Hurtigruten fleet gains new expedition ship for new Svalbard programme

Hurtigruten and Spitsbergen Travel are chartering MS Nordstjernen to offer a programme of expedition style short voyages around Svalbard from 2015.

The ship will be sailing through the months of June, July and August. Holidaymakers can combine a 3-4 day voyage with the unique activities and attractions offered in and around Longyearbyen.

Guests will be able to explore Longyearbyen, Barentsburg, Ny-Ålesund and the entire superb north-western coast of Spitsbergen. They can expect to see Arctic wildlife with walruses, polar bears, a diverse range of bird species and other Arctic animals such as whales, foxes, reindeer, and grouse.

MS Nordstjernen departs Bergen on June 1^st and visits a number of fjords in Western Norway, Ålesund Town, Lofoten, Tromsø and Honningsvåg/North Cape before setting sail for the Svalbard archipelago. The voyage concludes in Longyearbyen after the ship has visited the Moffen nature reserve at 80 degrees Latitude.

Having relocated to Svalbard, the ship will offer voyages departing from Longyearbyen every Monday and Thursday until 28 August. Prices start from £927 for a six day trip departing on 11 June including transfers, one night in a hotel in Spitsbergen on half board basis, voyage on full board basis, plus all hikes and landings. Flights cost from an additional £520 per person.

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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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Exploring the Poles with Fred

The absurdly-named Fred.\ has launched a new travel brand specialising in Polar Expedition cruises.  Offering a selection of polar expedition cruise holidays from seven specialist expedition operators, Fred.\ Expeditions will act as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for intrepid travellers searching for an expedition cruising holiday.
 
Expedition cruise lines on offer from Fred.\ Expeditions include G Adventures, Hurtigruten, Quark Expeditions, Oceanwide Expeditions, Poseidon Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions and Silversea Expeditions. In addition to the cruises themselves, passengers can take part in on-shore expedition activities including camping, fishing, helicopter tours, hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, photography workshops, polar diving, ski-trekking and exploring the coastlines via Zodiac.

Prices start from around £2,349 per person for a seven night ‘Realm of the Polar Bear’ cruise aboard MS Expedition with G Adventures, departing 1 June 2015. This includes cruise only, onboard accommodation with meals and some beverages included. This itinerary visits Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Spitsbergen:  

A 13 night ‘Journey to Antarctica: the White Continent’ cruise with Lindblad Expeditions aboard National Geographic Explorer, priced from £7,299 per person to include cruise only, onboard accommodation with meals and some beverages included. Itinerary includes Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and Antarctica.  

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HURTIGRUTEN FEATURES NEW, ONE OFF DEPARTURE FROM GREENWICH – 1 May 2013.

This brand new voyage will for the first time, start from Greenwich and takes in some of the very best of the UK. After sailing down the Thames, MS Fram visits Portsmouth and then the Isles of Scilly with its miles of white sandy beaches. Cobh and Dublin are called at in Ireland before heading to Douglas on the Isle of Man, Iona and Staffa in the Hebrides, Portree on the Isle of Skye, Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands, Leith (Edinburgh) and finally across the North Sea to Hamburg. This 12-day itinerary departing 1 May 2013 costs from £2498pp including full board. Based on two sharing.

Full itinerary here - http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/Europe-Cruise/European-Cruise/2013-Europe-Cruises/British-Isles-Explorer/
For more information call Hurtigruten – 0844 448 7601 www.hurtigruten.co.uk  

15 of Lonely Planet’s ‘Top 17 Experiences in Norway’ can be enjoyed on a Hurtigruten voyage

Guests onboard a Hurtigruten ship have a head start on anyone trying to complete Lonely Planet’s recent list of the ‘Top 17 Experiences in Norway, as 15 of those 17 experiences as possible to enjoy with Hurtigruten. Most of the list can be completed while voyaging along the famous Norwegian Coastal Voyage route that Hurtigruten has been operating for nearly 120 years. This includes: the number one experience of Geirangerfjord, A UNESCO World Heritage Site; Number five - exploring the colorful historic buildings of Bergen’s Bryggen; and number 15 – Sami culture, the indigenous people of the far north of Europe. Other choices such as number seven – Svalbard can be experienced on Hurtigruten’s Spitsbergen Explorer sailings with MS Fram during the summer months, or visits to Oslo (number 17) by extending the stay as Oslo is a major gateway used by Hurtigruten guests.

