A new small ship is in the works that will spend summers in the Mediterranean and winters in Antarctica. Travelmarvel, part of Australia's APT Travel Group, has signed a 10-year charter with polar operator Quark Expeditions for a purpose-built vessel due to enter service in 2029.
The as-yet-unnamed ship will carry just 99 suites — a size that matters for both ends of its split-year schedule. In the Mediterranean, Travelmarvel plans to use it to reach smaller ports that big cruise ships simply can't access, positioning it as a premium small-ship product for UK and Irish guests. Come the southern summer, Quark takes over for the 2029-30 Antarctic season, adding capacity for travellers chasing the White Continent.
Two design details stand out. First, the hull will be PC6 ice-class, meaning it's rated to push through Antarctic ice rather than just fair-weather waters. Second, the ship is being built around efficient turnarounds: dedicated mudrooms and fast embarkation and disembarkation zones, so guests spend less time queuing for Zodiacs and more time actually ashore. Quark, which has three decades of polar experience, is involved in the development process now, advising on the operational features that make or break an expedition cruise.
For Travelmarvel, this is a milestone — the company calls it one of the most significant investments in its history and its first ocean vessel designed and built specifically for the brand. For Quark, it broadens the fleet it can offer Antarctic travellers. Full specs, name and itineraries are expected closer to launch, so there's a wait ahead, but anyone eyeing either a boutique Med sailing in 2029 or an Antarctica trip from 2029-30 onwards now has a new option to track.
Why it matters: this is exactly the kind of ship travellers who dislike mega-resort cruising have been asking for — small enough for tucked-away ports and landing sites, but purpose-built rather than a retrofit. If you book through an agent, expect it to be pitched as a distinctive premium product in both markets.