North Pole Voyage Aboard 50 лет Победы – “The 50 Years Of Victory”
The ultimate Polar voyage aboard the only ship capable of making this unique trip – The 50 years of Victory offers a rare and rewarding experience.
This voyage combines the raw power of the ship with the use of helicopter flights and a tethered hot air balloon for aerial viewing . Crushing through pack ice that is metres thick, the ‘Victory’ can cruise in conditions that would defeat any other ship. Getting to the ‘top of the world’, the experience of standing where all directions are south is unsurpassed. There will be time to make the shortest possible circumnavigation of the world before heading south to explore the secluded Franz Josef Land, with its enormous flat-topped islands and sheer basalt cliffs, this archipelago is a birdwatcher’s heaven.
This is quite simply a voyage without comparison.
- Travel to 90° North – ‘the top of the world’
- 11 nights on the ship, 2 nights Hotel Helsinki
- Travel on the worlds most capable icebreaker
- Visit Franz Josef Land archipelago
- Expedition cruising in comfortable conditions
From £22,880pp
Itinerary
Day 1
The adventure begins in Helsinki. Check in to a centrally located hotel.
Day 2
From Helsinki, a charter flight will take you to Murmansk, Russia, where you’ll embark on the voyage to the North Pole and get acquainted with 50 Years of Victory, the world’s largest and most powerful icebreaker.
Day 3
The first of four days travelling north in the Arctic Ocean, with the ship breaking through the formidable pack ice.
Watching Victory crush through the Arctic pack-ice is a sight you’ll never forget, made even more memorable by taking a helicopter flight for a thrilling aerial view of Victory and expansive Arctic Ocean. You can expect the days, and hours, to present variable sailing conditions this far north. The crossing from Murmansk to the North Pole can take us anywhere from 5 to 8 days.
Days 4-6 ::
Continue travelling north in the Arctic Ocean.
Day 7
90° North, with time to celebrate reaching the top of the world.
All the anticipation of the prior days reaches a climax as we reach the North Pole! Many travelers find themselves overcome with emotion, while others are in a festive and celebratory mood.Take photos, wave a flag, enjoy the moment! Later, everyone enjoys a champagne toast and a BBQ on the ice. Take a Polar Plunge into the icy waters marking the North pole. Add an exclamation to your success by rising high in a hot air balloon to commemorate this great moment (weather dependent).
Day 8
Travel south in the Arctic Ocean.
As 50 Years of Victory makes her way back through the churning pack ice, we may spot Polar bears on the hunt with Ivory gulls following close behind – eager to dine on leftovers.
Days 9-10
The first of two days visiting Franz Josef Land; helicopters and zodiacs are used to transfer ashore for landings
This group of 191 islands forms the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia, and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. Here we’ll explore Cape Flora, and discover historic remains from three ill-fated Arctic expeditions. When conditions permit, Zodiac trips beneath towering cliffs will explore remote seabird rookeries. Onboard helicopters again provide aerial sightseeing and our Zodiacs transfer you to seldom visited landing sites. This part of the Arctic Ocean is so remote that Franz Josef Land was discovered after Antarctica. It is the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. We may see walrus and Polar bears on these islands, which we’lll explore on Zodiac excursions and helicopter sightseeing rides.
Days 11-12
Southbound at Sea.
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 13
Disembark in Murmansk; charter flight to Helsinki, night in hotel.
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.
Day 14
End Helsinki.
Our adventure finishes after breakfast in Helsinki.
The Ship – 50 Years Of Victory
Icebreaker – 50 Years Of Victory
The 50 Years of Victory is an actual icebreaker – an enormously powerful ship, carrying the highest ice rating in the world, and equipped with helicopters for aerial sightseeing. Some of our most extraordinary journeys are only made accessible on very grown up Polar-Class icebreakers.
The voyages are designed to be as flexible as possible, taking advantage of circumstances and events as they occur, as well as passengers’ wishes and particular interests wherever possible. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and friendly with expedition staff, including naturalists and Polar experts, on hand and the opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world. The ship is kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet/mud room in which to hang gear and store boots ready for the next adventure.