How the list lines up with Hurtigruten’s offerings:
1. Geirangerfjord - top site on most Norway lists – visited on Coastal Voyage, from April to September;
2. Lofoten Islands – historic fishing region, stunning scenery – visited on Coastal Voyage, including Trollfjord experience, year round;
3. Hurtigruten Coastal – “…the iconic Hurtigruten coastal ferry takes you on one of the most spectacular coastal journeys anywhere on earth.” – Lonely Planet;
4. Northern Lights - Hurtigruten has a dedicated programme of Hunting the Light Voyages, Oct.-March;
5. Bryggen, Bergen – starts or ends Coastal Voyage – UNESCO World Heritage Site;
6. Hiking the Jotunheimen – an exception – not part of Hurtigruten options;
7. Svalbard – home to 1/6th of the world’s polar bears – offered by Hurtigruten Spitsbergen Explorer Voyages during the summer;
8. Kystriksveien (coastal route) –Hurtigruten’s excursion “The Atlantic Road” – winner of 2005 “Engineering Feat of the Century”;
9. Oslo-Bergen Railway – or “Norway in a Nutshell” is a great alternative to flying from Oslo to Bergen;
10. Pulpit Rock – only other exception – not part of Hurtigruten options;
11. Stave Churches – medieval wooden churches surviving only in Norway (except for one) - can be seen on excursion “The Atlantic Road” and during the visit of “Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum”;
12. Dog-sledding – available on Coastal Voyage as winter excursion in Tromsø, Kirkenes and Finnsnes;
13. Wildlife-watching – many possibilities aboard and on excursions – Bird Safari, Sea Eagle Safari, King Crab Fishing;
14. Ålesund – Port call on Coastal Voyage, excursions include Art Nouveau tour, and Aquarium and Mount Aksla;
15. Sami culture – “A Taste of Lapland” excursion takes guests to a Sámi camp and a visit with a local Sámi family;
16. Tromsø – Coastal Voyage port with four hours stop over; excursions include dog sledding, Polar History Walk, and huskies and pups at Wilderness Center;
17. Oslo – easy layover stop for Hurtigruten guests – one of Norway’s gems;         
Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations – including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen – as well as year round along Norway's coast and Europe in the spring. The company’s fleet of 13 intimate ships, which each carry 100 to 646 guests, allows travelers to enjoy unique destinations in a relaxed atmosphere.

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

SAVE OVER £1,000PP ON A VOYAGE TO ANTARCTICA

Travel to some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and incredible wildlife, a visit to the White Continent is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Now Hurtigruten has made it even easier for you to follow in the footsteps of the famous explorers who have roamed this land, with savings of over £1,000pp on selected departures to Antarctica this winter.

 

The offer is available on the ‘Classic Expedition’ voyage on selected dates in November 2012 through to February 2013, with prices starting at just  £3295pp. Bookings can be made any time from now until departure. 

All voyages take place on board MS Fram, Hurtigruten’s newest expedition ship built specifically to sail in polar waters. Sit back and relax as ship glides through this amazing white landscape or enjoy a series of onboard lectures by experts on Antarctica. Polarcirkel boats are used to take guests ashore and closer to penguin colonies, ice formations and the wonders of Antarctica.

The Classic Expedition – from £3295pp (Was £4304pp) – Available on 29 November 2012, 8 December 2012 and 13 February 2013. This spectacular 10-day voyage offers a real insight into the planet’s last untouched continent. Prices start from £3295pp (was £4304pp) for an inside cabin and include full board on the ship, flights between Ushuaia and Buenos Aires, transfers in Ushuaia, landings in Polarcirkel boats and lectures by the expedition team. Based on two sharing.

