Arctic Cruise with Quark Expeditions – Save $4,828 per couple

DAY 1 – ARRIVE IN HELSINKI, FINLAND

Arrive in the Finnish capital and make your way to the group hotel located right at Helsinki airport, included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the rest of the day to explore explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District. If you do plan to visit Helsinki city center, take advantage of the convenient 40-minute rail service from the airport.

DAY 2 – FLY TO LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD & EMBARK

After breakfast, the group will transfer to the Helsinki airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. Our journey to the High Arctic now truly begins. You will see the coastal and birch forests of southern Scandinavia give way to taiga and tundra environments, the mountains of Norway and northern Sweden, and the convergence of the Norwegian and Barents seas. Approaching Svalbard, you may get your first views of a pure, snowcapped wilderness, complete with ridgelines, glaciers, and perhaps even sea ice in the distance. We land in Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s largest settlement, and transfer to the harbor where we will embark on our ship.

DAYS 3 to 9 – SPRINGTIME IN THE SVALBARD WILDERNESS

Spring in Svalbard is characterized by a beautiful combination of snow, ice and Midnight Sun. A fascinating contrast unfolds with the arrival of spring: majestic polar landscapes illuminated by continuous daylight. Sea ice is at or near its annual maximum, drawing visitors north. If experiencing Arctic sea ice is on the bucket list, this is the perfect time to visit.

The Expedition Team and Bridge Officers will consult the latest ice charts daily—sea ice is incredibly dynamic and can drift dozens of kilometers in a day. The route will depend on where sea ice offers the best opportunities for exploration and wildlife encounters. Sea ice is the primary hunting, resting, and travelling platform for iconic Arctic species—and spring offers the best chance to see it all.

As the vessel navigates the ice edge—or even through it—spend time on deck with binoculars at the ready. Somewhere in the maze of marooned icebergs and pressure ridges, wildlife may be present—perhaps even polar bears who are lured to the ice edge by the presence of seals, a primary food source. Watch for clues, shapes, and shadows that could signal something special. And while polar bears may be the main goal, walruses, Arctic foxes, and ivory gulls may also be spotted—in addition to ringed and bearded seals.

On shore, spring landscapes remain blanketed in snow, with many bays still filled with ice—habitat crucial to Arctic wildlife for food and survival. It’s the kind of scenery that embodies the word “pristine.” On sunny days, snowcapped ridges against cobalt skies are electric in their beauty. On cloudy days, the Arctic’s muted palette of whites, greys, and blues creates moody, powerful vistas.

Photography tip: try switching the camera to black-and-white mode—textures become dramatic, and light behaves differently. Alongside drifting sea ice, icebergs and bergy bits may be seen—fragments of glacial ice whose origins lie deep in mountain valleys.

Spring in the Arctic is also a time of awakening. As the journey unfolds, this seasonal transformation becomes apparent firsthand. Some slopes, beaches, and valleys begin to melt faster than others, revealing bare ground untouched for months. Grasses and mosses emerge, seizing every opportunity to photosynthesize in the returning sunlight. Meltwater trickles grow into fast-flowing runoff, adding sound and motion to the awakening landscape.

Yet spring remains cold. In fact, these areas may go through multiple freeze-thaw cycles, especially farther north and east. In Svalbard, this mesmerizing transition is vivid and inspiring—a reminder of the powerful rhythms of Arctic life.

Spring also welcomes migratory birds and whales. As the season unfolds, cliffsides become busy with seabirds, such as little auks, guillemots and kittiwakes, returning to breed. Each day brings new arrivals. Nest-building, courting, and bird calls fill the air in a sensory-rich spectacle.

When encountering these colonies, take time to pause. Put down the camera. Simply observe the vibrant pulse of life and imagine the sheer abundance of food required to feed so many birds—and the chicks that will soon arrive.

Whales, too, may appear. While sightings can never be guaranteed, some large migrators—such as blue whales—begin arriving in coastal waters by late spring. Others, like belugas, live here year-round and may be spotted threading through sea ice. Each encounter, however brief, serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of Arctic ecosystems.

With seven full expedition days in Svalbard, the aim is to explore a wide range of locations. The order of the journey will be shaped by sea ice conditions, which vary daily. Potential destinations include the spectacular fjord systems of Hornsund, Bellsund, Isfjorden, Krossfjorden, Smeerenburgfjorden, Raudfjorden, Woodfjorden, Sorgfjorden, and others.

These fjords feature dramatic mountains rising directly from the sea, folding into endless layers. Glaciers spill from the highlands, many reaching the water’s edge where they calve into the sea.

Throughout Svalbard, opportunities will be sought to visit thriving seabird colonies, with hopes of making regular landings along the coasts and within fjords. Some outings may take place on exposed rocky terrain, but most will involve walking on snow.

And if conditions are safe and suitable, there may even be an opportunity to set foot on the sea ice itself—an unforgettable moment that truly feels like walking on water.

DAY 10 – DISEMBARK IN LONGYEARBYEN AND FLY TO HELSINKI

The time to say goodbye has come. This adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, guests will be transferred to the airport for the return group charter flight to Helsinki, followed by an overnight hotel stay. Both are included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package.

DAY 11 – ONWARD FLIGHT HOME

After breakfast, you can make your way to the airport for your onward f light home, or stay to explore Finland’s culturally-rich capital on your own if you’ve made prior arrangements.

The newest ship in the Quark Expedition fleet, Ultramarine, is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and to immerse you in the best the region has to offer.

Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. It also features an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards.

With all this and more, Ultramarine is set to deliver the ultimate polar expedition experience.

