Single Savings On Northern Lights Voyages

Travelling to the Norwegian Fjords just got easier for solo travellers with a new offer from specialists Hurtigruten. Single passengers can now take advantage of 15% savings off selected departures – plus single supplements have also been removed on these sailings.

The offer is ideal for those who like to travel alone or prefer the privacy of their own cabin without paying a supplement. Available on the 12-day Classic Round Voyage, the seven-day Classic Voyage North and the six-day Classic Voyage South for selected dates from October 3 to December. 14 It is also widely reported that this winter is expected to be one of the best years for solar activity and, therefore, potentially a great year for spotting the Northern Lights.

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 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 to Bergen, or the shorter half-voyages can also be enjoyed. There is no better way to experience the Northern Lights than by sailing through the sheltered coastal waters of Norway, on board a Hurtigruten as the Northern Lights are set against a dark sky, free from artificial light.

Classic Round Voyage – From £1,222pp (saving £549); price includes 12 days full board on the ship and fuel supplement.

Voyage North – from £847pp (saving £384pp); price includes seven days full board on the ship and fuel supplement.

Voyage South – from £667pp (saving £302pp); price includes six days full voyage includes full board on the ship and fuel supplement.

All flights are extra and prices based on select October dates for solo travellers only.

For more information, visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk or the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

The Fascination of the Northern Lights

The British Geological Survey (BGS) reported that a large solar storm could make Northern Lights displays a possibility in the UK. The hype created (Northern Lights was even trending on Twitter!) shows that seeing the elusive lights is something most people dream of achieving in their lifetime.

Whilst many of us weren’t lucky enough to see them on our home turf, the good news is Hurtigruten have a wealth of special voyages in search of the Northern Lights for anyone who wants to maximise the opportunities to be mesmerised by Mother Nature at work. Packages are available from just £875pp.

The Hurtigruten ships are an ideal viewing platform for seeing the Northern Lights. They are set against the dark backdrop of the night’s sky, away from artificial light. Experts recommend that spending as long as possible above the Arctic Circle increases the chances of seeing the Northern Lights and short voyages are available that spend the entire duration in the far north. And, to ensure they are not missed, whatever time of night, passengers on the Hurtigruten ships can request a wake-up call should the Northern Lights appear.

A five-day Arctic Highlights voyage departing on selected dates until between January 25 and March 3, 2012, travels from Tromso to Kirkenes and back with the chance to add a range of excursions such as a visit to North Cape, snowmobiling or dog sledging. Prices start from £875 per person, including return flights from Gatwick, three nights half-board on the ship and one night’s B&B in Tromso. No single supplements apply.

For more information, visit http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or contact adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Wilderness Camp with campfires and Huskies

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Fancy experiencing the Arctic wilderness – Norwegian style? Want to try reindeer sledging, snowmobiling or dog sledging deep inside the Arctic interior with nothing but campfires and hopefully the Northern Lights as company? From today, anyone travelling north with Hurtigruten has the option to book a new ‘Camp Tamok’ excursion and, with reliable snow from mid-November, it’s a must for any would-be Arctic adventurer.

Camp Tamok enjoys a stunning location near Høiseth in Finndalen, an offshoot of the Tamokdalen Valley. Made up of Sami tents and log cabins, the camp is the perfect base for adventures in the winter wilderness. There is no water or electricity – this is an authentic camp with an emphasis on activities. The main attractions are dog sledging, reindeer sleigh rides and snowmobile driving, but the increased chance of seeing the Northern Lights (the camp is located miles from artificial light underneath a pitch black sky) and the hot local food served around a warming campfire will make this trip into the wilderness a must for many.

The excursion can be booked when travelling northbound and departs from the port of Finnsnes. A guided bus journey of around 90 minutes will take guests to the camp, where the next four hours are spent experiencing all that Tamok has to offer before re-joining the ship in Tromsø.

This experience is booked on board and costs 2,250 Norwegian Kroner (approx £235) – guests can book one of two options, either Reindeer driving and dog sledging or Snowmobile safari and reindeer driving.

A 6-night Voyage North costs from £1,080 per person (December voyages) including return flights, six nights half board on the ship, transfers and taxes. No single supplements apply.

For more information, visit http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or call the Adventure Cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Two Voyages For the Price of one Offer

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Hurtigruten is offering two voyages for the price of one on its Classic Round Voyage, Voyage North and Voyage South cruise-only itineraries. Available on selected dates between now and December 16, these last-minute deals offer savings of up to £1344 per person and are a great way to see the very best of Norway and, hopefully, spot the Northern Lights.

Simply book a voyage and two people can travel for the price of one. Choose from the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the far north and back, or one of the two half-voyages (North or South). These journeys call at more than 30 ports, many of which are not visited by commercial cruise ships, and those which are visited at night on the way up, are visited in the day on the return journey to ensure nothing is missed.

And of course, as the winter sets in, Norway is a perfect place to see the Northern Lights. The ships are ideal viewing platforms, away from artificial light and, as they travel further north above the Arctic Circle, chances of spotting them increase.

‘TWO FOR ONE’ OFFER ON VOYAGE NORTH - £940 PER COUPLE (SAVE £940) – Depart on selected dates until December 16 for a six-night Voyage North from Bergen to Kirkenes. Now costing from £940 per couple, including full board on the ship. Flights are extra. Based on two sharing.

'TWO FOR ONE’ OFFER ON CLASSIC ROUND VOYAGE - £1344 PER COUPLE (SAVE £1344) – Depart on selected dates until December 16 for a 12-day Voyage North from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Now costing from £1344 per couple, including full board on the ship. Flights are extra. Based on two sharing.

Special offer applies to cruise-only prices. Flights are extra and can be booked by Hurtigruten if required.

To find out more, visit http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or talk to cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Learn How to Capture the Northern Lights

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Both budding and experienced photographers can brush up on their digital photography skills with some of the world’s most beautiful scenery as the picture subject. Hurtigruten is offering two special themed digital photography voyages this winter, with the chance to capture snow-clad fjords, arctic landscapes and, hopefully, even the elusive Northern Lights. An onboard digital photography expert will provide guidance and a series of lectures so that everyone learns new skills and techniques.

Capturing the Northern Lights is a photographer’s dream and this winter Hurtigruten is offering separate beginners and intermediate voyages to ensure all levels of photographer are catered for. Both are accompanied by on board lecturer Paul Howard, who has been a freelance photographer with over 27 years experience working on both local and national newspapers and well known magazines.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY VOYAGE FOR BEGINNERS - 27 January - £1199pp – On this seven-day voyage, photography enthusiasts can learn how to perfectly capture the beauty of the fjords. Lectures include: basic digital photography explained; understanding our camera; picture composition and a Q&A session on becoming a photographer. No previous experience is necessary to get the most from this wonderful voyage. Priced from £1199 per person to include seven night’s cruising from Bergen to Kirkenes on a half-board basis, return flights from Heathrow and the services of a tour manager and lecturer. No single supplements apply.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY VOYAGE FOR INTERMEDIATES - 8 March - £1279pp – On this seven-day voyage, budding digital photographers can improve their skills and learn new techniques. Lectures include: Inside your camera; picture composition and use of the flash; photo manipulation – editing your photographs and a Q&A session on becoming a professional photographer. Priced from £1279 per person to include seven night’s cruising from Bergen to Kirkenes on a half-board basis, return flights from Heathrow and the services of a tour manager and lecturer. No single supplements apply.

Both voyages can be extended to include the return journey to Bergen (the full Classic Round Voyage) from £315pp.

For more information, visit http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or call The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.