News
from: Norwegian Coastal Voyage
www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us
Source: Elliot Gillies, Gillies and Zaiser
Published: August, 2007

ABOVE: A porthole view of Spitsbergen from an older NCV ship.

Norwegian Coastal Voyage promotes winter theme cruises and adventures

 "Discover Winter Norway" brochure highlights Arctic and Spitsbergen

New York -- Norwegian Coastal Voyage continues to expand its "Discover Winter Norway" program with a new theme cruise for "Bridge Players" joining three other popular ones -- "Winter Digital Photography," "Harmony At Sea" and "Watercolors And Art"; special voyages and extended stays in the northern most areas of Norway to catch the magic of the Northern Lights far removed from the interference caused by artificial light; Arctic theme adventures ranging from ice hotel stays to killer whale safaris; and land explorations on the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen.

All of these trips are detailed in a new 36-page brochure entitled "In Search of the Northern Lights," downloadable at www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us or sent by mail.

Known for sailing the spectacular fjord-filled west coast of Norway year-round for more than 100 years as well as expedition cruises to the remote destinations of Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic island of Spitsbergen, Norwegian Coastal Voyage, also known as Hurtigruten, is making it easier for Americans to discover the unique scenic beauty of Norway during the winter season by offering the most extensive array of travel possibilities.

Northern Lights cruises

The natural phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, has fascinated humans since the beginning of time, offering flickering curtains of dancing red, green, yellow and violet lights against dark skies.

Besides the daily six-, seven- and 12-day sailings between Bergen and Kirkenes, Norwegian Coastal Voyage has added several special "Northern Lights" voyages:

• A seven-day Bergen-Tromsø cruise, exploring both cities and the Lofoten Islands, can be extended to nine days and optional excursions added that include dogsledding and a five-course Arctic gourmet dinner - $1,999 to $2,199 per person, double.
• The eight-day Tromsø-Kirkenes-Tromsø itinerary spends the entire time above the Arctic Circle, increasing the opportunity to see the Northern Lights - $2,499.
• The six-day Tromsø-Trondheim cruise, which makes its way through the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands, can be extended with a winter Oslo-by-Rail trip - $1,999.
• Two nine-day Bergen-Tromsø voyages – one takes in the Northern Lights Festival where artists from around the world come together to celebrate Tromsø's first dawn of the year, Jan 19-27 at $1,999; and the other joins a week of local festivities in honor of National Sami Day and the running of their annual reindeer racing championship, Feb. 3-11 at $2,999.

Theme cruises

Theme cruises combine a focus on passenger's talents with the special quality of sailing in the dark sea along fjords and snow-clad mountains as lights glow from villages, towns and lighthouses and, when atmospheric conditions are right, the shimmering Northern Lights.

Eleven-day offerings include "Watercolors and Art," with an art teacher and a lecturer, on Feb. 20; "Harmony at Sea" on Feb. 13 has an experienced choirmaster forming passengers into a concert-performing choral group; and the new "Bridge Players" which gives beginner and experienced players the chance to learn and perfect their strategies with master instructor on Jan. 29, all priced at $2,499. "Winter Digital Photography" in the challenging Arctic light on Feb. 5 is $2,399. Previous experience is not necessary.

Outdoor theme vacations

Three outdoor theme vacations offer something for nearly everyone:

"Killer Whale Safari", Oct.-Dec., is a six-day adventure in Tromso, Svolvaer and Oslo, with the focus on viewing orcas as they breach, lobtail and hunt; "Arctic Snow Hotel Adventure", Nov.-Dec., lasts eight days and offers a cruise along the North Cape, an overnight in the Snow Hotel, built exclusively of snow and ice and numerous optional excursions; and the six-day "North Cape and Ice Hotel" package in Alta, Jan.-Feb., includes an overnight stay in the ice hotel and time in Oslo, Kirkenes and the North Cape. Prices start at $1,999.

Polar nights, dogsled and snowmobile safaris, and the "Return of the Sun" festival highlight Norwegian Coastal Voyage winter adventure vacations on the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen, a rugged island of massive glaciers, mountains and polar bears, magical in Arctic twilight and the shimmering Northern Lights.

These six- to 10-day Spitsbergen land adventures, priced from $2,999 to $5,199 per person, double and scheduled Feb. to May, give a choice of a short break in Longyearbyen, capital of the Svalbard Peninsula with 1,900 residents; a two-day snowmobile safari to pristine Kapp Linné; and a five-day dogsled safari to the glacier-covered mountains on the island's east coast. Polar bears are most likely to be seen on dogsled and snowmobile safaris.

Winter vacations include three- and four-star hotels in Oslo and other cities with breakfast; meals on ships and safaris; inside or best available double cabin aboard ship; specified transfers; tour manager on selected departures.

The winter brochure and reservations can be obtained from Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc. at 405 Park Avenue, NY, NY 10022; (800) 323-7436 or (212) 319-1300; for brochures, call (800) 582-0835, 24 hours per day, or visit www.hurtigruten.us.

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