Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Murmansk, Russia
Welcome to the city of Murmansk on Russia’s Kola Peninsula, starting point of our adventure. Upon your arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel.
Murmansk is easy to reach by regular flights with stopovers in Moscow or Saint Petersburg. You may wish to extend your stay in Moscow or St. Petersburg before or after the cruise.
Day 2 Embarkation in Murmansk
A group transfer to the port to aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker I/B 50 Let Pobedy. Explore the ship and get orientated as the ship slips the moorings and sail north out of Kola Bay.
Day 3 – 6 The Voyage North
Nowhere can it be more truly said that “getting there is half the fun”. As the ship cruise northward through the Barents Sea, there is always the possibility of seeing whales. Meanwhile, you may have the opportunity to learn about the unique icebreaking capabilities of the ship. You may tour the engine room.
As the ship across the ice cap, 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 at this time is surreal and unforgettable.
Take advantage of 24-hour daylight to offer helicopter flightseeing tours. From the air, you may observe the ship crushing a path through the ice. You also have a unique vantage point from which to witness the stunning beauty of this vast polar icescape.
Day 7 North Pole
Welcome to the geographic North Pole! After carefully navigating to 90 degrees North, the Captian 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 your fellow passengers and literally walk around the world during our special International Round Dance. You are also treated to a barbeque meal on the ice. You may even have the chance to take a plunge into the icy water!
After the memorable time at the North Pole, the ship turns around and head south. But the adventure is not over yet. The High Arctic Archipelago of Franz Josef Land is still to come!
Day 8 – 10 Exploration of Franz Josef Land
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. Take advantage of 24-hour daylight to 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 our 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.
Day 11 – 12 The Voyage South
After an amazing time in Franz Josef Land, cross back south through the bountiful waters of the Barents Sea.
Presentations and workshops by our expert staff ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent. You may also 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.
Day 13 Disembarkation in Murmansk
Your once-in-a-lifetime journey comes to an end. After breakfast, say farewell in Murmansk. A transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Free option – Photography
The Polar Regions are perhaps the most photogenic on earth, with countless beautiful scenes presenting themselves every day. Endless expanses of ice, beaches crowded with seals or penguins, sunsets over unbroken horizons, starlit skies, and even the majestic northern lights – they all present fantastic photographic opportunities – and in order to make sure that you come home with some spectacular images, we offer you the chance to learn and practice your photography alongside an experienced professional.
The ship’s expert Photographer will be on hand to answer your questions and give advice, both in the form of on-board lectures and workshops on shore. Explore the key elements of photography in a fun and relaxed setting, with plenty of opportunities for questions and feedback. Learn how to see light in a new way and experiment with the techniques of composition and framing.
Free option – Helicopter Sightseeing
A helicopter aboard the 50 Years of Victory in our North Pole cruises lets the passengers be more than just spectators in this intrepid mission.
Time, weather and/or ice conditions permitting, you may 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 where we cannot use Zodiacs. So our North Pole passengers are never far from the action.
The helicopter landings and rides during the North Pole cruise are included.
Inclusions
~ 1 night pre-cruise hotel accommodation in Murmansk, Russia, with breakfast;
~ transfer from airport to the hotel in Murmansk 1 day prior to embarkation;
~ 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 programme;
~ 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 programme;
~ gratuities to the expedition team and hotel staff;
~ all shipboard luggage handling;
~ personalised medical insurance covering the risks of evacuation and repatriation. Coverage: Euro 100,000. Duration: cruise days only. This is only for passengers under 85 years old.
Exclusions
~ return air travel to Murmansk, Russia v.v;
~ helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group;
~ visa arrangement, if required;
~ 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;
~ comprehensive personal travel insurance;
~ anything not specified in the itinerary and inclusion.
NOTE: a Russian visa is required for the trip for most travellers. The visa must be obtained by the traveller and is at his or her expense. Please contact your local Russian Consulate to learn more about the procedure for obtaining a Visa. The Cruise Operator and Travel Wander will provide booking confirmation, invitation letter to assist in the visa application process.
Important Notes
~ A non-refundable deposit of 30% is required.
~ Balance payment must be made before 120 days prior to expedition departure date.
~ All planned landings are subject to weather and ice conditions. Itinerary is subject to change.
~ Children must be at least 12 years of age to participate in the expedition cruise. However, Operator may accept children ages 6-11 on a case by case basis after additional consideration by the Operator.
~ The itineraries published on the Operator’s website and in any other sources serve as examples only. Real itineraries of any expedition cruise (including all scheduled landings and excursions) in polar regions are heavily dependent on weather and ice conditions. Occasionally, conditions and/or safety concerns require itinerary changes. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will accordingly make every effort to find the best alternative to the original itinerary while keeping passengers informed and updated. It is understood that such decisions will be made in the interests of all passengers aboard and regarding the safety of the vessel. Itinerary changes are not subject to passenger approval/consent and in the event of such a change no refunds or price adjustments are possible. Operator expressly reserves the right to change the itinerary, the date or place of departure due to weather conditions, availability of anchorages, political conditions and other factors beyond Operator’s control without consulting the participants. Placement of a booking with Operator amounts to an acknowledgement that itinerary changes are possible.
~ Itinerary, landings and all other activities during the cruise depend strongly on ice and weather conditions and are subject to the decisions of the Expedition Leader and the Captain of the vessel. Encounters with any mentioned wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
~ Prior to boarding, specific passenger information is required by Operator for passenger’s safety and for international reporting regulations. Required information must be completed in the forms provided by Operator and submitted at least 60 days prior to departure. Final documents cannot be issued for passengers whose information has not been received.
~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander and the Cruise Company. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.
~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.
~ There is no refund for missed inclusions.
~ Travel Wander recommends members booked on this trip to purchase comprehensive travel insurance. All passengers are required to carry valid evacuation and repatriation insurance which must contain medical and evacuation coverage. As any potential evacuation from the polar regions can cost up to US$150,000 for the Arctic and up to US$200,000 for Antarctica, we recommend that no policy carries less than this amount of coverage. As part of pre-departure forms data collection, Operator will require information such as the insurance company, policy number, amount of coverage and 24-hour contact number. Any risks, not covered by the insurance policy provided, are to be covered by passengers at his/her disposal and at his/her own expense.You may purchase it HERE.
~ This trip is operated by Poseidon Arctic Voyages Ltd.
~ Travel Wander’s and Poseidon Expeditions’ booking terms & conditions apply. By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to the booking terms & conditions, privacy policy and acceptance of risk as set out on our website. For more details on Travel Wander’s booking conditions, click HERE to access. For more details on Poseidon Expeditions’ booking conditions, click HERE to access.
~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.
~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.
