Enjoy a unique expedition voyage along the coast of Norway on MS Finnmarken

Hurtigruten has combined many of the elements of its coastal and explorer programmes for a one-off winter expedition voyage on MS Finnmarken. A dedicated expedition team will be on-board the ship to enhance the experience and deliver a programme of activities above that normally offered on the coastal voyage.

The 12-day voyage will follow the traditional Hurtigruten coastal route, departing from Bergen on 7 December, before sailing along the picturesque Norwegian coast to Kirkenes near the Russian border – from where the voyage back to Bergen begins.

Guests will have the chance to enjoy all of the activities currently offered on coastal voyages, but with a huge array of additional sea and land-based activities, a trip to the North Cape, talks by guest lecturers and numerous hikes.

While on board you can hear Pål Brekke (a solar physicist from the Norwegian Space Centre) giving a lecture on the fascinating Aurora Borealis, or join one of the other daily talks by the expedition team. 

Prices start from £849pp and includes the voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen on full board basis in an inside cabin, North Cape excursion, hikes, lectures and a Helly Hansen fleece jacket. Flight and transfer packages are available from an additional £330 per person.

Subscribe to World of Cruising magazine here          Follow us on Facebook 

Adventure Cruising blog

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.

Try A Hurtigruten Christmas & New Year

Hurtigruten is now offering two voyages for the price of one on selected dates over the festive period, meaning a Christmas break could cost as little as £49 per person per night on full-board basis, with their unique Norwegian coastal cruising.

Hurtigruten ships offer traditional festive specialities and the typically Norwegian relaxed atmosphere. Guests who not only want to enjoy the festive atmosphere on board but also experience the Norwegian Winter’s Tale on shore have a whole host of activities to choose from, including a dog-sledding tour, a snowmobile safari and even a reindeer sleigh ride. There is something on offer for every Arctic adventurer!

On December 24, all the line's ships will moor in their respective ports for approximately 24 hours. In each location, guests are cordially invited to attend Christmas mass at the local churches. Christmas Eve is then celebrated on board with the crew and guests, and Julenissen, the Norwegian Father Christmas, pays the ships a visit.

The MS Polarlys will be arriving in Kjøllefjord on Christmas Eve, where it will stay until Christmas evening. The 12-day Classic Round Voyage departing on December 19 costs from £1,177 per person (based on two sharing, full board basis). Those taking advantage of the ‘two for one’ offer will enjoy the trip for just £589 per person. Flights are available for an additional £450 per person. The Wilderness Adventure camp excursion, including reindeer driving plus dog-sledding or snowmobile safari, costs from £235 per person.

Guests on the MS Midnatsol will be able to welcome the New Year in a very special place: after a festive New Year's Eve on board in the port of Tromsø, they can enjoy a New Year’s Day excursion to the North Cape, mainland Europe’s northernmost point. There, guests are greeted by an exclusive New Year’s concert in the North Cape Hall.

The 7 Day Voyage north on board Midnatsol, departing from Bergen on December 27, costs from £1,046 per person (based on two sharing on full board basis). Flights are available for an additional £510 per person. The excursion to the North Cape costs £165 per person. The two for one offer is for a limited period only and subject to availability.

More info: call 020 3582 6642 or visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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.

When Bloggers Meet!!

It was a surprise for two of our regular bloggers when our arch-contributor Steve Newman met guest blogger Danielle Fear, aka Cruise Miss, for lunch on Cruise and Maritime Voyages' MV Discovery yesterday when the ship was berthed at Newcastle-upon-Tyne prior to leaving on her latest cruise to Norway and the North Cape.

That's the joy of cruising - you never know who you're going to meet and where. Steve and Danielle seem to be gripping on the stairway, even though the ship is docked. Only Lisa Donohoe from the  Port of Tyne Cruise Terminal seems to have her sea legs!

Have you subscribed to the new edition of World of Cruising yet?  Click here if not!

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.

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.


Subscribe to World of Cruising magazine here.

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.

To The End Of The World With Hurtigruten

Journey to ‘the end of the world’ this year and visit the magnificent North Cape - Hurtigruten’s best-selling excursion. More than 54,000 guests took a trip to the famous rock plateau in 2012, making it the top-selling excursion once again.

