Hurtigruten has announced a new concept on-board MS Lofoten

Copyright Trond Gansmoe Johnsen_Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten has announced a new concept on-board MS Lofoten from April 2015. Launched in 1964 the ship’s characteristics, including a delicious 4-course dinner based on the menus of the 1960s, will be accentuated throughout her voyages, offering passengers nostalgic maritime experiences such as fishing directly from the ship, bridge tournaments, afternoon teas and a more traditional dining experience.

This small ship can navigate waters larger vessels can’t - bringing her passengers closer to the action and closer to the scenery.  While the ship will operate on the traditional coastal voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, Hurtigruten are currently working on a number of new diversions and ports of call to add to the experience from April 2015.

Nearly 30 excursions are available with further exclusive activities offered. Passengers will be given the opportunity to fish directly from the deck, or set pots to entice the fascinating king crab and retireve the catch on the return journey. The catch of the day will be prepared and served to the lucky fishermen at the next meal. In the evenings, all those fisherman’s tales gathered during the day, can be recounted over a game of bridge and a (complimentary) glass of sherry in the vintage lounge before dinner. Afternoon teas and quiz evenings will also be part of the new on-board experience.

Prices for 12 day Classic Round Voyage costs from £1,197 per person on full board basis, departing on 15 April 2015. Flights cost from £330 return. Other duration voyages are also available.    

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Witness nature’s light show – or get a voyage for free! Hurtigruten’s Northern Lights Promise extended

Hurtigruten has extended its ‘Northern Lights Promise’ to anyone booking a Classic Round Voyage before 31 December 2014. The extension means that if you book a 12 day voyage departing by 31 March 2015, and the lights are not visible from your ship, you will get a second trip next year – for free!

If the Lights don’t make an appearance, Hurtigruten will offer you a choice of a 7 day 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.

The 12 day Classic Round Voyage travels along the Norwegian coastline from Bergen up to Kirkenes, where it turns around and starts its journey south.  As well as passing directly beneath the auroral zone, the ships sail away from the light pollution on land – enhancing the likelihood of an occurrence of the magical lightshow.

Prices for the Classic Round Voyage start from £999 per person in an inside cabin on full board basis (based on two sharing), departing on a wide choice of dates. Flight and transfer packages start from £330 per person.

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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. Hurtigruten – operators of the cruise-come-ferry service that runs 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.

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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Hurtigruten's Norwegian adventure cruise

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.

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No single Supplement to see the Northern Lights

 Hurtigruten is offering single guests the chance to travel on selected departures to Norway to see the Northern Lights this winter with no single supplement. Representing a saving of up to £484pp from the brochure price, this new offer is valid on certain dates from October to December 2012 on select itineraries.
The offer is applicable on bookings made before 31December 2012 on the 12-day Classic Round Voyage, 11-day Norwegian Discovery Voyage, seven-day Classic Voyage North and six-day Classic Voyage South. All voyages are on a full board basis.
The popular winter months provide excellent opportunities to see the Northern Lights, particularly north of the Arctic Circle where they are more frequently spotted. Following some phenomenal sightings last winter, the solar activity this winter is also expected to be extremely high.
Classic Round Voyage – from £1363pp – Enjoy a 12-day voyage from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes by the Russian border and back again. Prices lead in at £1363pp on selected departures in November and December and include full board on the ship. Flights are extra.
Voyage South – from £744pp – This six-day voyage south starts in Kirkenes, far north by the Russian border and travels down the coast to Bergen in the south. Starting at £744pp on selected departures in November and December, the price includes full board on the ship. Flights are extra.

For more information call Hurtigruten – 0844 448 7601 www.hurtigruten.co.uk 

Up to 25% off in the Norwegian Fiords

Experience the beauty of the Norwegian coast as spring returns to its shores, and celebrate with savings of up to 25% from Hurtigruten. The specialist cruise line is offering the discount on its popular Classic Round Voyage for selected departures this April, including flights. Guests can save up to £535pp on the 12-day voyage departing from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes by the Russian border and back. Prices now start at just £1,452pp.

