North Pole Cruise: 50 Years of Victory

Russian Arctic North Pole

To reach the North Pole is the pinnacle of Arctic expedition endeavours. Few people can say they stood at the one earthly spot where every direction is south. Crushing through the ice, admiring soaring seabirds and visiting Franz Josef Land, your voyage will be one that you won’t soon forget. The added excitement of helicopter excursions and an optional hot air balloon ride at the top of the world make this adventure a true once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Top of the World 90° N
Nuclear-powered icebreaker, 50 Years of Victory
Zodiac cruising
Franz Josef Land wildlife and wildflowers

HELICOPTER TOUR - FREE OPTION

We take advantage of continuous daylight to offer flightseeing tours with the icebreaker’s onboard helicopter. From aloft you have a unique and exciting perspective from which to witness the ship plowing its way through the ice and to experience the surreal beauty of the vast frozen ocean. We also use the helicopter to achieve landings in Franz Josef Land when conditions prevent landings by Zodiac, giving you unparalleled access to this remote and hard-to-reach Arctic wilderness. Weather permitting, flightseeing tours and landings by helicopter are included free on all North Pole voyages.

PHOTOGRAPHY - FREE OPTION

The vast, intricate, and ever-changing icescape of the Arctic Ocean offers a unique and challenging world of subjects for photographers of all backgrounds. Our free photography program gives you the chance to learn and practice your photography skills alongside an expert photographer. Primeval landscapes, intriguing geological features, poignant historical remains, and charismatic Arctic wildlife in Russia’s Franz Josef Land also provide a wealth of inspiration for the photographer. Our expert will be available to help you make the most of this bounty in your viewfinder.

Stewart's Take

Be one of only the very few people to have stood at the Top of the World!

Overview

To reach the North Pole is the pinnacle of Arctic expedition endeavours. Few people can say they stood at the one earthly spot where every direction is south. Crushing through the ice, admiring soaring seabirds and visiting Franz Josef Land, your voyage will be one that you won’t soon forget. The added excitement of helicopter excursions and an optional hot air balloon ride at the top of the world make this adventure a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Day 1 — Murmansk, Russia Welcome to the city of Murmansk on Russia’s Kola Peninsula, starting point of our adventure. Upon your arrival at the airport we provide a transfer to your hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage. Day 2 — Embarkation Day in Murmansk Today we provide a group transfer to the port where we welcome you aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Years of Victory. Explore the ship and get orientated as we slip our moorings and sail north out of Kola Bay. Days 3 to 6 — Northbound in the Arctic Ocean Nowhere can it be more truly said that “getting there is half the fun”. As we cruise northward through the Barents Sea there is always the possibility of seeing whales. Meanwhile, you have the opportunity to learn about the unique icebreaking capabilities of the ship. You are also treated to a tour of the engine room. As we make our way across the ice cap, you witness firsthand the ship’s awesome power as massive ice blocks give way under the enormous bulk of the spoon-shaped bow. The sensation of being on deck at this time is surreal and unforgettable. We also take advantage of 24-hour daylight to offer helicopter flightseeing tours. From the air you can observe the ship crushing a path through the ice. You also have a unique vantage point from which to witness the stunning beauty of this vast polar icescape. Day 7 — 90° North Welcome to the geographic North Pole! After carefully navigating to 90 degrees North, we ceremoniously drop the anchor on a sturdy stretch of ice and disembark onto the frozen sea. Now is the time to experience the long-anticipated thrill of standing at the top of the world. Join hands with your fellow passengers and literally walk around the world during our special International Round Dance. You are also treated to a barbeque meal on the ice. You may even have the chance to take a plunge into the icy water! After our memorable time at the North Pole we turn around and head south. But the adventure is not over yet. The High Arctic archipelago of Franz Josef Land is still to come! Day 8-10 — Exploration of Franz Josef Land The Franz Josef Land archipelago, part of the Russian Arctic National Park since 2012, is a nature sanctuary. Polar bears and other quintessential High Arctic wildlife—such as walruses and some rare whale species—can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Franz Josef Land. Scree slopes and cliffs around the islands host enormous nesting colonies of migratory seabirds such as guillemots, dovekies, and ivory gulls. We take advantage of 24-hour daylight to exploit every opportunity for wildlife viewing and excursions via Zodiac and helicopter. Franz Josef Land is home to some interesting geological features, such as the mysterious stone spheres on Champ Island. Collectors of geographical extremes may take note that Cape Fligely on Rudolf Island is the northernmost point of land in the Eastern Hemisphere. Franz Josef Land also offers visitors the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of famous polar explorers at well-preserved historical sites. The journals of explorers such as Julius von Payer, Benjamin Leigh Smith, Frederick George Jackson, and Fridtjof Nansen come alive at Cape Norway, Cape Flora, Eira Harbour, and Cape Tegetthoff. Memorials, monuments, crosses, and the remains of dwellings are testimony to incredible historical events that are further illuminated by our expert lecturers. Tikhaya Bukhta is currently a Russian Arctic National Park ranger station occupying Soviet-era research buildings and was also a major base for polar expeditions. Nearby, the fascinating columnar basalt cliffs of Rubini Rock are home to thousands of nesting seabirds. Days 11 to 12 — At Sea After our amazing time in Franz Josef Land we cross back south through the bountiful waters of the Barents Sea. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent. You may also take advantage of onboard facilities and amenities such as a polar library, volleyball court, gym, two saunas, warm seawater pool, gift shop, and massage treatments. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows. Day 13 — Disembarkation in Murmansk After breakfast on board we say farewell in Murmansk. We provide you with a transfer to the airport or to the city center, depending on the time of your departure flight. Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. When travelling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. The above is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

