Sailing onboard Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine, I couldn’t help but think about how special the ship is. After all, its name implies that it is the ultimate means of ocean exploration. And after seeing my first-ever polar bear in the wilds of the Canadian Arctic, I can say it succeeds — for the right client.
Ultramarine features some of the most impressive toys onboard any expedition ship, starting with a fleet of Zodiacs (for complimentary cruises and landings) and kayaks (for select extra-cost outings). Perhaps the only things missing are submarines, which are found on some competing lines, but a pair of helicopters certainly makes up for the omission.
Flightseeing is included in the fare.
Credit: 2025 Jason Leppert
Most notably, flightseeing is offered at least once per cruise, where permitted, and is fully included in the fare and available to everyone onboard. That’s a huge value-add. There are even two helipads, and the choppers themselves (eight-passenger, twin-engine Airbus H145s) are the largest I’ve ever flown off a ship. This means they can block middle seats and still ensure six riders at a time receive a coveted window seat.
Given its robust equipment, our humorous expedition leader, Colin, accurately described Ultramarine as “part aircraft carrier, part amphibious assault craft and part cruise liner,” and he was spot on.
Ultramarine can accommodate a total of 199 guests.
Credit: 2025 Jason LeppertAs floating base camps go, the 199-guest Ultramarine is comfortable. Cabins are quite spacious, and en-suites and showers are large for the intimate ship size. A few things to note include firm bedding, high thresholds throughout the vessel and European-style electrical plugs.
Public venues onboard consist of the Ambassador Theater for lectures, the main Balena Restaurant, the secondary Bistro 487, a boutique, a reception area, a navigation bridge (open to visitation when safe to do so), a spa (for paid treatments and complimentary-use dry sauna, steam room and padded recliners), a fitness center, a scenic library and the Panorama Lounge and Bar. Speaking of bars, soft drinks, beer, standard wines and spirits, and even cocktails are now complimentary during service hours and dinner.
There’s also a full wraparound promenade deck on the restaurant level and a forward outer deck in front of the lounge, but no bow access. Private balconies serve to infill outdoor viewing areas, though smoking permitted midship pollutes the otherwise fresh air.
The Panorama Lounge and Bar features unobstructed views.
Credit: 2025 Jason LeppertUltramarine’s limited culinary scene consists of buffet breakfasts and lunches in both the main dining room and bistro, and most dinners are served at the restaurant. Culinary highlights include welcome night beef tenderloin and farewell evening lobster thermidor, but it was the excellent baked goods and desserts that stood out the most.
On a whole other level, however, is the “Tundra to Table” experience featured in Bistro 487 (inspired by the vessel’s shipyard and named after its hull number). For an added cost, the specialty meal features regional cuisine and is truly a must-book. During our dinner, a pair of native Greenlandic chefs beautifully plated a superb tasting menu (that changes every cruise, based on available ingredients), and its land and sea flavor profiles were exceptional.
As with all expedition cruises, the line’s focus is primarily on adventures ashore, and Ultramarine and its ace expedition staff deliver. A pair of ready rooms on the lowest deck house lockers for guests to easily change into their complimentary parkas (to take home) and muck boots (provided for the duration of the sailing).
The internal Zodiac hangar quickly deploys the ship’s 20 Zodiacs.
Credit: 2025 Jason LeppertWhile other expedition companies will permit wearing whatever you choose on Zodiacs, Quark requires all waterproof layers to ride. So, if you run warm, as I do, consider bringing a suitable alternative to the heavier parka.
The Zodiac embarkation platform that lowers off the stern makes it easy to board, and it’s where we first embarked and last disembarked the vessel in pier-less and rugged Resolute, Canada, for our roundtrip “Arctic Express Canada: The Heart of the Northwest Passage” route.
Unlike the region’s historic failed Franklin expedition, our modern one on Quark was an example of flawless adventure travel, and Ultramarine proved ideal for customers who place a premium on excursions onshore — and in the sea and sky.
