Quark Expeditions Launches Larger Vessel for Antarctic 2012-2013 Season

    WATERBURY, VT, December 09, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Today Quark Expeditions, the polar expedition pioneer, announced a new addition to its fleet. The 189-passenger polar expedition vessel will set sail in November 2012 for the Antarctic 2012-2013 season. Before commencing service with Quark, the ship, currently known as Le Diamant, will be renamed Ocean Diamond and undergo an extensive refurbishment. In addition to creating a contemporary environment, the enhancements will upgrade the ship's equipment to the same safety and operational standards as the rest of the Quark fleet.

"Quark is very pleased to have this modern, stable super-yacht in our Antarctic fleet," said Hans Lagerweij, President of Quark Expeditions. "By reducing the transfer time at sea, Ocean Diamond will give our passengers an additional 12 hours to spend accessing all of the wildlife, rugged beauty, and adventure activities an Antarctic expedition has to offer."

Ocean Diamond will also feature more onboard amenities than any other ship in Quark's fleet. Passengers can take advantage of a new massage and wellness program or peruse the world's largest floating collection of polar books and DVDs. The lecture theater will host educational presentations throughout the voyage, and a new "Expert in Residence" program will offer a platform for polar researchers, scientists, and other experts to conduct field work from the ship and share with expedition participants.

Cabin Types
Travelers can choose between seven different categories of accommodation, from balcony suites, to a range of twin and triple cabins. Prices vary from an accessible $3,995 per person for triple accommodation to $29,995 for balcony. In response to increased demand for solo travel, the ship will also feature special pricing for dedicated single cabins in two different categories of accommodation.

Reservations
Departures on the new ship go on sale Monday, December 5, 2011. As an early booking incentive, travelers who make a reservation by February 29, 2012 will receive a 25 percent discount on the following expeditions:

Introduction to Antarctica: The White Continent - 10 days, from $3,995
Antarctic Explorer: The Classic Adventure - 11 days, from $4,795
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica - Explorers and Kings: 20 days, from $9,695

For more information contact a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 888-892-0171 or visit www.quarkexpeditions.com.

Since 1991, Quark established a tradition of firsts in polar expedition travel. The company was first to transit the Northeast Passage with commercial passengers; the first to take travelers to the "Far Side" of Antarctica and the first to circumnavigate the Antarctic continent with guests. Quark is recognized for its diverse passenger fleet - including the only polar-class icebreaker operating as an expedition ship in Antarctica. In 2011, Quark was named a recipient of National Geographic Traveler's "50 Tours of a Lifetime" for their "Three Arctic Islands" voyage.

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