2023 Spitsbergen Highlights

ARCTIC 2023

SPITSBERGEN HIGHLIGHTS

Expedition in Brief

Contents

Overview Itinerary Arrival and Departure Details Your Ship Options Included Activities Adventure Options Dates and Rates Inclusions and Exclusions Your Expedition Team

1 2 4 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18

Extend Your Trip Meals on Board Possible Excursions Packing Checklist

Overview

Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief

EXPEDITION IN BRIEF

On this extraordinary journey, you will pack all the excitement of an epic Arctic cruise into just seven days, cruising through pack ice along the northwest coast of Spitsbergen, retracing the steps of explorers from centuries past. Though this rocky island is covered in mountains and glaciers, the towering cliffs and fjords play host to a thriving and diverse ecosystem. Exploring as much of the area as possible, you will enjoy maximum opportunities to spot, among other wildlife, the walrus with its long tusks and distinctive whiskers, the resilient and Arctic birds in all their varied majesty, and that most iconic of Arctic creatures, the polar bear. As one of our most popular Arctic voyages, Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief is now available on two ships, each providing a distinct polar experience. Ultramarine , our new, game-changing polar vessel, can take you to remote destinations no other ships can reach. Aboard Ultramarine , explore Spitsbergen in brand new ways—taking advantage of the 20 quick-launching Zodiacs and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ship its size—to create the Arctic experience perfect for you. Ocean Adventurer , a passenger and staff favorite, is much loved for its intimate onboard ambiance that enables guests to connect with other travelers and members of the expedition team.

View iconic Arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, walrus and reindeer Enjoy all the adventure of an Arctic expedition in a week Cruise in a Zodiac to explore glaciers, fjords, icebergs and more

Hike the colorful tundra

Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Arctic with optional kayaking adventures

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Itinerary

DAY 1 | ARRIVE IN HELSINKI, FINLAND Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel. DAY 2 | FLY TO LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD & EMBARK This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, where you’ll have some time to explore before embarkation. As your ship sets sail, enjoy great vistas of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this historic frontier town.

DAYS 3 – 6 | EXPLORING SPITSBERGEN You’ll sail around the shores of this magical island, constantly searching for polar bears and other natural wonders. Covering western Spitsbergen, your expedition will afford ample opportunities to view immense glaciers, deep fjords, soaring mountains and unique flora and fauna. Sailing north into Krossfjorden, have your camera handy, ready to capture some of the best glacier calving in Spitsbergen. Deep in the fjord, the highly active Lilliehöök Glacier awaits. Listen in awe to the growling as big chunks break off into the icy waters below. A Zodiac excursion to nearby Ny-London, an abandoned

Kvitøya

Phippsøya

Arctic Ocean

Nordaustlandet

Monaco Glacier

Hinlopen Strait

Smeerenburg

SPITSBERGEN

Barentsøya

Longyearbyen

Edgeøya

SVALBARD

Bellsund

Calypsobyen

Greenland Sea

TO/FROM HELSINKI

Hornsund

SPITSBERGEN HIGHLIGHTS: Expedition in Brief

Onboard the Ocean Adventurer & Ultramarine Flights to/from Helsinki

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

mining settlement, provides an ideal place for a guided walk. Encounters with wildlife, such as the endemic Svalbard reindeer, might be possible here. After cruising overnight, wake up to the stunning sight of the magnificent Monaco Glacier, another prolific iceberg producing glacier. To make this even more thrilling, help your Expedition Team to scan the shorelines and ice edge for marine mammals. Possible landing sites include Texas Bar, Worsleyneset and Alicehamna. If ice conditions permit reaching 80°N, you’ll reach a walrus sanctuary on the tiny, crescent-shaped Moffen Island. Watching from the ship as large groups of these lumbering giants jockey for space is an unforgettable experience, so be ready with your binoculars. At Smeerenburg you can see the remains of an abandoned settlement that was established by Dutch whalers nearly 400 years ago. Here, at what was once one of Europe’s most northerly outposts, you’ll have time to explore ashore and learn about Spitsbergen’s whaling history.

