Save On A Winter Arctic Adventure

Hurtigruten is offering free flights from London Gatwick, plus a free excursion to the North Cape, for anyone booking their Norwegian coastal voyage this winter, a total saving of up to £548pp. 

The offer is available on 20 selected dates this October/November for the 12-day Classic Round Voyage travelling from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the far north and back again. And, with this winter tipped as the best in a decade for viewing the Northern Lights, there really has never been a better time to go. Book by July 31 to take advantage of all the savings.

The Classic Round Voyage is also the best way to discover the very best of the Norwegian coastline. The ship visits more than 30 ports of call as she travels north and then turns to make her return journey. Those ports visited at night on the way up are visited during the day on the southbound journey and, in the larger towns and cities, there is plenty of time to go ashore and join in a wide variety of excursions.

Visiting North Cape, the northernmost point of mainland Europe, is a ‘must do’ for many people taking a voyage along the coast. And, as part of this offer, Hurtigruten is giving away an excursion to this popular rock plateau, worth £98 per person. Year on year, visiting North Cape, which rises a dramatic 307 metres straight up from the Arctic Ocean, has been Hurtigurten’s top-selling excursion.

Details: Classic Voyage North from £1,177pp (selected dates in November), including 12-day round-trip voyage from Bergen, full board on the ship, return flights from London Gatwick, transfers and free excursion to North Cape. Prices in October are from £1,398pp.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure cruise specialists.


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Chasing The Northern Lights

A winter cruise to Norway, in search of the amazing Northern Lights is one of the most exciting itineraries in the world, and 2013 is predicted to be one of the best for many years to view the majestic Aurora Borealis. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has offered three winter voyages to Norway for its 2012/13 season, and the last of these – a 14-night cruise aboard Boudicca, departing from Portsmouth on March 13 – still has some availability.

The itinerary for this ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ departure is ideally suited to a cruise line with a strong Norwegian heritage, and calls first at Ålesund, the pretty Norwegian town famous for its Art Nouveau-style buildings and national Art Nouveau Centre, or ‘Jugendstilsenteret’. Next is Tromsø, far up into the Arctic Circle, where Boudicca will stay for two nights, giving guests the maximum chance of seeing the Lights. From here, guests can also choose to take Fred. Olsen’s ‘Chase for the Northern Lights’ tour and, so far this year, they have been lucky enough to witness Nature’s greatest light show from Tromsø several times.

Boudicca then calls at Alta (Finnmark, Norway), the most northerly port on this cruise. From Alta, guests can travel to Hammerfest, thought to be the most northerly town in the world. On the return voyage, the ship visits Kristiansund, with its picturesque old town and quaint wooden buildings, complete with a unique Klippfish – or ‘dried cod’ – Museum, before sailing back to Portsmouth.

Prices for this very special cruise start from £1,299 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, with an ‘Anchor Fare’. The price includes all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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Swan's New Saver Fare Offers

Swan Hellenic have introduced a new round of their Saver Fares for 2013, meaning savings of up to £300 per person on a selection of cruises to Norway, Turkey, Greece and Italy.

Guests can take advantage of Saver Fares on the 16-day Oslo and Fjords cruise, available from £2,395 per person (based on two sharing). Highlights of the cruise include a stunning Briksdal Glacier walk, a tour of Oslo city and a trip on the Flåm Railway through narrow valleys and up the Myrasdalsberg Mountain, offering spectacular views of Kjosfossen Fall. Price is based on a June 5 departure.

Alternatively, sail on the 21-day Above the Arctic Circle cruise, available from £2,895 per (based on two sharing). Highlights include a unique opportunity to spend four days in remote Spitsbergen with its immense glaciers, magnificent fjords and remote communities, as well as a visit to the UNESCO Vega Archipelago, realm of the eider duck and hikes on Tjorndal, Torghatten and Mount Fløien. Price is based on a July 4 departure.

Cabins will not be allocated at time of booking and Saver Fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. This applies only to new bookings made by March 31 on selected 2013 cruises only. Saving of £300 per person applies to category D Balcony Suite. All prices include relevant transfers, a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. A supplement for some excursions may apply. Fares also include return flights from the UK (where applicable).

For more info and bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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Hurtigrten's Short-Break Programme

Fancy a break in Norway where there is no need to go to bed as daylight shines continuously and the ever-changing scenery is mesmerising morning, noon and night? Hurtigruten has launched a new summer short-break programme, tying in with the Midnight Sun and new flights from Gatwick to Tromso, launched by Norwegian. A selection of five and six-day flight-inclusive breaks is now available, offering the opportunity to experience a range of new summer excursions such as a Midnight Sun kayaking trip and evening hiking.

With just a few days away, time is short and these breaks are designed to make the most of both daytime and night-time. New excursions make it possible to go kayaking or hiking at night (which is actually still daylight) so there is no excuse to miss anything on your short break!

• Sea Kayaking - £161pp – Experience the calm waters of Norway by kayak, paddling the coast with rugged mountains as the background.
• Midnight Sun Kayaking - £187pp – with fully trained guides, explore the arctic marine life by the light of the midnight sun.
• Mountain Hiking - from £122pp - full day, half day and short evening options are available, designed to suit different levels of hikers from the experienced keen to spend an entire day on the mountain to couples and friends who prefer an easier hike.
• Guided Trip to the Polar Museum - from £110pp - Includes a tour of Tromso to learn about its part in polar expeditions and a visit to the Polar Museum.
• Birdwatching at Lake Prestvannet - from £84pp - Learn about the birds at Lake Prestvannet nature reserve, including the red-throated diver.
• Jeep Safari to Sommaroy - £180pp (based on four persons) – this half-day trip includes a journey passing mountains, fjords, reindeer and birds and the chance to do some fishing, see beaches, birdlife and maybe meet local fishermen.

