North Pole
« 50 Years of Victory
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Standard Twin | Mini-Suite | Suite | Victory Suite | Arkita Suite | ||
| 15 | Jul 23 '11 |
$22,690 | $25,290 | $31,390 | $32,390 | $33,390 |
| Charter Flight: $1650 per person | ||||||
| Destinations : Arctic, Finland, Russia, North Pole |
||||||
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
After arriving, you will be transferred to the quayside to embark 50 Years of Victory, the world’s largest icebreaker.
Days 3-8 The Arctic Ocean
In 2008, 50 Years of Victory made the fastest ever surface crossing from Murmansk to the North Pole – 4.5 days. Arctic Ocean conditions are always unpredictable, so it could take as many as 8 days to reach our goal. Unpredictability heightens the sense of adventure that underlies all our expeditions.
Watching Victory break through the formidable pack ice is a sight you’ll never forget. Crushing through ice meters thick with the ease of a hot knife through butter, Victory can sail in conditions that would defeat most other ships. Be sure to take one of the included helicopter flights for a fascinating aerial view of the icebreaker’s progress.
Day 9 90° North
Although the moment that we reach the top of the world is shared with others, the experience is as individual as you are. Some travelers mark the occasion holding a special memento carried thousands of miles for that one brief event. Others hold signs created on the spot. Others wave their national flags. How will you celebrate?
Day 10 Southbound
In 2008, polar bear sightings always seemed to occur after midnight. No one grumbled as they tumbled from bed to watch the ice bear devour dinner or climb ice pressure ridges. Ivory Gulls, the rarest of Arctic birds, fearlessly danced on the ice within the bear's reach, eager to dine on the scraps. Should a polar bear be sighted on your voyage, you will have a different story to tell. No two polar bear sightings or North Pole voyages are the same.
Days 11-13 Franz Josef Land
These massive flat topped islands, with steep cliffs where seabirds nest, are often surrounded by fast ice. A helicopter will transfer you ashore to hike, beachcomb or to just sit quietly watching Snow Buntings feed.
Days 14-15 Helsinki
The return to Helsinki requires a flight from Murmansk and just the right tide conditions for docking the ship. Overnight in Helsinki, before departing for home.
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.
* Group transfer from the Helsinki hotel to the airport on Day 2 of the itinerary.
* Group transfer from Murmansk airport to the ship on Day 2 of the itinerary.
* Shipboard accommodation with housekeeping.
* Shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
* Shore landings per the program delivered on the ship each day.
* All group transfers by helicopter and group sightseeing according to 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.
* Group transfer from the ship to the Murmansk airport.
* Group transfer from Heslinki airport to the hotel.
* Comprehensive pre-departure package including a map and Reader.
* 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.
This expedition excludes
* Any airfare.
* Mandatory charter flight Helsinki to Murmansk, return - cost per person $1,650.
* 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.
* Gratuities at the end of the voyage for ship's crew, Hospitality and Expedition Team members.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $2000, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: http://www.alvoyages.com/four-ways/
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure, and most travelers will pay the final balance with a check, money order, or bank transfer. You can also pay the final balance by credit card, but please note there is a 3% convenience fee assessed to all credit card-not-present final payments.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 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 | $750 per person |
| 90-179 days | full deposit |
| 89 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 won’t 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.
Single Travelers: OPTIONAL single supplement of 70% for Standard Twins. There is no single supplement for travelers willing to share.
| 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 | |
