Hurtigruten promise a free second cruise if the Northern Lights don't come out to play

The Northern Lights are a natural spectacle that everyone wants to see, but they can prove elusive, as Joanne Lumley discovered when she set out to make a TV documentary about them.

Hurtigruten – operators of the cruise-cum-ferry service that operates a scheduled service up and down the Norwegian coast – are now so confident that their ships offer the best chance of observing the lights that they are offering a free cruise to anyone who does not see them.

How does it work? All you need to do is book an 11-night Classic Round Voyage before 30 November 2014, for departure between 1 October 2014 and 31 March 2015. The ships’ crews will be scouring the night skies for an appearance of the dancing light show and if they come out to play, an announcement will be made from the bridge.

If the lights do not make an appearance, Hurtigruten will give passengers a choice of a 7day Classic Voyage North, or 6-day Classic Voyage South in an inside twin cabin (full board basis), departing between 1 October 2015 and 31 March 2016. Flights are not included.

Dr John Mason MBE, aurora-hunter and principal lecturer at the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester, explained: “For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, you need to stay in the auroral zone or be near to it. This is a narrow ring, roughly around the Arctic Circle, that passes right over northern Norway. Hurtigruten's voyages spend seven days within or close to the auroral zone - no one else offers that. I have been incredibly fortunate that even when the weather forecast has been rather poor, I have never failed to experience the magical Northern Lights on a Hurtigruten voyage." 

Hurtigruten’s Philip Price said: “It has been a truly spectacular couple of years for sightings of the Northern Lights in Northern Norway. We cannot guarantee that you will see the lights during your voyage, but we can do the next best thing which is to promise that if the lights prove elusive, we will give you another opportunity to see them next year.”

The 12 day Classic Round Voyage hugs the Norwegian coastline from Bergen up to Kirkenes, where it turns around and starts its journey south.  Fares start from £999 per person in an inside cabin, on full board (based on two sharing), departing on a wide choice of dates in November and December 2014. Flight and transfer packages start from £330 per person.

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Chase The Northern Lights With Saga

Saga Cruises is offering a fabulous opportunity to experience the Northern Lights in Norway this winter, aboard their chic Saga Sapphire. Here's what they say...

Choose from a February or March sailing through Norway’s shimmering fjords and snow-covered landscapes before crossing the Arctic Circle to Alta, the Town of the Northern Lights, for a chance to observe this celestial phenomenon.

 

Sailings are during the Solar Maximum, a time when it is more likely to encounter an intense display of the Aurora Borealis. For those re-visiting Norway, Saga’s many optional excursions ensure passengers can further explore this beautiful country. From a seaplane ride to an igloo hotel stay, there will always be something new to experience
 

In Awe of the Northern Lights – February 24

Ride on a sledge pulled by reindeer or set off on a snowmobile across the tundra on this 15-night adventure where you can trek through the snow in search of the magical Northern Lights.
 

Saga Sapphire will sail from Southampton to Bergen, where passengers can stroll along the UNESCO protected Bryggen Wharf before passing through the beautiful Romsdalfjord to reach Andalsnes. From here, view the impressive Trollveggen, or 'Troll Wall', which at 6,000ft is Europe's highest vertical cliff face.
 

Next, cross the Arctic Circle and arrive in Tromso for a tour the city, including a visit to the Polar Museum and distinctive Arctic Cathedral. Sail on to Alta for a two-and-a-half day stay to maximise the chance of seeing the Lights. Return via Narvik to Southampton on March 11.

Prices from £2,770 per person.
 

Magic of the Northern Lights – March 11

Spend the day in Bergen or take a seaplane over Mount Floyen. Classical music enthusiasts can also indulge in a visit to Troldhaugen, former home of composer Edvard Grieg.
 

Next stop is Åndalsnes, gateway to the rugged wilderness of the Romsdalfjord, which typifies Norway’s striking natural beauty. Cross the Arctic Circle on this 16-night cruise and spend two of the nights in Alta, where an expert guide will lead an expedition in search of the Northern Lights. Sail on to Tromsø and take a cable car to the top of Mount Storsteinen for views of the city, forested peaks and reindeer pastures.

Choose one of four excursions in Narvik, the ice-free port with a fascinating industrial heritage, before sailing on to Ålesund to view its unusual art nouveau architecture. Flam is the last port of call before returning to Southampton. It is one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords and the Flåm Railway is not to be missed, passing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains.

Prices from £2,951pp.

Both cruises include VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, all meals and entertainment, entertainment, 24-hour room service, travel insurance and cancellation cover. 

 

More info: call free on 0800 051 3355 or visit www.saga.co.uk/cruises.
 

