50 Years of Victory

Dining Room

There is one dining room located on the Bow Deck. If there is one constant at sea, it is that you’ll enjoy delicious meals on a daily basis. While meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you’ll always be served three meals a day. Hours of operation will be posted around the ship, and are subject to change based on the activities planned for each day.

There is one seating for all passengers at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dining room has an open seating policy.

Assortments of fresh-baked cookies and/or pastries are offered each afternoon. There is also a selection of hot and cold snacks available in the lounge during cocktail hour.

Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet style, while dinners are served plated. À la carte meals are made at the time of your order, allowing our chefs to prepare each dish to your individual needs. Working in a small kitchen, our chefs are able to monitor and control the quality of food being served, ensuring you receive top quality meals during the course of your expedition.

Victory Bar

The well-stocked bar on the ship is open to enjoy with your fellow shipmates in the late morning, afternoon and evening.

Lounge

Located on Bridge Deck 2, the Lounge offers a comfortable space to take a break, look over your photos and engage with your fellow passengers, taking advantage of the 24-hour coffee & tea station.

Library

On Bridge Deck 2, you will find a library of polar books, reference and general reading materials in multiple languages covering subjects like wildlife, history, marine biology, ecology and geology. The library is open 24 hours a day and also includes a selection of games for your entertainment.

Polar Boutique

If you forgot any essentials or need a little souvenir from your voyage, the Polar Boutique on Bridge Deck 2 is our onboard gift shop.

Bridge

During your voyage you may be given access to the Bridge, where you can observe how the Captain and officers sail and navigate the ship.

Multi-purpose Sports Court

A multi-purpose sports court is available for your use, accessed through Bridge Deck 1.

Sauna

The vessel also has a men’s and women’s sauna next door to the pool where guests can relax after a day of expedition activities.

Gym

Located on Bridge Deck 1, gym hours are posted at the door, with facilities available on a first come, first served basis.

Pool

50 Years of Victory features a small, heated saltwater plunge pool for guests to enjoy.

Expedition Team

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.

Special Guests

Embarking on a polar expedition with Quark is as much fun as any other vacation. And, it can also be a fascinating, enriching learning experience. Because the world is still learning about the Earth’s Polar Regions, it’s important for us to be able to provide an accurate picture of these areas, and its wildlife, to our guests.

That’s why Quark offers a Scientists in Residence program. Launched to coincide with the beginning of the 2012 Antarctic season, the program employs a number of experts who receive opportunities to expand their knowledge of polar wildlife and environments, and then share it with guests.

The program is meant to provide scientists and researchers with a means of getting to remote areas, otherwise inaccessible to them, to make their observations, collect samples, conduct research, and gather data for later analysis. This is one of the many learning and educational highlights that Quark passengers experience on their polar cruise.

Special Guest and Experts Fully Engaged with Quark Guests

The scientists and researchers engage with our passengers, and make their work accessible to all travelers. They also deliver lectures on board, in their area of expertise. Quark is proud to announce this year’s scientists-in-residence as Tom Hart, Mark Jessopp, and Mike Polito.

Dr Tom Hart was a founding part of the program six years ago and his speciality is penguin science and conservtion. Mark Jessopp has been participating for three years, focusing on seabirds. Mike Polito has also been with the program for six years and he specialises in birds and mammals and their environment.

Scientists are chosen for the nature of their research, and the relevance of our destinations to their research. They conduct ongoing research, and excel at explaining their work to guests in an informative, engaging way.

Enjoy Formal Lectures and Informal Talks

Lectures, presentations and talks are an important component of the program. Often, scientists don’t have opportunities to share their work in ways that most people would understand. With the program, not only can they do this with Quark guests, they get to do it in the place where their research is happening. It is a fantastic match, where everyone benefits.

Guests can listen to formal lectures, informal talks, and ask questions of the scientists when the scientists aren’t working and it can make for fascinating bar conversation in the evening. Quark guests can expect two formal presentations from the scientists, in addition to casual conversation here and there. While there are no hands-on activities for guests as part of this program, there is still an opportunity to help with the research.

Engine Room Tour

One of the highlights of the North Pole voyage aboard the “50 Years of Victory” is a tour to the engine room where travellers can learn all about the unique icebreaking capabilities of the “Victory” and how pack ice is negotiated.