Afterwards, cruising to Magdalenefjorden rewards you with panoramic vistas of snow-capped mountains and massive glaciers reflected in the crystal-clear waters. During your last full day of your Arctic adventure, you may visit the Russian mining town of Barentsburg, home of Russia’s northernmost brewery. We hope to round out the day in Alkhornet, taking in the towering cliffs teeming with nesting seabirds, such as fulmars and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Encounters with reindeer are possible here too. Later, in the evening, swap stories with your shipmates and crew one last time, at the captain’s farewell dinner. DAY 7 | DISEMBARK IN LONGYEARBYEN & FLY TO HELSINKI The time to say goodbye has come.

EXPEDITION SPIRIT Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement— of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you may experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected, but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not guaranteed.

Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of

Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki, included in the transfer package.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Arrival and Departure Details

As you prepare for your journey, you may be interested in your arrival and departure details. Since international air transportation is not included in the cost of your expedition, you have some flexibility in planning your flights. Looking to extend your adventure beyond your polar expedition? On page 14, learn how to add on a pre- or post-expedition stop—or both!—in Helsinki or a nearby region of your choice. Arrival Day and Embarkation ARRIVING IN HELSINKI You may arrive in Helsinki at any time during Day 1 of the itinerary. Your included accommodation will be at the airport hotel, so arrival transfers are not necessary. On arrival at the hotel, you will receive a welcome letter outlining the departure information for the following day’s flight. An agent representing Quark Expeditions® will be available in the lobby of the hotel that evening to answer any questions about the charter flight(s) scheduled for the following morning. LONGYEARBYEN AND EMBARKATION Upon arrival in Longyearbyen (Day 2 of your itinerary), you will be transferred from the airport to a drop off point to have some free time to explore this historic town. Your luggage will be taken directly to the ship, and later you will be transferred from the designated meeting point to the pier. Details of ship transfer times will be provided during your arrival transfer. Due to port logistics, it is possible that you may need to board the vessel by Zodiac, rather than from the pier.

PLEASE NOTE There is a strict luggage limit of 50 lbs (23 kg) checked luggage and 18 lbs (8 kg) cabin baggage on the flights between Helsinki and Longyearbyen. Should you have additional luggage, it can be stored at the hotel in Helsinki. There is NO option to pay for additional luggage.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Final Day and Departure DISEMBARKATION IN LONGYEARBYEN AND ONWARD Your voyage is scheduled to end back in Longyearbyen between 7am and 8am local time. After breakfast, you will have time to bid farewell to your Expedition Team and shipmates before completing your disembarkation. The process takes about an hour and due to port logistics, may involve one last Zodiac ride to the pier. After disembarkation, you’ll be transferred to the central shopping area in Longyearbyen, and if you’ve chosen to continue your time in Svalbard, you will be dropped off at your hotel. If you’ve purchased the transfer package, your luggage will be transferred to the airport while you enjoy some free time in town. Later you will be transferred to the airport by bus to pick up your luggage and check in for our return charter flight.

Arrival and Departure Transfers HELSINKI AIRPORT TRANSFERS Arrival and departure transfers in Helsinki are not included in the expedition. Your first night’s included accommodation will be provided at the airport hotel, so please make your way to the lobby for check-in when you arrive. The voyage concludes on arrival at the Helsinki airport; if you require a transfer to the city, a Polar Travel Adviser or your travel professional can arrange one for you. If you are flying home right away, you will most likely be able to board a connecting flight on the same day. Please be sure to allow three hours between our charter arrival and your international departure.

