Cruise Adagio walking holidays on Fred. Olsen's Balmoral

Adagio walking holidays take to the high seas with Fred Olsen and the launch of its first ‘Cruise Adagio’ programme. 

Prices include all meals, an exclusive welcome party on one evening and a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service on a sea day, walking tours, shore visits, restaurant tips and the services of a dedicated tour leader.

Holiday options aboard Balmoral, which sailing from Southampton,  include:

The Norwegian Fjords – an eight-night cruise and walk through some of the world’s most stunning scenery.  Price from £1,350 per person.   Departs Southampton 3 July 2015.

Atlantic Coasts – a six-night cruise and walking holiday along the coasts of France and Spain, following in the wake of pilgrims and pirates.  Price from £999 per person.  Departs Southampton 19 October 2015.

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Sample Norway's 200th Anniversary With Saga

The flags will be flying across Norway in 2014 as the country celebrates the bicentenary of its constitution. And Saga Cruises have a special selection of voyages next year perfectly suited to tie in with the celebrations and visit this land of natural beauty

The Fabulous Fjords
Music and mountains, fjords and fabulous fun will make Saga Pearl II’s sailings to Norway all the more special in 2014. Three departures also offer different dance options, with Motown on May 1, 60s Music on June 15 and Sounds of the 70s on August 15. Bergen, Geiranger, Skjolden and Haugesund are the ports of call on this 7-night cruise from Dover, with prices from £909pp.
 

Fjordland Gems
Do you love the sounds of the Rat Pack? Smooch along the fjords on Saga Sapphire, calling in at Bergen, Olden, Flam and Stavanger during the day and in the evening celebrate music inspired by the kings of cool. This 7-night cruise, sailing from Dover on July 1, is priced from £876pp.

Discover Sorfjord
Sorfjord is one of the lesser-known beauty spots in Norway and Saga Sapphire’s cruise will be all the more unusual as you enjoy music and concerts in some remarkable locations.  Hardanger Music Festival will perform a concert on board against a backdrop of breathtaking mountains. You will also have the chance to visit the former homes of composer Edvard Greig and violinist Ole Bull. Again a 7-night cruise, it is priced from £909pp and sails from Dover on June 2 calling at Bergen, Ulvik, Eidfjord, Sorfjord and Odda.

Nordic Notes
Opera buffs will love this themed cruise with behind-the-scenes insights form Barry Steward, the Royal Opera House tour manager. Enjoy arias, duets and ensembles as the Saga Sapphire passes mountains and remote villages. Passengers can also look forward to a memorable musical performance in Norway’s oldest opera house. It is priced from £1,136pp for 9 nights, departing from Dover on September 2, 2014.
 

For bookings, check with Saga Cruises or check for more ideas on this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists

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Swan Hellenic's Norwegian Lure

Join Swan Hellenic on their June voyage to Oslo and the Fjords with a special late price from just £995 per person (Saver Fare, based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Passengers can experience Minerva’s maiden call to Førde to explore the Black Friday Museum, dedicated to one of the fiercest air battles of World War II or visit the 90-metre-high Huldrefossen waterfall.

The 16-day cruise departs from Portsmouth and calls at Olso, Haugesund, Ulvik, Flåm, Førde, Åndalsnes, Olden and Bergen (above), as well as Aaaolborg in Denmark,  before returning to Portsmouth (UK). 

Price is based on a June 5 departure and includes 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 shore excursions may apply. Cabin numbers may not be allocated at time of booking.

No single supplements are also available on selected cabin grades for solo travellers on this cruise.

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

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Dancing With Whales In Norway This Summer

Anyone who has always wanted to see whales in their natural habitat can now do so as part of a voyage on the Norwegian Fjords with Hurtigruten. A brand new land excursion is being introduced between June and August that allows guests to enjoy this special experience whilst taking one of its classic voyages along the coast of Norway - the first time this has ever been possible.  

The excursion is available on day five of the Voyage North and travels to the whale spotting area outside Andenes in Nordland County. Guests will disembark early in the morning at Risoyhamn and head to Andenes by coach to join the sturdy whale-watching vessel MS Reine. The ship will then travel out to the edge of the continental shelf, where Sperm whales feed on the nutrients such as octopus welling up from the abyss.