Flightseeing aboard 50 Years of Victory

Imagine soaring over the polar regions from the comfort of a helicopter and enjoying the most astounding aerial views imaginable of the frozen Arctic Ocean, of snow-capped ice ridges, massive crevices, and of melt pools ranging from cerulean to deep, spectacular turquoise.

Flightseeing on polar vessels like 50 Years of Victory provides guests with an entirely different perspective of the polar regions. Helicopters take passengers to places Zodiacs and ships can’t reach.

Helicopter flightseeing typically includes 7 to 9 passengers. No experience is necessary. Bring your camera—and enthusiasm.

Recommended Gear/Clothing

• Thermal base layers
• Quark Parka
• Fleece
• Waterproof pants
• Thick wool socks
• Neck warmer
• Waterproof gloves
• Warm hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Small backpack (optional)

Zodiac Cruising

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

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.

Hiking

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.

Polar Plunge

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.

Paddling Excursion

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. 

Camping

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.  

Hot Air Ballooning

Arctic

Imagine the sensation of rising slowly upward in the basket of a hot-air balloon during a much-anticipated visit to the North Pole. Suspended 30 metres (100 feet) high above the icy surface in the safety of a tethered hot-air balloon basket, guests enjoy a 360° view of the Arctic landscape below. Exclusive to Quark Expeditions, the hot-air balloon option provides guests an entirely new perspective at the top of the world!

Hot air ballooning is an accessible activity in one of the most inaccessible parts of the world. No experience is required. Quark Expeditions staff will make every effort to make sure you´re not only safe and comfortable but most of all, that you have a wonderful ride.

Recommended gear/clothing

• Waterproof and breathable pants
• Mid and base layers
• Warm hat and or brimmed hat
• Gloves
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen and lip balm (minimum SPF 30)
• Camera and accessories (if you have a wide-angle lens, this is a great opportunity to use it)
• Binoculars

Stand-up Paddleboarding

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.

Disabled & Medical Facilities

Although there is a lift, unfortunately the ship does not have facilities for disabled, or wheelchair dependent, passengers.

Because you are traveling to a remote area without access to sophisticated medical facilities, you should not join the expedition if you are suffering from a life threatening condition. Our expedition cruises require sufficient independent mobility to negotiate steep gangways. The terrain is rough in both polar regions. If you have difficulty walking or need an assistance device to move about, our trips may not be for you. Please call to discuss your situation with us.

Please note that we try to provide a range of activity levels to meet the needs of our guests when they go ashore.

DOCTOR

Quark provides an English-speaking doctor onboard 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.

Dress Code

Wearing the right clothes is essential. You may need to purchase additional outdoor clothing. That said, you will not have to buy a parka, as we include the official Quark parka in the cost of your expedition and we loan you waterproof boots.

Leave the jacket and tie behind if you prefer. Our expeditions are informal. However, the Captain and his officers will dress in uniforms for the welcome and farewell cocktail parties on some of our ships. So, you may want to pack a dress shirt and a pair of casual slacks for the occasion.

Smoking

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.

Dietary Requirements & Allergies

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. 

Onboard Language

Announcements in English over the ship’s public address system will alert you to wildlife sightings, itinerary changes and landing instructions for going ashore. On some voyages, announcements may be repeated in other languages. Out of courtesy to other travellers, we ask that you remain quiet during all announcements – even those made in languages that are not your own. Radio announcements in Russian are for the crew.

Laundry

Laundry service is available on every ship. Costs are reasonable. Excess baggage charges will often exceed laundry charges, so we recommend that you pack fewer items and use the laundry service to refresh your wardrobe.

Age Restrictions

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.

Cabin Information

SHOWERS AND TOILETS

Each cabin has a private bathroom with shower, toilet and wash basin. Shampoo and shower gel are provided for your use. The toilet system is very sensitive and can only handle toilet paper. Please do not deposit any tissues, paper towels, feminine products, etc. in the toilet.

ELECTRIC CURRENT

The electrical supply on board is 220v/50Hz. Passengers coming from the USA and Canada may need to bring a small 220v/110v converter. Before you buy a converter, check your electronics as most modern cameras, computers and devices are already compatible to use 220/110 volts.

The electrical outlets found in your cabin and around the ship accept standard European two round pin plugs, so you may need to bring your own travel adapter.

Please be aware that the electricity supply may not be sufficient to power your electronic devices at all times. It is recommended that you check the voltage of your device before plugging it in, as the device may be damaged if the incoming voltage is higher than that for which it is manufactured. Please see www.quarkexpeditions.com/en/terms-and-conditions for more information.