DEPARTING FROM HELSINKI Upon arrival in Helsinki, you may connect directly with your onward flight. Scheduled charter flight times will appear in your final documents, and any additional updates will be communicated on board prior to disembarkation. Included Hotel Accommodations Your included accommodation begins on Day 1 of your itinerary, and the specific hotel(s) will be indicated in your final voyage confirmation. If you are arriving prior to Day 1 of your expedition or are staying after the disembarkation day and would like help booking a pre- or post- stay, please contact your Polar Travel Adviser or travel professional for hotel options. As accommodation space is limited, you are encouraged to request any extra nights as early as possible.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Your Ship Options

Quark Expeditions® boasts the largest polar-class fleet of any polar operator, and the ability to offer you this incredible voyage on one of our ice strengthened vessels. The entire Quark Expeditions® fleet is built for challenging polar environments, allowing us to take you to places ordinary cruise companies wouldn’t dream of going.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

NEW! ULTRAMARINE The newest ship in our 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. Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, and features the category’s most spacious suites, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size, complemented by an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards. With all this and more, Ultramarine is perfectly positioned to deliver the ultimate polar expedition experience.

SHIP SPECIFICATIONS: Staff & Crew: 140 Guests: 199

Lifeboats: 4, fully enclosed Ice Class: PC6 Visit QuarkExpeditions.com to view deck plan details.

All images are artist's renderings.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

OCEAN ADVENTURER Ocean Adventurer has long been a fleet favorite among guests and crew who’ve appreciated the charm of this nimble vessel, its ample outdoor deck space, numerous cozy spots to socialize onboard, the outdoor jacuzzi and, of course, the intimacy of a 128-passenger vessel. In 2017, Ocean Adventurer underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation including a refreshed look and feel throughout, plus a completely remodeled lounge, dining room and bar. All cabins received brand new bathroom facilities. Six new deluxe cabins, as well as three new suites, were also added. Major technical enhancements featured two new Rolls-Royce engines, which yield increased speed and fuel efficiency, and a minimized carbon footprint.

SHIP SPECIFICATIONS: Staff & Crew: 87 Guests: 128 Lifeboats: 4, partially enclosed Ice Class: 1A Visit QuarkExpeditions.com to view deck plan details.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Included Activities

Ready for a little adventure beyond your ship? Each Quark Expeditions® voyage offers a variety of recreational activities to enhance your polar experience. ZODIAC CRUISING Zodiacs are the workhorses of polar expeditions, taking you to places the ships can’t access, allowing you to reach remote shorelines, explore shallow inlets and search for unique wildlife. Expedition staff make stepping in and out of them safe and comfortable, and your Zodiac drivers will provide active interpretation, making the landscape come even more alive. HIKING Led by experienced staff, exploring on foot is one of the best ways to appreciate the polar landscapes. Our guides are able to accommodate a range of skill levels to suit every guest.

Contact your Polar Travel Adviser or your Travel Professional for more information about your Included Activities and Adventure Options, including the necessary experience, physical requirements and cost.

PRESENTATIONS Enjoy daily chats with and presentations by our world-class onboard polar experts—expedition guides, specialists, photography guidesand other special guests who will introduce you to the fascinating history, biology, ornithology, glaciology and geology of the region, and much, much more. POLAR PLUNGE This rite of passage, scheduled only once per expedition, gives you the chance to jump safely into the bracing Arctic waters under the watchful eye of our staff—and just about every single camera on board! PHOTOGRAPHY Documenting your voyage so you can take the memories home is a rewarding experience. Our photography guides will help you hone your skills to capture the beauty of the polar regions.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Adventure Options

PADDLING EXCURSION If you’re interested in kayaking but would like to try something a bit less demanding than Sea Kayaking, you’re the perfect candidate to sign up for a one-time paddle on our stable sit-on- top kayaks—perfect for anyone with minimal or no kayaking experience. Small groups of passengers will be taken out on calm days, with our expert guides always present to provide instruction and help you connect with the polar sea. Two outings will be pre-booked, and once successfully completed, any subsequent outings will be offered via lottery on board.

