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 

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 

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.

Christmas with the Northern Lights

CHRISTMAS UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OR NEW YEAR ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Do something different this festive season with Hurtigruten!

Fancy decorating the ships Christmas tree with decorations made on board by the guests and crew of a Hurtigruten ship? Or attending Christmas mass in the local Norwegian church where the ship docks on 24 December? Or how about ringing in 2012 with a toast and chorus of Auld Lang Syne at the North Cape, mainland Europe’s northernmost point. Cruise specialist Hurtigruten is offering a range of packages for the festive season that will make Christmas 2011 one to remember! And don’t forget – this is a perfect time to go in search of the Northern Lights too.

CHRISTMAS IN NORWAY IN SEARCH OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS - £1145pp – Travelling on board Hurtigruten over Christmas is a special experience. Norwegian festive traditions are celebrated and this is reflected in the food, atmosphere and activities. Enjoy Norwegian specialties like Christmas porridge and mulled wine, learn Norwegian Christmas carols and decorate the ships tree together with the crew. Depart on 23 December for a six night ‘Arctic Adventure’ voyage onboard MS NordKapp travelling from Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic, to Kirkenes in the far north and back and hopefully seeing the Northern Lights along the way. On Christmas Eve, the ship will dock in Kjøllefjord for approximately 24 hours and guests are invited to attend Christmas mass at the local church. The celebrations then continue on board with the crew and of course Julenissen, the Norwegian Father Christmas will pay a visit! Throughout the trip there is also the chance to add exciting winter activities such as dog sledging or snowmobiling. Prices from £1145 per person include five nights half board on the ship, one night b/b accommodation in Tromsø at the end of the voyage and return flights from Gatwick. (23 December departure)

NEW YEAR AT NORTH CAPE IN SEARCH OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS - £1823pp – Celebrate New Year in style with a voyage on board MS Trollfjord from Bergen in the south to Alta in the north and back, including a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing Auld Lang Syne and raise a toast to 2012 at the North Cape. Here at the ‘end of the world’ guests welcome the New Year with fireworks and enjoy canapés and champagne with musical accompaniment and there will also be a special New Year dinner on board. New Year's Day is then spent in Alta, a port not usually visited on the traditional Hurtigruten route and perfect for enjoying arctic activities such as snowmobiling and dog sledging or perhaps visiting the ice hotel. The ship will stay overnight here before heading back south to Bergen. The 12 day trip departs on 26 December and is priced from £1825 per person include 11 nights full board on the ship and return flights from Gatwick or Heathrow.

To book call Hurtigruten 0844 448 7601 or log on to www.hurtigruten.co.uk

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

Midnight Sun

Good morning, in more ways that one! This picture of the Midnight Sun was taken at 1.30 a.m. about 50 miles north of Tromso off the Norwegian coast. I really want to see the Northern Lights some time too. Have a great day now whevere you are.