Ship: 50 Years of Victory
Itinerary: North Pole
click to enlarge
Arctic LandscapePhoto by: Gerald Cubitt
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Day 1 : | Arrive Helsinki, Finland |
|---|---|
| Day 2 : | Embarkation Day |
| Days 3-8 : | The Arctic Ocean |
| Day 9 : | 90° North |
| Days 10-13 : | Franz Josef Land |
| Day 14 : | Murmansk |
| Day 15 : | Helsinki |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Standard Twin | Mini-Suite | Suite | Victory Suite | Arkita Suite | ||
| 15 | Jul 9, 2010 | -- | $25,290 | $31,390 | $32,390 | $33,390 |
| Destinations : Arctic, Finland, North Pole, Russia |
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Single Travelers: OPTIONAL single supplement of 70% for Standard Twins. There is no single supplement for travelers willing to share.
You'll join and leave the expedition in Helsinki, Finland. You'll board the nuclear-powered icebreaker in Murmansk, Russia. The return flight from Murmansk to Helsinki is included. Shore landings are planned in Franz Josef Land and at 90N, the top of the world. Sightseeing by helicopter provides an aerial view of the icebreaker crushing through the Arctic Ocean pack ice.
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?
Days 10-13 : Franz Josef Land
These massive flat topped islands, with steep cliffs where seabirds nest, are often surrounded by fast ice. Our helicopter or Zodiacs will transfer you ashore to hike, beach-comb or to just sit quietly watching Snow Buntings feed.
Day 14 : Murmansk
The return to Helsinki requires a charter flight from Murmansk and just the right tide conditions for docking the ship. Overnight in Helsinki, before departing for home.
Day 15 : Helsinki
Book your homeward flight for mid-morning, as breakfast is included in your hotel stay.
Ship Description: 50 Years of Victory
click to enlarge
From the deck of the 50 Years of Victory you can see for miles across the icy ArcticPhoto by: Prisca Campbell
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.
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 |
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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 |