Hurtigruten guests flocked to the northernmost point of Europe on both the ‘North Cape’ (from £98pp) and ‘Breakfast at the North Cape’ (from £129pp) excursions, with the natural attraction being the spectacular plateau that rises a dramatic 307metres straight up from the Arctic Ocean. 

The North Cape and Hurtigruten have always been closely linked. After the  shipping company expanded the route all the way to Kirkenes in the early 20th century, just a few years after its foundation 120 years ago, the ships also started to pass the North Cape and passengers could admire the famous rock plateau the ship. Later, after completion of the road to the North Cape Plateau in the 1950s, the trip to the North Cape was included in shore excursion programmes. Its appeal has remained untarnished ever since.

Tromsø, Norway’s biggest city north of the Arctic Circle, also proved a major draw for guests, with almost 21,000 of them attending the ‘Midnight Concert in the Arctic Cathedral’ (from £44pp), the second best-selling excursion. In third was the ‘Taste of Vesteralen’ tour (from £64pp), with more than 17,000 participants. This tour explores the beautiful and dramatic scenery of the Vesterålen islands on the diverse bus tour from Harstad to Sortland.

However, Hurtigruten guests have a wide and diverse excursion programme to choose from, whatever their itinerary. For example, a total of 45 excursions are offered on the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes. The maximum number and selection depends on the time of year.

Classic Round Voyage – from £1642pp:
Take the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Starting at £1,642pp from April 15 to May 31, the price includes full board on the ship, based on two sharing. Flights are extra and can be booked via Hurtigruten from £450pp.

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

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.

Tony Soper Joins Fred. Olsen

Expedition leader, naturalist and veteran broadcaster, Tony Soper, will be joining guests aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Braemar cruise to the North Cape in June 2012. Appearing as part of its Vistas cruise enhancement programme, Tony’s expert topic will be ‘Flora and Fauna’.

Tony Soper started his career as a trainee with the BBC and is a co-founder of its Natural History Unit. His many TV credits include BBC2’s ‘Nature’ and the film series ‘Discovering Birds’ and ‘Beside the Sea’. A renowned bird watcher, he is also an accomplished expedition leader, having led wildlife safaris to both the Arctic and the Antarctic, and is a pioneer of expedition cruising.

Many people will have fond memories of his time on the classic children’s nature programme, ‘Animal Magic,’ which he co-presented with multi-voiced Johnny Morris. The much-loved series ran for 21 years, from April 1962.

The cruise also lends itself perfectly to Tony’s subject. Setting sail from Dover on June 14, the first port of call is Ijmuiden (for Amsterdam), then Braemar cruises north to Leknes, in the Lofoten Islands, inside the Arctic Circle. The wild landscape, with jagged peaks and white sand, is visually stunning, and one of the most picturesque in Norway.

Next port is Tromsø and from there the classic ship travels right up to the North Cape, to Honningsvǻg, Norway’s most northerly village, framed by rugged mountains and the Arctic Ocean. At this time of year, there is daylight around the clock, so the sightseeing is unparalleled. On the return journey, Braemar visits Trondheim, then Ǻlesund, with its strikingly pretty ‘Art Nouveau’ architecture, and, finally, the bustling port of Bergen, with its cobbled streets and quaint wooden buildings. The cruise then returns to Dover on June 27.

A North Cape cruise offers many opportunities for spotting birds and wildlife, including reindeer, whales and many species of seabird, and no doubt the guests’ enjoyment will be greatly enhanced by Tony Soper's fascinating and well-informed talks.
Prices for this cruise start from £1,529 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, and there is no extra charge for the Vistas activities.

For more info, see www.fredolsencruises.com or the specialist cruise travel agents of 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.

148 Countries Tune In To Hurtigruten!

Reports show that 148 countries around the world tuned in via TV, the live stream on the internet or via embedded players to watch the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation’s (NRK) 134-hour non-stop live coverage of a voyage with Hurtigruten from Bergen to Kirkenes. Broadcast June 16-22, the show has also been accepted by the Guinness Book of World Records for the Longest Live TV Documentary.

The show, on national TV channel NRK2, brought a sense of euphoria to the country. In total, three million Norwegians watched the show, representing almost three quarters of the country’s population and produced record-breaking ratings for NRK2. In addition, 2.9 million watched the streamed voyage online, almost half of these from outside Norway. The UK was the fifth most popular country for online viewing figures.

