Quest
- capacity
- 50
- year built
- 1992
- remodeled
- 2018
- crew members
- 22 (avg)
- length
- 163 feet
- beam
- 36 feet
- draft
- 14 feet
- cruising speed
- 11 knots
- flag
- Denmark
- ice class
- 1B
With only 50 guests, the Quest is one of the smallest expedition ships operating in the Arctic. She offers guests a safe, community-minded and comfortable home base for exploring ice-laden seas. Her panoramic lounge and 360-degree deck space invite guests to capture wildlife, relax and take in the stunning views.
Quest Review
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Quest review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Please read our Quest review below then contact our experts to compare the Quest with other ice-class expedition ships offering Arctic cruises, including cruises to Greenland and Spitsbergen and Svalbard cruises.
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The Quest was built in 1992 in Denmark to ferry passengers along Greenland’s west coast. The ship was significantly refurbished in 2004-2005 to become a comfortable expedition ship, with further cabin upgrades in 2018. Satellite WiFi, a recent upgrade, is available at added cost.
Choose the Quest for an intimate polar experience. A maximum of only 50 guests creates a strong sense of onboard camaraderie. And her ice-strengthened hull is ideally suited for expedition travel in the Arctic.
Onboard Facilities
The 5-deck Quest expedition ship encourages her guests to become fast friends via a few key common spaces. The Dining Room offers an inviting atmosphere with open seating, encouraging travelers to mix and mingle for each meal. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is a three-course, plated affair. The daily menu offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and other dietary requests are considered with advanced notice. Meals are international and wide-ranging in variety, with common plates such as pasta and Scandinavian dishes always available.
The top deck Panorama Lounge features a 360-degree wall of windows (and ceiling), a well-stocked bar, filtered water, a coffee/tea/hot chocolate machine, cookies, a small library and comfortable viewing chairs bathed in natural light. Onboard lectures detailing the flora, fauna and history of the region are held in this space. Alcohol and soft drinks are available for purchase from the bar and in the dining room during meals.
Further learning can be had while visiting the open Bridge, to watch the captain and officers navigate the challenging ice floes through which the M/S Quest sails. Rounding out the onboard experience are the forward (bow and off-lounge) and aft outdoor observation decks, which enable guests to take in the views and feel the arctic sun and breeze.
Activities & Expeditions
The Quest small ship is crewed by a friendly international group, including an onboard doctor/clinic and five expedition guides—all excited to facilitate an exciting (and comfortable) polar expedition cruise. The 1:6 guide-to-guest ratio ensures plenty of access to knowledgeable guides. The five Zodiac boats on board Quest are loaded and unloaded via a mid-ship side door with a stable drawbridge, and Zodiac groups are divided among guests for language if/as needed. Expect two to three off-ship explorations each day while sailing aboard Quest, including one landing and one Zodiac cruise. The ship’s doctor joins most outings, for added security.
Cabins & Quest Deck Plan
All 24 cabins aboard the Quest come equipped with twin beds or a double bed, a view window, reading lamps, a bedside table(s) with four USB charging outlets, a desk, chair, closet, hooks, and a private bathroom with an integrated shower. All cabins are accessed by a sheltered interior hallway.
