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Itinerary
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 invite 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 8-10: Southward Bound. 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.
Day 11-14: Franz Josef Land, Barents Sea, Murmansk 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 15 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 17,650 per person in an outside twin cabin including medical insurance covering emergency evacuation.
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 througout 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
- Complex personal medical insurance covering risks of evacuation and repatriation (besides other risks). Coverage: EUR 50,000. Insurance is provided by Closed Joint Stock Insurance Company "European Travel Insurance" – member of European Travel Insurance Group
Rates do not include the charter airfare Helsinki-Murmansk-Helsinki (USD 1350).
The Expedition Team
Members of our Expedition Team have one thing in common: all of them
are devoted to the Arctic. They are open and frank people, willing to
share their Arctic experience with you. Their job is to keep your Arctic
adventure exciting and thrilling, yet absolutely safe. Icebreaker
Expeditions to the Russian Arctic are anything but boring. Lectures on the
wide range of topics are followed by the Zodiac trips to the glaciers amid
the icy fields, then by helicopter landings on the picturesque islands…
and so on. Our lecturers deliver the scientific information to you in the
most understandable and informal manner, while the Zodiac drivers and
helicopter pilots try to make the most of every excursion for you to get a
better idea of our destinations. We always keep an open eye for the Arctic
wildlife, while sailing or ashore: it may appear out of nowhere, and we
have to react fast. You are advised timely, as soon as any representative
of the Arctic fauna is near and can be seen.
If you
want something less expensive but spectacular, circumnaviagte
Spitsbergen, Norway and encounter polar bears near the North Pole! Early
booking discounts on the new ship MS Expedition
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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. |
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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.
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Standard
Twin
(47 cabins) |
Suite
(6 cabins) |
Mini
Suite
(6 cabins) |
Victory
Suite
(1 cabin) |
Arktika
Suite
(4 cabins) |
| Standard
Twin: 1 lower berth, 1 sofa bed, private facilities with
shower, window that opens, TV and DVD player |
Suite
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. |
Sitting
area with sofa bed, bed separated from sitting area, private
facilities, with shower, window that opens, TV and DVD player. |
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. |
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. |
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Facilities
onboard
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.
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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.
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CruiseNorway
offers savings to ALL passengers worldwide. Inquire about
rates for this program. We offer the
right cruise at the right price. Call 1-800-345-3324
(within India.)
or visit How
to Book form.
If you want
something less expensive but spectacular, circumnaviagte
Spitsbergen, Norway and encounter polar bears near the North
Pole! Early booking discounts on the new ship MS Expedition
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