Social media across the globe also joined the frenzy. During the TV show, Hurtigruten was the trending topic on Twitter, at one time with one tweet every six seconds. The show’s Facebook-site ‘Hurtigruten minute by minute’ received 65,000 ‘likes’ during the five-and-a-half day voyage.

Kathryn Beadle, managing director at Hurtigruten said: "Nobody could have imagined just how popular this show proved to be. Along the coast, crowds turned up in every port to welcome the ship and boats joined in to escort her along the way. The impressive figures clearly show the incredible interest there is in Hurtigruten’s voyages along the Norwegian coastline and the global fascination there is for NRK’s innovative concept – Slow-TV.”

Hurtigruten, established in 1893, has been en-route ever since and is an important part of the Norwegian infrastructure and one of Norway’s best-known travel brands. The classic coastal route is known as the world’s most beautiful voyage and this was exactly what viewers from all over the world were able to see. All of Norway’s beauty was shown live on TV including Geirangerfjord and the western fjords of Norway, the crossing of the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands, North Cape and the midnight sun. The broadcast resulted in all-time high visits on Hurtigruten’s websites around the world and all-time high ratings for NRK2. Coverage can still be enjoyed at www.nrk.no/hurtigruten/.

Find out more about the classic Norwegian coastal voyage at www.hurtigruten.co.uk or, for bookings, contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of 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.

Serenity's Big Makeover Complete

One Hamburg shipyard, two weeks, several talented designers, 500-plus+ international staffers, 606 crew and $25 million. Such are the ingredients for the ultra-luxurious redesign of Crystal Cruises’ largest ship, Crystal Serenity. Just completed after a round-the-clock remodel at Germany’s Blohm + Voss shipyard, the dry dock was the company’s longest ever. All 535 staterooms, retail centres, outdoor pool deck, corridors and other spaces received a dazzling facelift, in addition to general sprucing of the entire outside and inside of the vessel.

Interior designer, Keith Rushbrook, principal at the Toronto-based II BY IV Design Associates summarises the vision: “We wanted modern classic elegance. We wanted Fifth Avenue – crème de la crème New York-inspired living and retail spaces that people love and look forward to spending time in.”

Sophisticated Stateroom Remodel

All of Serenity’s luxury accommodations received new appointments. While Crystal Penthouses were refreshed with new soft goods, Deluxe Staterooms, Penthouses and Penthouse Suites were completely transformed with new, floor-to-ceiling tufted headboards, bedside cabinets, sofas, curtains, pillows and custom carpets in contemporary lines and classic stone, silk, velvet, leather and crisp linen textures. The new sofas also offer more third berths – a nice feature for Crystal’s growing family clientele. Blu-ray players and flatscreen TVs were added and new modern lighting, plus an electronic “do not disturb” doorbell system, allowing guests greater personalisation of their chic accommodations.

Remarkable Retail Space Re-Do

The Apropos boutique was redesigned into three dramatic shopping spaces against a backdrop of rich Zebrano wood and herringbone rosewood, arresting black-plum-magenta carpeting and tufted leather seating. A new area is dedicated to Christian Dior cosmetics. The Dior shop is exclusive to Crystal and is the largest of its kind that isn’t land-based. Not be outshone, the Facets fine jewellery store also received a new, private sales area and a new, overall look mirroring a jewellery box, with mother-of-pearl feature wall and bevelled chrome display cabinets.

Serenity emerged from dry dock to begin a series of Baltic, British Isles and North Cape cruises. Come August, the ship sails to the Mediterranean for a variety of late summer and autumn cruises where guests can not only enjoy the resort’s new look, but exceptional value from a huge Autumn Fare Sale, with up to $2,000/couple spending credits and other amenities.

For more info, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or contact the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists, 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.

Fred Olsen's Easter Door-Busters!

Fred Olsen's unbeatable array of special cruise deals over the Easter period will be available only over the Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday 22nd to Monday 25th April 2011 inclusive.

The cruises selected for the special sale are:

D1113 – a 16-night cruise to Italy, departing from Greenock on 28th June 2011, priced from £949 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’.