Andenes is one of the few places in the world, let alone Norway, where the continental shelf is so close to the mainland. Using hydrophones, the ship’s crew can locate the whales underwater and, in 90% of sailings, it is hoped to catch a glimpse of these giants of the deep.

After a few hours at sea, it’s back to land and onward towards Finnsnes to rejoin the ship, just before lunch. En route, there is a ferry journey across Andsfjord to enjoy a different perspective of the northern coastal scenery and see how these communities are connected by the ocean. The entire trip is approximately 7 hours and costs £205pp.

Classic Voyage North – from £1143pp 

(June 1 to July 31) A seven-day Classic Voyage North from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes by the Russian border costs from £1,143pp and includes half-board on the ship in an unspecified inside cabin (outside cabins from £1,386pp). Flights are extra.

For bookings, be sure to look up this link with our sponsors The Cruise Line, the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists.

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Great Late Deals From Holland America

Holland America Line is offering exceptional value on 2 no-fly cruises this May, with prices starting from just £399 per person for seven nights in the Norwegian Fjords, and £799 per person for 14 nights cruising the Baltic Sea, based on two sharing. These round-trip cruises from Dover depart on May 11 and 18 and include full board accommodation on the 1,260-passenger MS Ryndam, plus a free upgrade to an Ocean View Stateroom.

The seven-night Viking Sagas cruise

This round trip departs from Dover on 11 May and takes in some of Norway’s most spectacular scenery and fascinating ports. Sail right into the scenic capital of Oslo to experience ancient Viking culture and the paintings of Edvard Munch. Visit pretty Kristiansand, one of Norway’s “White” towns, with traditional wooden houses, then Stavanger, in a gorgeous lake-land setting, and pretty Ulvik. While onboard, guests can also enjoy scenic cruising of Oslofjord, Lysefjord and beautiful Hardangerfjord from the decks of the ship. Prices start from £399 per person for seven nights’ full-board accommodation in an inside stateroom, based on two sharing. Free upgrades to Ocean View Staterooms are also available.

The 14-night Jewels of the Baltic cruise

This round trip from Dover departs on 18 May and heads straight to the vibrant Danish capital of Copenhagen. Guests will then spend a full day exploring the history of Berlin at Warnemunde, before sailing to the picturesque city of Tallinn in Estonia. Ryndam then makes a leisurely overnight stop in St Petersburg, before calling at the elegant Finnish capital of Helsinki. Next, the cruise is Sweden-bound, paying an overnight stop in the trendy city of Stockholm and sailing through the Stockholm archipelago on the way to the medieval World Heritage town of Visby. The ship arrives back in Dover on 1 June. Prices start from £799 per person for 14 nights’ full-board accommodation in an inside stateroom, based on two sharing. Free upgrades to Ocean View Staterooms are also available.

Whilst at sea, guests can also 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.  

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

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More Norwegian Delights From Hurtigruten

Fancy getting up close and personal with Norway’s longest and deepest Fjord? How about fishing for giant king crab in the Barents Sea? Or a scenic rail journey which includes climbing almost 900metres while covering a distance of only 20km? Hurtigruten offers all of these experiences - and more - as part of its pre and post-trip excursion programme this summer, all under the warming Midnight Sun. Guests wishing to enhance their trip and see even more that Norway has to offer can opt to add these at either the beginning or end of their chosen voyage.

During the popular summer months, the land of the Midnight Sun really comes into its own. This is a natural phenomenon, found at latitudes north of the Arctic Circle, were the sun stays above the horizon for 24 hours. Brilliant sunshine through the clear Arctic air bathes the shores, fjords, mountains and bays in fiery reds, soft pinks and golden yellows. At this time of year you have all the time in the world to explore with day and night sightseeing the norm and going to bed is not necessary! Take a look at these additional options:

Sognefjord in a Nutshell – from £145pp: The Sognefjord, with its deepest point at 1,308m, extends more than 200km into Southern Norway. It boasts dramatic yet charming landscapes and those who visit consider it one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. This round trip from Bergen takes a full day and combines a boat journey through Sognefjord, a trip on the famous Flåm Railway to Myrdal and return to Bergen by train. This route can also be booked in the opposite direction. Available on any trip beginning or ending in Bergen, between May and end of September.
 

