Arctic 2026 Brochure

OUR TEAM

Our Expedition Leaders obsess over every minute detail of your voyage—from your onboard comfort to your off-ship adventures. Our Expedition Leaders spend their entire careers —it’s a life calling, actually— sharing their passion for the Arctic and Antarctic. Your Expedition Leaders

Colin Souness Home base: South Africa Years of polar experience: 22

David Burton Home base: Shetland Islands, UK

Jake Morrison Home base: Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada Years of polar experience: 13 Polar expeditions to date: 100 Areas of expertise: With a degree in operations management and after a lifetime on the water, Jake spent six years managing expedition operations from Quark Expeditions’ Toronto office before returning to the field to fuel his love for the great outdoors. During his 12 years with Quark Expeditions, Jake has worked on over 10 different expedition vessels and explored nearly every polar destination where Quark Expeditions operates. Advice to polar travelers: “Slow down, let your soul absorb every majestic moment, and spend plenty of time out on deck.”

Sarah Zaubi Home base: Montana, USA Years of polar experience: 6 Polar expeditions to date: 60

Years of polar experience: 11 Polar expeditions to date: 90 Areas of expertise: History and glaciology Advice to polar travelers: “Head to the outer decks after dinner to take an evening constitutional. There’s no better place than the Polar Regions to take some time and reflect on the serene beauty you’ve witnessed that day, as well as contemplate the life- changing moments you’re experiencing. You never know what you might catch sight of—the majesty of the northern lights or a sighting of some wildlife.”

Area of expertise: Having completed a PhD in glaciology, Colin frequently presents on geology, glaciology, as well as polar and Viking history. He’s also a heli operations specialist. Advice to polar travelers: "The challenges of reaching remote Arctic destinations fuel our passion for pushing the boundaries of polar exploration. Try to absorb the vast and unspoiled beauty of the place whilst knowing you’re the only ones up there.”

NEIL SIERENS Chief Pilot

Areas of expertise: Gender studies, certified kayak guide, helicopter operations specialist Advice to polar travelers: "Everyone arrives in the Arctic with a vision for their trip, but the Polar Regions have a way of shaping the experience. The polar reality always prevails, and in the end, the unexpected journey becomes the best adventure."

Home base: Fairoaks, UK Years of helicopter experience: 20 Polar expeditions to date: 10 Areas of expertise: Helicopter operations around the globe; specialist in the safe transport of passengers to and from vessels. On embracing helicopter adventures in the Polar Regions: “The view from above is like no other, but the helicopter flight provides more than just an elevated viewpoint. The landing sites we choose can only be accessed by helicopter. So, along with the great views, you can experience the thrill of possibly being the first person to have ever set foot in that area.” Our helicopter team: “Delivering an amazing helicopter experience involves a lot of highly-trained people. It’s similar to a motor racing team which entails numerous experts working behind the scenes to ensure the process goes smoothly and safely. We are very selective in the pilots we hire to fly in the Polar Regions—and we’re incredibly proud of our entire team. Guests are in very safe hands.” Advice to Polar Travelers: “Clearly you will want to take photos during your helicopter flight, but the lens cannot capture it all. Put down your camera occasionally and just look around. Secondly, on most flights you will be able to chat to the pilot. If you’ve got a question, there’s a strong likelihood your fellow guests are also keen to hear the answer. If you don’t get around to asking during the flight, you can always ask later when back on board Ultramarine .”

Meet Expedition Leader Jake Morrison. Scan the QR Code.

Shane Evoy Home base: Pointe au Baril, Ontario, Canada Years of polar experience: 27 Polar expeditions to date: 250 What guests are apt to learn on a polar voyage: “I hope guests will learn a lot about the areas we go into so they can protect what they love. There’s a quote from environmentalist Baba Dioum that I live by when I’m on an expedition: ‘In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.’" Advice to polar travelers: “Sit, look, listen, and feel what is around you and take it all in.”

David (Woody) Wood Home base: Melbourne, Australia

Ryan McDevitt Home base: St. Petersburg, Florida, USA Years of polar experience: 8 Polar expeditions to date: 75 Areas of expertise: Operations, logistics and helicopter operations Advice to polar travelers: "Exploring these wild regions is a full sensory experience. Take time to breathe in deeply and absorb the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the Polar Regions. If you pack one thing for your expedition, make it a good set of binoculars and spend time using them on the outer decks."

Years of polar experience: 21 Polar expeditions to date: 300

Amalia Goodall Home base: Ushuaia, Argentina Years of polar experience: 9 Polar expeditions to date: 45+

Areas of expertise: Woody has developed in-depth knowledge of numerous aspects of polar wilderness throughout two decades of polar expedition. Advice to polar travelers: “Polar voyages touch people in different ways. The polar environment has a power which sets people thinking about their place in our world. Get prepared with gear and have the time of your life. Travel with eyes wide open, with no fixed ideas and be open to the beauty, wonder, tranquility and fury of the polar environment."

Area of expertise: Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Management and Guiding, and Master's Degree in Environmental Management Advice to polar travelers: "Every now and then put down your camera and take a moment to soak it all in. Experience this unique environment with all your senses: the sound of the ice crackling, the scent of the tundra, the vastness of the landscape, the texture of a feather or a piece of qiviut (muskox wool). These simple moments create powerful memories that cannot always be captured on film."

Michelle Sole Home base: Oxford, England Years of polar experience: 8 Polar expeditions to date: 85 Areas of expertise: Photography

Advice to polar travelers: "Bring binoculars. They’re are a great tool for spotting wildlife and getting closer views of the mountain tops. Spend as much time as possible on the outer decks and make sure you take a moment just for yourself."

Visit QuarkExpeditions.com for detailed itineraries 9