Ultramarine carries two "Airbus H145" helicopters (twin-engine) with capacity 8 passengers (plus the pilot). Quar fleet's newest ship is the 2020-built/2021-inaugurated Ultramarine. In 2019, World Explorer became the company's first newbuild (under charter from Mystic Cruises USA) and most advanced polar expedition vessel. The company calls its vessels "Polar Adventure Ships" as the adventure is the main theme on each itinerary reaching some of the world's most isolated wilderness areas. All ships are equipped with Zodiacs (large-capacity inflatable boats) used for landings and general passenger transfers (ship to shore). Quark cruise ships are smaller-sized expedition vessels, with max capacity 200 passengers. In 2017, Quark started an all-inclusive fly-cruise program on the chartered from Noble Caledonia (UK-based travel company) expedition ship Island Sky. They are never content to stay in one place for too long, always looking to innovate and improve passengers' cruise experiences. What separates Quark cruises from voyages offered by other polar travel cruise lines are the ships' adventurous expedition teams and their relentless passion to explore the infinity of the icy ocean waterways. The two "Antarctic Solar Eclipse 2021" voyages were scheduled for World Explorer (17-day itinerary, November 26 - December 12) and Ocean Diamond (20-day itinerary, November 25 - December 14).Quark's Antarctic Eclipse cruises feature as special guests Fred Espenak (US astrophysicist), Babak Amin Tafreshi (National Geographic photographer) and David Baron (author of the 2017-published book "American Eclipse" /themed on the solar eclipse on July 29, 1878).The Antarctic solar eclipse will occur on December 4, 2021, in the Weddell Sea. The Earth's total solar eclipses happen approx every 400 years. In 2021 were planned two "Antarctic Eclipse" voyages during which our Moon will completely block the Sun to produce the solar corona phenomenon. On November 24, 2003, Quark Expeditions became the first travel company to offer a "total solar eclipse cruise" in Antarctica. Prior to 2014 (when TUI AG merged with TUI Travel PLC), Travelopia was part of Specialist Group and managed as an independent company. Annually, it serves 800,000+ travelers and 70+ global destinations. In FY2016, Travelopia Group generated a turnover of EUR 1,17 billion. It specializes in polar cruises, sailboat and yacht vacations, private jet travel, custom-made holidays, sports-themed tours, school expeditions. Currently, Travelopia Group owns 53 brands and is one of the world’s largest theme travel companies. In 2016, TUI Group sold Travelopia to KKR & Co ( NYC-based global private equity firm) for USD 404 million (EUR 381M). The company's current President is Andrew White. In May 2016, Quark became part of Travelopia (UK-based global travel division of former TUI Specialist Group). The company became part of TUI Travel (UK-based corporation) on May 1, 2007. In 2001, he became Board Chairman, after Patrick Shaw joined as President and CEO. In 1998, Wikander became the company's majority owner. Quark Expeditions was established in 1991 by Mike McDowell and Lars Wikander. One of the industry's small cruise lines, Quark Expeditions is a USA expedition cruise travel company headquartered in Seattle WA and part/subsidiary of the UK-based company Travelopia Group Holdings Ltd. Being the planet's last pristine wildernesses, Earth's polar regions offer unique travel vacation experiences. Quark Expeditions () is specialized in polar cruises company operating year-round itineraries to Antarctica and Arctic destinations.