Summer King Crab Fishing – from £146pp: Head off to the best fishing grounds in the Barents Sea on a fishing boat. Here, everyone joins in and, together, huge cages full of king crabs are pulled from the water. Back on shore, the tasty catch is prepared and served for lunch in a cosy fisherman’s cottage – a true delicacy. The tour is offered to those starting or ending their voyage in Kirkenes and is available from mid-May to mid-October.

Norway in a Nutshell - £121pp: One of the most popular independent tours in Norway. This full day trip takes a bus, train and ferry through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the area. It includes the train from Bergen to Voss, a bus journey to Gudvangen with views of magnificent waterfalls, a fjord cruise to Flam and then the Flam Railway back to Myrdal. The Flam Railwav will climb almost 900m while covering only 20km. In Myrdal, you will transfer to the Bergen Railway, one of the world’s most beautiful rail journeys, for the trip back to Bergen. Available daily, year round.

Hurtigruten's Classic Voyage North costs from £1,143pp (June 1 to 31 July) and is a seven-day cruise from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes by the Russian border. It includes half board on the ship but flights are extra.

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

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Hebridean's Norwegian Return

Hebridean Island Cruises, operator of the world’s smallest luxury cruise ship, Hebridean Princess, will be returning to Norway in 2014 for the first time in five years.

They will offer a total of three different itineraries in August next year, sailing to some of Norway’s best known fjords, including Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord, Ulvikfjord and Raunefjord. The decision follows a survey conducted amongst loyal guests asking for suggestions on cruising areas.

Hebridean will also extend its popular Footloose walking programme to include Footloose in the Fjords, featuring a variety of walks in Balestrand, Laerdral, Fjaerland, as well as the unique opportunity to join a glacier walk in Sogndal.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising 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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Celebrity's Norwegian Voyaging

Marvel at the famous mountains in Molde, historical architecture in Bergen and cosmopolitan Stavanger on board Celebrity Cruises’ beautiful Celebrity Eclipse (above) with an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise from just £639 per person in 2013. 

With the benefits of round-trip sailing from Southampton (i.e. with no flights involved), this wonderful voyage sails from the south coast and and calls at Molde, Alesund, Flam, Bergen and Stavanger before returning home. Also included are all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. 

The price is based on a May 3 departure and on two people sharing a balcony stateroom.

To book, follow this link to the Cruise Line, the UK's leading cruise-agent specialists.

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Northern Delights With Royal Caribbean

Discover Norway’s dynamic family appeal with its dramatic landscapes, active lifestyle and diverse culture onboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas in 2013 from only £699 per person.

With the benefit of no flights and sailing from a UK port, Royal Caribbean's eight-night voyages go round-trip from Southampton on the south coast and feature the very best of Norway's scenic attractions.

Prices include the full eight-night cruise, which calls at Flåm, Skjolden, Olden, Alesund and Stavanger before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

The price is based on a May 18 departure and on two people sharing an inside stateroom. 

For all cruise details, be sure to check with the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading cruise-agent specialists.

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Hurtigruten Make Norwegian Dreams Come True

If sailing the Norwegian Fjords is on your ‘must-do’ list for 2013, then this special offer from Hurtigruten is sure to make that dream come true.

 

Anyone booking a full or half voyage along the Norwegian coast before November 30 can save up to 25% off the brochure price. Whether it is a summer voyage to see the Midnight Sun, a winter trip in search of the Northern Lights or a spring or autumn voyage to enjoy the changing seasons, savings can be made on departures throughout the year.

 

The offer is applicable to the popular 12-day Classic Round Voyage starting in Bergen in the south and travelling above the Arctic Circle to Kirkenes and back plus the two half voyages, the Voyage North or the Voyage South. The saving is also valid on the Classic Norwegian Discovery itinerary, which travels from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Trondheim.

 

A voyage with Hurtigruten offers passengers the opportunity to get closer to the shores, coastline and communities of Norway as the ships call at over 34 ports of call, many of them not visited by the larger cruise ships.

