Which expedition cruise company do you work for?
Quark Expeditions
What do you think sets your company apart from other expedition cruise operators?
Photos @Quark Expeditions
Quark Expeditions are Polar-Obsessed since 1991. We have a deep passion and love for these unique and special regions, and we have always led the way in commercial polar exploration, starting from taking the very first group of commercial travellers to the North Pole in 1991. With that pioneering spirit continuing today more than 3 decades later, our team continuously strives to push the boundaries of polar travel, with industry-first innovations, the best team in the business, with the deepest knowledge and know-how. Our diverse fleet of small polar vessels can take our guests to places larger ships can’t navigate and offer unique experiences others can’t, or won’t, such as the Ultramarine’s included Flightseeing experiences utilising its two twin-engine helicopters which allows guests to experience the polar regions by land, sea & air. With the best guide-to-guest ratio in the industry, our ethos is the team that explores together, discovers more together.
Do you have a favourite destination that you always recommend to first-time expedition cruisers and if so, which destination is it?
Photos @Quark Expeditions
Whilst Antarctica certainly has that bucket-list appeal, the Arctic is actually my favourite destination and specifically Greenland with its spectacularly vast landscapes, deep fjords and breath-taking ice, from towering glaciers to intricate icebergs to vast sheets. Whilst wildlife are more scarce in Greenland than other Arctic destinations like Svalbard or Nunavut, Greenland offers a wealth of other experiences including the opportunity to connect with locals and learn about Inuit culture as well as Thule & Viking history. In an industry first, Quark Expeditions offers guests the chance to enjoy Tundra to Table – an Inuit Culinary experience, or to spend the night out on the tundra, swapping stories with Inuit elders on our Greenland Camping Experience. Towards the end of the summer season, Greenland also offers guests the chance to be mesmerised by the northern lights dancing above the polar landscapes. In my opinion, Greenland has it all.
If you could design your dream expedition cruise itinerary, what would it include?
My dream expedition cruise itinerary already exists in Quark Expeditions portfolio! Back in 2004, we conducted the first ever ground visit to Snow Hill Island on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula and proved the existence of what we now know to be the most northerly colony of emperor penguins in Antarctica. This is a voyage we still run today, and as a wildlife lover, I can confidently say that to see emperor penguins in the wild would be considered one of the most rare & exclusive wildlife experiences on earth. Utilising Ultramarine’s advanced technological capabilities and her two twin-engine helicopters, we can fly guests to the vicinity of this rarely-visited rookery, whereupon they will walk across the thick sea ice to stand within metres of the most coveted penguin species on the planet. Guests can anticipate scenes reminiscent of “March of the Penguins” and BBCs “Frozen Planet” as they marvel at more than 4000 pairs of breeding emperor penguins and their chicks. As part of this exciting voyage, guests also get to witness Antarctica’s majestic landscapes and colossal tabular icebergs from above during their scenic helicopter flight to reach the emperors. This is the ultimate polar expedition!
What are your top three travel hacks for making the most out of an expedition cruise?
Expect nothing & embrace everything. The beauty of a polar expedition is that there is no fixed itinerary. Our Expedition Leader and Captain have total autonomy to design the itinerary of every voyage in order to deliver the most exceptional experiences to our guests, under any given set of weather or wildlife conditions. This means that every single departure is like a snowflake, completely unique and immeasurably special.
Make the most out of our team of experts on board. We have the best guide to guest ratio in the industry of 1:6, and this team of marine biologists, historians, ornithologists, glaciologists, photographers etc drive our zodiacs & guide our off-ship excursions, as well as deliver a diverse and engaging educational program onboard through daily lectures and presentations. They also dine with our guests during mealtimes, and any spare time outside of that, they can always be found out on deck searching for wildlife. They are always on hand and eager to help our guests experience and learn as much as possible on their voyage with us.
Follow our advice when it comes to packing. We’ve been taking guests to the polar regions for 33 years and we know what type of clothing and gear is best to ensure a safe and comfortable experience throughout. As the old saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. We do include the highest quality muck boots for off-ship excursions, and we also provide a windproof, waterproof & insulated parka for all guests to keep and take home with them.
Which lesser-known destination do you think deserves more attention from travellers?
I would advise that anybody planning a trip to Antarctica should absolutely include South Georgia in their itinerary! With its rugged landscapes from glaciers and black sand beaches to snow capped mountains and lush green grass, to its Shackleton history, being the burial site of the famed polar explorer, South Georgia offers unique experiences and sites at every turn. With 250,000 breeding king penguins, hundreds of elephant seals, soaring seabirds and more, guests can experience an unparalleled diversity of wildlife in its natural habitat. In my decade+ experience of specialising in polar expedition sales, I hear the consistent feedback that South Georgia may have been an add-on to Antarctica but it ends up stealing the show completely. Quark Expeditions offers two different itineraries which include Antarctica, South Georgia and also the Falkland Islands, and we also operate a voyage which focusses just on Antarctica and South Georgia.
If you could only visit one destination for the rest of your life, which would it be?
I would have to say Svalbard. Whilst the wildlife in Antarctica is numerous and almost served up to guests on a silver platter; we know where the penguin colonies are, where seals usually haul out and the feeding hotspots of whales. However in Svalbard, the wildlife are constantly on the move to survive this incredibly harsh and difficult existence. For me, the excitement of never quite knowing exactly what you will see each day, coupled with the adrenaline felt when you do see something really special like a polar bear or a blue whale, is something that will keep me going back to Svalbard over and over again. It is a very special place indeed.
The one thing you take with you wherever you travel:
I always take my DSLR with a couple of different lenses, and I also always take with me my GoPro which has allowed me to capture some incredible footage of whales playing next to the zodiac, and penguins flying through the water. Besides my photography gear, I always ensure to bring my sense of adventure, my willingness to embrace whatever each day brings. An important thing I always leave behind is any expectations at all.
From Sarah's personal archive:
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