed Config.
One double bed made up of two twin berths
Contemporary meets cozy in this modern dining room with its stylish lighting and contemporary art. Located on Deck 5, the Main Dining Room seats 144 guests, and features expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto the spectacular polar wilderness.
Tasteful and intimate. This stylish, private dining room on deck 5 provides a relaxed dining experience—with views of the polar landscape—for up to 36 guests.
With four separate sea-level embarkation points and a fleet of 15 Zodiacs, Ocean Explorer offers a comprehensive breadth of off-ship activities including Zodiac cruising and paddling, allowing you to intimately connect with the polar wilderness.
The perfect polar expedition doesn’t just happen. It takes a team of talented, knowledgeable and experienced professionals to bring it all together. Our Expedition Team is comprised of seasoned veterans with rich backgrounds in marine biology, history, glaciology, geology and more. With the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the industry, our Expedition Teams safely deliver your trip-of-a-lifetime to maximize your polar adventure every step of the way.
Zodiacs are used for transferring you ashore, transporting your luggage when necessary and for taking you ocean-level cruising among icebergs, whales and seabirds. During the expedition, you will visit remote and isolated sites that are accessible only by Zodiac.
These large, heavy-duty inflatable vessels are extremely safe and were specially designed for expedition work. Zodiacs are the workhorses of Polar expeditions. Separate air compartments retain a large reserve of buoyancy even if these sturdy boats are damaged. Their flat bottom design permits the craft to land directly onto the cobble and ice-strewn beaches that you will encounter on your Polar expedition.
Sea kayaking is offered on all of our departures and you require no previous experience to enjoy this activity. Our sea kayaks are the ideal means by which to get some good exercise and explore the cliffs and shores of the various visitor sites around the archipelago. A typical cruise week offers great opportunities to go kayaking around secluded coves, shores, mangrove estuaries and beautiful beaches. Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, sea lions and many other animals can be seen up close on a kayak and even as they swim.
Stand-up Paddleboarding, popularly known as SUPing, originated in Hawaii. Quark Expeditions is the first company to bring this watersport all the way to Antarctica.
SUPing combines the immersive experience of kayaking but in a standing position. Participants, if they prefer, can kneel, sit or even lie down and stare up at the azure Antarctic sky. Because of their wide base and tail fins, SUP boards are quite stable, enabling participants – after a bit of practice – to stop staring at their feet and admire the surrounding scenery. Imagine seeing Gentoo penguins gliding below you, or making eye contact with a Weddell seal lying on a piece of ice as you paddle by.
Guests receive on-ship and on-water instruction from a qualified SUP guide. In addition, a safety driver (in a Zodiac) stays within range to offer assistance.
The Polar Plunge is scheduled once during each voyage. Throughout the journey, the Expedition Leader and Captain constantly monitor conditions in order to choose the optimal time and location. The Polar Plunge sometimes takes place onshore or, in many cases, from the gangway or Zodiac. All participants wear a tethered harness and plunge into the polar waters from the side of Zodiac or safety of the gangplank cheered on, of course, by fellow passengers and Expedition Team.
Safety is paramount—the onboard physician always attends the Polar Plunge. Guides in survival gear circle the area in Zodiacs as guests take their turn jumping or cannon-balling into the polar waters.
Hiking in the polar regions differs from your typical trail experience. Here, in a tree-less terrain, you are the tallest figure on the landscape as you walk over spongy tundra, crusty snow or sandy beaches in remotes parts of the Arctic and Antarctica. Stepping ashore anywhere in the polar regions means you’re not a distant observer.
Our organized hikes range from short jaunts to the top of lookouts or visits to see wildlife or longer walks of several kilometers over ice and rock and snow. Hiking excursions may last from two to three hours with plenty of time for photographs of wildlife, learning moments from your experienced guides, or just time to stand back and admire the incredible polar surroundings.
No experience is necessary but participants should be able to get in and out of a Zodiac and walk on uneven terrain. Hiking options are tailored to all interests and abilities, from those who want to contemplate the landscape in silence to photographers who want that perfect image to energetic travelers who want to summit a peak in the hopes of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Explore the ocean from a more intimate vantage point on a sit-on-top kayak. No experience is required to manoeuvre these very stable kayaks, allowing you to enjoy an unforgettable experience on the water, taking in breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. Whether it’s your first time in a kayak or you want greater flexibility to try other Adventure options, this shorter excursion is for you.
