Cruise Overview
The World Explorer prides itself as being sophisticated yet comfortable offering passengers six tiers of deluxe accommodation. Personal space is a priority with every cabin features either a private walk-out or Juliet balcony for spectacular ocean views. The glass-domed Observation Lounge is the perfect place for quiet contemplation and to unwind after a day of exploration. Other common areas include the Explorer Lounge, a library and a dedicated lecture theatre. As for health and wellness, there is an outdoor running track, a small gym, a sauna and spa.
Activities such as Zodiac cruising, hiking, education lectures and photography are included in the cruise price. Optional extras include sea kayaking, skiing, paddling excursions, mountaineering, camping and stand up paddle boarding which are available on selected Antarctica voyages.
*Number of days depends on itinerary
Optional Activities available on selected voyages include: Kayaking from $1410, Paddling $420, Camping $420, Stand up Paddle Boarding $420. Check with us for updated pricing and availability
Cabin Types
Route Map
Antarctica Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent
Be captivated by the unique and untouched landscape often leaving travellers speechless when they first arrive Antarctica. Days are spent on Zodiacs to explore local bays, channels and sites rich in history. There’s also an abundance of wildlife to observe and photograph.
There are colonies of different penguin species such as the chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins that waddle along curiously. Watch the Weddell seals, fur and leopard seals that lay lazily on the banks of nearby waters. While on Zodiac’s, keep your eyes open for humpback and minke whales.
Nearing the end of your journey as you head back across the Drake Passage. Take this time to reflect on the highlights of your trip as well as the final chance to spot seabirds and whales from the deck. In the meantime, enjoy presentations by the Expedition team celebrating your experiences during your final days at sea.
Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake
After breakfast you will take a group transfer to the airport for your charter flight to King George Island crossing the legendary Drake Passage in a matter of hours. Catch your first glimpse of the Antarctic landscape as the plane descends for landing over the South Shetland Islands. Once you arrive, you can explore the island before your Zodiac transfer to the World Explorer
The striking beauty and distance away from civilisation can leave you feeling awestruck or speechless when you first reach the ‘White Continent’. Everyday will be a new adventure as you’ll spend the next few days (weather permitting) Zodiac cruising to visit historical sites as well as getting close to the abundant wildlife raging from leopard seals, a variety of penguin species and witnessing the magnificent minke or humpback whales.
Consider going kayaking (extra cost) for an authentic water experience or an Antarctic plunge if you’re feeling particularly adventurous.
Say your final goodbyes to the Expedition Team before disembarking at King George Island. Here you will take your group charter flight back to Punta Arenas where you will be transferred back to a hotel. Reflect on the highlights of your trip at a local restaurant as you are free to explore the city tonight.
South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari
You can expect varied shore landings (weather dependant) on South Georgia in terms of historical significance as well as a flourishing sub-Antarctic wildlife.
South Georgia is a birder’s paradise as seabirds, albatross and petrels are abundant in numbers and not to mention the penguins that are blanketed over the beaches. Visit Grytviken which hosts the first whaling station in Antarctica as well the final resting place of the famous polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton.
Consider going kayaking (extra cost) for an authentic experience in the water.
Be awestruck by the sites of carving glaciers in brilliant shades of blue while being up close to the many penguin species that call the Antarctic Peninsula home.
The chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins are curious creatures that inhabit this area, along with Weddell seals and leopard seals can be found throughout the banks of the Antarctic Peninsula. While on a zodiac cruise, keep a lookout for minke and humpback whales.
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica: Explorers & Kings
You’ll spend the next couple of days exploring the rugged landscape of the Falkland Islands. Observe the variety of penguin species that call this land home such as the Magellanic, Gentoo, rockhopper penguins and perhaps the elusive king penguins.
Visit the charming capital, Stanley and walk the streets to see bright coloured buildings of British-style architecture.
Head southeast to South Georgia officially entering Antarctic waters. Keep a lookout for whales and seals that often feed on krill when you cross what’s known as the Antarctic Convergence – when the Antarctic waters mix with the warmer waters of the the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
South Georgia is a site of significant history and home to flourishing biodiversity and wildlife. Your days here will be spent learning and visiting various sites (weather permitting) such as abandoned whaling stations, whaling posts and Grytviken, the historic site famous for Ernest Shackleton’s grave.
The wildlife is certainly a highlight of visiting South Georgia which can vary day to day. You may see animals such as king and macaroni penguins, elephant seals and fur seals as well as unique landscapes of rugged mountains, basalt cliffs and green plains.
Anticipation builds are you journey to your next destination, Antarctica! While at sea the Expedition Team will present historical and biological lectures in preparation for your upcoming excursions and wildlife that you may encounter.
Depending on weather and sea conditions, you may have your first official stop in Antarctica in South Orkney Islands.
Be awestruck by the vast wilderness contrasted with desolate landscape of glaciers and mountainous peaks of the ‘White Continent’. The next few days are spent on landings and Zodiac cruising giving you opportune times to observe the varying varying from wildlife of colonies of penguins, fur seals Weddell seals, to leopard seals.
Consider goingon an exciting adventure of kayaking (extra cost) or a polar plunge if you’re feel brave!
Tour Inclusions
- Leadership throughout the voyage by an experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
- Beer and wine during dinner
- All shore landings per the daily program
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- Comprehensive onboard materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- Departures from Ushuaia only - Group transfers from ship to airport in Ushuaia
- Departures from Ushuaia only - Group transfers from airport to pre-expedition hotel in Ushuaia
- Departures from Ushuaia only - One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia
- Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake - A group transfer in Punta Arenas from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
- Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake - A briefing dinner on Day 1 in Punta Arenas
- Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake - One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast
- Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake - A pre-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the hotel to the airport
- Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake - A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the hotel
- Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake - One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast
- Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake - Flights to and from King George Island
Tour Exclusions
- International airfares
- Passport and applicable visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, massage services and other personal charges, unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
- Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake - departure transfer from hotel to airport in Punta Arenas
- Adventure options on expeditions (all weather dependent) that are not included in the cost of the voyage (eg. sea kayaking, paddling excursions, etc)