Travelmarvel and Quark Expeditions have announced a partnership for a new purpose-built small ship scheduled to enter service in 2029.
Under a 10-year charter agreement, Travelmarvel will deploy the vessel in the Mediterranean, while Quark Expeditions will operate the ship during the Antarctic season beginning in 2029/30.
Currently under development and not yet named, the vessel will feature 99 suites, offering the manoeuvrability and access of a small ship while supporting exploration in some of the world’s most remote regions. Its PC6 ice-class hull will enable Antarctic operations, while features designed for expedition travel, including mudrooms and efficient embarkation and disembarkation areas.
Quark Expeditions will work closely with Travelmarvel throughout the ship’s development, contributing its operational and polar expertise to help prepare the vessel for Antarctic expedition travel.
The premium small ship represents one of the most significant investments in the company’s history and its first ocean vessel designed and built specifically for the brand.
“This is an important step in Travelmarvel’s UK & Ireland growth and reflects our ambition to offer our guests premium small-ship experiences in some of the Mediterranean’s most compelling destinations. With just 99 suites, the new ship will combine a more intimate and relaxed style of cruising with access to ports that larger vessels cannot reach. It will also give our travel agent partners an exciting and genuinely distinctive new product to offer their customers” said Paul Melinis, Managing Director UK and Europe, APT Travel Group.
“This partnership brings together complementary expertise and a shared commitment to thoughtful small-ship exploration,” said Sam Seward, President of Quark Expeditions.
“By collaborating with APT Travel Group during the development process, we have an opportunity to help prepare a ship that is truly built for exploration, with the capabilities and operational features needed to help guests get off the ship efficiently and experience more of Antarctica.”