Paddling in the Polar Regions is highly weather-dependent and a one-time experience. Your kayak guides will attempt to take you out on the water for 1-1.5 hours of paddling. Offered on most voyages, spaces are limited. All equipment, guides and instructions are provided by Quark.
Pricing subject to change based on season. Please proceed to checkout or contact a Polar Travel Adviser for more details.
Imagine for a moment, staring at the stars in the indigo glow of an Antarctic night as you bed down for the night outside in the elements. The buzz of your daily life becomes a distant memory as you listen to the bray of penguin, the ethereal calls of the Weddell sea – even the exhalation of a humpback whale. And then you fall asleep.
Antarctic Camping with Quark Expeditions is an unforgettable experience. After dinner onboard, you’ll be escorted ashore by Zodiac to camp out on the snow for the night in your ready-to-roll bivy sack (tents can be used upon request). Once you decide on your spot, you set up camp and enjoy the peace as the Antarctic night unfolds.
Camping in Antarctica is limited to 50 participants, all of whom will be briefed beforehand on the principals of basic camping. Prior to you settling down for the night, Quark Expeditions staff will prepare the site, including setting up a perimeter in safe, flat to gently-sloping and beautiful site. You’re free to choose where (within the perimeters) you want to settle down for the night.
A popular social hub on Deck 5, the beautifully-lit Latitude Bar—with its lush sofas and faux marble-topped end tables—is large enough to seat 46 and is ideal for enjoying a quiet drink on your own or hanging out with friends.
Located on Deck 6 at the top of the gorgeous atrium staircase, this beautiful Library with floor-to-ceiling glass, accommodates up to 47 people.
More information coming soon.
More information coming soon.
This stylish lounge at the top of the ship guarantees incredible views. Guests also frequent this spacious lookout on Deck 8 to enjoy cocktails and conversation with fellow travelers. Seats 63.
Two outdoor Jacuzzis on deck 7, at the ship’s stern, mean you can relax alfresco while soaking up the breath-taking polar views.
Stay fit with the latest work-out equipment in the Fitness Center on Deck 7.
After a day of exciting off-ship adventure, guests can relax on the sauna’s traditional wood benches while gazing at the polar wilderness just outside the large sauna windows. Accommodates 15 people on Deck 7.
With the latest sustainability technology in polar expedition, the ship features fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines and the ground-breaking MAGS gasification system that converts waste into energy, eliminating the environmental impact of waste transportation.
Quark Expeditions welcomes passengers age of 8 and above on all trips with a signed waiver by a parent prior to trip commencement. There are however some caveats and restrictions to be aware of:
Children on Ship-based trips
Quark Expeditions welcomes passengers∘ age of 8 and above and under the age of 16 at time of travel with a signed waiver by a parent prior to commencement on any Quark Expeditions trip, provided they meet height and weight requirements (weight of 64lbs or 29kg and 48″ or 1.2 m. tall). Children under 8 years old at the time of travel are not allowed to participate in the trip.
Children Ship-based Adventure Options
Adventure Options on ships are available for all persons over the age of 16. Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to participate in Adventure Options. Parents must be with children under the age of 16 at all times, so the parent’s participation in Adventure Options may be limited.
MEDICAL CLINIC
The Clinic is located on Deck 3. In case of emergency, the doctor is available 24 hours a day, and can be contacted through reception
or any member of the Expedition Team. Quark provides an English-speaking doctor on board who manages a medical clinic stocked with a supply of common prescription medicines and basic first aid equipment. If you are under regular treatment for any ailment, you must bring a sufficient supply of medicine for yourself. We cannot accept responsibility for not having a specific brand or type of drug on board. Should you fall ill, the doctor will refer to the medical forms that you completed and returned to us; therefore it is vital that the information you provide is complete and accurate.
The dress code on the ship is casual, though some may choose to dress up a little for the Captain’s Welcome Reception.
To protect the health and safety of its guests, Quark Expeditions® maintains a no smoking policy in the interior of the ship including cabins, near Zodiacs and on landings. Smoking on the ship is permitted in the designated smoking area only, which your Expedition∘ Team members will be happy to point out for you. Always make sure to extinguish cigarettes properly and dispose of them in the proper receptacle. Please, never throw cigarettes overboard.
