How does cruising the coast of Norway in the winter sound to you? Cold? Icy? Believe it or not, the Gulf Stream warms the coastal route, and the temperature ranges from 24° to 50° F October through March. That's not much colder than most parts of the USA in the winter.Norwegian Coastal Voyage has announced some intriguing new winter theme cruises for 2006 and 2007. These cruises include whale watching, dog sledge and snowmobile safaris, and a chance to view the Northern lights. Theme cruises also revolve around watercolor painting, digital photography, and choral singing. I am sure the winter landscapes are amazing. Sounds fun (and a little cold), doesn't it?
Photo Courtesy of NCV
Norwegian Coastal Voyage (NCV) Announces New Winter Program of Theme Cruises, Arctic Adventures and Special Events To Norway’s Coast, Lofoten Islands, Lapland and Spitsbergen
New York, NY June 2006 -- Experiencing Norway’s magical Northern Lights, landscapes and traditions during the polar winter is enhanced by Norwegian Coastal Voyage’s new and unique air-inclusive winter program of theme cruises, Arctic adventures and special events, detailed in a new 36-page brochure, “In Search of the Northern Lights.” The sailings take in Norway’s spectacular west coast, Norwegian Lapland, and for the first time in winter season, the Lofoten Islands and remote Spitsbergen in the Arctic region. “Most people don’t realize this time of year offers a completely different perspective on this stunning landscape. The colors in the sky, the twinkling lights of villages, the luminesence coming off the snow and the warm-hearted greetings from the locals all contribute to a vacation unlike any taken in the past,” states Hans Rood, president of NCV.
Choices ranging from whale, dog sledge and snowmobile safaris to watercolor painting, digital photography and choir theme cruises; from family departures to special events and holidays such as Lapland’s Sami Easter Festival, Spitsbergen’s Return of the Sun Festival, Tromso’s Northern Lights Festival, and Christmas and New Year’s.
Most trips include a segment aboard a modern Norwegian Coastal Voyage vessel, a first-class cruise ship. Air-inclusive rates are $1,940 to $3,340 per person for six- to 13-day Coastal Odyssey packages; $2,950 to $3,400 for seven- to 12-day theme cruises, $2,300 to $2,795 for seven-day whale safaris in the Lofoten islands, and $2,420 to $3,870 for seven- and eight-day Arctic Aventures in Lapland and Spitsbergen. Average temperatures along the coastal route, which is warmed by the Gulf Stream, range from 24° to 50° from October through March.
New Norwegian Coastal Voyage theme cruises capture the special quality of sailing in the dark sea along fjords and snow-clad mountains with lights glowing from villages, towns and lighthouses and, when atmospheric conditions are right, the shimmering Northern Lights: the seven-day Watercolors and Art, with an art teacher and a lecturer, on February 13; and Winter Digital Photography in the challenging Arctic light, February 17, are both priced at $2,950; and the 12-day Choirs at Sea on January 23, at $3,400, has an experienced choirmaster forming passengers into a concert-performing choral group. Previous experience in any of the interests is not necessary.
Arctic Adventures are being introduced in the Lofoten Islands, Norwegian Lapland and Spitsbergen. More than 600 orcas (killer whales) set the stage for the Whale Safari in the rugged Lofoten Islands, which includes the coastal voyage from Tromso through the Vesteralen Islands and Raftsund Strait to the Lofotens, where participants stay in comfortable restored fishermen's cottages with modern facilities. The one-day whale-watching excursion in the Tysfjord can be enhanced by the options of an inflatable Zodiac for closer encounters, snorkeling with whales and adding another day of whale-watching. Six Whale Safari departures from October 22 to December 26 cost $2,300 to $2,795.
Two itineraries focus on sparsely populated Norwegian Lapland, home of the indigenous Sami people and their vast herds of reindeer. The seven-day North Cape and Ice Hotel Adventure, $2,505, combines one night at the Alta Igloo Ice Hotel, built of snow and ice; North Cape Plateau, a cliff rising 1,000 feet above the vast Arctic Ocean; and the coastal voyage from Honningsvag to Kirkenes. Nine-day Sami Encounters, $2,800 to $3,130, feature the coastal voyage from Tromso to Kirkenes and Karasjok, capital of Lapland, with visits to a reindeer farm, Sapmi Cultural Park and the wilderness. Optional excursions include a horse-drawn sleigh ride, snowmobiling, dog sledging pulled by huskies and a meal in a Sami home, King Crab Safaris by snowmobile or inflatable boat, and swimming in the Barents Sea in special survival suits.
The Arctic island of Spitsbergen, a place of massive glaciers, mountains and polar bears midway between Norway and the North Pole, is the rugged setting for four seven- and eight-day vacations at $2,400 to $3,870: Polar Nights in Longyearbyen, Winter Snowmobile Safari, Spitsbergen Dog Sledge Safari and the festive Return of the Sun. Spitsbergen is magical in Arctic twilight as the days get lighter before the sun returns in March. Polar bears are likely to be seen on snowmobile and dog sledge safaris.
Special departures take place on December 20 for a traditional Christmas in Copenhagen and Norway; December 24, 25, 27 and 28 for New Year’s festivities in Tromso, at the North Cape and Karasjok, Lapland; January 20 for the Northern Lights Music Festival, celebrating the return of the sun, in Tromso; February 7 for Valentine’s Day, with a five-course Arctic gourmet dinner in Tromso; March 5 for the Return of the Sun Festival in Spitsbergen and March 30 for the Sami Easter Festival in Karasjok. Family departures, not suitable for children under five, are scheduled on the Whale Safari October 22 and December 26 and on Sami Encounters December 24, February 18 and March 30.
New seven- and nine-day “Northern Lights Voyages” feature a short cruise along part of the fjord-indented coast with a choice of ports: Bergen to Tromso, Tromso to Trondheim and Tromso-Kirkenes-Tromso at $1,940 to $2,780 per person, double occupancy. For travelers with more time, nine-to 13-day “Simply Hurtigruten” trips at $2,405 to $3,340 match the NCV fleet’s daily departures on six- and seven-day one-way and 11-day round-trips between Bergen and Kirkenes.
NCV Vacations include round-trip flights from New York and local flights in Norway; 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, depending on program chosen; specified transfers, port charges and air taxes.
The winter brochure and reservations can be obtained from Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc., (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: July 2006