Travelmarvel has announced a partnership with Quark Expeditions for a new purpose-built small ship scheduled to enter service in 2029.

Under a 10-year charter agreement, Travelmarvel will deploy the vessel in the Mediterranean, while Quark will operate the ship during the Antarctic season beginning in 2029-30.

Further details about the vessel will be announced closer to launch.

“This is an important step in Travelmarvel’s UK and Ireland growth and reflects our ambition to offer our guests premium small-ship experiences in some of the Mediterranean’s most compelling destinations,” said Paul Melinis, managing director UK and Europe, APT Travel Group. “(The ship) will give our travel agent partners an exciting and genuinely distinctive new product to offer their customers.”

“This partnership brings together complementary expertise and a shared commitment to thoughtful small-ship exploration,” said Sam Seward, president of Quark.

“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,” added Seward.

Currently under development and not yet named, the vessel will feature 99 suites. Travelmarvel said in a press release that its PC6 ice-class hull will enable Antarctic operations.

At the same time, expedition-focused features, including mudrooms and efficient embarkation and disembarkation areas, will help guests transition quickly and comfortably between the ship and the destination.

The press release added that the agreement brings together Travelmarvel’s expertise in premium cruising and Quark’s three decades of polar exploration specialization.

Quark will work with Travelmarvel throughout the ship’s development, contributing its operational and polar expertise to help prepare the vessel for Antarctic expedition travel.

Travelmarvel said that the small ship represents one of the most significant investments in the company’s history and its first ocean vessel designed and built specifically for the brand.

Its intimate scale will provide access to smaller ports and destinations beyond the reach of larger cruise ships during its Mediterranean program.

For Quark, the ship will expand the ways guests can explore Antarctica aboard a vessel designed to support active, immersive experiences on and beyond the ship.