HAIRDRYERS

There is a hair dryer included in each cabin.

BATHROBES

The bathrobes in your cabins are on loan for you to enjoy for the duration of your expedition.

VALUABLES

We recommend you travel with as few valuables as possible. If you require safekeeping of valuables, please give them to the Hotel Manager for storage in the ship’s safe.

CABIN TEMPERATURE – CLIMATE CONTROL

You may control your cabin temperature by adjusting the vent. If you are sharing a cabin with other travelers, please be considerate of their temperature preferences as well.

SHARED CABIN COURTESY

Many travelers elect to share a cabin with passengers they may not have previously met. All passengers have their own schedules and preferences. Please be courteous towards the needs of your fellow cabin mates.

HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE

Your cabin will be cleaned on a daily basis. Your towels will be changed along with your bed sheets every third day, subject to the length of the voyage and in accordance with Quark Expeditions®’ sustainability practices. If you would like your towels changed more frequently, please inform your cabin attendant. Leaving a towel on the rack indicates you will be using it again, while putting a towel on the floor or in the shower or sink means you would like it to be washed.

LAUNDRY

A complete list of laundry fees will be provided on board. Request forms and bags are provided in your cabin. 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.

SPRINKLER SYSTEM

The sprinkler heads located throughout the ship, and in your room, are very sensitive. They can be activated by even the slightest touch. Please do not hang any items from the sprinkler heads, or smoke anywhere on the ship outside the designated smoking area. Guests activating the sprinkler system may be responsible for damages that occur.

LIFE VESTS

Each cabin is equipped with orange SOLAS life jackets. These life jackets are to be used in case of a ship emergency and during emergency lifeboat drills.

EMERGENCIES

In case of emergency, please alert the Bridge or any Crew or Expedition member immediately.

On Board Procedures

WATER

It’s important to keep hydrated throughout your voyage. The Expedition Team will brief you on the location of water stations on the ship.

ONBOARD ACCOUNTS

To make things as stress-free as possible, items you purchase from the Polar Boutique, lounge or bar (including drinks) are charged to your ship account. Cabin charges can also include laundry, postage, communication charges and adventure options booked onboard (space permitting). Payments of shipboard accounts are made towards the end of the expedition, at the reception area.

The US dollar is the standard currency onboard. You can use cash, Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit cards to pay your shipboard account. Personal checks are not accepted.

Note: If you are sharing a cabin and would like separate accounts, you must advise reception.

GRATUITIES

Gratuities are included on your behalf for our hotel and expedition team members.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements in English over the ship’s public address system will alert you to wildlife sightings, itinerary changes, and landing instructions for going ashore. Announcements can be heard in cabins and all public spaces.

On some voyages, where non-English-speaking groups travel with us, announcements will be repeated in other languages. Out of courtesy to other travelers, we ask that you remain quiet during all announcements – even those made in languages that are not your own.

BRIDGE VISITS

During your voyage you may be given access to the Bridge, where you can observe how the Captain and officers sail and navigate the ship. However, the Captain and Bridge officers do restrict access during arrivals and departures from port and during times of complicated navigation. As the Bridge is an important working area on the ship, we ask that you keep noise to a minimum to avoid distracting the officers from conducting their jobs efficiently. Understandably, Bridge etiquette includes a ‘no eating, drinking or smoking’ policy.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Help us take care of our environment! To keep our land and waters clean, kindly use all trash receptacles on board. Never throw anything over the side of the ship. Due to the complicated process of desalinating sea water for use on board, guests are asked to practice water conservation at all times.

BATTERY DISPOSAL

Please do not throw old batteries in your cabin garbage. Kindly bring them to reception for proper disposal.

LOST & FOUND

If you find any misplaced items, please bring them to reception or give them to a member of the Expedition Team. If you lose anything yourself, advise our staff so that they can assist you.

Our Polar Promise: Polar Exploration and Sustainability

Quark Expeditions is profoundly committed to environmentally responsible tourism. Protecting the places we visit is necessary to ensure we can continue to introduce travelers to the spectacular beauty of the polar wilderness. Through Polar Promise, our comprehensive sustainability strategy framework, we’ve incorporated existing sustainability initiatives into a cohesive plan so we can identify where we can do better or do more.