ICEBREAKER: 50 YEARS OF VICTORY

Twenty years in the making, 50 Years of Victory is the first Arktika-class icebreaker to have a spoon-shaped bow, capable of breaking through ice up to 2.5 metres (9.2 feet) thick! This is the world’s largest, most-powerful nuclear icebreaker. Complete with a helicopter for shore excursions, Victory is a ship unlike any other, with the ability to go where other ships cannot. Onboard you hardly feel a thing. Absolutely unforgettable is the sound of mammoth slabs of ice colliding with the hull! An onboard helicopter extends the vessels ability to reach ice-locked, remote Arctic islands en route from the North Pole.

For full information about this vessel click here:

Included

1 night pre expedition hotel accommodation in Murmansk, Russia and 1 night after the cruise in Moscow
Day 2 group transfer from hotel to Murmansk port
Shipboard accommodation with housekeeping.
Shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
Shore landings included in daily program
Group helicopter transfers and sightseeing flights included in the daily program
Professional Expedition Leadership.
All Zodiac excursions and transfers.
Formal and informal educational presentations by the Expedition Team.
Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage.
The loan of a pair of waterproof boots for the duration of the voyage.
An official parka to keep.
Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock.
Hair dryer and bathrobes in each cabin.
Group transfer from the ship to the Murmansk airport.
Group transfer from Moscow airport to the hotel.
Comprehensive pre-departure package including a meticulously researched Arctic Reader and map
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
All shipboard luggage handling.
Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.
All Zodiac excursions and transfers included in the daily program
Complimentary wine, beer, liquor and soft drinks at the bar and with meals

Excluded

Airfare to and from your hometown
Helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group.
Passport and visa expenses.
Government arrival and departure taxes.
Meals ashore, other than the breakfasts included with the hotel accommodation.
Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance.
Excess baggage charges. Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges.
Shipboard and land telecommunication fees.
Voyage-end gratuities for Crew, Hospitality and Expedition Team members

Deposits - Reservations require a deposit of 20% per person at the time you receive a booking confirmation from Expeditions Online. A payment link will be sent to you and this may be paid by major credit card. Bookings within 90 days of departure require full payment. Voyage rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and are based on passengers sharing a cabin. Share Travel and Single Supplements - If you are travelling alone and wish to share this is available only in the Twin category. If you prefer, single occupancy of a twin cabin is available at 1.7 times the twin rate and available only in Twin categories; single occupancy of a other suites is available at 2 times the twin rate. Final Payments - Balances are due 90 days prior to departure. Balance payments may be paid by bank transfer, or on request by credit card (subject to a 2% surcharge). Cancellations - All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online. Reservations cancelled more than 120 days prior to departure will be fully refunded less an administrative fee of 5% of the rate. Reservations cancelled between 119 days and 91 days prior to departure will be fully refunded less the deposit of 20% of the rate. If cancellation occurs less than 90 days prior to departure, all payments are forfeited. If full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and any unpaid balance is due immediately. We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. Booking Terms - Please read carefully the General Booking Conditions for Expeditions Online. This voyage is operated by Poseidon Expeditions and you additionally travel under their terms and conditions as the operator as well as of the Shipping Company/transport carrier. Details will be forwarded to you at the time of booking.