Hurtigruten (formerly known as Norwegian Coastal Voyages) is
offering special holiday departures of its “Discover Winter Norway”
cruise tours. Guests will experience the traditions and customs of
the Norwegian Yuletide as well as the peaceful scenery of snow-clad
coastal landscapes with lights glowing from villages, towns and
lighthouses. If atmospheric conditions are right, guests will also
see the shimmering Northern Lights flashing across the sky. Six- to
eight-day holiday cruise tours, departing Bergen and Tromso between
Dec. 19 and 26, are priced at $1,999 to $2,499 per person,
including port charges and gratuities.
Food is an important ingredient of Norwegian Yuletide festivities
and passengers will sample local holiday delicacies at a festive
Christmas Eve feast, including an extravagant Scandinavian
smorgasbord. Guests can join the crew in reading from the Christmas
gospel and singing carols by the tree and all will receive a visit
from Santa Claus himself. New Year’s Eve activities include a gala
dinner, dance and midnight champagne toast and for some, joining
the celebrations in Tromso.
The seven-day Bergen-Tromso sailing, exploring both cities and the
Lofoten Islands, can be extended to eight days with a night in Oslo
where the traditional Christmas market is a must-see. The eight-day
Tromso-Kirkenes-Tromso spends the entire time above the Arctic
Circle increasing the opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis and
for those looking to combine the traditional with the unusual, the
“Killer Whale Safari” is a six-day adventure in Tromso, Svolvaer
and Oslo, with the focus on viewing orcas as they breach and hunt.
Optional shore excursions during this season showcase Norway’s
history and lifestyle. They include a snowmobile safari from
Kirkenes, followed by a snack of dried reindeer meat in a Sami
tent; a dogsledding outing in Tromso; a trip from Honningsvag
through the desolate polar landscape to the North Cape, the
northernmost point in Europe; a five-course Arctic gourmet dinner;
and tours of the Art Nouveau town of Alesund and the 1,000-year-old
city of Trondheim.
Holiday cruises 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 outside cabins are $59
additional per person, per day; specified transfers; and a tour
manager.
800-582-0835
www.hurtigruten