 

Classic Round Voyage: Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen, 12 days

Summer: June 1 to September 14, from £1,893 per person, saving £631pp off the brochure price.
Winter: Jan 1 to March 14 and Nov/Dec, from £1,177pp, saving £392pp.

Classic Voyage North: Bergen-Kirkenes, 7 days

Summer: June 1 to September 14, from £1,279pp, saving £426pp.
Winter:Jan 1 to March 14 and Nov/Dec, from £826pp, saving £275.

All prices are full board and based on two sharing. Flights are extra. Must book by November 30.

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

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Hurtigruten Offers Big Autumn Savings

Fancy sailing along the Norwegian coast, set against the beautiful and brightly coloured backdrop of autumn? Thanks to a special offer from Hurtigruten, it is now possible to do so for less and save 45% on its Classic Round Voyage. Available on selected departures during September and October, prices now start from £1,015pp.

The offer is applicable to the popular 12-day Classic Round Voyage starting in Bergen in the south and travelling above the Arctic Circle to Kirkenes by the Russian border, before returning once more. Hues of red, orange and yellow fill the surrounding mountainsides and hilltops and, while the temperature remains pleasant, many of the ships have fewer guests on board, offering a truly relaxing voyage.

The Classic Round Voyage is available on September 10 and 21 and October 2,13 and 24, with prices starting at just £1015pp (saving up to £786pp), including direct flights from London Stansted, transfers and full board on the ship (offer based on two sharing).

A voyage with Hurtigruten offers passengers the opportunity to get closer to the shores, coastline and communities of Norway as the ships call at over 34 ports of call, many of them not visited by the larger cruise ships.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's Norwegian cruise experts.

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New Vantage Pricing From P&O And Cunard

P&O Cruises and Cunard Line are introducing “greater trust and reassurance” in pricing with the introduction of new Vantage Fares backed by a Price Promise.

Launched on July 23, and covering cruises departing from April 2013, the initiative leads a new long-term approach to pricing by the two companies designed to give added peace of mind to holidaymakers, especially to those booking early to secure the cruise of their choice.

With the new Price Promise, passengers can now secure their booking knowing if the Vantage Fare for their holiday were to be reduced, they would automatically receive a complimentary benefit such as onboard spending money or an upgrade, to the value of any reduction in price

The new Vantage Fares include a choice from a range of benefits such as onboard spending money, car parking at Southampton, return coach transfers and airport parking. Vantage Fare passengers will also be able to select the cabin of their choice and have the flexibility to alter their cruise up to 90 days before departure. A low deposit offer of 10%, down from the usual 15%, also applies to Vantage Fare bookings made by August 31.

Vantage Fare benefits offer:

• Great Value Fares 
• Price Promise Protection 
• Priority access to and choice of cabin type, location and number 
• Priority access to family and single cabins  
• Flexible cancellation and amendment terms 
• Access to family and share saver reductions 
• Low deposit of 15% (Reduced to 10% for bookings made by August 31) 
• Choice from a range of added value benefits: 

- On board spending money
- Car parking in Southampton 
- Return coach travel to Southampton 
- Or Airport parking on selected fly/cruises

On occasions, P&O and Cunard may introduce a more restricted fare type on selected cruises closer to departure – ‘Getaway Fares’. If these fares are offered, they will come with less flexible terms (100% deposit and 100% cancellation charges), will not be backed by the Price Promise and will not include any of the benefits or flexibility of the Vantage Fares.

P&O's 2013 programme features a wide variety of cruises with great-value fares starting from £199 per person:

• Cruise Break - 2 nights from £199pp
• Fjords - 7 nights from £599
• Western Mediterranean - 14 nights from £999

The Cunard 2013 programme on Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria features a wide range of destinations with great value fares starting from £269 per person: 

• Short Voyages - 2 nights from £269
• Fjords Voyage - 7 nights from £799
• Baltic Voyage - 14 nights from £1,399
• Transatlantic Voyage - 7 nights from £1,139

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise experts.

