Hurtigruten, renowned for the voyages it has run along the Norwegian coast for 120 years, offers holiday cheer and views of stunning vistas to its guests traveling the “world’s most beautiful voyage” this holiday season.

(TRAVPR.COM) NORWAY - August 23rd, 2013 - New York, NY, August 2013 – Hurtigruten, renowned for the voyages it has run along the Norwegian coast for 120 years, offers holiday cheer and views of stunning vistas to its guests traveling the “world’s most beautiful voyage” this holiday season. The ships’ crews arrange seasonal activities to make Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Eve especially memorable for guests aboard its fleet of 12 intimate ships. Whether voyaging northbound for seven days, southbound for six, round-trip for 12, or on the 11-day Norwegian Discovery voyage, guests can partake in many of Norway’s Christmas traditions during late-December sailings. Rates for the Classic Voyages in the winter season start at $1,078 per person, double occupancy. 

Guests embarking on any Classic Voyage that travels on December 24 and 25 are invited to help the crew adorn their vessel and its Christmas tree with decorations made onboard; learn Norwegian Christmas carols; decorate Gingerbread Houses; and eat “Julegrøt,” a traditional Norwegian Christmas porridge. On December 24, all ships in the fleet will moor in their respective destination ports for 24 hours, giving guests the opportunity to attend Christmas services at local churches. Later that night, passengers and crew members can enjoy a Christmas Eve buffet. The celebration continues with the singing of Christmas carols and a visit from Santa Claus. On December 25, a Christmas Day brunch is held in the ship’s main restaurant, along with a coffee and cake buffet. On New Year’s Eve, guests can celebrate with dinner and dancing, in addition to fireworks and a midnight toast to ring in the New Year.

A special highlight during the winter season is the search for “The Northern Lights,” a natural phenomenon which occurs particularly in arctic regions at this time of year. Brilliantly colorful, the display is caused by electrically charged solar particles, high in energy, entering Earth’s atmosphere.

Hurtigruten, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary throughout 2013, is a world leader in expedition voyages. The company sails to the most remote of destinations – including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen – as well as year round along Norway's coast and Europe in the spring and fall. The company’s fleet of 12 intimate ships, which each carry 100 to 646 guests, allows travelers to enjoy the scenery and culture of the destination in a relaxed atmosphere.

Additional information, brochures and reservations can be obtained from travel agents or Hurtigruten's visitor-friendly website, www.hurtigruten.us; by phone at 877-301-3117; or fax at 888-524-2145. To order brochures 24 hours a day, call 800-582-0835.

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