Norwegian Coastal Voyage 2007 Brochure Details New Cruises and Pre/Post Cruise Extensions in Norway

Norwegian Coastal Voyage (NCV) is best known for its cruises along the western coast of Norway. However, the cruise line has many other cruise destinations, theme vacations, and pre- and post-cruise extensions in Norway. NCV has released its 2007 cruise brochure, which is available in hard copy or from the NCV Web site.

Stockholm Picture (c) Linda Garrison

Norwegian Coastal Voyage 2007 Brochure Details New Cruises, Theme Vacations and Pre- And Post-Cruise Explorations In Norway Program

New York, October 2006 -- Norwegian Coastal Voyage offers an exciting new array of cruise vacation offerings in its 2007 brochure. Highlights include a new 16-day escorted vacation combining an exploration of Sweden and Norway with a six-day southbound voyage along Norway’s coast; three new theme cruises: "Killer Whales", "Sami Encounters" and "The Alta Igloo Hotel"; The "Gota Canal" and two new pre-/post-cruise options – "Scandinavian Capitals" and "St. Petersburg Express."

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 - Spitsbergen, Norwegian Coastal Voyage, also known as Hurtigruten, is a unique combination of first-class cruise travel and lifelines to remote coastal towns and villages. The ships sail daily between Bergen and Kirkenes, above the Arctic Circle, and call on 34 ports.

A 16-day "Scandinavian Smorgasbord" has been added to NCV’s air-inclusive Escorted Vacations offerings, joining the 13-day "Norway Naturally," with a six-day southbound sailing; 15-day "Spectacular Norway," with a seven-day northbound cruise; and 18-day "Norway Splendor," with a 12-day round-trip voyage. Highlights of "Scandinavian Smorgasbord" include visits to Stockholm, Sweden’s political and economic center since the 13th century; Gallivare in Swedish Lapland, traveling by overnight express train; Karasjok, where guests will dine in a traditional turf hut; and Copenhagen, with an overview city tour and plenty of time to enjoy a wealth of sightseeing possibilities. In Norway the tour takes in Ulvik, after traveling by ferry, the scenic Flam Railway and Bergen Railway; and Oslo. Prices of the NCV Escorted Vacations range from $4,699 to $7,169 per person, double, and include transatlantic flights from New York, first-class hotels, deluxe motorcoaches, trains, most meals, the coastal voyage, and port charges.

Three new air-inclusive theme vacations offer something for nearly everyone: "Killer Whale Safari", Oct.-Dec., is a seven-day adventure in Tromso, Svolvaer and Oslo, with the focus on viewing orcas as they breach, lobtail and hunt; "Sami Encounters", Nov.-Dec., lasts nine days and offers an in-depth look at the ancient Sami culture, visits to a reindeer farm as well as time exploring Oslo, Kirkenes, Karasjok and Lapland; and the seven-day "Alta Igloo Hotel" package, Jan.-Feb., which includes an overnight stay in the ice hotel and time in Oslo, Kirkenes and the North Cape. Prices are $2,149 to $3,369.

For those looking to add other features to their vacation, NCV has added two new pre-/post-packages to its assortment of possibilities for 2007 -- spend either seven days exploring Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo ("Scandinavian Capitals); or six days in St. Petersburg and Helsinki ("St. Petersburg Express") with a train trip between them. Two others take in Norway’s best-known fjords with two days on either the Sognefjord or the Hardangerfjord; one offers a "Taste of Lapland," above the Arctic Circle for three days; another sends guests on a Gota Canal cruise – seven days between Gothenburg and Stockholm; and the. Prices range from $499 to $3,019.

NCV Independent Vacations are flexible 12-day to 17-day air-inclusive programs designed for independent travelers who prefer the flexibility of doing their own sightseeing and dining in major cities but appreciate the convenience and cost savings of air-inclusive cruise tours. These packages combine the coastal voyage with first-class hotels including breakfast, all meals on board, Oslo and Bergen Cards, and the Oslo-Bergen train journey; upgrades are available to suites on board the ship and superior first-class hotel accommodations. They operate daily year-round at prices from $2,939 to $6,599 per person, double.

Promotional offers, which can be combined for maximum savings, include AARP membership discounts available on Independent and Escorted Vacations are $100 to $150 per cabin and a senior savings for passengers 67 and older of $75 to $135 per person on most programs except in June and July; or a $75 to $150 per person discount 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.

Cruise-only rates range from $1,099 to $5,099 per person, double for six days, $1,399 to $6,099 for seven days and $1,999 to $9,099 for the 12-day roundtrip; higher prices are for suites. Rates are highest in June and July.

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) 582-0835, 24 hours a day; www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us.

Press Release Source: Gillies and Zaiser for Norwegian Coastal Voyage
Dateline: October 2006