Quark Expeditions
Ocean Explorer
About this vessel
Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant and purpose-built for polar exploration.
A 138-guest vessel featuring the ULSTEIN X-BOW for a comfortable, smooth and energy-efficient ride, a two-story light-filled library at the bow, spacious Scandinavian-designed cabins (almost all with verandas), a spa, sauna with large windows, two outdoor Jacuzzis and a fleet of 15 Zodiacs. Ice class 1A, PC6.
Polarverse guide to Ocean ExplorerGuide
Specifications
Year Built
2021
New ShipGross Tonnage
8228 GT
Length
104.4m
Guest Capacity
138
Crew
105
Ice Class
PC6
IAATO Classification
Category 1
Operator
Quark Expeditions
Star All-Rounder
Balanced strength across at least two instruments.
Polar Luxury Index
How luxuriously Ocean Explorer lives — suites, crew-to-guest service, dining, wellness, and design, independent of fare.
Field Experience Score
How efficiently Ocean Explorer converts time at sea into exploration — staging, landing rotations, and guide density.
Drake Comfort Coefficient
How comfortably Ocean Explorer handles open-ocean swells — displacement mass, transit speed, stabilization, and hull shape.
Onboard
Life on board.
A curated look at the dining, lounges and outdoor spaces that shape daily life aboard Ocean Explorer.
Dining
2 spacesMain Dining Room
A contemporary dining room on Deck 5 seating 144 guests with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows onto the polar wilderness.
Private Dining Room
An intimate private dining room on Deck 5 for up to 36 guests, with polar views.
Bars & Lounges
2 spacesLatitude Bar
A social hub on Deck 5 seating 46, ideal for a quiet drink or gathering with friends.
Observation Lounge
An observation lounge for taking in the views.
Spa & Wellness
1 spaceTundra Spa
A spa offering a variety of treatments.
Outdoor Decks
1 spaceOutdoor Jacuzzis
Two outdoor Jacuzzis for relaxing in comfort.
Recreation
1 spaceGym
A spacious gym.
Entertainment
1 spaceExplorer Lecture Lounge
A lecture lounge for presentations and enrichment.
Other
2 spacesLibrary
A two-story, light-filled library at the bow, allowing guests to relax indoors while taking in the surrounding polar landscapes.
Polar Boutique
A boutique stocked with top cold-weather expedition gear.
Curious if this vessel suits you?
Our polar specialists can help you match the right vessel to your expedition goals — from capacity and cabin preference to seasonality and route style.
What's included
Inclusions
✓ Included · ◐ Complimentary use · + Additional fee
Ship Facilities
Spa Facilities
Included · Spa, sauna and fitness facilities (Ultramarine and Ocean Explorer).
Onboard Services
Wi-Fi
Included · Free Wi-Fi included.
Food & Beverage
Dining
Included · All meals included.
Beverages
Included · Beer, standard wines and select spirits and cocktails at no charge during bar service hours and dinner.
Expedition Gear
Parka / Expedition Jacket
Included · Quark Expeditions parka provided to each guest.
Polar Boots
Complimentary use · Muck boots loaned for the duration of the voyage.
Destination experiences
Activities
✓ Included · ◐ Complimentary use · + Additional fee
7 activities
Camping
Wilderness camping and basecamp stays.
Shore Landings & Hikes
Step ashore onto remote beaches and tundra, walking among penguin rookeries, historic huts and dramatic geological formations with expert guides.
Polar Plunge
The legendary polar plunge — a bracing, supervised leap into polar waters, followed by a hot drink and a certificate to mark the moment.
Sea Kayaking
Paddle silently among icebergs and along sheltered coastlines at water level — the most intimate way to encounter the polar environment.
Standup Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboard excursions on ice and shore.
Zodiac Cruising
Glide through brash ice and sculpted bergs in a stable inflatable Zodiac, exploring coves, glacier faces and wildlife haul-outs unreachable by ship.
Lectures & Presentations
Daily talks from naturalists, historians and scientists on polar ecology, exploration history, glaciology and the wildlife you'll encounter.