Ship Specifications
- Staff and Crew: 140
- Guests: 128
- Length: 150.7 meters
- Breadth: 30 meters
- Draft: 11.00 meters
- Propulsion: 2 nuclear reactors 74,000 horsepower
- Ice Class: LL1 (the highest rating possible)
- Cruising Speed: 21 knots in open water
- Registration: In Russia by Rosatomflot
- Lifeboats: 4 fully enclosed
Eating and Drinking
All meals while on the ship included.
The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.
Breakfast:
Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.
Lunch:
Three course set meal, or the occasional buffet or BBQ.
Dinner:
Three courses with a starter of soup, salad or anti-pasto, a choice of three mains with at least one vegetarian and one seafood option and a dessert of sweet pudding or ice cream or fruit, tea and coffee.
Route Map – North Pole Trip
Vaccinations and Visa
There are no specific health risks.
Russia
All nationalities now require a visa for Russia. These requirements will vary depending on your nationality. For British nationals visa applications must now be made in person at a visa processing centre, located in London and Edinburgh. At the time of application, fingerprints will be taken. We will be providing a new type of service to assist with the application process; however we will no longer be able to submit the application on your behalf. It is your responsibility to arrange a visa prior to travel, but we will provide you with more information after booking to help and advice with this.
What’s Included
- All meals while on the ship
- All accommodation (see below)
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
- Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
What’s Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
- Mandatory Charter Flights Helsinki to Murmansk Return (£1500 paid on booking)
- Hot Air Ballooning
Hot Air Ballooning option
Clients can sign up for tethered hot air ballooning flights during the voyage. Flights will be carried out using a basket that can carry three guests plus the pilot. The basket has a door that makes access very easy. We aim to deliver these flights right at the North Pole; however, weather conditions will dictate the exact location. Each flight will be around 15 minutes in duration. There are only 50 places available for each voyage. Here are some reasons why you may want to join one of the flights:
- Be one of only 100 people to see the North Pole from a hot air balloon in 2015
- See the top of the world from the top of the world
- Photography opportunity and bragging rights
- A certificate is provided as a memento
- Very competitive price, just about the same cost as a balloon flight elsewhere in the world
Travelling Conditions
On the Zodiac cruises you are sitting still for most of the time with the potential for some sea spray and a cold headwind – if you are not dressed appropriately you will get cold. On the shore excursions, the majority of landings are ‘wet’ which means that the Zodiacs beach and you are helped to slide into the ankle deep shore break before walking up onto dry land (wellington boots are issued to all passengers).
There are, of course, no paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and sometimes fairly deep snow. Back on board the cosy ship after each adventure, you can have a sauna and/or a hot shower and then relax with a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or something stronger from the bar.

Departure Dates
Due to the nature of this journey, the voyage occurs only twice a year:

Absolutely fantastic experience. Very customer friendly. Very easy to book over the phone. Very attentive to our needs and even suggested a better experience than the one I called about, which worked out better value for money! On the day the experience on the Belmond British Pullman was out of this world. Cannot wait to book again. Thank you so much.
I can't thank Lee enough for all his efforts and support in trying to get my holiday planned. Two years to arrange and save for only to be blown away by the coronavirus. Mulberry travel put my mind at rest about going solo to Venice on the Orient Express for a specific date, my first holiday in year's that in the end did not come to fruition. I take my hat off to Lee, Rob and Jade.
We asked Lee at Mulberry to arrange a bespoke holiday to Barbados and once again came up with the goods. Seamless trip, fabulous hotel, we all had a fantastic time. Couldn't recommend these guys highly enough! I've already set Lee next years challenge.
Would like to thank Rob for organising our holiday to see Andrea Bocelli in Sicily, we had a fantastic time, everything was first class, what a beautiful place Taormina is. It was a pleasure dealing with someone so knowledgable and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to others.
Rob at Mulberry Travel is amazing, his attention to detail, professionalism and knowledge is outstanding and After his meticulous planning our New York trip was out of this world and simply wouldn’t have been the same without him, well done Rob and Mulberry travel and we look forward to the next few trips we have booked with you. Great Job!
Mulberry Travel arranged a package taking us from Edinburgh to Gardone on Lake Garda then home on the Venice Simplon Orient Express to London. All elements of the trip exceeded our expectations. The Grand Hotel was luxurious and in a wonderful location on the lakeside and the private transfers were comfortable and punctual. The overnight travel on the train was an exciting adventure and a once on a lifetime experience. The service was exceptional as was the food. I am grateful to Jade at Mulberry Travel for organising this trip.
