Icebreaker Cruise to the North Pole

The top of the world. For centuries, adventurers and explorers tried to get here by sled, ship, aircraft, dogs and balloons. The harsh realities of the Arctic climate defeated every single one of them until as recently as 1948. Even today, reaching the North Pole is a difficult and challenging journey. Only a select few make it each year. Here is a chance to add your name to the short list of adventurers who have made the ultimate journey to the top of the world.

Everything seems bigger in the Arctic. Massive icebergs are surrounded by a horizon that seems to go on forever. The vacant blue of the wide sky looks over a sea of ice. Even the silence seems overwhelming. The scale is vast and humbling. You forget things like cell phones and deadlines even exist. It puts life in perspective.

With only one departure each year, and only one ship offering this itinerary, reaching the North Pole, the top of the world, aboard the '50 Years of Victory' is a rewarding and rare expedition. Crushing through ice that is metres thick, the Victory can sail in conditions that would defeat any other ship. Combining the power of this ship with the use of helicopter flights for aerial viewing, add in a visit to the birdwatcher's paradise of Franz Joseph land, and this is a voyage without compare.

Click here for more information about your Icebreaker cruise ship, '50 Years of Victory'

P428: Cruise Departure Date 2010

Jul 9

P428: Icebreaker Trip to the North Pole 2010 £ price per person Cabin Categories Departure Date Standard Twin Mini Suite Suite Victory Suite Arkitka Suite Jul 9 14940 16540 20280 20890 21500 Price based on 2 people sharing a cabin. Standard twin cabins are available at a supplement for single occupancy Package including flights between London and Helsinki from ?15,210 The holiday cost may also be paid in Euro

Useful Links More Arctic Adventure Cruises More Polar Cruises

Useful Links More Arctic Adventure Cruises More Polar Cruises

Itinerary
Day 1	Helsinki, Finland Our journey starts in Helsinki where we spend the night at a centrally located hotel.
Day 2	Embarkation After the charter flight from Helsinki to Murmansk, Russia, we will be transferred to the quayside to embark 50 Years of Victory, the world's largest icebreaker.
Day 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 not soon forgotten. Crushing through ice metres thick with ease, 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	North Pole Although the moment that we reach the top of the world is shared with others, the experience is as individual as you are. We will toast this moment with champagne on the ice. The rest of the day is then free for you to celebrate as you wish. There is the opportunity for a polar plunge for those who are brave enough!
Day 10-13	Franz Josef Land These massive flat topped islands, with steep cliffs where seabirds nest, are often surrounded by fast ice. The onboard helicopter or Zodiacs will transfer us ashore to hike, beach-comb or to just sit quietly watching Snow Buntings feed. During our southbound journey, as it was on our journey north, we keep a vigil for Polar bears on ice. No two Polar bear sightings or North Pole voyages are the same.
Day 14-15	Murmansk to Helsinki The return to Helsinki requires a charter flight from Murmansk and just the right tide conditions for docking the ship. Overnight in Helsinki, in a centrally located hotel, before departing after breakfast.

The cruise price includes • The items below are indicative and will be confirmed prior to booking • Cruise accommodation in cabin category of choice, plus all breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (The ship galley cannot prepare kosher meals) • All shore landings per the daily program • All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day’s program • 1 night pre- and 1 night post-expedition hotel accommodation, including breakfast • On embarkation day, group transfer from the host hotel to the airport, flight from Helsinki to Murmansk, and transfer from the airport to the ship • On disembarkation day, group transfer from the ship to the airport, flight from Murmansk to Helsinki, and tranfer from the airport to the hotel. • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled. • Photographic Album on DVD, documenting the voyage • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings • An expedition parka for you to keep • Coffee, tea ,cocoa available around the clock • Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin • Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program • All luggage handling aboard ship

The cruise price does not include • Transport to Helsinki at the start of the cruise holiday and return from Helsinki at the end of the cruise • Compulsory travel insurance which is required to cover repatriation and medical care in the event of an emergency in the polar region. This is available at the time of booking, and may cost well over £500