Reindeers and huskies and whales, oh my!
Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express has launched its 2022-23 Follow the Lights season with almost 50 departures scheduled between September 2022 and March 2023.
Highlights of the ‘Follow the Lights – Small Group Escorted Tour’ (Southbound and Northbound options) include husky and reindeer experiences, staying in a glass ‘igloo’ to sleep under the Northern Lights, and crossing the Arctic Circle.
To launch the 2022-23 season, Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express is offering 10% off suite upgrades with savings of up to $600 per person until 23 May 2021. The 14-day Southbound cruise starts at $7,190 and the 18-day Northbound itinerary from $7,950 per person twin share (Polar Outside cabin).
Damian Perry, Managing Director of Hurtigruten Asia Pacific, said the small-group itineraries went well beyond a ‘traditional’ cruising experience, with unique accommodation on land, mountain railways and special cultural experiences in the mix.
“This tour really showcases the winter wonderland of Norway and Finland; our guests will visit a local husky farm with the option of a sled ride, while in fairy-tale-like Lapland, they’ll take part in a ‘Reindeer Safari’ complete with stories about the Sámi culture,” Mr Perry said.
“We know there’s pent-up demand for Australian and New Zealander travellers wanting to cruise again. We’ve also observed via our recent sales that it’s this type of ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience that is appealing to customers who want to make their next international trip really count.”
Follow the Lights includes an overnight stay in Inari in an ‘Aurora Cabin’ with the possibility of viewing the Northern Lights through the glass dome roof while lying in bed. For those on the Northbound itinerary, a visit to the Santa Claus Village and tours of medieval Tallinn and modern Helsinki are additional experiences.
Guests will join the iconic Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage for six days, visiting charming hamlets, cruising through picturesque fjords, and crossing the Arctic Circle to see the magnificent Northern Lights on this journey of Norway’s coast.
New to the 2022-23 Follow the Lights season are visits to The Historical Museum in Oslo and the newly renovated SIIDA Sámi Museum and Nature Centre in Inari.
Follow the Lights (Southbound) – Small Group Escorted Tour
14-day cruise, Ivalo to Oslo
From $7,190 per person twin share in a Polar Outside cabin
From $10,018 per person twin share in a suite
Departures 2022: October, November, December
Departures 2023: January, February, March
Included in the package: Eight nights’ hotel accommodation, five-night cruise, breakfast daily, six lunches, nine dinners, city tours of Bergen and Oslo, first-class touring coach from Saariselkä to Kirkenes, Reindeer and Husky Safari.
Follow the Lights (Northbound) – Small Group Escorted Tour
18-day cruise, Oslo to Helsinki
From $7,950 per person twin share in a Polar Outside cabin
18-day cruise from $10,953 per person twin share
Departures 2022: September, October, November, December
Departures 2023: January, February, March
https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/destinations/norway/follow-the-lights-small-group-escorted-tour-22/
Included in the package: 11 nights’ hotel accommodation, six-night cruise, breakfast daily, six lunches, 11 dinners & 1 Viking Plank dinner in Flam, city tours of Bergen, Helsinki, Tallinn and Oslo, Santa Claus Village visit, first-class touring coach from Kirkenes to Helsinki, Reindeer and Husky Safari.
For further information visit www.hurtigruten.com.au
SOURCE: Hurtigruten
PHOTO CREDIT: Hege Abrahamsen