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

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 

HURTIGRUTEN GUESTS HELP TO PROTECT THE ALBATROSS

Hurtigruten has been an active participant in many of the remote areas it visits on its expedition voyages and often raises money for needy causes. From early summer 2012, new fundraising activity will take place on MS Fram’s Arctic and Antarctic voyages that focuses on helping to raise money for the ‘Save the Albatross’ project run by the Bird Life International Foundation. The Albatross, which visitors to Antarctica can see fly past from the deck of the ship faces extinction mainly due to industrial long-line fishing. 

Hurtigruten will raise funds by auctioning off items at the end of each Explorer voyage. Among the items being auctioned off are, for example, the unique nautical chart of the respective voyage, signed by the captain, a Hurtigruten flag signed by all crew members, and expedition team jackets. 

MS Fram’s expedition leader, Karin Strand comments: “These animals are incredibly elegant when they move. To me, they are one of the most impressive bird species in the world, able to fly thousands of miles. Our guests recognise the privilege of being able to travel to the Antarctic, Greenland or Spitsbergen – and as a thank-you they would like to contribute to the future of these regions. We want to give something back to the regions we have visited and guests bid for unique keepsakes of their voyage that they can treasure and help raise money at the same time.

Each destination MS Fram visits raises money onboard for campaigns run by a range of organisations. For example In Antarctica, funds raised go to the Save The Albatross and Antarctica South Heritage Trust. In Greenland's children benefit from the donations: each year, the funds collected on the cruises go to the “Association of Greenlandic Children”. Since the auctions were first launched in 2007, €140,000 have already been raised. 

Hurtigruten sails to some of the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway's coast and Europe in the spring.

For more information call Hurtigruten – 0844 448 7601 www.hurtigruten.co.uk <http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk>  

Taste of the Arctic Voyage’ introduced by Hurtigruten for 2013

Want to take a short voyage and sail through Norway’s beautiful Lofoten Islands next winter? How about visiting the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund with its myriad of turrets and spires all covered in snow? You can now do both on a brand new ‘Taste of the Arctic Voyage’ introduced by Hurtigruten for 2013. Sail from Bergen in the south along the coast and up into the Arctic Circle to Tromsø, or take the voyage in reverse. Until now the only winter short break available was all north of the Arctic Circle from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back. Prices for the five-day ‘Taste of the Arctic Voyage’ travelling south from Tromsø to Bergen lead in at just £1080pp, including flights, on selected departures from January to March and November to December 2013.


Depending on which direction guests choose to sail, they will experience many of the highlights of a full 12-day ‘Classic Round Voyage’ from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, including the Lofoten Islands, Seven Sisters Mountains and the fascinating towns of Bergen, Tromsø, Ålesund and Trondheim. Excursions are also pre-bookable in both directions, including dog sledding, snowmobiling and a Northern Lights safari by cable car in Tromsø.


For those with a keen interest in the coastal wildlife, Hurtigruten has introduced two new birdwatching excursions. Those travelling on a seven-day ‘Classic Voyage North’ or the ‘Classic Round Voyage’ from 1 May to 31 August can take a rib expedition to Runde Bird Island near Ålesund. This is home to Scandinavia’s largest sea bird colony with more than 500,000 of them nesting here. Amongst them are Atlantic puffins, blacklegged kittiwakes and guillemots. Prices for the expedition to Runde Island are from £133pp.


The new Birds of the Arctic excursion can be enjoyed from Vadsø for guests travelling northbound, or from Vardø for those journeying southbound, from 15 April to 31 July. The Varanger region is one of the most attractive and popular birdwatching areas in the Arctic due to it being directly in the path of migrating birds. This is the only place in Europe that you are likely to spot the rare Steller’s Eider. Prices cost from £247pp for this full day excursion.


For those looking for more flexibility and better value, Hurtigruten has included more packages with flights for next year. These are available on two itineraries, the ‘Arctic Highlights Voyage’ from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back and the ‘Classic Round Voyage’. Eight new departure dates are available for the ‘Arctic Highlights’ itinerary, departing on selected dates from January to March and October to December from four regional airports in total including Belfast, which is brand new for this year and Edinburgh, previously only featured as a flight-package departure airport for the ‘Classic Round Voyage’.
Furthering Hurtigruten’s aim to bring guests closer to the Norwegian culture, new music and culinary concepts are being introduced on all ships in 2013 following a pilot scheme this year. Local delicacies will feature on the daily menu affording a real taste of the coast and guests will be able to enjoy Norwegian music played on board.


