Norwegian Coastal Voyage 2006 Program Spends More Time Exploring Antarctica, Offers Theme Programs on Coastal Odyssey and Lengthens Spitsbergen Sailings

A Norwegian Coastal Voyage ship is a combination cruise, ferry, and working vessel, with both passengers and cargo onboard. In 2006 and 2007, NCV is making changes to its Antarctica itineraries, including an extra day of exploration in Antarctica. For its Norwegian coastal cruises, the line is highlighting Norwegian culture and history on some of its Coastal Odyssey voyages. NCV is also adding a day to its expeditions to the arctic island of Spitsbergen.


Norwegian Coastal Voyage 2006 Program Spends More Time Exploring Antarctica, Offers Theme Programs on Coastal Odyssey and Lengthens Spitsbergen Sailings

New York, November 2005 -- Norwegian Coastal Voyage launches its 2006 season with changes to its 19-day Antarctica itinerary -- incorporating an extra day on the ‘Ice Continent’, adding a stop in Puerto Natales and spending more time exploring Beagle Channel, the Strait of Magellan and Ushuaia; unveiling new theme programs with guest lecturers on its Coastal Odyssey, focusing on Norwegian heritage, maritime traditions and the life of composer Edvard Grieg; and adding a day to both of its Spitsbergen itineraries, departing June through August.

An alternative to a traditional cruise, Norwegian Coastal Voyage is a unique combination of first-class cruise ship, a working ship carrying local passengers and cargo, and a lifeline to remote coastal towns and villages. NCV's 11 ships, carrying 171 to 674 passengers, sail daily year-round from Bergen to Kirkenes, above the Arctic Circle, calling at 34 ports along Norway's dramatic 1,250-mile west coast. Nine of the 11 vessels entered service from 1993 to 2003, making it an almost entirely modern fleet.

Designed for active, experienced travelers, the 19-day Antarctica sailings, departing Buenos Aires and Santiago, November-December 2006 and January-March 2007, on the MS Nordkapp and the MS Nordnorge, both rated Ice Class C, has added a fifth day of exploration in Antarctica with new possible landings, weather permitting, at Ukrainian Vernadsky Base, Neko Harbor -- home to hundreds of gentoo penguins, Polish Arctowski Base in Admiralty Bay and Petermann Island. The South American portion of the trip has passengers spending more free time in Ushuaia; a full day in Puerto Natales, gateway to beautiful natural landscapes like Torres del Paine National Park; passing close by the penguin-inhabited Tucker Island; and extensive exploration of the spectacular Beagle Channel and the extraordinary Strait of Magellan.

Three new theme programs, highlighting specific aspects of Norwegian culture and history, are being offered on several northbound Coastal Odyssey departures in April, May, August and September. “Norwegian Life and Heritage” introduces passengers to the history and tradition of the Norwegian people. Lectures by Dr. Fenella Bazin, the retired director of post-graduate studies at the Centre for Manx Studies and a self-confessed aficionado of NCV will address the geography, wildlife and history of Norway’s dramatic coastline. “Norwegian Maritime Traditions” focuses on the crucial impact of the maritime industry on Norway and the region since man first took to these seas. Professor Bard Kolltveit, director of research at the Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo, happily passes on his knowledge and enthusiasm to the passengers. Prices of these seven-day adventures are $1,303 to $1,825; suites are $1,904 to $3,714.

“The Life, Work and Music of Edvard Grieg,” a name synonymous with Norway, is a program celebrating the life of the 19th-century composer. Daily recitals are even more impressive when played to the passing scenery of the Norwegian coastline. Rune Alver is an accomplished pianist, giving concerts in throughout Europe; lecturer Eilif Løtveit has been connected with the Grieg estate for 35 years and has a background in languages, history and the arts. Fares for the nine-day program are $1,738 to $2,393 and include two nights in Bergen. Suites are $2,791 to $4,576.

Midway between Norway and the North Pole, Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. NCV has added a day to both its air-inclusive itineraries – now a nine-day “Adventure Expedition’ and a 12-day “Grand Expedition.” With no roads linking communities, a small-ship cruise under the Midnight Sun on the Nordstjernen or the Polar Star is ideal for viewing Arctic landscapes with cliff-lined fjords, massive glaciers, rugged mountains and abundant wildlife such as polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes, whales, walruses, seals and migratory birds. A fleet of Zodiacs is used for landings on shore with excursions led by naturalist guides. Costs are $4,060 to $$8,785.

Promotional offers, which can be combined for maximum savings, include year-round AARP membership discounts of $70 to $150 per cabin; a senior savings for passengers 67 and older of $85 to $155 per person on most programs except in June and July; a 20% price reduction on the cruise-only fare of the six-, seven- and 12-day sailings between Bergen and Kirkenes -- for those who have previously sailed at least once since 2000; and a waived single supplement in selected cabin categories from January 1-April 30 and September 1-December 31.

A seven-day northbound, six-day southbound or 12-day round-trip sailing on “the world’s most beautiful voyage” is the centerpiece of three air-inclusive programs. 13- to 18-day NCV Escorted Vacations include transatlantic flights from New York, first-class hotels, deluxe motorcoaches, most meals, the coastal voyage, gratuities, port charges and air taxes. Add-on airfares are available from Chicago, Washington, DC, Seattle and other U.S. cities; airline seat upgrades start at $600. Prices range from $4,825 to $7,060 per person, double.

NCV Independent Vacations are flexible 12-day to 17-day air-inclusive programs combining the coastal voyage with first-class hotels, breakfast daily, Oslo and Bergen Cards, and the Oslo-Bergen train journey; they operate daily year-round except two tours: one that adds Iceland and the other, Finland; cabins cost $2,920 to $5,330 per person, double and suites $3,335 to $9,030.

For 2006, individual optional shore excursions can be reserved in advance through the New York office. NCV pre- and post-cruise extensions include all three of Norway’s best-known fjords -- the Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord and Geirangerfjord -- as well as “A Taste of Lapland.”

Cruise-only rates range from $869 to $1,871 per person, double for six days, $1,058 to $2,279 for seven days and $1,580 to $3,402 for 12 days; suites cost $1,378 to $3,929 for the six-day, $1,678 to $4,787 for the seven-day, and $2,505 to $7,144 for the round trip. Rates are highest in June and July.

The company also handles U.S. reservations for Sweden’s Gota Canal cruises and is now offering online booking requests and payment options.

Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc. is at 405 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022; (800) 323-7436 or (212) 319-1300; fax (212) 319-1390; for brochures, (800) 666-2374, 24 hours a day; www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us.

Press Release Source: Gillies and Zaiser for Norwegian Coastal Voyage
Dateline: November 2005