About PolarQuest
For more than 25 years, we have taken adventurous travellers on small ship expedition cruises through the world’s most breathtaking and untouched wildernesses – the Arctic and Antarctica. Founded in 1999 by two polar guides, PolarQuest has grown but our core values remain the same: small groups, passionate guides, and exclusive wildlife and nature experiences. Exploring the Polar Regions on a small expedition ship means greater flexibility, closer contact with nature, and more focus on the destination. Each expedition cruise is unique, with the goal of giving every traveller the journey of a lifetime. Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. We measure all our emissions and invest in climate projects that effectively reduce them.
Words from some previous travellers
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June Pak Wai Ho - Svalbard, June 2026
The guides were professional and knowledgeable, and the crew was friendly and welcoming. The overall vibe was amazing, and the entire journey felt safe. The staff-to-guest ratio is excellent. The entire experience was exceptional.
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Margaret Jane Hook - Svalbard, June 2026
We wanted a small group expedition experience to the Arctic with a well staffed, well equipped modern ship, guides with extensive knowledge and personality. This trip and its team had its all in surplus. The hotel staff and captain & his team worked along with the guides to provide one of the best trips we have ever had, plus we saw so many animals, and with safety for us and the wildlife. The expedition team leader integrated the environment and history, guide presentations were exceptional in every moment.
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Karen Mauch - Svalbard, May 2026
Terrific staff at every level, the guides were superb and knowledgeable and incredibly friendly. It was an expedition that I’m sure is unmatched in the Arctic. Bravo!
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Marie-Louise Nordrup - Svalbard, May 2026
Very well organised! Knowledgeable, friendly and entertaining guides, with informative talks and excursions. A lovely crew, everything on board was clean and well looked after, and delicious food. A fantastic experience that I would happily do all over again.
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Peter Cederwall - Svalbard, May 2026
Everything was as good as it could possibly have been. The guides were incredibly enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly. The ship was excellent in every way, and the food and service were truly outstanding. The programme of excursions, the barbecue followed by dancing, and the lectures were all fantastic. We were also lucky enough to see plenty of wildlife, including four polar bears, whales and many walruses. Everything was extremely professional. We had high expectations for the trip, and yet they were still exceeded by far.
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Chatrine Fritzell - Svalbard, May 2026
The trip to Svalbard far exceeded my expectations, and I have already warmly recommended PolarQuest to my friends. Before the trip, I received exceptionally thorough and relevant information, including a packing list (nothing was missing!), webinars and more. During the trip, I particularly appreciated our professional and service-minded guides, the varied and interesting excursion programme, the high level of safety during landings, and our daily gatherings after the excursions, with recaps and information. The ship was very well maintained, the cabins were fresh and comfortable, and the food was delicious and varied. After the trip, all guests received a slideshow from our voyage. Brilliant!
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Nicole Sierens - Svalbard, May 2026
The trip gets 10 out of 10 because of the quality of the guides. All were very knowledgeable, attentive with a good sense of humour. The food was delicious. There is a lot of choice and the quality of the food was very good. The Filipino staff were very good at their job. When going on land, there was a suitable activity for eveyone, no-one had to be left out.
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Christina Sjödal - Svalbard, May 2026
The trip gets 10 out of 10 thanks to the professional team of guides, who were both friendly and extremely knowledgeable. M/S Quest, her captain and crew were excellent. Everything was simply fantastic!
We feel for the cold
In our view, the Polar Regions offer by far the most spectacular places one could imagine. The Arctic and Antarctica greet us with magnificent wilderness and captivating wildlife, far from the noise of civilization and large crowds. Here, nature reigns supreme and the superlatives outdo one another. It is hard to return home unaffected, and our hope is that each year we create new ambassadors for the Polar Regions.
Small Ships – Great Moments
All our expedition cruises are built around small groups and unforgettable encounters with nature. In the Arctic, our comfortable expedition vessels carry a maximum of just 12 or 50 passengers, while in Antarctica no more than 78. We believe small ships are the most sustainable way to explore the Arctic and Antarctic’s unique wildlife and landscapes. Just imagine spotting a walrus on an ice floe with only 11 fellow travelers – instead of in a crowd of 150–200 passengers. Traveling on a small expedition ship also means a more relaxed atmosphere on board, more focus on the destination, and more time ashore compared to a larger vessel. Comfortable cabins and excellent cuisine are, of course, a given. The exact route depends on weather, ice conditions, and wildlife – flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
Travel with Awareness
PolarQuest is one of the eight companies that founded the Association of Arctic Expeditions Cruise Operators (AECO) in 2003, to regulate tourism in Svalbard and promote sustainable, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the area. The organization strives to conduct expeditions with the utmost respect for nature and wildlife. One part is carefully developed guidelines that all members are to follow during cruises and landings. Today, AECO is a respected representative of the cruise industry and an invaluable support to operators who wish to conduct responsible tourism in the Arctic.
Experienced guides & sales staff
We know that one of the other keys to a successful expedition is having knowledgeable and enthusiastic leaders. Travelling with PolarQuest, you will meet guides with solid polar experience and a genuine love for these regions. When calling our office, you will talk to personnel who are passionate about our expeditions and have personal experience from the Polar Regions.
The Zodiacs brings you closer to nature
The Zodiacs are one of the secrets behind a successful expedition cruise. With these safe and sturdy rubber boats we navigate among icebergs, cruise along glaciers and go ashore to get unique nature experiences. Each day, our goal is to make several landings or cruises with our Zodiacs. Our Zodiac operation is fast and efficient and all guests can get ashore on short notice.
Secure payment
PolarQuest places all revenue in a bond with the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency until the completion of your expedition.
PolarQuest, passionate expert in Unlimited Travel Group
Together with 9 travel and event companies, PolarQuest forms the modern travel group Unlimited Travel Group (listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market). We are united by strong passion, curiosity and quality consciousness. We put our customers' experience first and foremost, and each one of us is a passionate specialist - together we are UNLIMITED.
PolarQuest Club
At PolarQuest, we are blessed with the most wonderful guests! We have met countless of enthusiastic, cheerful and knowledgeable travellers throughout the years. As a way for us to say thank you for the opportunity to plan and carry out your adventures, we are happy to present our very own travel club – the PolarQuest Club.