For more information call Hurtigruten on 0844 448 7601 or www.hurtigruten.co.uk <http://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

Hurtigruten Go to the end of the World.

Journey to ‘the end of the world’ this year and visit the magnificent North Cape - Hurtigruten’s best-selling excursion. More than 57,000 guests took a trip to the famous rock plateau in 2011 making it the top-selling excursion once again.

Hurtigruten guests flocked to the northernmost point of Europe on both the ‘North Cape’ (from £82pp) and ‘Breakfast at the North Cape’ (from £108pp) excursions, with the natural attraction being the spectacular plateau that rises a dramatic 307 metres straight up from the Arctic Ocean.

Tromsø, Norway’s biggest city north of the Arctic Circle, also proved to be a major draw for guests, with almost 20,000 of them attending the ‘Midnight Concert in the Arctic Cathedral’ (from 41pp), the second best-selling excursion. In third place was the ‘Arctic Capital Tromsø’ tour (from £45pp), with more than 18,000 participants. The city was recently named as one of the top 10 cruise destinations of 2012 in the Frommer’s Guide.

Hurtigruten guests have a wide and diverse excursion programme to choose from, whatever their itinerary, whenever they sail. A total of 45 different 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 £1989pp – Take the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Starting at £1989pp from 15 April to 31 May, the price includes full board on the ship. Flights are extra and can be booked via Hurtigruten from £400pp. Based on two sharing.

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

Picture Johanes Jens

Celebrate the return of Spring with Hurtigruten

As the snow slowly melts away, the sun ventures back above the horizon and the days get longer, the Norwegians celebrate the return of spring. Now, for the first time, guests travelling with Hurtigruten between 15 March and 31 May can enjoy their journey under a brand new ‘Arctic Awakening’ theme. This includes a wide range of shore excursions and on board activities and the celebration of the Norwegian National Day on 17 May.

Shore excursions take guests closer to the marine life, migratory birds and coastal animals and allow them to experience the Norwegian spring awakening first-hand. Included is the brand new ‘Kayaking in Tromsø’ excursion where participants paddle along the coast surrounded by an impressive mountain landscape. Other excursions include a trip to the largest seabird colony in Scandinavia on the bird island of Runde and to the national park on the Varanger peninsula, which is home to an overwhelming number of different species of birds.

The theme of the activities on board is ‘Secrets of the Sea’ and guests will get the opportunity to learn different skills, such as how to shell prawns and fillet fish, all under the guidance of local fishermen who come on board especially for this purpose.

The zest for life shown by Norwegians during spring finally culminates in Norway’s National Day on 17 May. The day will be celebrated on board all ships in the Hurtigruten fleet and guests and crew can come together to celebrate with handmade banners and enjoy time singing and dancing. In the ports, guests can mingle with the locals amidst a great deal of excitement and laughter – many of whom will come on board to sample the delicacies of the Norwegian cake buffet. A variety of talks are also offered on the ships providing guests with information about the history of National Day, the royal family of Norway and the national costumes.

Find out more at www.hurtigruten.co.uk

Hurtigruten Makes it Easier to See the Northern Lights

New charter flights from Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh

Appearing on many a wish list is a trip to see the Northern Lights and with a series of new charter flights launched for this winter, Hurtigruten has just made it easier to do so. A new direct flight from Bristol is featured for the first time and additional dates have been made available for Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh on a number of departures between October and December – the first time ever that Hurtigruten has committed to them during this period.

The new charter flights are offered on select departures for the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back (prices from £1,299pp) and the five-day Arctic Highlights itinerary, which is spent entirely above the Arctic Circle sailing from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back, maximising the opportunity to see the Northern Lights where experts say they are more regularly spotted (prices from £949pp). In addition, a pre-Christmas departure is being offered for the ever-popular Astronomy Voyage (prices from £1,899pp) and following requests this has been extended to a full round-trip.

