Arctic 2011 and Antarctica 2011-12 Cruise Dates and Rates

Quark Expeditions announces its 20th Anniversary Polar Adventures

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Sep 22, 2010, 02:34 ET

WATERBURY, Vt., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- With the release of Quark Expeditions' itineraries and rates for Arctic 2011 and Antarctica 2011-12, the polar cruise company introduces two 20^th anniversary expeditions – the North Pole and the Northeast Passage. In 1991, Quark's Northeast Passage was the first ever passenger transit of the Russian Arctic.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100922/NE69732 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100922/NE69732 )

The Arctic 2011 Expedition Itineraries

Quark returns to Spitsbergen, Svalbard with a quartet of itineraries, ranging from 8 to 15 days in duration. A quick getaway – Introduction to Spitsbergen – delivers the time-crunched traveler all the icons of the Arctic – polar bears, walruses and icebergs. The 11-day Spitsbergen Explorer delivers more of the best of Spitsbergen including shore landings in Sor Spitsbergen National Park. The 14-day Spitsbergen in Depth circles Svalbard's big island and visits outlying smaller islands. The three Arctic island adventure – Iceland, Eastern Greenland, Spitsbergen, is a 15-day adventure full of fire and ice. All four Arctic cruises offer optional sea-kayaking, while Spitsbergen in Depth has a camping option too.

Quark is conducting a rare world cruise – a 66-day circumnavigation of the Arctic Ocean. Unlike traditional world cruises, an Arctic Circumnavigation begins in July rather than January. Quark president Hans Lagerweij announced, "This is the Arctic grand finale for our flagship Kapitan Khlebnikov. The icebreaker retires as an expedition vessel in March 2012." Travelers unable to invest 66-days in a vacation cruise can purchase segments – the 20^th anniversary transit of the Northeast Passage; a Semi-circumnavigation of Greenland; or Arctic Passage – a transit of the Northwest Passage.

The 20^th anniversary North Pole expedition runs from June 23 to July 7, 2011 aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker that generates 75,000 horsepower. 50 Years of Victory is the largest and most sophisticated icebreaker at sea.

The Antarctic 2011-2012 Expedition Itineraries

Quark returns to the Antarctic Peninsula in 2011-2012 operating three traditional itineraries – Antarctic Explorer, Crossing the Circle and Explorers' Quest that includes South Georgia and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Antarctica Fly and Cruise takes the shake out of the Drake Passage. Guests fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island in Antarctica where they board an expedition ship for a 5-day exploration of the Peninsula. Reducing the time spent crossing the Drake does not reduce the time spent adventuring in Antarctica.

Kapitan Khlebnikov's End of an Era winds up in Antarctica with two icebreaker expeditions – one to the Ross Sea and one to Antarctica's Far East. The 31-day voyage includes visits to some of the most remote islands on Earth – Heard, Kerguelan and St. Paul.

Go Online to Review the Itineraries and Watch New Videos

Quarks dates and rates are available online. The polar adventure company has added two new videos to their site with the release of the dates and rates. The Expedition Experience explains the difference between an expedition cruise and a traditional cruise. The Northwest Passage video depicts the history of the quest for the northern route to Asia.

SOURCE Quark Expeditions