New York, NY, November 2008 -- Passengers wishing to learn more about capturing the memories of their once-in-a-lifetime Hurtigruten Antarctica Exploration Cruises will now be assisted by award-winning photographers and videographers. Hurtigruten has signed on with Australian-based Theme Media to provide these professionals, who will offer lectures and guidance on how to photograph these unique environments and develop CD/DVD Travel Journals to document their vacation. Five sailings will offer this no-cost added bonus -- Nov. 26, Dec. 4 and 12, 2008, and Feb. 2 and 22, 2009; all of the sailings save Feb. 2 are 13-day adventures aboard the world's newest and most deluxe expedition ship, MS Fram. The Feb. 2 sailing, also aboard the MS Fram, is a new 17-day itinerary and heads off to the rarely-visited Marguerite Bay, home to the only known breed of emperor penguins on the west side of Antarctica.

Passengers will receive a free CD containing the professional photographers/videographers images, maps, logbook, crew names and other important facts about their particular cruise. A DVD Travel Journal, with additional images, interviews, film, etc. we be offered for NOK 500 (@$75).

Award-winning photographer Camille Seaman, aboard for the first three sailings, concentrates her work on the fragile environment of the polar regions. Her photos have been exhibited at the National Academy of Sciences and the Peabody Essex Museum, among others, and have been published in most top magazines and newspapers. She also teaches workshops on photography and self-publishing. Fulbright scholar and filmmaker Tori Hogan comes aboard for the February 4, 2009 sailing, offering her 60-country experience on photographing and filming in connection with international aid organizations. Tori is also the CEO of an innovative start-up social enterprise she co-founded named "Beyond Good Intentions." Sandra Walser, aboard for the Feb. 22 voyage, is a freelance photographer and journalist specializing in the polar regions. Her photographic work, appearing in print and online media throughout the world, was born of a passion she discovered while in kindergarten in Switzerland.

Both Antarctica itineraries are roundtrip from Buenos Aires and offer either five or nine days in Antarctica after embarking in Ushuaia for the crossing of the Drake Passage. These unique voyages explore the vast and mysterious wilderness of the White Continent, the coldest, driest and windiest destination on earth, replete with gleaming icebergs, blue whales and orcas feeding mere feet from the ships, and penguin populations whose individual rookeries number in the tens of thousands. Weather permitting, landings are made at numerous locations including Half Moon and Deception Islands, Ukrainian Vernadsky and Polish Arctowski Bases, Almirante Brown, Port Lockroy, Neko Harbor, Petermann Island, and on the 17-day voyage, several bases in Marguerite Bay.

The MS Fram accommodates 318 guests in suites and staterooms and features a restaurant, two bars, panoramic lounges library, and Internet café and conference rooms. A new program aimed at the suites includes two optional excursions for free, beverages, a bottle of champagne on arrival and other amenities.