Whatever the choice of itinerary, there is no better way of experiencing the Northern Lights than from on board a Hurtigruten ship as the aurora are set against a dark night sky, free from artificial light.

Classic Round Voyage – From £1,299pp – Direct flights to Bergen from Manchester (8 November), Bristol (19 November), Gatwick (30 November) and Edinburgh (11 December) for the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Priced from £1,299pp to include flights. Based on two sharing.

Arctic Highlights – From £949pp – Direct flights to Tromsø from Gatwick and Manchester on 29 November, 6 December and 10 December for the five-day Arctic Highlights voyage from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back. An extended six-day stay is also available. Prices are from £949pp, based on two sharing, and include flights.

Astronomy Voyage – From £1,899pp – Departs London Gatwick on 28 October to Bergen. Join MS Finnmarken as it follows the 12-day Classic Round Voyage itinerary from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Guests will be accompanied by Ian Ridpath, editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy, who will bring the world of stars, planets and meteors ever closer through a guided tour of the night sky from the deck of the ship and a series of onboard lectures. Prices start from £1,899pp including flights and are based on two sharing.

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

SPRING SAVINGS WITH HURTIGRUTEN SAVE UP TO £456 PER PERSON

With every season in Norway holding its own unique appeal, there is always something different to see and experience. Thanks to a new special offer from Hurtigruten, it is now possible to travel for less and save up to £456 per person on selected departures this spring. Available on the 12-day Classic Round Voyage, 11-day Norwegian Discovery Voyage, seven-day Classic Voyage North and six-day Classic Voyage South, guests can take advantage of the special prices on various dates during March, April and May when booking an unspecified inside or outside cabin before March 31, which will then be allocated on arrival.

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 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 to Bergen. There is no better time to enjoy a voyage than during spring – a time of true awakening when the daylight returns, snow begins to melt and the landscape emerges in a riot of colour from its crisp, white winter blanket.

Classic Round Voyage – From £1,536pp (Saving up to £456)- The price includes 12 days full voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, full board on the ship and fuel supplement. Flights are extra. Based on two sharing an unspecified outside cabin on selected dates in March and April. Book before March 31.

Classic Norwegian Discovery Voyage – From £1,442pp (Saving up to £429)- The price includes 11 days voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Trondheim, full board on the ship and fuel supplement. Flights are extra. Based on two sharing an unspecified outside cabin on selected dates in March and April. Book before March 31.

Voyage North – from £1,067pp (Saving up to £319pp) - The price includes seven days voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes, full board on the ship and fuel supplement. Flights are extra. Based on two sharing an unspecified outside cabin on selected dates in March and April. Book before March 31.

Voyage South – from £840pp – (Saving up to £250pp) - The price includes six days voyage from Kirkenes to Bergen, full board on the ship and fuel supplement. Flights are extra. Based on two sharing an unspecified outside cabin on selected dates in March and April. Book before March 31.

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

One Week To The New Edition!

The Winter edition of World of Cruising magazine goes to the printers this week and should be back on Monday (Dec 19) for distribution to all our subscribers - just in time for a good Christmas read!

The latest issue is absolutely packed with the exotic and the desirable; long-distance cruising and closer-to-home varieties; winter ideas and festive touches. It journeys from Japan to Alaska and the Caribbean to the Med. And all in the inimitable style and high-quality design you have come to expect from Europe's leading cruise publication.

Our cover story is a unique close-up look at Alaska, through the twin perspectives of Princess Cruises and the new Alaskan Dream Cruises, with some fabulous photography and brilliant story-telling. Then we take a Viking voyage in the company of Fred. Olsen Cruises and head to the FarEast to look at the growing cruise destination of South Korea.

Need some winter sunshine? Go straight to out feature on Caribbean voyaging with SeaDream Yacht Club, a real tropical tonic. Or how about another look at the Asian Far East, this time with Orion Expedition Cruises and their first ever visit to Japan?


