A challenging week……….

I love it when after a few days of working hard on an enquiry you have managed to find the right cruise that you know tick all the right boxes.  It gives me great satisfaction.  This is what is so great about my job.  Obviously I pick up calls where clients have done their own research and know exactly what they want, and after calling me to check availability the cruise is booked.  This week was certainly a challenge week for me, and it’s nice to know there are still some old romantics out there as a lot of calls this week have been from the men who want to treat their wife’s to a cruise as they are celebrating a special birthday or anniversary.  Many more people are after something different too as after years of cruising they feel that the Med, Baltic, Fjords, Caribbean have been exhausted  hence why River Cruising or expedition cruises are getting more and more popular.

I have really enjoyed finding out more about hurtigruten this week.  I had some clients that had never cruised before but wanted to see The Northern lights and felt that cruising was the best way to do this.  After looking at Ocean ships we decided to  concentrate on a Hurtigruten cruise.  Now Hurtigruten is very different to Ocean ships as they are working class ships, they deliver essentials and sometimes urgent supplies to places that due to the weather is difficult to get to by land, so because of this they can offer voyages that go beyond the realms of other cruise lines, and can provide close encounters and expertise. I found a 12 day classic round voyage that sounded wonderful and wanted to share with you.

Below is the itinerary:

Day 1 Embarkation in Bergen
Ports visited today: Bergen
Before sailing from Bergen, you may wish to explore this cultural gateway to the fjords. Spend some time in one of the outdoor cafés and restaurants in the Bryggen district, a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other attractions in Bergen include the Fløibanen Funicular, the Fish Market, and Fantoft Stave Church.

Day 2 Ålesund and Geirangerfjord
Ports visited today: Florø, Måløy, Torvik, Ålesund, Molde
We sail further north to Ålesund, a beautiful town and a perfect example of the Art Nouveau style. Then we will sail into the spectacular UNESCO listed Geirangerfjord where you can enjoy a scenic excursion including a spectacular drive down the winding Trollstigen Pass.

Day 3 The Royal City of Trondheim
Ports visited today: Kristiansund, Trondheim, Rørvik.
The architecture and surroundings in Trondheim create a beautiful setting for any outing, should you prefer a guided tour in Nidaros Cathedral or a casual stroll through Bakklandet. In the evening we continue towards the land of the Midnight Sun.

Day 4 Arctic Circle and Lofoten Islands
Ports visited today: Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Ørnes, Bodø, Stamsund, Svolvær.
Crossing the Arctic Circle is one of the highlights before we arrive in Ørnes. The Arctic Circle marks the southern extremity of the polar, 24-hour sunlit day – often referred to as the “Midnight Sun”. In the evening we reach Svolvær, the administrative center of the Lofoten Islands. These islands are renowned for their small fishing villages with their bohemian atmosphere surrounded by majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches. Complete your visit with a stroll between the stock-fish racks and ‘rorbuer’, the traditional, red fishermen’s residences.

Day 5 Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic
Ports visited today: Stokmarknes, Sortland, Risøyhamn, Harstad, Finnsnes, Tromsø, Skjervøy.
During the night we pass the magnificent Trollfjord and sail through the spectacular and narrow Raftsund strait. Here, you can admire the rugged mountainous landscape jutting up against the horizon under the endless sun. We continue to Tromsø, a city with many lively restaurants and cafés.

Day 6 Honningsvåg and the North Cape
Ports visited today: Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund, Honningsvåg, Kjøllefjord, Mehamn, Berlevåg.
Today we arrive in Honningsvåg, the starting point of our excursion to the spectacular North Cape, the northernmost point of mainland Europe. From the fishing village of Kjøllefjord you can get a “Taste of Lapland”, meeting a real Sámi family.

Day 7 Kirkenes, the voyage turning point
Ports visited today: Båtsfjord, Vardø, Vadsø, Kirkenes.
The vistas and sea life become more dramatic as we approach Kirkenes, just a few miles from the Russian border and the Sami communities of northern Scandinavia.

Day 7 Kirkenes, the voyage south begins
Ports visited today: Kirkenes, Vardø, Båtsfjord, Berlevåg.
Summer in Kirkenes is superb with 86°F degree temperatures at its hottest. The town is known as the capital of the Barents Region and the gateway to the east, with people here speaking Norwegian, Sámi, Finnish and Russian. As we turn south, the northbound ports previously visited by night are now seen by day.

Day 8 Hammerfest and Tromsø
Ports visited today: Mehamn, Kjøllefjord, Honningsvåg, Havøysund, Hammerfest, Øksfjord, Skjervøy, Tromsø.
Start the day with a summer breakfast at the North Cape Hall (optional excursion), which is firmly perched on the massive cliff marking the northernmost tip of mainland Europe. From here we make a stop in Hammerfest before our next major port of call, Tromsø, where you can take part in a very special musical experience, the Arctic Cathedral Midnight Concert.

Day 9 Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands
Ports visited today: Tromsø, Finnsnes, Harstad, Risøyhamn, Sortland, Stokmarknes, Svolvær, Stamsund.
Passing through the Lofoten Islands the ship negotiates a stunning network of inlets and isles, before moving on to what is the highlight of the voyage for many, a possible detour into the spectacular and dramatic Trollfjord. Join us on a fantastic safari by RIB- boat through the Lofoten archipelago under the Midnight Sun!

Day 10 Arctic Circle, Seven Sisters
Ports visited today: Bodø, Ørnes, Nesna, Sandnessjøen, Brønnøysund, Rørvik.
As we sail past the Helgeland coast you can enjoy views of the hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and lush meadows. Today will also be our last one north of the Arctic Circle. The Vega Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is close to our call in Sandnessjøen.

Day 11 Trondheim and Kristiansund
Ports visited today: Trondheim, Kristiansund, Molde, Ålesund.
We arrive in Trondheim in the early morning. Nidaros Cathedral, in which three Queens and seven Kings have been crowned, is Scandinavia’s largest medieval building and worth a visit. The town of Kristiansund, located on the scenic Atlantic Road, holds the rather obscure title of Norway’s ‘cured cod capital’ owing to the nature of its main export.

Day 12 Bergen, disembarkation
Ports visited today: Ålesund, Torvik, Måløy, Florø, Bergen.
Our arrival in Bergen sees the end of this magnificent summer journey.

Here are some of the highlights of this cruise:

• Sightsee in the colourful Art Nouveau town of Ålesund.
• Visit Norway’s former capital, Trondheim.
• Cross the Arctic Circle twice.
• Spend time in the world’s northernmost town, Hammerfest.
• Pose for a photo at mainland Europe’s northernmost point, North Cape (optional excursion).
• Sail through the incredible Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands
• Explore the Capital of Arctic Norway, Tromsø
• Buy souvenirs from the beautiful harbour town of Bergen
• Enjoy a wide selection of pre-bookable, exciting and interesting excursions including snowmobiling, dog-sledging, bird watching safari and much, much more

The whole package with direct flights from Heathrow cost £1919 per person.  This was for departure date 31st January.

So if you have been waiting for something that little bit different but need a little more help and advice then give me a call.  I am awaiting your challenge.