North Pole 2012
« All 50 Years of Victory cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Standard Twin | Mini-Suite | Suite | Victory Suite | Arkita Suite | |
| Jun 25 '12 Jul 6 '12 |
$22,790 | $25,290 | $31,490 | $32,490 | $33,490 |
| Charter Flight: $1690 per person Hot Air Balloon Option: $250 per person |
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Single Travelers: OPTIONAL single supplement of 70% for Standard Twins. There is no single supplement for travelers willing to share.
Deposit & Payment Day 1 Arrive Helsinki, Finland
Staying up to the wee hours is easy in Helsinki, as daylight fades to twilight for only a few hours during the summer. You'll spend the night at a centrally located hotel.
Day 2 Embarkation Day
From Helsinki, take our charter flight to Murmansk, Russia, where you'll join 50 Years of Victory, the world's largest and most powerful icebreaker.
Days 3-7 The Arctic Ocean
Watching Victory crush through the Arctic ice pack is a sight you'll never forget. Be sure to take one of the included helicopter flights for a thrilling aerial view of Victory's progress.
Sailing conditions on the Arctic Ocean are changeable, so the crossing from Murmansk to the North Pole can take anywhere from 5 to 8 days. Most of our guests enjoy the heightened sense of adventure that comes with this unpredictability. In 2008, Victory made the fastest recorded crossing between these two points: 4.5 days!
Day 8 90° North
Each traveler experiences this moment in his or her own way. Some hold special signs. Others wave their national flags. Still others stand on this mystical spot, holding a talisman brought thousands of miles for this one purpose. Later, everyone enjoys a champagne toast and a BBQ on the ice. How will YOU celebrate?
Option: Ascend a hot air balloon at the top of the world. This optional activity is limited to 50 people and must be booked when you book your Arctic expedition. Additional fee of $250 per person.
Day 9 Southbound
As Victory makes her way back through the churning pack ice, you may spot polar bears on the hunt with Ivory gulls following close behind - eager to dine on leftovers.
Days 10-12 Franz Josef Land
This group of 191 islands forms the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia, and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. Here you'll explore Cape Flora, and discover historic remains from three ill-fated Arctic expeditions. When conditions permit, Zodiac trips beneath towering cliffs will explore remote seabird rookeries. Onboard helicopters again provide aerial sightseeing, and transfer you to otherwise inaccessible landing sites.
Day 13 Disembarkation in Murmansk, Russia
Your port of disembarkation is Murmansk, Russia's most northerly city. After you leave the ship, we'll transfer you to the airport, where you'll board your flight to Helsinki, Finland.
Day 14 Helsinki, Finland
After breakfast at your centrally located hotel, you are free to leave for home or extend your stay. Helsinki, Tallinn (capital of Estonia) and St. Petersburg (the "Venice of the North") are all fascinating cities, just waiting to be explored.
Itinerary Notes
This expedition includes:- 1 night pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Helsinki, Finland, with breakfast.
- 1 night post-expedition hotel accommodation in Helsinki, Finland with breakfast.
- Day 2 group transfer from Helsinki hotel to airport
- Day 2 group transfer from Murmansk airport to ship
- 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 Quark Expeditions parka to keep
- Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in each cabin
- Day 13 group transfer from the ship to the Murmansk airport
- Day 13 group transfer from Heslinki airport to the hotel
- Comprehensive pre-departure package including Quark's meticulously researched Arctic Reader and map
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All shipboad luggage handling
- Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person
- All Zodiac excursions and transfers included in the daily program
- Free wine, beer, liquor and soft drinks at the bar and with meals
This expedition excludes:
- Airfare to and from your hometown
- Mandatory charter flights from Helsinki to Murmansk and back again - cost per person $1,690
- 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
- Optional hot air balloon ride, must be booked when booking your Arctic cruise
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 20% of cruise fare, with a minimum of $1000, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or AmEx. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $15,000 charge.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 130 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 180 days or more | $1000 per person |
| 179-120 days | full deposit |
| 119 days or less | 100% trip cost |
50 Years of Victory
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 128
- Ice Breaker Ship
Designed for Arctic cruises to the North Pole, the "50 Years of Victory" is the largest, most sophisticated, and powerful icebreaker ever constructed. Twenty years in the making, 50 Years of Victory is the first Arktika-class icebreaker to have a spoon-shaped bow. Boosting efficiency is the all-new digital automated control system. The ship, designed with a stainless steel ice belt hull 5 meters (18 feet) wide, breaks through ice up to 2.5 meters (9.2 feet) thick. It is driven by 2 nuclear reactors that produce 75,000 horsepower. In open water, top speed can be as much as 21.4 knots. 50 Years of Victory provides ample public space: featuring an Aft Saloon and Forward Lounge, in addition to a bar and library.
The Aft Saloon converts from a presentation room during the day to a place to dance and socialize in the evening. For relaxing, there is an indoor pool and two saunas. The gym has windows. While you exercise you wont miss a moment of passing scenery. A shop and massage services provide other diversions.
The vessel has five cabin categories, all with facilities en suite and a window that opens to an ocean view:
The very spacious Arktika Suites have bathtubs
The large Victory Suite has a bathtub
The Suites offer a choice of bathtub or shower
Mini Suites feature a sitting area that is separated from the bed.
All Standard Twin Cabins have a lower berth plus a sofa bed.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Standard Twin 1 lower berth,1 sofa bed Private facilities, with shower Window that opens TV and DVD player |
 | Mini-Suite Sitting area with sofa bed Bed separated from the sitting area 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 |
 | Victory Suite Large bedroom and sitting room Sofa bed in sitting room Private facilities, with bathtub Refrigerator Window that opens TV and DVD player Coffee machine Safe |
| Arkita Suite Very spacious bedroom and sitting room Sofa bed in sitting room Private facilities, with bathtub Refrigerator Window that opens TV and DVD player Coffee machine Safe Daily selection of fresh fruit, drinks, and snacks | |