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See The Northern Lights The Easy Way

Here's great news for anyone thinking of a Northern Lights adventure this year - new charter flights from Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh with Norwegian cruise specialists Hurtigruten.

The Aurora Borealis are likely to be on a holiday wish-list for many a traveller in 2012 as it is rated one of the best years for this amazing phenomenon, and the new charter flights launched for this winter makes it easy to do so. A new direct flight from Bristol is featured for the first time and additional dates have been made available for Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh on a number of departures between October and December – the first time Hurtigruten has committed to them during this period.

The charter flights are offered on select departures for the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back (prices from £1,299pp) and the five-day Arctic Highlights itinerary, which is spent entirely above the Arctic Circle sailing from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back, maximising the opportunity to see the Northern Lights (prices from £949pp).

In addition, a pre-Christmas departure is being offered for the ever-popular Astronomy Voyage (prices from £1,899pp) and, following requests, this has been extended to a full round-trip. Whatever the choice of itinerary, there is no better way of experiencing the Northern Lights than from a Hurtigruten ship as the aurora are set against a dark night sky, free from artificial light.

Classic Round Voyage: Direct flights to Bergen from Manchester (8 November), Bristol (19 November), Gatwick (30 November) and Edinburgh (11 December) for the 12-day voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Priced from £1,299pp, to include flights (based on two sharing).

Arctic Highlights: Direct flights to Tromsø from Gatwick and Manchester on 29 November, 6 December and 10 December for the five-day Arctic Highlights voyage from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back. An extended six-day stay is also available. Prices are from £949pp, based on two sharing, and include flights. 

Astronomy Voyage: Departs London Gatwick on 28 October to Bergen. Join MS Finnmarken as it follows the 12-day Classic Round Voyage itinerary from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Guests will be accompanied by Ian Ridpath, editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy, who will bring the world of stars, planets and meteors ever closer through a guided tour of the night sky from the deck of the ship and a series of onboard lectures. Prices start from £1,899pp, including flights, and are based on two sharing.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

 

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Southampton's £10million World Cruise Windfall

P&O Cruises will boost the local Southampton economy by some £10million in January as around 6,000 people depart on four world cruises from the South Coast port for the first time.
 
Collectively, the four cruises will visit 148 ports of call and highlights include overnight stays in Buenos Aires, New Orleans, Sydney and Cape Town, as well as scenic cruising in the Amazon, Cape Horn, Beagle Channel and the Amalia Glacier in Patagonia.
 
All four ships will be flying the 175th Anniversary flag as P&O kicks off a full year of celebrations to mark the 175th anniversary of the formation of the famous Peninsular Steam Navigation Company.
 
World cruises offer unrivalled value for money with prices for the 2012 itineraries starting at £82 per person per night, including all meals, entertainment and accommodation on board. They are also increasingly seen as the ideal way to travel the world in comfort and style.

The record quartet of 2012 world cruises are:

·        Aurora (pictured, above), 98-night westabout full world circumnavigation, departing January 4
·        Oriana, 97-night eastabout full world circumnavigation, departing January 5
·        Arcadia, 109-night Grand Odyssey, departing January 9

·        Adonia, 87-night South America Grand Adventure, departing January 13
 
A number of cabins are also still available on the full Aurora world cruise, with prices from £8,799 for the 98-night voyage.  A range of shorter sectors of the world cruises are also available and priced from £1,349 for a 17-night voyage from Southampton to Dubai on board Oriana.

For booking details, be sure to check with the UK's leading cruise agent specialist of The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.

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NASA Predicts Bumper Winter For Northern Lights

Is seeing the Northern Lights high on your must-do list? Well, this winter could be the year to maximise the chance of seeing them, as NASA predicts that the winter months will see the strongest Northern Lights activity in 50 years.

And what better place to see them than from a Hurtigruten ship, where they are set against the dark night sky, away from artificial light? The Aurora Borealis have increased in intensity since 2007 and will be at their peak in 2012 as the Solar Maximum - the period with the greatest solar activity - peaks around every 11 to 12 years. NASA are also predicting the Solar Maximum will be stronger than at any time in the last 50 years.

The Northern Lights are at their most active in the late autumn and occur most frequently and at their brightest in a belt some 2,500km from the magnetic pole. Much of the Norwegian coast lies in an area with the greatest activity, especially the high Arctic above the Arctic Circle.

Hurtigruten's six-day Voyage North departs daily between November 1 and December 31, sailing from Bergen to Kirkenes, with the chance to add a range of excursions such as a visit to the North Cape, snowmobiling or dog-sledding. Prices start from £625 per person, including six nights half-board on the ship and no single supplements. Flight packages including transfers are available from £495 based on London departures.

For more info, visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk or the UK's adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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