For Antarctica fly cruises operated by Quark Expeditions, specifically Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake, a Contingency Plan is in place for those cases when weather conditions require that the flight day of operation is modified from the itinerary. The purpose of the Contingency Plan is to provide travelers with a flexible travel experience that adapts to the weather conditions, and clear end dates and terms should the weather cause the trip to be cancelled.
2025-26, 2026-27 & 2027-28 Seasons
Contingency Plan for Quark’s Antarctic Express
(8- through 11-Day Itineraries)
Quark’s “Antarctic Express” Expeditions include either a one way or a return charter flight across the Drake Passage. Weather conditions may cause a delay to the itinerary of the Expedition and/or could ultimately involve the Expedition being cancelled or interrupted.
Due to the adverse weather conditions which may impact on the “Antarctic Express” Expeditions, in order to try and limit the impact on the Expedition, Quark has a contingency plan in place in accordance with the below. Quark reserves the right to make exceptions to these timings at its sole discretion.
Contingency Plan Itinerary
Day 1 – The flight to King George’s Island is not scheduled to depart until Day 2 of the itinerary. This shall be brought forward to the first day of the Expedition if Quark is advised of any potential delays or impact to the Expedition that may arise due to adverse weather. For this reason, you are required to arrive in Punta Arenas (PUQ) no later than 3:00pm on the first day of the Expedition. No refund will be provided for the Expedition in the event that you miss the flight which departs from Punta Arenas where it is brought forward and you are not in Punta Arenas on or before 3:00pm on the first day of the Expedition itinerary.
Day 2 Until Final Attempt – For each day after Day 2 of the Expedition itinerary until the final attempt day, if the flight does not take off as expected, then all passengers will be briefed daily by the ground staff on what shall happen. Once a window opens with acceptable weather conditions the flight could depart with very little notice. You will therefore be required to be on stand-by until notified by Quark’s staff. During this period, you shall be required to be at the airport or other location notified by Quark. If the weather does not permit travel on any given day then you will be returned back to your hotel.
Priority of Flight Departure
In some cases, there are instances where more than one operator is waiting for a weather window to fly passengers to King George Island using the same charter planes. In these cases, the priority is given to the passengers who were first delayed.
Last Itinerary Day for Flight Attempts
In the event that the charter flight is unable to fly on the final itinerary attempt day for any reason. With such final day being:
- Day 4 for the Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake 8-day itinerary
- Day 4 for the Antarctic Express: Fly South, Sail North 9-day itinerary
- Day 4 for the Antarctic Express: Fly South, Sail North 10-day itinerary
- Day 6 for the Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle 11-day itinerary
Quark will officially interrupt the Expedition and shall cancel the Expedition as necessary. In such circumstances, the cancellation shall be deemed to be a Force Majeure Event. In order to assist you to obtain reimbursement for your airfare and potentially other costs to change flights, Quark may provide trip interruption letters for submission to your travel insurance providers. Quark will provide one final additional night hotel accommodation on the day of cancellation of the Expedition and all additional hotel nights and meals shall be your responsibility. Any, and all other, additional costs such as (without limitation) changing your flights shall not be the responsibility of Quark.
Returning Passengers & Sail South, Fly North Passengers
Passengers on board the ship during these delays will remain on board at no additional cost until the time in which the charter flight is able to arrange transport. Full board and all excursions are included. Quark advises all passengers to book changeable airlines tickets along with strongly recommending that you have cancellation and interruption insurance to assist with additional airline change fees. Quark advises all passengers to have flexible travel arrangements upon disembarkation of the Expedition if delays arise. AdventureSmith Explorations and Quark Expeditions will not be held responsible for any change/cancellation fees due to weather-related delays or any other delays arising from Force Majeure Events. No refund will be issued for any reason whatsoever. At the discretion of Quark, the Captain and/or the Expedition Leader, the vessel may be sailed to a port of call for any reason whatsoever including, but not limited to, any Force Majeure Event.