We found Mulberry Travel quite by accident and are so pleased we did. The friendly personal attention, high level of service and attention to detail provided by the lovely Jade, gave us one of the very best holidays we have ever had. Thank you so very much.
To celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversay we decided to do something special and go on a trip on the Orient Express. Rob at Mulberry Travel handled all the reservations ie. Flight, private transfers, hotels and this special train. Everything ran very smoothly and we had a wonderful trip. Thank you to Rob and his team, we would book with them again.
From start to finish, we were treated in a very professional and efficient manner. Rob was always at hand to guide us and to give advice when needed. The trip on the Orient Express and the stay in Venice was very important to us and as it was my wife’s special birthday, we wanted everything to go well - and it did! From the outset, my wife was presented with a special card outlining the trip and this proved to be her Christmas present! And what a present. Highly recommended. All the arrangements were first class and couldn’t be faulted. The Orient Express exceeded our expectations and the Liassidi Palace in Venice was a brilliant choice of hotel. Couldn’t have been better. We were so pleased with all the arrangements that we have asked Mulberry to put together s bespoke itinerary for us to NZ next year. Thanks Rob - you are a star!
We were very pleased with the travel plans and arrangements. Mulberry kept in contact when we encountered a little hiccup with an unforeseen issue. Well done
We had an amazing package booked with Rob to see Andrea Bocelli in Tuscany with 3 nights in Florence. Everything was planned with precision and first class. What really impressed is though was how Rob was able to help us when everything went wrong due to a prolonged summer storm. The concert was postponed to the evening of the day we were due to fly back and even though it was a Sunday, he was able to sort us out. He kept in constant contact with us any many other disappointed clients to make sure that everything could be re-arranged at the lowest extra cost possible for those who wanted to stay the extra day.
From our initial phone call Jade was efficient, friendly and professional. She listened carefully to our requirements and was then able to create the trip of a lifetime for us. From the Belmont Pullman at Victoria, to the Orient Express and on to Verona and our fabulous VIP opera experience at Carmen, not to mention the superb Hotel du Torri everything was of the highest standard and very well organized. This really was a trip of a lifetime and one that we will certainly never forget! Thank you Jade and Mulberry Travel!
Great to deal with from start to finish and managed to accommodate everything we wanted. Highly recommend!
From the moment we checked in at Victoria Station to the moment we flew home we could not ask for a better service that you provided. Our heartfelt thanks go to Rob and his team who made my wife's surprise birthday trip a magical moment in our lives. Once again thank you.
They went from infinity to beyond to give me a fantastic memorable holiday
Quick, efficient and thorough - what more do you want?
I wanted something special to celebrate my wife's 50th Birthday. I knew it had to be the Orient Express. I spoke to Jade, who was absolutely amazing. She discussed the route, where we were going to set off from. Jade booked us a wonderful hotel in Verona. Absolutely amazing. Jade walked me through everything, the whole process and also kept in touch to make sure everything was in place. On my return I received an email from Jade just checking everything had gone according to plan. I have to say choosing Mulberry Travel was the best decision I ever made and dealing with Jade was perfect. Thank you for making this special trip, just that extra special.
Jade at Mulberry Travel understood exactly the type of multi destination trip we wanted and she created a tailor made holiday itinerary encompassing everything we requested. The travel arrangements went exactly to plan with no hiccups and the hotels were excellent. We will definitely be asking her to organise our next big trip away. .
What an amazing trip on the Venice Simplon Orient Express to Venice. From the moment of check in at Victoria station to arrival back at London Gatwick, everything ran smoothly. Not a care about tickets, transport, passports, luggage, meals. And what utter luxury! A wonderful way to celebrate a special birthday.
My friend and I enjoyed a wonderful time on the Orient Express which exceeded our expectations in every way. The 3 night Venice stay arranged by Mulberry Travel was a perfect end to a memorable trip. Everything went as planned with faultless connections. The only disappointment was the weather on one day in Venice and we can’t point the finger at Mulberry for that! A magical experience will be had by anyone contemplating this sort of holiday.
Many thanks Rob for making all the arrangements for our recent visit to Venice everything went according to plan. The trip on the Venice Orient Express was a fantastic and memorable experience and we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Venice Thanks again for your help and advice