Quark Expeditions - Weddell Seal

Weddell Sea Quest

Take part in this incredible journey to cold mystical waters aboard the Ushuaia

Best Price Guarantee

Length

12 Days

Ship category

Classic

Ship type

Small Ships

Capacity

90 Passengers

Weddell Sea Quest

Your ship: Ushuaia

Ushuaia 2025 Deck
+12

Ushuaia is one of the ships we recommend when the expedition matters more than polished interiors. This former NOAA vessel carries just 90 guests, and that number changes the rhythm of the voyage: at sites that allow 100 visitors ashore, the whole ship can normally join one landing rotation rather than waiting while a second group takes its turn. Recent travellers repeatedly describe the ship as older but impeccably clean, sociable and excellent value, with a crew and expedition team who keep the focus on landings, Zodiac cruises and wildlife rather than onboard spectacle.

What we especially … Read more about Ushuaia

Cabins

Image of the Suites cabin aboard Ushuaia.
Suites

Type:

Double/Matrimonial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

3

More about this cabin

Standard Plus Triple - Ushuaia
Standard Plus Triple

Type:

Triple

Max. occupancy:

3

More about this cabin

Premier Twin Ushuaia
Premier Twin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Image of the Superior Twin cabin aboard Ushuaia.
Superior Twin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Premier Single Ushuaia
Premier Single

Type:

Single

Max. occupancy:

1

More about this cabin

Standard Twin Ushuaia
Standard Twin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

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Standard Plus Twin Ushuaia
Standard Plus Twin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Amenities

theater

Lecture Theater

zodiac fleet

Zodiac Fleet

lounge

Observation Lounge

gift

Gift Shop

rubber boots

Rubber Boots

doctor's suitcase

Medical Services

library

Library

boat

Open Bridge Policy

Food & Drinks

Food on Ushuaia is generous and sociable rather than formal, which suits the ship's expedition-first atmosphere. Breakfast combines continental and American buffet choices; lunch is served either as a buffet or at the table, afternoon tea bridges the gap after excursions, and dinner is a three-course seated meal. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day. Recent travellers have praised both the food and the convivial dining room, with one specifically remembering the Argentine asado as a highlight.

Dietary requirements should be reported at least three weeks before departure. Vegetarian and other common requirements can generally be accommodated with advance notice, but dedicated kosher or halal menus are not offered. Wine, beer and spirits are available from the bar at extra cost; bar availability can vary by departure.

Map

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

From

Until

Info

Availability

Price

14

Feb

2028

• 12 days

From

USD 10,490

14

Feb

2028

25

Feb

2028

Available

USD 10,490


Preferred date unavailable?

Info

Single Cabin Supplement

When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.

What's included

Shipboard accommodation

All meals throughout the voyage

All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by zodiac

Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program

Comprehensive pre-departure material

Detailed post-expedition log

Your trip helps protect 36 hectares of rainforest in Ecuador through Forest Guardians

What's not included

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flight

Pre and post land arrangements

Transfers to/from the port

Passport and visa expenses

Government arrival and departure taxes

Meals ashore

Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance

Excess baggage charge

All items of a personal nature such as bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charge

Customary gratuity at the end of the voyage (guidelines provided)

Credit Card charges may apply

A fuel surcharge may apply at a later stage. More info

Reviews

FAQ

How and when can I pay for the trip?

After completing your booking, you will receive an invoice from your travel specialist by email. A deposit of 30% of the trip price is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made through bank transfer or by credit card through a secure payment link.

Full payment is expected 30 days before your trip. Payment can be made in installments.

What is the carbon footprint of this trip and how does Polartours address it?

This trip generates 2.86 t CO₂e. Polartours regularly measures and monitors the carbon footprint of its journeys and actively reduces emissions through sustainable travel design: no unnecessary flights, fewer feeder flights, integration of rail and public transport, and promoting longer stays for a more balanced relationship between travel distance and impact.

From 2018 to 2024, we supported carbon reduction projects equivalent to the emissions generated. Recognizing the limits of traditional offsetting, we now focus on active environmental protection through our own rainforest project, Forest Guardians.

More information on our climate and environmental responsibility: https://www.venturatravel.org/impact

What activities can I expect on a Polar Cruise?

