See The Northern Lights The Easy Way

Here's great news for anyone thinking of a Northern Lights adventure this year - new charter flights from Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh with Norwegian cruise specialists Hurtigruten.

The Aurora Borealis are likely to be on a holiday wish-list for many a traveller in 2012 as it is rated one of the best years for this amazing phenomenon, and the new charter flights launched for this winter makes it easy 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 Hurtigruten has committed to them during this period.

The 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 (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 a Hurtigruten ship as the aurora are set against a dark night sky, free from artificial light.

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

Arctic Highlights: 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: 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 booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

 

NASA Predicts Bumper Winter For Northern Lights

Is seeing the Northern Lights high on your must-do list? Well, this winter could be the year to maximise the chance of seeing them, as NASA predicts that the winter months 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 Aurora Borealis have increased in intensity since 2007 and will be at their peak in 2012 as the Solar Maximum - the period with the greatest solar activity - peaks around every 11 to 12 years. NASA are also predicting the Solar Maximum 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 occur most frequently and at their brightest in a belt some 2,500km from the magnetic pole. Much of the Norwegian coast lies in an area with the greatest activity, especially the high Arctic above the Arctic Circle.

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

For more info, visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk or the UK's adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Hurtigruten Brings The Northern Lights Even Closer

For many, seeing the Northern Lights is a ‘must do’ on their wish list and, thanks to Norwegian cruise specialist Hurtigruten, it just got even easier for anyone in northern England and Scotland to fulfill this once-in-a-lifetime dream.



Direct flights from Leeds Bradford and Edinburgh are now featured for the first time, plus an additional Manchester date due to the sell-out success of the original date on March 5.



The flights to Bergen tie in with a 12-day cruise along the Norwegian Fjords, where the Northern Lights are regularly spotted during the winter months.



This is the first time Hurtigruten has offered cruises with flights direct from Leeds Bradford or Edinburgh.

The cruise is a 12-day voyage from Bergen in the South to Kirkenes in the far north of Norway, just a few miles from the Russian boarder. The ship will call at 34 ports along the way, most of which are never visited by the larger cruise liners.



There is simply no better way to experience the Northern Lights than by sailing through the sheltered coastal waters of Norway. It is also widely reported this winter is expected to be one of the best years for solar activity and therefore spotting the Lights.



In addition, throughout the 12 days, a wide range of winter activities can be enjoyed, with everything from snowmobiling and husky dog-sledding to a trip to the North Cape or a Lofotor Viking feast.



Choose from:

CLASSIC ROUND VOYAGE – LEEDS BRADFORD – 25 January from £1199 per person including direct return flights from Leeds Bradford Airport to Bergen, 11 nights full board on the ship, transfers and taxes. Based on two sharing.

CLASSIC ROUND VOYAGE – EDINBURGH – 5 February from £1369 per person including direct return flights from Edinburgh Airport to Bergen, 11 nights full board on the ship, transfers and taxes. Based on two sharing.

CLASSIC ROUND VOYAGE – MANCHESTER – 16 February from £1369 per person including direct return flights from Manchester Airport to Bergen, 11 night’s full board on the ship, transfers and taxes. Based on two sharing.



For more info, visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk or the UK's leading adventure-cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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 log on to www.hurtigruten.co.uk or The Cruise Line

Hurtigruten's Special 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 June 30. 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, many not visited by the larger cruise ships. The ultimate voyage journey is the full 12-day 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 select dates in October and November, this includes full board on the ship and return direct flights from Heathrow to Bergen with BMI. Based on two sharing.

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

For more info, visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk or the UK's adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

New Year in Norway with the Northern Lights

By guest blogger Steve Newman

How about ringing in the New Year in Norway with the Arctic landscapes as the backdrop? Hurtigruten are offering a New Year's banquet which can be enjoyed with dancing in the bar after dinner, before heading up on deck at Midnight where there will be fireworks and a toast for the New Year. Depart on December 30 for a five-night ‘Venture into the Arctic’ voyage onboard MS Midnatsol travelling from Bergen in the south to Tromsø in the north and hopefully seeing the Northern Lights along the way. And what better way to kick off 2011 than with a dog-sledding excursion or snowmobiling, which can be added to the trip.

Prices start from £895 per person and include four nights half board on the ship, one night B&B accommodation in Tromsø at the end of the voyage and return flights from Gatwick. No single supplements apply.

To book, log on to http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or visit cruise specialists The Cruise Line.