SEA KAYAKING Imagine gliding across the surface of a bay in the presence of icebergs and glaciers. Our Sea Kayaking program is a great way to intimately explore your surroundings. A small group of kayakers will plan to go out multiple times per voyage as an alternative to shore landings or Zodiac cruises. The number of opportunities to kayak is weather dependent, and will be conducted only during calm conditions. Prior kayaking experience is required, and you must be able to do a wet exit to participate. Beginners interested in kayaking should consider participating in the Paddling Excursion.

PLEASE NOTE For all paid activities pre-booking is required. We recommend booking early as spaces fill quickly. Please see your pre-departure book for a list of provided gear for each Adventure Option.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Dates and Rates Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief

Adventure Options

OCEAN ADVENTURE R

Lower Deck Twin

Main Deck Porthole

Main Deck Window

Owner’s Suite

Transfer Package

Days Start / End Triple

Superior

Deluxe

Suite

Dates

ARCTIC 2023 JUL 2 – 8, 2023

7 Helsinki

$4,995 $5,995 $6,495 $7,495 $7,995 $7,995 $9,995 $10,995 $995 $695 $195

ARCTIC 2022 MAY 29 – JUN 4, 2022 7

Oslo

$4,995 $5,795 $6,895 $7,395 $7,895 $7,895 $9,995 $10,495 $995 $695 $195

ULTRAMARINE

Deluxe Balcony Suite

Solo Panorama

Explorer Triple

Explorer Suite

Balcony Suite

Terrace Suite

Penthouse Suite

Owner’s Suite

Ultra Suite

Days Start / End

Dates

ARCTIC 2022 MAY 3 – 9, 2022

Oslo

$8,995

$5,995

$8,395

$8,995

$10,495 $11,095 $11,895 $14,695 $16,295

MAY 16 – 22, 2022

Oslo

$8,995

$5,995

$8,395

$8,995

$10,495 $11,095 $11,895 $14,695 $16,295

Oslo

$8,995

$5,995

$8,395

$8,995

$10,495 $11,095 $11,895 $14,695 $16,295

JUN 22 – 28, 2022

Adventure Options

Transfer Package

Days Start / End

Dates

ARCTIC 2022 MAY 3 – 9, 2022

Oslo

$995 $695 $195

MAY 16 – 22, 2022

Oslo

JUN 22 – 28, 2022

$995 $695 $195

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions RATES INCLUDE: • Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities • All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program • All shore landings as per the daily program • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.) • Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock

Exclusions RATES SPECIFICALLY DO NOT INCLUDE: • Mandatory Transfer Package * • International airfare • Arrival and departure transfers in Helsinki • Passport and visa expenses • Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above • Meals ashore unless otherwise specified • Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended • Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruis- ing, or any other gear not mentioned • Laundry, bar and other personal charges unless specified • Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location) • Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew • Additional overnight accommodation • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities

• 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 landings and Zodiac cruising excursions • An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program • All luggage handling aboard the ship • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person • Transfers between Longyearbyen town center and port on embarkation and disembarkation day

*MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE INCLUDES: • One night’s pre-expedition hotel night at Helsinki airport hotel, with breakfast

• Charter flight from Helsinki to Longyearbyen • Arrival and departure transfers in Longyearbyen • Charter flight from Longyearbyen to Helsinki

PACKAGE PRICE: $995 USD

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Your Expedition Team

Our Expedition Leaders and their teams bring diverse expertise in subjects as varied as polar history, marine biology, glaciology, ornithology and photography. Their knowledge and enthusiasm will greatly enhance your immersion into the polar environment and further deepen your connection to the Arctic. With over 30 years of experience bringing passengers to remote polar regions and an industry-leading staff-to-guest ratio, we know how to safely handle the unexpected. Ensuring this hard- earned experience is passed on, all our expedition staff receive comprehensive training in Quark Academy, which provides hands-on polar expedition training prior to any staff member’s first voyage as well as ongoing training for experienced staff.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

PRE- AND POST-EXPEDITION TRIP EXTENSIONS You can extend your trip by booking extra days to explore other northern cities before or after the voyage. Since you’re traveling such a long way, you may want to spend extra time in Helsinki. Immerse yourself in Finland’s capital with a visit to Helsinki’s National Museum of Finland where you can learn about the country’s history. Then tour the Fortress of Sveaborg before taking in the panoramic views of historic Kanavaranta Street. Extend Your Trip

To discover the best options for extending your adventure, get in touch with your Travel Professional or a Polar Travel Adviser for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.