All cruises in the polar regions operate to itineraries that are more-or-less fixed. We say "more or less", because wildlife (breeding, seasonality) and weather always play an important role in routing. Most cruises will offer a range of land-based and water-based activities that you will enjoy at various points in your cruise, including:

  • Land excursions (including hiking trails, visitor centers, time relaxing on beaches, observing animals, etc.)
  • Bird Watching
  • Snorkeling (from ship or beaches)
  • Dinghy rides
  • Kayaking
  • Diving (on ships with diving itineraries)
  • Naturalist presentations. These usually take place every evening - on board the bigger ships also with help of projectors, microscopes etc.

All boats carry English speaking, scientifically trained guides. They will lead you on your excursions, allowing you to learn as much as possible about the unique wildlife and habitats of the Polar Regions.

How to choose the right ship?

Choosing the right ship for a cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic seems difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Our fleet is over 30 vessels, we are sure that there is the perfect one for you. Please, follow these simple steps, and you will be able to find your ideal ship:

  • Determine your budget and desired level of comfort: Are you looking for luxury or more budget-friendly options? On our website you can set the price range.
  • Consider ship size: Large ships offer more amenities and facilities, but they can also feel crowded and impersonal. Smaller ships offer a more personal experience, but may not have as many amenities.
  • Look at the cabins: Although you probably won’t spend much time in your cabin, look at the photos and read the descriptions to make sure you're happy with the one you choose.
  • Consider the activities on board: Are you interested in kayaking, camping, diving or a photography workshop? Or maybe you want to take part in a Citizen Science Program? These activities can enhance your overall experience. See what our ships have to offer.
  • Read customer reviews: Learn about other travelers' experiences by reading reviews.
  • Ask your Polar Specialist: Feel free to contact your Polar Specialist. They are happy to share their knowledge and are always ready to help.

In addition: We work with responsible partners who provide a great experience for their passengers. All of our providers are committed to sustainability and to preserving the beauty of the polar regions. You don’t need to worry about the impact of your cruise, because we’ve already taken care of it.

What is the booking process for a Polartours Cruise?

We love to help people find their dream vacation to the Arctic and Antarctic. Whether you give us a call, contact us via email, or use our website inquiry form, one of our Polar travel experts will be more than happy to answer any questions, recommend ships and itineraries, and walk you through the whole process!

Step 1: Find your perfect trip. If you have already started looking for Polar Cruises, you will have quickly noticed that the sheer amount of options can be quite overwhelming. To help you navigate the countless departures and itineraries that our fleet offers, we have put together a great filter page for Antarctic and Arctic Expedition Cruises. Use this page to filter all trips by price, date, ship category, and even destinations you wish to visit. We update all dates, prices, and availabilities daily, and are proud to host what is doubtlessly the world's most complete collection of information.

Step 2: Found something you love? We'll hold your spaces, free of charge! If you find a cruise you like, you can either inquire directly with us or make an unbinding booking online. We will then reach out to the shipowners to put a hold on your spaces for a limited time, free of charge. Once we have confirmed your block with the ship, we will send you a written confirmation of your reservation and include full payment details in an invoice. Typically, we are able to hold unpaid reservations for up to 1 week*. This gives us time to clarify all your remaining questions, and also ensures that no other passengers can book your spaces, while we continue our conversation.

Step 3: Confirm your booking. In order to confirm your booking, we ask for a deposit payment. You can pay via bank transfer or credit card. Keep in mind, that we can only hold your spaces for a limited amount of time. If we don't receive your payment after this time, we can no longer guarantee that the places will be available or that the price won't increase. To prevent disappointment, we will automatically cancel your reservation if we don't receive your deposit by the due date stated on your booking reservation.

Step 4: Booking confirmation & Payment. As soon as we have received your deposit and a completed passenger information form, we will be pleased to send your booking confirmation and updated invoice, along with your trip itinerary, important information, and other great tips for your cruise.

Step 5: Final payment. In your initial invoice, we will define a final payment date by when you need to pay us the remaining amount of your trip. Once we have received your final payment we'll send you your cruise documents and voucher. As your trip approaches, we make sure to pass along all necessary information, so you feel super prepared and stress-free.

*For last-minute bookings, we might not be able to hold your spaces for so long. We will also require the full payment of your cruise upon booking.

When is the best time to book?

An expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic is a big deal! Most people plan for this type of trip at least 8 months in advance. This means the earlier you book, the better chance you'll have to reserve your prefered cabins. Early bird discounts are also popular and a great way to get 10-30% off your cruise.