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Famous Explorer Aboard Fred Olsen's Arctic Voyage

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Balmoral will have a very special guest lecturer aboard the 16-night ‘Arctic Mountains, Fjords & Polar Bears’ cruise, which departs Southampton on July 26 - Sue Stockdale, the first British woman to ski to the North Pole, who will be aboard as part of the Vistas enrichment programme.

After leaving Southampton, the cruise calls first at Ǻlesund in Norway. This pretty town was destroyed by fire in 1904 and completely rebuilt in Art Nouveau style and is one of the most picturesque places in the country. After this call, Balmoral heads north into the Arctic Circle. She calls at Tromsø, surrounded by snow-capped peaks even in summer, then on up to Honningsvǻg for the North Cape – the very ‘top of Europe’. 

The next two ports are even further north. Longyearbyen, Svalbard, enjoys daylight around-the-clock in the summer months. The town has 1,600 inhabitants and reindeer can be seen roaming the streets. Originally a mining town, it has a museum dedicated to its mining and whaling history. Next port, Ny Alesund, is the most northerly permanent settlement in the world and is home to a scientific research centre.

Balmoral then begins her journey south, visiting Kristiansund, famous for its Klippfish (dried cod) Museum, and, finally, the pretty fjord land village of Olden, before returning to Southampton.

Prices for this memorable voyage start from £1,879 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. The price includes all meals and entertainment on board and port taxes. There is no extra charge for taking part in Vistas activity.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's cruising 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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Regent's 2013 Programme Sets Sail

Regent Seven Seas has begun accepting reservations for their new Summer/Autumn 2013 sailings, featuring new ports of call and an enticing range of extended voyages in Europe, North America and South America.  

Highlights of the new 2013 collection include calls to Ajaccio and Porto Vecchio (Corsica), Arrecife (Lanzarote) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Tenerife), extended voyages in Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, South America and a wonderful 24-night Amazon voyage, round-trip from Miami, as well as sailings combining the best of Alaska, New England and the Panama Canal. 

All 2013 sailings include a pre-cruise overnight luxury hotel stay and guests booking Penthouse suites or higher on Med and Northern European sailings will enjoy free Business Class upgrades. Regent also includes all return flights and transfers, all-suite accommodations, award-winning cuisine, premium spirits and fine wines, live entertainment, free and unlimited shore excursions, gratuities and taxes, and a pre-cruise hotel stay on all 2013 sailings in cruise fares.

2013 Summer Collection Highlights:

Seven Seas Voyager begins the season in the vibrant enclaves of Iceland and the Norwegian fjords. A series of 7-to-10 night voyages follows, discovering baroque palaces, soaring cathedrals and medieval towns surrounded by the natural wonders of the Scandinavia and Baltic coastlines. 

With two overnights in St. Petersburg, guests will have three full days to explore. Or, choose a longer voyage of up to 36 nights to the British Isles, the Baltic and Western Europe

For booking details, click on this link to The UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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P&O Offering Free Cabin Upgrades This Month

P & O Cruises is offering FREE cabin upgrades in March on a selection of 67 cruise holidays on all seven ships in the fleet, departing between June and December 2012. The 'Ultimate Upgrade' promotion is valid on bookings made throughout March, and entitles customers to a higher grade cabin at a lower grade price.

For example, a nine-night Atlantic Coast cruise on board Oceana, departing from Southampton on May 25, and calling in Gibraltar, Casablanca, Cadiz, Lisbon and Vigo, now has the following pricing:

Inside cabin: was £949, now £949
Outside cabin: was £1,259, now £949
Balcony cabin: was £1,429, now £1,259
Mini-suite: was £2,339, now £1,429
Suite: was £2,869, now £2,499

All cruises in the promotion depart from Southampton and are between two and 35 nights in duration, to a choice of destinations such as the Mediterranean, Baltic, Canary Islands, Caribbean, USA and Canada, Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, and Around Britain.

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

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SeaDream's Small Ship Luxury

Those looking for a true small-ship experience, as well as genuine luxury at sea, should definitely make sure they have SeaDream on their Wish List.

SeaDream are a rarity in today's cruise world, visiting the yachting playgrounds, intimate harbours and ports where larger ships cannot go and providing an in-depth port experience along the way, often with overnight stays to enjoy the evening entertainment.

