You can’t quite sail to the top of the world, but you can certainly get a lot closer to it than you are right now. And you can do it all from the comfort of a cruise ship.
Perhaps you’ve cruised to the Caribbean and the Med, but now you’d like to try something different. Something really cool, maybe. Sounds like you’re ready for a voyage to the Arctic.
I have to be honest.
Although I’ve journeyed tens of thousands of miles to distant lands in the east and west, the furthest north I generally go in everyday life is to Wembley. So an Arctic cruise would take me way outside my normal bus route.
Romance
But having spoken to neighbours and family members who’ve done the trip, it’s clear it can be a truly memorable experience.
It’s not just about getting closer to where Santa Claus hangs out, although that’s obviously a big factor. For me it’s the remoteness of the region and the romance of the far north, that really appeal.
Polar expedition
The Arctic Ocean is actually the smallest and shallowest of the world’s oceans.
You probably regard it as a challenging environment, but you can rest assured, your holiday will feel nothing like a polar expedition. As a cruiser on a modern ship you will have an entirely comfortable and indeed luxurious experience.
So what can you expect, if you choose to sail north?
Scenic
Well here’s one example of what a voyage to this part of the world has to offer. For just £1,804 per person you and your party can enjoy a 12 night Svalbard cruise on Celebrity Constellation.
Your starting point is Amsterdam in the Netherlands, which you leave on 13 June 2013. You can then look forward to a full day at sea before finally dropping anchor in the north of Norway.
You’ll step ashore for the first time in Leknes, a town in the Lofoten archipelago on the island of Vestvågøya, a favourite haunt of cruise ships. The area is seen as being one of Norway’s most scenic, with stunning mountains and white sandy beaches.
Midnight sun
After another northbound day on the water you’ll sail into Longyearbyen in Svalbard, which is a cluster of Norwegian islands within the Arctic Circle. This town was actually named after the American industrialist, John Monroe Longyear, who became closely involved with the area at the turn of the 20th century.
One great feature of Longyearbyen is that you’ll be able to pack a lot more sightseeing into your day. This is because from 19 April to 23 August the region is illuminated by the midnight sun.
Life in a northern town
Next comes another 24 hour spell at sea before you arrive in Honningsvåg, which the locals claim is the most northerly city in Norway. Some even suggest it’s the most northerly city in the world.
After that you’ll visit two more Norwegian destinations – Molde and Bergen – before embarking on the final stretch of your itinerary, which brings you all the way back to Amsterdam.
Your cruise also comes with Virgin’s legendary Rockstar service and the chance for you to save £400 per cabin, as you experience life inside the Arctic Circle.
How cool is that?
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