D1114 – a 14-night cruise to the Western Mediterranean, departing from Greenock on 14th July 2011, priced from £799 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’

M1113 – a 13-night cruise to the Western Mediterranean, departing from Dover on 19th June 2011, priced from £799 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’

M1114 – a 13-night cruise to the Baltic, departing from Dover on 2nd July 2011, priced from £899 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’

L1107 – a 14-night cruise to the North Cape, departing from Southampton on 10th June 2011, priced from £899 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’

L1108 – a 14-night cruise to the Baltic, departing from Southampton on 24th June 2011, priced from £899 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’

Prices include accommodation, all meals and entertainment, and port taxes. Anticipating enormous demand for these bargain cruises, Fred. Olsen's reservations department will be opening especially over the Easter period, and can be contacted on 01473 742424 as follows:

Friday 22nd April 10am-4pm

Saturday 23rd April 9am-5pm

Sunday 24th April 10am-4pm

Monday 25th April 10am-4pm

Find out more at www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the UK's leading cruise specialist travel agents of 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.

118 years on – Hurtigruten keeps postal traditions alive

Did you know that on board Hurtigruten it is possible to send a postcard or letter home with a unique Hurtigruten stamp? Having started life 118 year ago as a service carrying mail, freight and locals to remote areas along the coast, the traditions are still alive today with passengers able to buy Hurtigruten stamps onboard and the whole postal process on board is manual and, as such, these stamps have become a collector's item.

The stamps come in five designs detailing iconic places along the coast including: Geirangerfjord; the Arctic Circle; Trolljord; North Cape; plus one is dedicated to the ship on which they are bought. For added authenticity, the stamps also give an extra special touch on board – they show the date on which the passenger passed the location depicted on the stamp.

As the stamps have no value specified on them, the mail is passed on to the Norwegian postal service in a special envelope. It is at this point that the post receives its postmark and is distributed. The Hurtigruten stamp collection is available for mail within Norway and Europe and costs 25NOK for a postcard or letter to Europe.

Petter Overa, hotel manager on Hurtigruten’s ship Trollfjord comments: “No machines are used on board, we do everything manually, giving the process a personal and authentic touch. When we sail into Geirangerfjord or cross the Arctic Circle, many passengers rush to buy their stamps date-marked with the day they were there. It’s a great tradtition to think Hurtigruten started life delivering mail and here, 118 years on, we are still carrying out this role in our own way.”

A six-day Voyage South from Kirkenes in the far north to Bergen in the south costs from £1043pp on a full board basis from April 15-May 31.

To book, visit http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or contact the UK's adventure cruise specialist of 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.

Land of the Midnight Sun with Crystal Cruises

In the middle of writing new copy for the next Adventure Cruise Collection, this little press release arrived on my desk this afternoon (well, in my Inbox, anyway), with some great detail on Crystal Cruises' two new North Cape voyages in 2011. Very timely, and well worth considering...

Witness stunning fjords, court adventure on a glacier trek across an ice field or simply enjoy the mystical beauty of the Norwegian archipelago as you sail as far north as possible in Europe in ultra-luxurious style with Crystal Cruises.

Crystal Symphony has recently completed its one 2010 North Cape voyage, with guests experiencing some of the most spectacular sights in the world (see above). Due to popular demand, Crystal Cruises has now announced that it will be offering TWO North Cape voyages in 2011 aboard Crystal Serenity…it’s time to travel beyond the Arctic Circle….

The Copenhagen to Stockholm ‘North Cape Panorama’ sails from 13-27 June 2011 whilst the Copenhagen to London ‘Into the Midnight Sun’ sails 8-22 July 2011.

Both 14-night voyages cruise the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, the North Cape, Bear Island, Polar Ice Cap and the Baltic Sea, with ports of call including Copenhagen and five destinations in Norway including Longyear City, plus Stockholm.

2011 North Cape prices start from £5,019 and include FREE return economy air travel from London, transfers, 14-nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks.

In addition, as part of Crystal's “All Inclusive – As You Wish” promotion, guests on these voyages will also receive shipboard credits of up to $1,000 per person, which they can spend on shore excursions, spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, purchases in the onboard boutiques, gratuities or Vintage Room experiences. Port taxes are not included.

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.