Arctic Cruise: North Pole
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For centuries, explorers set out for the North Pole by sled, ship, aircraft and even balloon, but it wasnÂt until 1948 that a human reached 90º north. Now you can voyage there yourself on a 16 or 17-day expedition aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Years of Victory, powerful enough to push through the formidable Arctic ice pack. Shore landings are planned in Franz Josef Land and at 90N, the top of the world, and sightseeing by helicopter provides an aerial view of the icebreaker crushing through the Arctic Ocean pack ice. Join this once-in-a-lifetime journey and add your name to the handful of adventurers whoÂve stood at the top of the world!
Trip Details
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Trip Price (per Person)
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Itinerary
Day 1: Helsinki, Finland
Just six degrees south of the Arctic Circle is a sophisticated city with nightlife, green spaces and a breathtaking harbor--Helsinki, Finland. We encourage you to arrive early to explore the city, before you settle down for the night in the centrally located hotel, which is included in the price of your expedition.Day 2: Embarkation Day
You will fly you from Helsinki to Murmansk, Russia, the home port of the Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet. En route to Murmansk you will cross the Arctic Circle. 50 Years of Victory is a massive ship. 2008 is the ship's maiden season to the North Pole. Tugboats and high tide assist the ship to leave dock. A Russian march is played as the ship heads out to sea, fitting pomp for one of the most powerful ships afloat.Days 3-7: Northbound on the Arctic Ocean
You will keep busy as the ship forges north to the goal of this expedition, the top of the world! Your polar historian will recount tales of the hubris and foolhardiness of those who sought to claim the title "First to Reach the North Pole." Your marine biologist, in an illustrated presentation, will explain the part the Arctic Ocean plays in our ecosystem. The ornithologist will accompany you topside to identify birds on the wing. The Expedition Leader may deploy the onboard helicopters for an aerial view of 50 Years of Victory breaking ice. Your artist-in-residence will lead interactive workshops that encourage you to create your own polar masterpiece. And if that weren't enough, you can attend the 90N Wildlife Film Festival!Day 8: North Pole
The Expedition Leader in consultation with the Captain will consult charts and weather reports, adjusting the daily program to take advantage of local conditions. If they are at their optimum, you should reach the North Pole some time on the eighth day of the expedition. (The seventh day should you choose the shorter voyage.)Days 9-11: Southbound - the Arctic Ocean
As 50 Years of Victory sails south, the members of the Expedition Team prepare you for shore landings in Franz Josef Land. Their presentations cover the wildlife, geology and history of the archipelago.Day 12: Franz Josef Land
As long as visibility is sufficient the helicopters will transfer you to one of the flat-topped islands that comprise the archipelago. The most northerly islands in Eurasia are located between 80 and 81 degrees North. Birders, pack your binoculars. Franz Josef Land is home to numerous colonies of seabirds.Days 13-14: Barents Sea
The recap sessions, education program, Polar Arts activities and Film Festival continue.Day 15: Murmansk / Disembarkation
The Captain times his entrance into Murmansk harbor to coincide with high tide. Once the ship is safely moored, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Helsinki, where you will spend the night.Day 16: Helsinki
You'll be free to transfer to the airport on your own after breakfast at the hotel.Trip Information
| Ship | 50 Years of Victory |
| Highlights | Reach the North Pole aboard the largest, most sophisticated & powerful icebreaker ever built! Shore landings by helicopter, excellent guides, and Franz Josef Land. |
| Trip Notes | Expedition on 7/19/2008: There is a waitlist for this voyage. Also note, this trip is one day longer, ending on 8/4/2008.Mandatory Travel Insurance: Passengers traveling on this expedition are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. As this voyage travels to remote regions of the world, we recommend that the policyÂs emergency evacuation benefit be higher than minimum.Included: Return charter air transportation between Helsinki and Murmansk; one pre-cruise hotel night and one post-cruise hotel night with buffet breakfast (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel.); All meals on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. The ships galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.); All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program; All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each dayÂs program; Formal and informal presentations by Expedition Team and guest speakers; Photographic Journal on DVD; Hair dryer and robes; Coffee, tea, cocoa, and bottled water available around the clock; Expedition parka to keep; Loan of a pair of boots for shore landings; Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader; Group embarkation transfer from the hotel to the airport, and from the destination airport to the ship, on disembarkation from the ship to the airport, and from the destination airport to the hotel; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. Not Included: Airfare to or from the gateway city, whether on scheduled or charter flights; Passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes charged locally; Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel; Cancellation and travel insurance (Please note that emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory); Excess baggage charges; laundry, bar, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and other personal charges; Telecommunications charges; Gratuity for stewards and other service personnel (guidelines will be provided); Private helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group is possible at an additional hourly charge, which will be announced on board. |
| Payment Policy | 2007/2008 Season:A deposit of $1000 per person (11-15 day Antarctica expeditions); $1500 per person (20 day Antarctica expeditions and all Arctic expeditions); or $2000 per person (on board the Kapitan Khlebnikov) is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment Methods: Deposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover). Final payment: check or wire.WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT.2008/2009 Season:A deposit of $1000 per person (11-15 day Antarctica expeditions and Arctic Adventure ships); $1500 per person (20 day Antarctica expeditions); or $2000 per person (on board the Kapitan Khlebnikov and Arctic Icebreaker Adventures) is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.* Payment Methods: Deposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover). Final payment: check or wire.WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT.* Final payment due 120 days prior to departure for the following sailings: 12/30/2008 (Ocean Nova), 1/5/2009, 1/14/2009 (Orlova), 1/24/2009 (Clipper Adventurer), 2/2/2009, (Ioffe). |
When can I go?
| Start Date | Finish Date | Places Available |
| 2008-06-23 | 2008-07-08 | + |
| 2008-07-06 | 2008-07-21 | + |
| 2008-07-19 | 2008-08-03 | + |
| Trip Price | |
| USD | 22900.00 |
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