Most expedition cruises offer optional activities like camping and kayaking, but the spaces are limited. A cruise with 120 passengers can have only 10-15 spaces for kayaking. These are reserved on a first come first served basis. The earlier you book, the higher your chance of grabbing a spot.

Even though last minute deals do occur, keep in mind that the airline prices will be much higher if you purchase them last minute. You may save a few hundred on your cruise, but you may end up paying the most for airfare.

Weddell Sea Quest

4.7

(7)

Classic

Price

From

USD 10,490

No dates selected

​


Antarctica

From

$ 10490

7 Reviews

Trip highlights

Follow the footsteps of early southern explorers

Observe breathtaking icebergs and glaciers

Cross the infamious Drake Passage

Photograph magnificient Arctic seabirds

The Polartours experience

Best Price Guarantee: Find a better price elsewhere, and we’ll match it.

Polar Expedition Specialists: We focus exclusively on polar voyages, with advice rooted in real, firsthand expertise.

Travel that gives back: Every booking directly funds our mission to protect and restore global rainforests.

Experience a polar experience few people get in their lifetime as we set foot on the 7th continent! Discover polar wildlife as we set sail on the comfortable and spacious Ushuaia to venture south to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Observe ice formations, whales and playful seals swimming alongside the ship, polar birds flying overhead and walk among the continent's penguins. Make the most of your cruise experience with a wide range of activities available on your Zodiac.

Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.

Day 1 - Ushuaia
Your incredible Antarctic adventure starts in Ushuaia
Downtown Ushuaia beneath the mountains
Sunlight over a street in central Ushuaia
+137
Laguna Esmeralda

Former Prison & Maritime Museum

Boat Tour on Beagle Channel

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Ushuaia, located in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, serves as the southernmost city in the world and the starting point for many Antarctic expedition cruises.

The city offers a range of options, from small-ship expeditions to larger vessel tours, providing travelers with an unforgettable experience in the remote and beautiful Antarctic. Many cruises visit the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, allowing visitors to see diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes.

In addition to the natural beauty, Ushuaia also boasts a rich history and a stunning national park, making it a unique destination worth exploring. Overall, Ushuaia is the perfect base for those seeking adventure and a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Antarctic.

Please be aware that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and depend on seasons, weather, and other factors.
Polartours

Andean Condor

Polartours

Guanaco

Polartours

Culpeo

Polartours

Grey Fox

Polartours

South Andean deer

Polartours

Crested Caracara

Polartours

South American Sea Lion

Polartours

Chimango Caracara

Day 2-3 - Drake Passage
Cross the infamous Drake Passage
Drake Passage
Crossing the Drake Passage
+15
Beagle Channel

The Drake Passage is the name given to the infamous stretch of open ocean between the tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

It usually takes 2 or 3 days to cross the Drake Passage, and this is a great time to learn from your expert Antarctic naturalist guides. Through a series of fascinating talks and lectures, you'll begin to learn more about the remarkable wildlife and awe-inspiring geology of the Antarctic continent.

Your guides are always on hand to help you identify the sea bird species that always follow the ships, as well as spotting whales and other cetaceans that can be seen en route to the Antarctic Peninsula or the South Shetland Islands.

Day 4-6 - Antarctic Peninsula- NE
Explore the Weddell Sea
Antarctic Sound
Antarctic Sound
+13
Aurora Expedition Antarctica

Antarctic Sound

Brown Bluff

A spectacular destination, the Antarctic Sound is the gateway to the Weddell Sea and is always home to many beautiful tabular icebergs.

This 30-mile stretch of water at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula offers remarkable vistas as you sail past Joinville Island and the sound is a good location too observe Adelie Penguins.

Massive tabular icebergs drift through from the Weddell Sea and get stuck on shallower banks. With the spectacular tubular bergs and stunning glaciated mountains, the Antarctic Sound is a photographer's delight, often nicknamed 'iceberg alley', and offers some of the most breathtaking vistas in the Peninsula.

