North Pole: Top of the World

Welcome to the city of Murmansk on Russia’s Kola Peninsula, starting point of this Arctic adventure. Upon arrival at the airport, be transferred to the included hotel. Murmansk is easy to reach by regular flights with stopovers in Moscow or Saint Petersburg and some guests choose to extend the stop in Moscow.

Today, group transfer to the port and be welcomed aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker Fifty Years of Victory. Explore the ship and get orientated as she slips her moorings and sails north out of Kola Bay.

Nowhere can it be more truly said that “getting there is half the fun.” While cruising northward through the Barents Sea, there is always the possibility of seeing whales. Meanwhile, enjoy opportunities to learn about the unique icebreaking capabilities of the ship and tour the engine room. Sails across the ice cap and witness firsthand the ship’s awesome power as massive ice blocks give way under the enormous bulk of the spoon-shaped bow. The sensation of being on deck while sailing is surreal and unforgettable. Taking advantage of 24-hour daylight, there are included helicopter flightseeing tours. From the air, observe the ship crushing a path through the ice and have a unique vantage point from which to witness the stunning beauty of this vast polar icescape.

Welcome to the geographic North Pole! After carefully navigating to 90 degrees North, ceremoniously drop the anchor on a sturdy stretch of ice and disembark onto the frozen sea. Now is the time to experience the long-anticipated thrill of standing at the top of the world. Join hands with fellow passengers and literally walk around the world during a special International Round Dance. Be treated to a barbeque meal on the ice and even have the chance to take a plunge into the icy water. After this memorable time at the North Pole, turn around and head south. Don’t worry, the adventure is not over yet. The High Arctic archipelago of Franz Josef Land is still to come.

The Franz Josef Land archipelago, part of the Russian Arctic National Park since 2012, is a nature sanctuary. Polar bears and other quintessential High Arctic wildlife—such as walruses and some rare whale species—can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Franz Josef Land. Scree slopes and cliffs around the islands host enormous nesting colonies of migratory seabirds such as guillemots, dovekies and ivory gulls. Taking advantage of 24-hour daylight, captain and crew exploit every opportunity for wildlife viewing and excursions via Zodiac and helicopter.

Franz Josef Land is home to some interesting geological features, such as the mysterious stone spheres on Champ Island. Collectors of geographical extremes may take note that Cape Fligely on Rudolf Island is the northernmost point of land in the Eastern Hemisphere. Franz Josef Land also offers visitors the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of famous polar explorers at well-preserved historical sites. The journals of explorers such as Julius von Payer, Benjamin Leigh Smith, Frederick George Jackson and Fridtjof Nansen come alive at Cape Norway, Cape Flora, Eira Harbour and Cape Tegetthoff. Memorials, monuments, crosses and the remains of dwellings are testimony to incredible historical events that are further illuminated by expert lecturers. Tikhaya Bukhta is currently a Russian Arctic National Park ranger station occupying Soviet-era research buildings and was also a major base for polar expeditions. Nearby, the fascinating columnar basalt cliffs of Rubini Rock are home to thousands of nesting seabirds.

After an amazing time in Franz Josef Land, cross back south through the bountiful waters of the Barents Sea. Presentations and workshops by expert staff ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent. Take advantage of onboard facilities and amenities such as a polar library, volleyball court, gym, two saunas, warm seawater pool, gift shop, and massage treatments. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows.

This once-in-a-lifetime journey comes to an end. After breakfast, say farewell in Murmansk and be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Included

1 night pre-cruise hotel accommodation in Murmansk, Russia, with breakfast; transfer from airport to the hotel in Murmansk 1 day prior to departure; transfer from hotel to the port in Murmansk on embarkation day; transfer from the port to the airport or central location in Murmansk upon disembarkation; shipboard accommodation with housekeeping; shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; all shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by helicopter; all shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiacs; shore landings included in daily program; program of lectures and informal discussions by experienced expedition team and guest lecturers; professional expedition leadership; branded Poseidon Expeditions parka; rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise; hair dryer and bathrobes in each cabin; informative pre-departure materials; Digital Voyage Log; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all shipboard luggage handling; personalized medical insurance covering the risks of evacuation and repatriation (coverage: 100,000 EUR during cruise days only. This is only for passengers under 85 years old. Passengers 85 and older should contact their Adventure Specialist regarding evacuation insurance requirements.)

Exclusions

Airfare to and from Murmansk; helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group; passport and visa expenses (a Russian visa is required for the trip. The visa must be obtained by the customer and is at his or her expense. Please, contact your local Russian Consulate to learn more about the procedure for obtaining a Visa); state arrival and departure taxes (if levied); meals ashore and supplements in respect of single hotel accommodation (if required); excess luggage charges on international and local flights; telecommunication services; laundry, bar and beverage charges aboard the vessel; luggage, cancellation insurance (strongly recommended); discretionary tips for stewards and other service personnel aboard.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 20% of the total trip cost is required per person at the time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 120 days – 5% of total trip cost
119 to 91 days – 20% of total trip cost
90 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The North Pole: Top of the World expedition begins and ends in Murmansk, Russia (MMK). Plan flights to arrive in Murmansk anytime on day 1 of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Murmansk anytime after 10:40am on day 13 of the itinerary. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Activities

Hiking, Zodiac cruising, helicopter sightseeing, lectures, workshops and an expert photography guide on board each voyage are optional and included. Time, weather and ice conditions permitting, experience breathtaking helicopter rides over the icebreaker as it plows its way through the ice. Just imagine how amazing photo ops this adventure provides! The helicopter is also used to land on wild Franz Josef Land islands when Zodiacs cannot be used.

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at 1.7x the per-person listed rate in Twin cabin and 2x the per person listed rate in Mini Suite, Junior Suite, Grand Suite, Victory Suite and Arktika Suite. Those who booked shared accommodations aboard the ship will also share accommodations at the pre-cruise hotel, if applicable.

Families & Children

Children must be at least 12 years of age to participate in this expedition cruise; however, on a case-by-case basis, children ages 8-11 may be accepted with additional screening.

Travel Insurance

Personalized medical insurance covering the risks of evacuation and repatriation (cruise days only), to a maximum benefit per paying traveler of 100,000 EUR, is included in the cost of this trip. In addition to the emergency evacuation insurance, we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. Our partners at Travelex offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. You must purchase your travel insurance policy within 15 or 21 days of booking (depending on plan) for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.