The two ships, SeaDream I and SeaDream II spend May-October in Northern Europe, the Baltic, Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and reposition to the azure waters of the Caribbean in the winter and spring.

With only 112 guests being pampered by an award-winning crew of 95, they ensure some of the most personable and distinctive cruising on the high seas, including new, specially-designed exclusive voyages to the Amazon from Barbados (above) to Iquitos, Peru, in 2011/12.

For more info, look up www.seadream.com or visit the UK's luxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Sail In The Wake of Norwegian Explorer!

In 2011, Norway will celebrate 150 years since the birth of one of their most famous polar explorer, Fridtjof Nansen.

And, to mark the occasion, Hurtigruten has launched a unique sailing from Spitsbergen to Bergen following a similar route to that travelled by Nansen in 1896 on his return journey to mainland Norway after three years in the polar ice and reaching the northernmost point any human had ever been. The voyage in September is onboard MS Fram, Hurtigruten’s explorer ship which was named after Nansen’s polar ship which sailed the original journey.

Nansen sailed with Captain Otto Sverdrup and they received honour and glory in every port they visited on the way down the Norwegian coast. These ports form the backbone of the Hurtigruten service, which launched in 1897 with Captain Sverdrup at the helm.

The ‘Polar Bears, Islands and Fjords’ voyage starts by sailing into Northwest Spitsbergen National Park and the Magdalenafjord (above) before heading further north to latitude 80 degrees and the Moffen nature reserve, an important resting place for walrus. Then the ship heads southwards via Ny Alesund and the remote region around Bjornoya (Bear Island). After crossing the Barents Sea, the ship reaches the world’s most northerly town, Honningsvag, and the gateway to the North Cape.

From here, MS Fram will travel down the coast of Norway calling at a selection of ports, including several that do not usually form part of the traditional coastal voyage route but were visited by Nansen on his return journey. Highlights will include stops at Tromso, sailing through Trollfjord and the Lofoten Islands plus Alstahaug, a community of some 7,000 spread across no fewer than 917 islands and the UNESCO protected islands of Vega which encompass a staggering 6,000 islands, inlets and skerries with remote fishing villages.

The Polar Bears, Islands and Fjords voyage - from £3,196pp - departs on September 7, 2011, and includes 11 nights full board on the ship, flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen. one night’s pre-cruise accommodation in Longyearbyen with breakfast and sightseeing, Based on two sharing. Flights are extra.

For more information call Hurtigruten – 0844 448 7601 http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or look up the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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That Viking Spirit

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Hurtigruten. The very name has a viking ring to it and this cruise has been called the most beautiful on earth. Well that may not quite be true but, if it isn't, it comes a very close second. Norway's coastal scenery is simply breathtaking and, what's more, is ever changing as you soak up this marvellous country.

If you're a dedicated cruiser, though, you are going to have to get into a different mindset. This isn't a cruise about destinations, this is a cruise about being absorbed into a way of life. The Hurtigruten is a cruise line with all the modern amenities but, at the same time, it is an expedition ship and local bus service.

Calling at over 30 ports on its seven day journey, the ship becomes a bus and ferry service for the local communities. People hop on and off to see their relations, carry out business trips or visit the dentist. As the result, the ambiance of the ship changes every day to complement the scenery.

At times, the ship goes through some incredibly narrow passages where you can almost touch the walls of the cliffs either side and your journey will take you from the lush woodlands and pastures of the south to the frozen wilderness of the Arctic. Indeed, you must expect a visit from King Neptune if you have never crossed the Arctic Circle before and be baptised with ice cubes!

The Hurtigruten is a wonderful experience and, depending on when you go, the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun will stay with you for ever. Anyone who takes the ten mile trip down the Geiranger Fjord, where the cliffs tower thousands of feet above you with waterfalls cascading down the same distance and Sea Eagles wafting nonchalantly by, will tell you they simply can't put it into words.

The company don't just specialise in hugging the fjords, either, as you can visit Antarctica, the amazing wilderness of Spitsbergen and many other places associated with viking adventure. Their website at http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ is mouthwatering and the pre-cruise information you're given is some of the best I have ever received.

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