Day
1: Helsinki, Finland
A representative will meet you at the lobby of the luxurious hotel in Helsinki, Finland. Enjoy Helsinki on your own.
Day
2: Helsinki to Murmansk, Russia. Embarkation
After a short Helsinki tour, you will be escorted to the airport for the 2-hour charter flight to Murmansk. There you will board the 2008-built nuclear-powered icebreaker "50 Years of Victory", one of the most powerful ships in the world. We depart Murmansk via the Kola Bay.
Day
3: Barents Sea
On your first full day at sea, relax and explore
the sophisticated vessel that will be home for the next two weeks. Specialists
begin presentations on Arctic wildlife, geology, history and other areas
of interest. There will be briefings of your upcoming helicopter flights,
as well as environmental guidelines for visiting this remote part of the
planet. And, of course, you have many opportunities to view seabirds and
whales as we sail north. An engine tour of the 75,000 horsepower ship is also arranged.
Day
4-6: Towards the North Pole, Into the Ice Pack
Surrounded by endless polar vistas,
the Victory begins breaking through the multi-year pack ice, surging northward
at speeds of up to 12 knots in conditions that few vessels have the power
to negotiate. You're welcome to watch the ship's awe-inspiring progress
around the clock, as helicopters come and go on reconnaissance flights.
Also observe the experienced captain and his officers review the latest
ice charts transmitted via satellite. Plus, take your own helicopter flight
and enjoy incredible aerial views of the ice-breaker as she crashes its way
toward the Pole, leaving massive blocks of ice in its wake. Along the
way, the gangway will be lowered and everyone is invited onto the ice for
an invigorating walk. And as usual we'll keep watch for a diverse array
of Arctic wildlife.
Day
7: The North Pole
This is the day we plan to reach the ultimate
destination, the Geographical North Pole. The ship buzzes with anticipation until the moment we've
all been waiting for - when you actually stand at the top of the world.
You have plenty of time to wander out onto the ice and survey the expanse
of white and blue stretching hundreds of kilometers in all directions.
There are inevitable reflective moments as you take in the reality of
where you are and recall the past adventurers who struggled in vain or
lost their lives trying to reach the point where you now walk so easily.
Of course, there wil be time for a celebration on the ice, including a barbeque - and for those
who dare - a brief plunge into the Arctic Ocean!
Day
8-13: Southward Bound, Franz Josef Land, Barents Sea, Murmansk
Your goal achieved, there's nowhere
to head but south. Our exact route will vary with local ice and weather
conditions. As ever, the helicopter pilots are always at the ready for
reconnaissance flights and excursions over the spectacular, constantly
changing ice and sea. As you watch the fascinating progress of the vessel
from one of the decks, keep an eye out for more wildlife; your chances
of spotting polar bears are excellent as we near Franz Josef Land. Meanwhile,
the naturalists and other specialists on the expedition team continue
to illuminate various aspects of the vast polar wilderness.
A remote world of jagged mountains
and massive icebergs, Franz Josef Land was not discovered until 1873 and
remains relatively unexplored. The most northerly point in Russia, this
archipelago of 191 islands is a naturalist's paradise. Polar bears and
Arctic fox often come very close to the ship; seals are plentiful, and
you can spot beluga whales and narwhals offshore; and the high, rocky
cliffs are home to huge colonies of seabirds. Explore the dramatic coast
via Zodiac (as local conditions permit) and enjoy spectacular aerial views
flying over glaciers and volcanic plateaus in the helicopters. We also
plan to go ashore at early exploration sites such as Cape Norway, where
Norwegian explorers Nansen and Johansen survived the winter of 1896-97
after a bold attempt to reach the North Pole. (Please note that all of
our landings in Franz Josef Land are subject to government permission,
variable timing restrictions and weather conditions.) On the final leg
of our journey south across the Barents Sea, there are seabirds and whales
to look out for, and of course the expedition team's presentations provide
helpful context for your unique adventure. Then it's time to say farewell
to the Victory and its crew as you disembark in Murmansk, fly back to Helsinki
for a final night
Day 14 Helsinki
After breakfast, go to the international airport for your flight home.
Please note that this itinerary is a guide only. The exact route and program varies according to weather and ice conditions and the wildlife encountered.
Rates
Our discounted rates
start at USD 21,195 per person in an outside twin cabin, including medical insurance covering emergency evacuation. Special offer for single guests, please call us.
