Travelmarvel, the premium arm of APT Travel Group, has partnered with Quark Expeditions to bring a new purpose-built small ship into service in 2029.
Under a 10-year charter agreement, Travelmarvel will operate the vessel in the Mediterranean, while Quark Expeditions will run it during the Antarctic season from 2029-2030.
The ship, currently under development and not yet named, will have 99 suites. It has been designed for manoeuvrability and access in remote regions, with a PC6 ice-class hull to support Antarctic operations. It will also include mudrooms and embarkation areas built to facilitate transitions between ship and shore.
Quark Expeditions, which has operated in the polar regions since 1991, will work with Travelmarvel throughout the ship's development, contributing operational and polar expertise ahead of its Antarctic deployment.
APT Travel Group describes the vessel as one of the most significant investments in the company's history, and the first ocean ship designed and built specifically for the Travelmarvel brand. Its smaller size is intended to give it access to ports that larger cruise ships cannot reach during its Mediterranean season.
"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."
