The North Pole

Your adventure begins with a one-night stay in Helsinki, Finland’s capital.

From Helsinki, join fellow passengers on the charter flight to Murmansk, Russia, to embark on your voyage to the North Pole and get acquainted with 50 Years of Victory, the world’s largest and most powerful icebreaker.

Being aboard Victory and feeling the icebreaker as she crushes through the arctic pack ice is a feeling you’ll never forget. Just as memorable is boarding the ship’s helicopter flight for a thrilling aerial view over the ship and the expansive Arctic Ocean. Expect variable sailing conditions this far north. The crossing from Murmansk to the North Pole can take anywhere from four to six days, depending on the ice conditions. This means there’s plenty of time to get to know your shipmates and be treated to lectures and discussions by the expedition team while looking out for birdlife. There are also many wonderful amenities on board, such as the ship’s saltwater plunge pool or basketball court.

The anticipation reaches a climax as you arrive at the North Pole! Many travelers find themselves overcome with emotion, while others are in a festive and celebratory mood. Take photos, call your family, wave a flag, just be sure to enjoy your moment at the top! Later, celebrate with a toast and barbecue on the ice. If the opportunity allows, take a polar plunge into the icy waters around the North Pole.  There will also be an attempt to launch passengers high above the Pole in the hot air balloon to commemorate this great moment (weather dependent, additional cost).

On the return voyage, sit back and relax. As the ship sales farther south, perhaps get lucky and spot polar bears hunting for seals.

This group of 192 islands forms the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. Explore Cape Flora and discover historic remains from three ill-fated Arctic expeditions. If conditions allow, explore remote seabird colonies while Zodiac cruising beneath towering cliffs or enjoy another breathtaking aerial sightseeing tour aboard the Victory helicopter.

Enjoy time on deck or reminisce with shipmates and new friends as the ship crosses the Arctic Ocean back to Murmansk. Expedition staff is on hand to answer any remaining questions and point out wildlife during the return journey.

Returning to Russia’s most northerly city, have a moment to bid farewell to 50 Years of Victory before trasnferring to the airport for your charter flight to Helsinki, Finland, and enjoy one final night with newfound friends.

After breakfast at your centrally located hotel, you are free to leave for home or extend your stay and explore Helsinki.

Included

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board; beer and wine during dinner; group helicopter flightseeing as part of the daily program all shore landings per the daily program; leadership throughout the voyage by the experienced expedition leader; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; formal and informal presentations by the expedition team and special guests as scheduled; photographic journal documenting the expedition (2020); waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; complimentary reusable water bottle (2020); hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin; comprehensive onboard materials, including a map and informative Arctic Reader (2020); all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all luggage handling aboard the ship; Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of $500,000 per person; Russian invitation letter for visa application provided after final payment; gratuities for hotel and expedition staff (2019 only).

Exclusions

Mandatory transfer package (cost is $1,995 for 2019-2020 and includes one night’s pre- and post-expedition hotel accommodation in Helsinki with breakfast, roundtrip charter flights to/from Helsinki and Murmansk, transfers to and from the ship, transfers between the airport and hotel in Helsinki); international airfare; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above; meals ashore unless otherwise specified; baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance (strongly recommended); excess baggage fees on international flights; mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified; phone and internet charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew (2020 only); arrival and departure transfers in Helsinki; helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group; hot air ballooning at the North Pole.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 20% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 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 180 days – full refund except for $1,250 admin fee
179 to 120 days – 100% of deposit
119 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 cruise begins and ends in Helsinki, Finland (HEL). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Helsinki any time on day 1 of the itinerary. Depart from Helsinki anytime on the final day of your trip, however, AdventureSmith strongly suggests that a flexible air ticket be held for your journey home in case you need to change your travel arrangement following a delay of the return flight from the Arctic. Airport transfers in Helsinki are not included. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

Group charter flights between Helsinki and Murmansk are required on this trip’s itinerary; see the Mandatory Transfer Package information listed in this trip’s Exclusions (Rates & Dates tab). The flight to the Arctic is expected to depart after breakfast on day 2 of the itinerary. Although the flight will have a scheduled departure time, there is significant variability based on weather conditions. Be prepared to depart the hotel for the airport on the group transfer at any time. There is a strict luggage limit of 44 lbs (20 kg) checked luggage and 11 lbs (5 kg) cabin baggage on the flights to and from Murmansk. There is no option to pay for additional luggage. On day 13 of the itinerary, the ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier by 8:00am local time. Disembarkation follows breakfast, with a transfer to the airport for the return charter flight to Helsinki.

Activities

Be one of the few to see the top of the world from a hot air balloon! Optional hot air ballooning may be available for an additional fee, yet is highly weather dependent. The four-person basket is an excellent platform for aerial photography. This activity costs $495 per person (2019-2020) and is booked and paid for on board the day of the activity. Interested parties can submit their name for priority.

Additional included activities include helicopter rides for thrilling aerial sightseeing, hiking with experienced staff, daily chats and lectures by onboard scientists and other special guests, the right-of-passage polar plunge into icy ocean waters, Zodiac cruising and photography.

Room Configuration

Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will not be penalized. 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, Suite, Victory Suite and Arktika Suite.

Families & Children

At date of embarkation, a minimum age restriction of 8 years and minimum height and weight requirements (weight of 64lbs or 29kg and 48 in. or 1.2 m. tall) must be met. Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times, and may not participate in adventure options.

Travel Insurance

Emergency evacuation insurance, to a maximum benefit per paying traveler of $500,000 USD, is included in the cost of this trip through Travelex Insurance. Additionally, due to the remoteness of the areas on this expedition, travelers are strongly recommended to have a minimum US$50,000 (or equivalent) of emergency medical coverage. We highly recommend our travelers additionally protect their investment to include 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.