“Quark Expeditions recognizes its responsibility to do more to protect these magnificent places,” says Andrew White, President of Quark Expeditions. “We want to go beyond reducing our footprint. We want to work with other leaders in the industry and with our guests to address the complex and challenging issues facing the polar regions.”

Our Polar Promise framework is made up of four pillars. Each addresses a different aspect of our business, our operations—and ultimately your journey.

Principles: Embedding Responsible Business Practices

Quark Expeditions aims to be the leader in responsible polar tourism, the ‘go-to’ operator for conscious travelers and the preferred partner of the world’s most responsible brands. As a polar-focused tourism operator, our sustainability principles are integral to every decision we make, whether it’s in the polar wilderness or in the places we work every day. We employ the best people in the industry and will lead the industry in the diversification of our workforce. We work to reduce our impact, catalyze change in the industry and help improve our suppliers’ operations.

We’re proud, long-time members in key industry organizations, such as the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). We adhere to these organizations’ stringent guidelines, which are designed to ensure the Polar Regions are protected for future generations.

Planet: Reducing Our Footprint and Building Resilience

When it comes to our footprint, the most substantial impact we can have is how we get you, our guest, to the remote Polar environments and how we preserve those majestic environments once we get there.

Quark Expeditions aims to reduce our carbon emissions per passenger by 10% through fleet improvements and changes in order to reduce our impact. We’re working with our supply chain to measure, report and reduce their emissions, and our office and field operations aim to reuse or recycle 100% of waste on Quark Expeditions-owned vessels.

In 2019, an analysis of our historical ship fuel consumption showed that we decreased emissions by 13% from the 5-year average emissions per passenger per day. The purpose of this analysis was to establish a baseline and to further reduce our Scope 1 carbon emissions.

In terms of waste, Quark Expeditions has taken steps to reduce the amount of waste we are sending to landfills, including avoiding single-use plastics and partnering in the SeaGreen recycling initiative in Ushuaia. We’re working towards a zero-waste plan on Quark Expeditions-owned vessels.

Partnerships: Conservation and Impact in Polar Environments

Quark Expeditions aims to be the leading expedition investor in outreach projects within the polar regions, working with a wide circumpolar network of scientists, community leaders, and sustainable innovators. Our goal is to contribute a minimum of $500,000 USD each year through in-kind donations, Quark Expeditions funding, and funds from passenger auctions in support of key polar environmental research, community engagement and sustainable development projects.

Nalunaiqsijiit, the Inuit Cruise Training Initiative, is a program dedicated to providing Nunavummiut with the qualifications and certifications required to work onboard expedition cruise ships, through in situ training and experience onboard ships. Quark Expeditions is excited to have hosted two Nalunaiqsijiit interns onboard Ocean Adventurer during the 2019 Arctic season, and have invited an additional four during the 2019/20 Antarctic Season.

Thanks to our guests’ support, proceeds from Quark Expeditions’ onboard auctions have contributed an average of $200,000 each year to organizations dedicated to polar environmental research, community engagement, and sustainable development projects.

Some of the organizations we’re supporting this year include the South Georgia Heritage Trust, Penguin Watch, Seabird Watch, and Polar Bears International.

Wi-Fi and Bar Service

Because Quark Expeditions’ fleet of small polar vessels carry a maximum of 199 guests, there’s an almost instant camaraderie and intimacy that you won’t get on larger cruise ships. Within your first day or two of your expedition, you’ll be on first-name basis with many of your fellow guests, as well as with members of the Expedition Team. That invariably means you’ll spend time together on ship sharing your day’s adventures, showing one another favourite wildlife photographs taken during your off-ship adventures—quite possibly over a drink in one of the on-ship bars or lounges.

Great news! As of our Antarctic 2024/25 sailing season, beer, standard wines and spirits, as well as cocktails, will be available to guests at no charge during bar service hours and dinner as part of our “Raise a Glass and Stay Connected” campaign. This complimentary bar service is available to all guests.

Just as our free Wi-Fi will help you stay connected with friends and family, our complimentary bar service helps you connect and spend time with your fellow guests on your voyage. After all, making connections is one of the most memorable experiences of exploring remote parts of the Arctic and Antarctic regions with like-minded travelers.  

Other Details

Children: Adults only

Childrens Facilities: None

Nursery: None

Smoking: Some

Gratuities: Gratuities are included on your behalf for our hotel and expedition team members.