The charter flight packages will depart on April 9 and 20 from London Stansted to Bergen and both voyages will be on board MS Nordnorge, a ship decorated in a maritime style with a slight art deco influence. Guests travelling in April will also be able to enjoy their journey under the brand new ‘ The Arctic Awakening’ theme, including a wide range of shore excursions and on board activities.
Classic Round Voyage April 9 Departure - Prices for the 12-day voyage start from £1452pp (a saving of £349pp from the brochure price) including return flights from London Stansted, transfers and full board on the ship. Based on two sharing.
Classic Round Voyage April 20 Departure – Priced from £1661pp (a saving of £535pp from the brochure price), the 12-day voyage includes return flights from London Stansted, transfers and full board on the ship. Based on two sharing.

For more information call Hurtigruten – 0844 448 7601 www.hurtigruten.co.uk

NASA predicts record Northern Lights activity for winter 2011/12

Is seeing the Northern Lights high on your must-do list? Well – this winter could be the year to go to maximise the chance of seeing them. NASA predicts that this winter 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 Northern Lights have increased in intensity since 2007, and will be at their peak in 2012. The Solar Maximum, the period with the greatest solar activity, peaks around every 11 to 12 years. According to NASA, 2012 is the year that we will once again witness the Solar Maximum, and it 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 they occur most frequently and at their brightest in a belt of some 2,500 kilometres from the magnetic pole. Much of the Norwegian coast lies in an area with the greatest Northern Lights activity, especially the high Arctic above the Arctic Circle.

A six-day Voyage North departing daily between 1 November – 31 December 2011 sails from Bergen to Kirkenes with the chance to add a range of excursions such as a visit to North Cape, snowmobiling or dog sledging. Prices start from £625 per person including six night’s half board on the ship and no single supplements. Flight packages including transfers are available from £495 based on London departures.

For more information visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk or adventure specialists The Cruise Line.

World's longest Travel Broadcast?

This is a travel TV at the extreme! On Thursday 16 June, Hurtigruten and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) will embark on a 134-hour (8040 minutes) non-stop live broadcast. At least nine cameras will be used during the voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes on board MS Nordnorge to stream the action live into homes across Norway and via the Internet to the rest of the world.

The show will feature real experiences on a minute-by-minute basis including interviews with the guests and crew along the way. NRK have dedicated their second largest channel NRK2 to the show. During the 134-hour broadcast, viewers watching the show will be able to experience the amazing Norwegian coastline, celebrated worldwide for its natural beauty and untouched scenery. The itinerary includes the western fjords with UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, the coast of Helgeland, the Lofoten Islands, Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic, and the North Cape. The route of course includes a wealth of other breathtaking sights.

So whether you fancy whetting your appetite, or want to relive a trip you have done in the past, go to http://hurtigruten.co.uk/live where the show will be streamed live. For Hurtigruten cruises visit The Cruise Line.

Northern Lights Voyages now from £999pp - HURTIGRUTEN LAUNCHES FLIGHT INCLUSIVE OFFER

Anyone who fancies a trip to Norway with Hurtigruten later this year to search for the Northern Lights can take advantage of a new flight inclusive offer. A special package has been created that includes flights and transfers (usually, prices are exclusive of flights and these have to be added) with savings of up to 35%. Available on the 12 day Classic Round Voyage, for selected dates in October and November this is an ideal time to spot the Northern Lights. These offers are limited in number and must be booked by 30 June 2011, demand is anticipated to be very high.

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. The ultimate voyage journey is the full 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen in the South to Kirkenes in the north, taking guests high above the Arctic Circle and back.

Classic Round Voyage – From £999 (Saving £35%) - travelling on selected dates in October and November 2011. This 12 day full voyage includes full board on the ship and return direct flights from Heathrow to Bergen with BMI. Based on two sharing.

Dates are: 1, 20, 23, 25, 31 October 2011, plus 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 22, 25, 28 November 2011

For more information call Hurtigruten – 0844 448 7601 www.hurtigruten.co.uk