SHIP SPECIFICATIONS 

• STAFF AND CREW: 140
• GUESTS: 199
• LIFEBOATS: 4, fully-enclosed
• LENGTH: 128 meters
• BREADTH: 19 meters
• CRUISING SPEED: 16 knots, in open water

SUITES

Explorer Triple – Located on Deck 3, and approximately 285 sq. ft. (26.5 m2). This suite is perfect for guests traveling solo who want to share their experience with other like-minded travelers of the same gender, or for groups of three traveling together. Featuring three separate single beds, and amenities for each of the three guests.

Explorer Suite – Located on Deck 3, and approximately 285 sq. ft. (26.5 m2). These suites are perfect for people traveling together or solo guests looking to share with like-minded individuals. This suite maximizes interior living space while still offering guests the opportunity to stay connected to the outdoors. The entry-level twin suites are the largest available on a ship of this class.

Balcony Suite – Located on Decks 4 and 6, with approximately 226 sq. ft. (21 m2) of indoor living space, and a 52 sq. ft. (4.8 m2) balcony, this entry-level balcony suite is one of the largest available on a ship of this class. This suite is perfect for guests who are looking for both indoor and outdoor living spaces. There are four connecting suites in this category, making this an excellent option for families or groups wanting to stay connected to each other during their expedition.

Deluxe Balcony Suite – Located on Decks 4 and 6, with approximately 299 sq. ft. (27.8 m2) of indoor living space, and a 70 sq. ft. (6.5 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting a larger living space, full bathroom, and a substantial balcony. Deluxe Balcony Suites are the first suite type to offer additional privacy in the bathroom with an enclosed toilet, a full bath and shower to make it easier for guests to get ready together in the morning.

Solo Panorama – Located on Deck 6, and approximately 132 sq. ft. (12.3 m2). This suite is perfect for solo guests who appreciate privacy and want to wake up to sweeping views from the comfort of their bed. These are the only solo suites with floor-to-ceiling windows available onboard any ship in its class.

Terrace Suite – Located on Deck 6, with approximately 350 sq. ft. (32.5 m2) of indoor living space, and a 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting generous interiors with a wide layout and the largest balconies on the ship. Centrally located on Deck 6, guests will enjoy minimal movement and motion from the comfort of these suites.

Owner’s Suite – Located on Deck 6, with approximately 446 sq. ft. (41.4 m2) of indoor living space and a 46.3 sq. ft. (4.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests who want it all. A large, luxurious suite featuring a private bedroom, full bathroom, powder room, and two separate living spaces. This suite is perfect for families or couples who want all the comforts of home onboard the ship.

Ultra Suite – Located on Deck 6, with approximately 563 sq. ft. (52.3m2) of interior living space, and a 46 sq. ft. (4.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests who want to travel without compromise. The largest and most luxurious suite features the most sleeping, entertainment and storage space onboard the ship. It is perfect for families or travelers who want all the comforts of home onboard the ship.

Penthouse Suite – The only suite category to be located on Deck 7, with approximately 369 sq. ft. (34.3 m2) of indoor living space, and a 67 sq. ft. (6.2 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting to wake up to unobstructed polar views from the warmth and comfort of their bed onboard the ship. These suites offer the best of everything—views, spacious interiors, full bathrooms and generous balcony sizes—as well as easy access to the wellness centre.

FEATURES & AMENITIES

Twin Engine Helicopters

Two twin-engine helicopters operated from two helidecks allow more passengers to simultaneously experience new destinations accessible only by air, and to enjoy more unique aerial perspectives of the polar regions than on any other ship. ​

Four Embarkation Points

Embarkation points on the starboard, port, and stern of the ship mean you can be loaded and embarked on the Zodiacs faster, safer and easier than ever before. ​

Water-level Zodiac Hangar

An internal Zodiac hangar quickly and safely deploys Ultramarine’s twenty Zodiacs, allowing for more spontaneous off-ship adventures and more intimate wildlife engagement. This unique design allows guests to get off the ship in half the time of other vessels.​

Wraparound Deck

The wraparound deck located on Deck 5 of Ultramarine offers generous outdoor viewing opportunities to take in the polar landscapes and seize the moment when wildlife encounters occur.

Ready Room
Designed for efficiency—with wider hallways, plenty of seating, and conveniently located bathrooms—the two ready rooms allow guests to quickly change in and out of their expedition gear.​

Polar Boutique

Forgot something at home? Don’t worry. The Polar Boutique is stocked with the industry’s top cold-weather expedition gear. ​

Ambassador Theatre

A state-of-the-art, high-resolution LED screen wall in the main theater ensures high-definition viewing of presentations from your Expedition Team from any angle. ​

Panorama Lounge and Bar

Enclosed in glass and featuring unobstructed views, the Panorama Lounge and Bar allows guests to relax indoors while staying connected to the awe-inspiring landscapes drifting by. ​It serves as a cozy gathering point where guests can sip a glass of wine, engage in great conversation, indulge in a board game, or socialize at the bar—and, later in the evening, bust a move on the dance floor.

Balena Restaurant

Featuring table tops that accommodate 2 to 10, guests can enjoy a quiet dinner with a loved one or join a larger table of new friends. Guests will also enjoy views from every seat in addition to direct access to the wraparound deck.

Bistro 487

Guests can enjoy a meal in the Bistro which offers an indoor/outdoor dining experience. Perfect for enjoying the polar landscapes.

Tundra Spa

Offering a variety of treatments exclusively crafted for guests, the spa and adjacent steam room allow passengers; to fully relax and unwind before their next off-ship adventure.

Tundra Sauna

Perfectly juxtaposed luxury: guests can rest and relax in the comfort and warmth of the sauna while enjoying the spectacular views outside.​

Fitness Centre

In the fully-equipped fitness center, featuring a separate yoga space with views to the outside.