12-Day Arctic Voyage & SnowHotel

BERGEN, NORTHBOUND ARCTIC CRUISE, KIRKENES, OSLO

Set sail from Bergen on a leisurely northbound Arctic tour to the sheltered harbor at Kirkenes. Along the way, discover Arctic Wonders including Europe's most northerly point, the North Cape, and-with luck-revel in the magical Northern Lights. At Kirkenes, visit the Russian border, sample a taste of Sami life, and spend a night at the storied Snow Hotel.

Depart the U.S. for your transatlantic flight to Norway.

Arrive in Bergen, the charming seaport gateway to Fjord Norway. Transfer to your hotel. Explore Bergen on your own. Enjoy an overnight stay in lovely Bergen. [B]

Get ready for your Arctic cruise adventure. You will be transferred via shuttle bus to your Hurtigruten ship for embarkation. [B/L/D]

Cruise the Norwegian coast on a classic northbound Arctic tour.

When you awake, the ship will be crossing the stretch of open sea known as Stadthavet, heading for Torvik. Farther on, you'll stop in the beautiful Art Nouveau town of Alesund. After a call at Molde (its magnificent view of the Romsdal Alps made it a favorite vacation spot of famous Norwegian writer Henrik Ibsen) the ship will carefully navigate the Hustadvika, a belt of islets and skerries, before docking at Kristiansund. Optional shore excursions are available. [B/L/D]

The ship arrives early this morning in historical Trondheim, Norway's first capital. Walk the charming streets; sit by the peaceful harbor or cross the old city bridge to see the restored wooden buildings in Bakklandet and the great Gothic Cathedral of Nidaros, where the kings of ancient Norway once received their official blessings. From Trondheim, the ship sails on to Rorvik, where the southbound and northbound coastal ships meet. Optional shore excursions are available. [B/L/D]

Today you'll cross the Arctic Circle. Of course, you can't actually see this imaginary cartographic line, but on our portside, a globe on the island of Vikingen serves as a helpful marker. Ahead lie spectacular sights, such as islands and skerries of majestic rock formations, their origins the stuff of legend. After Bodo, the ship heads out to open sea, bound for the Lofoten Islands, with their picturesque cabins on stilts and weathered wooden racks of drying cod. In the evening, we'll navigate the narrow Raftsund Strait, passing the looming crags of the Trollfjord. Optional shore excursions are available. [B/L/D]

This morning, you'll pass the medieval Trondenes church before calling at Harstad for breakfast. Afterward, you'll sail across the Vagsfjord, past the great island of Senja with its diverse countryside of farmland, pine trees, and plunging peaks. Later you'll stop at the city of Tromso, Norway's "Paris of the North." In the 19th century, Russian, British, Dutch, and German ships called here before heading off on Arctic expeditions for hunting whales, walruses, and seals. Optional shore excursions are available. [B/L/D]

Finnmark's landscape, austere in its beauty, teems with wildlife. Watch for rookeries of puffins and gannets along the cliffs, and pods of orca, or Killer whales, hunting for herring. After calling at Honningsvag, the capital of the North Cape, the ship heads east toward the pretty fishing villages of Kjollefjord, Mehamn, and Berlevag. On the seventh day, you'll arrive at Kirkenes, the journey's northern terminus and turning point. Optional shore excursions are available for both days. [B]

Arrive in Kirkenes. Disembark and transfer by taxi or bus to your hotel where you will spend the night. [B]

Transfer to the iconic Kirkenes Snow Hotel. Curl up in a Snow Suite chilled to between 21 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit and decorated in beautiful artwork made from snow. Enjoy a unique overnight stay. (We promise you'll be warm!) [B/D]

Transfer back to downtown Kirkenes. Taxi or bus transfer to the airport for your flight to Oslo where you will stay overnight.

Oslo, Norway's cosmopolitan capital city will enchant you. Get a real taste for this exciting cities culture through engaging sights such as Oslo City Hall, Akershus Fortress, or the Nobel Peace Center. Want to enjoy a night at the opera? You can choose to attend a performance at the new, ultra-modern harbor-side national opera house. [B]

Transfer to airport. Departure flight to the U.S. [B]

*USD per person, double occupancy, based on unspecified interior stateroom accommodations for January and February 2010 departures; other departures priced higher. Prices valid for North American residents, capacity controlled, and subject to change without prior notice. Prices include air from New York (JFK/Newark). Cruise fuel and air fuel surcharges, air taxes, and ticketing fees are additional.

All winter programs are sold on the basis of a guaranteed stateroom type or, in the case of suites, category or combination of categories. Stateroom assignment will not be made until boarding. Guests purchasing the Digital Photography or Arctic Voyage and Snow Hotel departures will be assigned staterooms at time of booking. Suites are only available three weeks prior to departure.

Hurtigruten explorations, including an Arctic Voyage and SnowHotel await. Request a brochure or contact a travel agent. Embark on a journey of exploration, adventure and luxury with Hurtigruten, authentic voyages to pristine lands.