Please be aware that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and depend on seasons, weather, and other factors.
Polartours

Humpback Whale

Polartours

Cape Petrel

Polartours

Weddell Seal

Polartours

Brown or Antarctic Skua

Polartours

Gentoo Penguin

Polartours

Snowy Sheathbill

Polartours

Antarctic Fur Seal

Polartours

Crabeater Seal

Polartours

Leopard Seal

Polartours

Antarctic Shag

Polartours

Kelp Gull

Polartours

Adélie Penguin

Day 7-9 - South Shetland Islands
Discover the South Shetlands Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula
Chinstrap penguins on a rocky shore in the South Shetland Islands
Antarctic coastline seen through an expedition ship window
+11
Snow-covered mountains and calm water in the South Shetland Islands

Yankee Harbour

South Shetland Islands

Northeast beach Ardley Island

Penguin Island

Telefon Bay

Hannah Point

Pendulum Cove

Elephant Island

Point Wild

Turret Point

Barrientos Island

Whalers Bay

Baily Head on Deception Island

Sometimes overlooked as a destination by people keen to set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands are a must-see destination in their own right.

Often the first and last landfall on an Antarctic cruise, many people are taken aback by the stunning beauty of these islands. What better way to make contact with the Antarctic than by making your first beach landing here surrounded by gentoo penguins?

Apart from some of the most southerly species of penguin, the South Shetlands are home to a huge range of Antarctic wildlife, and they make a superb introduction to the wildlife of the whole region, including key species like elephant seals, humpback whales, and more.

With active volcanoes, the relics and remains of its history as a centre for whaling, and some of the most beautiful Antarctic mountain scenery, the South Shetland Islands are a fitting first destination for any Antarctic cruise.

Please be aware that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and depend on seasons, weather, and other factors.
Polartours

Weddell Seal

Polartours

Brown or Antarctic Skua

Polartours

Gentoo Penguin

Polartours

Snowy Sheathbill

Polartours

Antarctic Fur Seal

Polartours

Crabeater Seal

Polartours

Leopard Seal

Polartours

Kelp Gull

Polartours

Southern Elephant Seal

Polartours

Wilson’s Storm Petrel

Polartours

Cape Petrel

Polartours

Giant Petrel

Day 10-11 - Drake Passage
Spend the last 2 days crossing the Drake Passage towards Ushuaia
Drake Passage
Crossing the Drake Passage
+15
Beagle Channel

The Drake Passage is the name given to the infamous stretch of open ocean between the tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

It usually takes 2 or 3 days to cross the Drake Passage, and this is a great time to learn from your expert Antarctic naturalist guides. Through a series of fascinating talks and lectures, you'll begin to learn more about the remarkable wildlife and awe-inspiring geology of the Antarctic continent.

Your guides are always on hand to help you identify the sea bird species that always follow the ships, as well as spotting whales and other cetaceans that can be seen en route to the Antarctic Peninsula or the South Shetland Islands.

Day 12 - Ushuaia
Your unforgettable Antarctic cruise comes to an end in Ushuaia
Downtown Ushuaia beneath the mountains
Sunlight over a street in central Ushuaia
+137
Laguna Esmeralda

Former Prison & Maritime Museum

Boat Tour on Beagle Channel

Tierra del Fuego National Park

We arrive into Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark the M/V USHUAIA after breakfast.

*** Important - Please be sure not to book flights out of Ushuaia before 12PM (Noon) on the day of disembarkation from your cruise ship.

Please be aware that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and depend on seasons, weather, and other factors.
Polartours

Andean Condor

Polartours

Guanaco

Polartours

Culpeo

Polartours

Grey Fox

Polartours

South Andean deer

Polartours

Crested Caracara

Polartours

South American Sea Lion

Polartours

Chimango Caracara

Heather

Rembrandt van Rijn

Classic

July 2026

Our experience with Polar Tours was great. Everyone we communicated with was prompt, efficient, and friendly. They answered all questions and offered needed guidance in a timely manner. Our trip aboard the Rembrandt van Rijn was amazing! It ticked all the arctic boxes and every day was awe inspiring! Sailing aboard the Rembrandt was a fun and unique experience.

Rob

Expedition

Classic

July 2026

We've had great support with booking our Svalbard Expedition through Polartours! We've received great advice and always thoughtful and fast replies from the team!

Saty

Hondius Antarctic and Arctic Cruises

Premium

Cabin was spacious, The Crew were great. The stewards very cheerful and helpful. Wish the food was more varied catering to all tastes , especially as three were 33 nationalities on board. Source: https://tinyurl.com/2cyskte3

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