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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Holland America's Latest Offers

Here are three superb offers that have just arrived in the World of Cruising Inbox, all for lengthy - and exciting - voyages with Holland America. See what you think:

32-night ex-UK Caribbean Odyssey

Departing Southampton on November 3, this Caribbean Odyssey cruise onboard MS Rotterdam calls at Ponta Delgada (Portugal), Road Town (Tortola), Philipsburg (St Maarten), Castries and Soufriere (St Lucia), Kralendijk (Bonaire), overnight at Oranjestad (Aruba), Willemstad (Curacao), Port of Spain (Trinidad), Bridgetown (Barbados) and Funchal (Madeira) before returning to Southampton. The 32-night cruise starts from £1,988 per person cruise-only, based on two sharing an inside cabin.

14-night Voyage of the Midnight Sun

Departing Dover on July 20, 2013, this trip goes to the very top of Norway, within the Arctic circle and the Land of the Midnight Sun, onboard the MS Ryndam. Ports of call include Stavanger, Flam, Geiranger, Tromso, Honningsvag, Hammerfest, Trondheim, Molde and Bergen, with scenic cruising of Sognefjord and Trondheimsfjord. This 14-night cruise starts from £1,599 per person, based on two sharing an outside cabin (currently free upgrades to outside cabins). 

26-night Amazon and Carnival Explorer

Sail on board the MS Maasdam, starting with two nights in Rio de Janeiro on February 10 and 11, 2013, and cruise from there to Armacao dos Buzios, Salvador da Bahia and Fortaleza in Brazil before crossing the Equator and sailing into the Amazon. The cruise then spends just over a week cruising the Amazon, calling at Santarem, Boca da Valeria, Manaus, Parintins and Alter Do Chao in Brazil, before sailing to Bridgetown (Barbados), Roseau (Dominica) and Philipsburg (St Maarten), disembarking in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March 8. The 26-night voyage starts from £4,834 cruise-only, based on two sharing an inside cabin.

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

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More Northern Lights From Fred. Olsen

The latest on line edition of World of Cruising magazine is now available. Click on this link to read it and enjoy cruising even more.

Following the huge success of this winter's inaugural Norway cruise in search of the Northern Lights, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has two similar itineraries for next winter, both aboard Boudicca and departing from Portsmouth on February 9 and 25, each one for 16 nights.

After leaving Portsmouth, Boudicca travels north, making her first call into Molde (Romsdalfjord). This fjord town is famous for two very different things – roses and jazz. Winter visitors will find a very attractive, snowy vista, as well as one of the biggest folk museums in Norway. After another day at sea, Boudicca reaches Tromsø, and it is from here guests can make their ‘Northern Lights’ pilgrimage.

There is a two-night stay in this port, maximising the chances of guests seeing the spectacular sight. Other attractions include the Tromsǿ Wilderness Centre, where visitors can meet some of the 130 huskies. The tours to view the ‘Northern Lights’ take place late at night, because the best chance of a successful display is between 10pm and 2am. The next port takes Boudicca even farther north, to Altar (Finnmark), with the option to travel to Hammerfest, thought to be the most northerly town in the world. 

Prices for these two cruises with a difference start from £2,299 per person, based on two adults sharing an outside twin cabin, Grade ‘E’. This price includes all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. The excursion ‘Chase for the Northern Lights’ departs from Tromsø and takes five to seven hours, and is priced at £70-£80 per person – advance booking is essential. Guests leave the ship in early evening and are driven into the wilderness; tour guides check in advance to find the most likely place for a successful viewing – although Nature’s most spectacular firework display obviously cannot be guaranteed!

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

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.