Quark Expeditions, which boasts the largest fleet of small expedition passenger vessels in the polar regions, is adding two upgraded ships to its expedition fleet. M/S Sarpik Ittuk, owned by Arctic Umiaq Line, a Greenland-based shipping line, will join the Quark Expeditions fleet in November for the 2006/2007 travel season. M/S Sarfaq Ittuk will be added the following season. Each of these 96-passenger ships, which feature glass-enclosed observation lounges, spacious dining rooms, lounges, libraries and ship-to-shore communications, will offer 10-day voyages to Antarctica.
Specially equipped for polar cruising, the ships were built in Denmark in 1992 and renovated in 1999/2000. They will receive additional enhancements before joining Quark Expeditions. The existing fleet includes the Kapitan Khlebnikov, a 108-passenger polar-class ice breaker; the ice-strengthened 110-passenger M/V Orlova; and three ice-strengthened 48-passenger vessels, the Professor Multanovskiy, the Professor Molchanov and the Akademik Shokalskiy.
Rates for Quark Expeditions voyages on the M/S Sarpik Ittuk range from $2995 to $5895 per person, based on departure dates and accommodation type. Rates for the M/S Sarfak Ittuk will be added for the following season.