FROM TOP: Kanavaranta Street; Helsinki’s Fortress of Sveaborg; Museum of Finland

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Meals on Board

If there is one constant on board, it is that you’ll enjoy delicious meals daily. While meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you’ll always be served three well-prepared meals per day. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated by letting us know prior to your expedition. 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, ensuring you receive top-quality meals during the course of your expedition. Soft drinks and juices are available during meals and when the bar is open; beer and wine are served with dinner; and coffee, tea and water stations are available around the clock – all included in the cost of your package. Spirits, premium wines and champagne are available at extra cost which can be billed to your shipboard account. The well-stocked bars on the ship are open to enjoy with your fellow shipmates in late morning, afternoon and evening.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Possible Excursions

When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. The following sites are a sample of what you may experience on your expedition, whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, or shore landing. Spitsbergen LILLIEHÖÖK GLACIER In 2005, nearly 100 years after his great- great-grandfather conducted scientific investigations here, Prince Albert II of Monaco returned to Lilliehöök Glacier to honor his ancestor’s memory. Here, you can take a Zodiac cruise amid labyrinths of sparkling icebergs, and witness breathtaking panoramas of ice. You may even spot bearded seals hauled out on the floes.

LONGYEARBYEN Home to 2,400 people, the administrative capital of Svalbard is situated on the southern side of Adventfjorden. The settlement was founded in 1905 by John Munroe Longyear, the majority owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. Today as much as ever, this is a true frontier town. MOFFEN ISLAND This island is designated as a protected sanctuary for walrus, which are only viewed from the ship—have your binoculars ready! MONACO GLACIER Prince Albert I of Monaco, a pioneer of oceanography, led an expedition to Svalbard in 1906. His team used sophisticated photographic techniques to understand the shape and position of

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

several glacier fronts. Monaco Glacier honors the expedition, the prince and the principality over which he reigned. While touring the glacier front by Zodiac cruise, listen to the crackle and pop of the brash ice, search for seals and have a chance to admire a natural sculpture gallery. WORSLEYNESET Worsleyneset is a colorful tundra- covered headland with flora boasting such unique names as moss campion (a bright green cushion plant dappled in pink flowers), saxifrage and Arctic mouse-eared chickweed. The point is a pleasure to explore.

EXPEDITION SPIRIT Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling

in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must

consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected, but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not guaranteed.

Call your Travel Professional or a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 1.888.892.0073 | Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for additional details

Packing Checklist

WEATHER CONDITIONS & TEMPERATURES Polar weather is extremely variable; temperatures may hover around the freezing mark and winds can be strong. The extended daylight warms sheltered areas so that you may sometimes find it warm enough for t-shirts. However, you may encounter snow squalls, fog and white-outs during an expedition and should be ready for any conditions.

WHAT TO BRING! Packing for the polar regions doesn’t have to be daunting, and to make it easier for you, all Quark Expeditions voyages include an expedition parka to keep, and a loan of insulated waterproof boots. Additional suggested items include:

TO WEAR ON LANDINGS  Base-layer wool or synthetic top 

TO WEAR ONBOARD 

Lightweight waterproof or water repellent shell



Base-layer wool or synthetic bottom Mid-layer warm or fleece top Mid-layer warm or fleece bottom Warm wool or synthetic socks (wear 2 pairs at a time)

Comfortable casual clothing (lighter shirts, pants or jeans, etc.)

  



Comfortable flat shoes with a good tread