Sample packages:

In to the Arctic Summer (Bergen-Tromso), from £1,075pp: Available on 19 selected dates between April 5 and September 6, this five-day voyage includes highlights such as Alesund, Geirangerfjord, Trondheim and sailing through the Lofoten Islands. Prices include return flights from Gatwick, three night’s half-board on the ship, one night’s B&B hotel in Tromso and transfers.
 

Lofoten - The Scenic South (Tromso-Bergen), from £1,075pp: Available on 24 selected dates between April 3 and September 11, this five-day voyage includes highlights such as sailing through the Vesteralen Islands, an Arctic Circle crossing ‘baptism’, Trondheim and Kristiansund. Prices include return flights from Gatwick, three night’s half-board on the ship, one night’s B&B hotel in Tromso and transfers.
 

Land of the Midnight Sun (Tromso-Kirkenes-Tromso), from £999pp: Available on 14 selected dates between April 13 and September 14, this five-day voyage includes highlights such as Honningsvag, the gateway to the North Cape, Kirkenes and Vardo. Prices include return flights from Gatwick, three night’s half-board on the ship, one night’s B&B hotel in Tromso and transfers.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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Holland America's No-Fly Fjord Special

Plus, upgrade to an ocean view room from £599 and receive free parking!

Holland America Line is offering a seven-night luxury no-fly Norwegian Fjords cruise from just £499 per person this summer. Departing from Dover on May 4, this price includes seven nights’ full board accommodation on MS Ryndam in an inside stateroom, with ocean view staterooms  available from £599, including free parking in Dover. 

This round trip takes in some of Norway’s most spectacular scenery and fascinating ports. From Dover, sail to the maritime town of Bergen, before heading to Flåm, deep in the heart of Aurlandsfjord. From there, visit Ålesund and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding archipelago, before continuing to the hiking paradise of Eidfjord and cruising through the scenic Hardangerfjord.

Whilst at sea, guests can take advantage of the Culinary Arts Centre, which features cookery demonstrations, as well as sampling the Ryndam’s choice of elegant restaurants and lounges and being pampered at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon.

This offer is based on two sharing an inside stateroom on Holland America’s 'Norse Legends' cruise, departing Dover on May 4. 

For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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A Grand Voyage To The Fjords

There’s still time to plan a last-minute break to the mighty fjords of Norway and Iceland this summer with Voyages of Discovery, and from just £879 per person.

For those with a sense of adventure, the 'Nordic Natural Wonders' cruise offers a footloose programme designed for seasoned hikers and amateur ramblers alike, giving them the opportunity to get off the beaten track to explore untamed landscapes such as Mount Fløien in Bergen and hike in Flam with the chance to see its famous railways.

The cruise, sailing July 12, starts from £879 per person and the price includes the 14-day voyage departing from Harwich and calling at Bergen and Flam (Norway), then Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur, Reykjavik (all Iceland) and Torshavn (Faroe Islands) before returning to Harwich.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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Cunard's Sisters in Norway

Norway saw two of Cunard's liners together in the country for the first time this week as both Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria sailed through the Fjords, and are pictured here at Flaam, near Sognefjord, where they called for a day. In true Cunard style, the sisters saluted each other several times with the echoes of their whistles reverberating through the mountains for long periods after the initial blasts.

Queen Victoria is currently on a 14-night 'Norwegian Fjords and North Cape Discovery' voyage (which will include a maiden call at Ny-Alesund in Spitsbergen and in Trondheim) while Queen Elizabeth completes her one-week 'Fjords and Waterfalls' voyage by returning to Southampton tomorrow.

For more information about Cunard cruises, follow this link to The Cruise Line the UK's cruising specialists. 

 

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Light Show in the Arctic Circle

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Hurtigruten’s winter voyages along Norway’s fjord-filled west coast will now offer an impressive light show at the Finnkirka Sea Cliffs in the far north of the country. Guests onboard Hurtigruten can enjoy the light display from the ship as it enters Kjollefjord on the northbound journey. This major new winter attraction in Norway will be available until the end of March 2011.

The Finnkirka, or ‘Finnish Church’ cliffs – aptly named for their Cathedral-like appearance - were originally a place of worship for the local Sami people. Located at the entrance to the Kjollefjord in the Finnmark region of Northern Norway, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful sea cliffs in the world. To ensure this impressive bluff is ablaze with light, even during the dark winter months, light artist Kurt Hermansen has been brought in to set the glowing stage for the Finnkirka.

In the past, the Finnkirka had played host to concerts and events during the summer but remained unused during the winter months. The creation of the new attraction is a joint effort between Hurtigruten and the local population, both keen to continue to show off the splendour of the Finnkirka during the winter season.

A voyage North from Bergen in the South to Kirkenes in the North during the winter months costs from £1105 per person including return flights, six night’s half board on the ship and transfers. No single supplements apply. Valid in January and February 2011.

For more information, visit http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or visit the Hurtigruten section of adventure cruise specialists the Cruise Line Ltd.

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