Rates include:
-Two nights at the 5-star hotel in Helsinki
- Charter flight transfers between the hotel-airport-ship-airport-hotel
- Voyage aboard the vessel "50 Years of Victory" as indicated in the itinerary
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by helicopters (as included in planned group excursions)
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and the service of experienced guides
- Four meals a day with tea/coffee/water and snacks available throughout the day
- Waterproof boots are lent for the cruise
-
Special expedition parka
- In-cabin bathrobe and hairdryer
- Informative pre-departure materials
-
Expedition log with picture album on DVD
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- Letter of Invitation for the Russian consulate to obtain a visa
- Complex personal medical insurance covering risks of evacuation and repatriation (besides other risks). Coverage: EUR 100,000 (insurance is in effect only on board the ship and outside the port of Murmansk).
Rates do not include the charter airfare Helsinki-Murmansk-Helsinki, US$1150 per person.
CruiseScandinavia
offer savings on sailings to ALL passengers worldwide. Inquire about rates
for this program. We
offer the right cruise at the right price. Call 1-800-334-6544
(U.S.) or +1-212-480-4521 (International) or visit How
to Book form
To watch a North Pole video, click here
| About 50 Years of Victory
The 50 Years of Victory is the world's most powerful and sophisticated icebreaker and one of the few surface ships ever to have reached the North Pole. The nuclear-powered vessel with its 75,000 horsepower has an armored steel hull designed to withstand the toughest polar conditions. Yet, the Victory offers passenger comfort with all the amenities you would expect of a top expedition ship.
About cabins and Amenities
There are 64 first-class outside cabins and suites with private facilities. All cabin/suites have large windows, a desk, a television, and large closets. The windows can be opened for fresh air. Passengers may control the flow of air into the cabin by adjusting the vent. The twin cabins have one fixed berth and one convertible sofa bed. All suites have a sitting room separate from the bedroom. The private bathroom has a shower, a toilet, a wash-basin, and is equipped with hairdryers, soaps and shower gels. Mini-suites are larger than standard cabins with two windows and a refrigerator. Suites are even larger with a sitting area and a seperate bedroom – most with double-beds.
Passenger cabins are all outside (with windows or portholes) and all with private facilities.
Standard Twin (46 cabins): 1 lower berth, 1 sofa bed, private facilities with shower, window that opens, TV and DVD player
Mini Suite (6 cabins): Sitting area with sofa bed, bed separated from the sitting area, private facilities, with shower, window that opens, TV and DVD player
Suite (6 cabins): Bedroom and sitting area, sofa bed in sitting room, private facilities with bathtub or shower, refrigerator, window that opens, TV and DVD player, coffee maker, safe
Victory Suite (1 cabin): Large bedroom and sitting room, sofa bed in sitting room, private facilities with bathtub, refrigerator, window that opens, TV and DVD player, coffee maker, safe
Arktika Suite (5 cabins): Very spacious bedroom and sitting room, sofa bed in sitting room, private facilities with bathtub, refrigerator, window that opens, TV and DVD player, coffee maker, safe, daily selection of fresh fruit, drinks, and snacks, unique cabin amenities
In the dining room, you have a buffet-style breakfast while you are served lunch and dinner courses. Cakes are also served in mid-afternoon while coffee and tea is available all day. There is a lounge and bar with a wide selection of wines and spirits. On board you will also find a heated indoor swimming pool, an exercise room, a sauna, a shop and a library. In the theater-style auditorium, the expedition team makes presentations. This may include slide-shows, videos and other educational programs. There is a clinic with a licensed doctor on board.
Each cabin is equipped with a music system. Passengers will receive a robe for use onboard. All announcements, including wildlife sightings, disembarkation announcements and itinerary and weather updates, is made in English over the public address system. The Bridge (open almost around the clock) and wide open decks at various levels provide splendid views from the ship. The ship is equipped with the most up-to-date satellite navigation system and communication equipment, including telephone and e-mail. The "50 Years of Victory" also has a good library, a small hospital with qualified doctor. The Victory carries helicopters for reconnaissance and passenger excursions. The vessel carries a fleet of sturdy Zodiac craft for leisurely cruising and landings.
Specifications
Staff and crew: 140
Passengers: 128
Length: 117 m
Breadth: 30 m
Draft: 11 m
Propulsion: 2 nuclear-powered steam turbines, 75,000 horsepowers
Ice Class: LL1 (the highest rating possible)
Cruising Speed: 21 knots (open water)
50 Years of Victory belongs to the Russian State
To see the deck plan (pdf file)
To watch a North Pole video, click here.
CruiseScandinavia
offer savings on sailings to ALL passengers worldwide. Inquire about rates
for this program. We
offer the right cruise at the right price. Call 1-800-334-6544
(U.S.) or +1-212-480-4521 (International) or visit How
to Book form
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