If you do not eat meat there is a wide selection of vegetables, pasta, grains and fruit available. Quark Expeditions® is able to cater to most special dietary requests, as long as you clearly indicated your needs on the required expedition forms when you booked your voyage. Menus will be clearly labeled for vegetarian and gluten free options, but please do notify your server of the dietary restrictions you indicated on your form. We regret that kosher food cannot be prepared.
A complete list of laundry fees will be provided on board. Laundry is collected each morning; please allow 48 hours for your laundry to be returned. Ironing services are also available at a minimal charge. We encourage you to take advantage of the laundry services, as it will mean you can pack fewer articles of clothing. If you prefer to hand wash small items in your cabin, please remember to bring environmentally friendly detergent.
All our vessels have WiFi onboard. Please note that we travel to some of the most remote parts of the world. As we utilize satellite equipment for our connection, it is possible that occasional degradation or outages of services may occur. Personal communication services are not always guaranteed throughout your voyage. Please refer to your Ship Book for specific WiFi details of your ship. We encourage passengers to disconnect from digital life and reconnect with the natural world.
If you are concerned about staying in touch with friends and family while onboard, you can also find Emergency Contact Information for the ship on your Final Document that you’ll receive approximately one month prior to departure. You can leave these details with your friends and family for peace of mind.
Sending polar mail is still a rare and memorable way for loved ones to receive a memento from your voyage. Mail may be posted from the ship and will be charged to your on board account. Please deposit your mail at reception with your cabin number and name noted clearly in the upper right-hand corner of each card or letter. If your voyage visits a research base, we may be permitted to leave mail. If we are unable to post the mail during your voyage, staff will attempt to do so on subsequent voyages. Please note, delivery can take many months and cannot be guaranteed.
STAYING IN TOUCH WHILE ON BOARD
When you are not busy exploring the natural beauty of the Polar Regions, you may have the ability to make phone calls, check emails and use the internet while on board.
Please note that we travel to some of the most remote parts of the world. As we utilize satellite equipment for our connection, it is possible that occasional degradation or outages of services may occur. Personal communication services are not always guaranteed throughout your voyage. We encourage passengers to disconnect from digital life and reconnect with the natural world.
To access email or internet on your personal computer, tablet or smart phone, you can purchase a data credit. You can access network spots found throughout the public spaces of the ship. In some cases, the connection will also work from your cabins; however the best connections will be from public areas. You can also use any 64 kbps web-enabled chat service apps you have downloaded to your device prior to your departure (e.g. WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, etc.) free of charge, without purchasing a data credit. Only text will transmit over these services while on board.
If you would like to make phone calls from the ship, Voice credits are also available for a small fee, and allow calling from your cabin to shore telephones at various rates per minute, dependent on location and type of phone you are dialing (calling mobile phones tends to be more expensive). Current prices for these optional services will be posted on board the ship. Please note we cannot provide refunds for unused voice or data credits.
ONBOARD WEBSITE
Our free onboard website is an excellent resource for daily programs, expedition team biographies, photos, and other voyage information. Visit http://www.MyQuarkVoyage.com during your expedition to take advantage of the materials. Access to this site is available free of charge, even if you have not purchased data. Contact Guest Services if you experience any difficulty logging on.
- Observation Deck
- Observation Bistro
- Observation Lounge
- Elevator
- Explorer Suite
- Owners Suite
- Dry Sauna
- Fitness Center
- Jacuzzis
- Bridge
- Observation Deck
- Sun Deck and Bar
- Elevator
- Library
- Junior Suites
- Royal Veranda Stateroom
- Grand Veranda Stateroom
- Elevator
- Main Dining Room
- Private Dining Room
- The Latitude Bar
- Reception
- Polar Boutique
- Explorer Lecture Lounge
- Elevator
- Deluxe Veranda Stateroom
- Deluxe Veranda Middle Stateroom
- Deluxe Veranda Forward Stateroom
- Royal Veranda Stateroom
- Elevator
- Mudroom
- Zodiac Embarkation Points
- Studio Single Staterooms
- Studio Double Staterooms
- Elevator
- More information coming soon.
Get in touch with our team to start planning
Call and speak to a member of our experienced team today on +44 (0)1491 528 988 or email info@authenticcruises.co.uk.
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