Back on home ground, we have a feature-length look at Swan Hellenic's Minerva from her new home base of Portsmouth (and just prior to her big winter re-fit), and then head north again for a look at the Norwegian Arctic of Hurtigruten in the region of Spitsbergen, truly one of cruising's great adventure frontiers.

For river cruising, we head to Russia and a unique journey from Moscow to St Petersburg with Uniworld, while we add a touch of pure luxury aboard Azamara Club Cruises and their unique President's Cruise. We also fofer two Passenger Perspective pieces, looking at Azamara and Cunard's Queen Victoria.

All the regular features are, of course, firmly front and centre, from the inimitable blogging style of Captain Greybeard and the inimitable Admiral, to the Aft View section, the expert Fashion pages, the essential World of Spas section, Readers Letters and the essential Cruise Planner, the annual review of ALL the ships with ALL the lines, so you can sit and plan your next voyage in perfect style.

It is all here, capped off by the best writers on the subject, from Gary Buchanan and Yvonne Horn to cruise historian Peter Newall and adventure cruiser Steve Newman.

As ever, World of Cruising is subscription-only, so, to be sure of your copy, make sure you visit the subscription page - Here!              

Hurtigruten's one off to Morocco, Spain, Portugal and Eastern Baltic.

Have you ever wanted to sail along the coast of France, or call at Agadir in Morocco onboard a ship with a relaxed and informal atmosphere? Hurtigruten is offering guests the chance to do just that when it takes its unique sailing experience outside of its traditional destinations on a host of special European voyages.
The one-off sailings onboard Hurtigruten’s expedition ship, MS Fram, will take place during the spring and autumn and will incorporate some of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
With six voyages to choose from, the schedule will include the south western coasts of Portugal, Spain and France, the eastern Baltic coastline and St Petersburg and will extend to the far north of Europe to Scotland, Iceland and Greenland. There is also a spring voyage around Norway’s fjord area for those who would like to see a little more of this beautiful landscape.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Hurtigruten deploys extra ship to meet growing demand in Spitsbergen

Captivated by the BBC’s Frozen Planet documentary that everyone is talking about? Fancy a trip to the frozen north next summer to see more of the landscape and wildlife of Spitsbergen? Polar experts Hurtigruten have just announced that they will be sending an extra ship to Spitsbergen next summer to meet the substantial increase in interest it is experiencing in the region which has been given a high profile recently following Prince Harry’s Arctic expedition and current Frozen Planet TV programme.

Between June and August 2012, Hurtigruten will send MS Nordstjernen up to Spitsbergen to travel the west coast of the island for a total of 21 five and six day itineraries. This nostalgic ship is well known in the Svalbard Archipelago having sailed there between 1994 and 2009 and for many, exploring this frozen landscape and reaching the 80th parallel on a traditional ship is a perfect combination. Between 2009 and spring 2012 Nordstjernen has sailed along the Norwegain coast. Hurtigruten’s newest ship MS Fram will continue to sail the summer in Spitsbergen also.

Spitsbergen lies just 1200km from the North Pole and is home to the King of the Arctic – the Polar Bear. On the journey through the light polar night in the north of the archipelago guests visit interesting settlements including the Russian coal mining town of Barentsburg and the Ny Ålesund research station, as well as excursions to fascinating glaciers and landscapes. In favourable weather conditions, the ship reaches the 80th parallel. An encounter with polar bears is one of the highlights of the trip alongside walruses, arctic sea birds and of course the Midnight Sun.

POLAR ENCOUNTERS VOYAGE – From £1614pp - A five-night ‘Polar Encounters’ voyage to Spitsbergen on selected dates in June, July and August costs from £1614 per person including four night’s full board on the ship, one night’s b/b in a Longyearbyen hotel plus landings, sightseeing in Longyearbyen and accompanied by an expedition team. Based on two sharing. Flights are extra and can be booked via Hurtigruten from £844pp.

For more infor mation click this link to go to adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line.  Picture by Nina Bailey   Subscribe to World of Cruising magazine.    Picture by  Nina Bailey