ADVENTURE CRUISING


of cliffs stretching across the horizon completely blocking your way. known as the Lofoten Wall, it is only as you get closer you realise it is actually a series of islands. Huge triangular frames now appear on the shoreside covered with drying cod destined to be sold as stockfish to countries such as Italy and Brazil. A common site at many villages in these parts, their impor- tance is reflected in the shape of tromso’s Arctic cathedral, where the chandeliers represent the ice crystals of the polar night.


the Polar Museum a short walk from the town centre is a fascinating experience. The other thing to remember about this


A


trip is you see two completely different temperate zones of the planet. From the lush vegetation and tree-festooned south, you cross over the Arctic Circle and the land becomes bare rock and tundra. If it is your first time in crossing the


Circle, you will also have the opportunity to meet king Neptune. Just like ‘crossing- the-line’ at the Equator on board ship, there is an equivalent voluntary ceremony here, only this time you are baptised with ice! Ultimately, though, this is a cruise


where you make your own entertainment and the beauty of it is you don’t even realise you’re doing that. Is it truly ‘The most beautiful cruise in the


world?’ I’m not sure I could go that far, but it’s probably a pretty good runner-up. 


22 WORLD OF CRUISING I Autumn 2010


walk around Tromso is a delight as no other town in the polar region has so many wooden buildings and


FACT FILE Hurtigruten


Hurtigruten’s six ‘New’ ships are surprisingly stylish but the older two are rather more basic. The three Millenium-class vessels all boast some lovely rooms. The Nordlys – one of the New class – has a range of eight cabin styles, from 2-room suites to twin berths where one berth converts into a sofa. There are three cabins for disabled travellers. The company also has specialist ships that offer cruises to Spitsbergen, Greenland and the Antarctic. European cruises looking at the maritime and cultural heritage are available.


MV Nordlys Built:


Tonnage: Length: Beam:


1994


11,204 403ft 64ft


Passengers: Berths:


Car Capacity: Decks: Speed:


691 475 45 6


15 knots


More info: The typical seven-day Voyage North, visiting 34 ports, starts from around £634 per person. In the UK, call 0844 448 7654 or visit www.hurtigruten. co.uk. In the US, call 1800 323 7436 or visit www.hurtigruten.us.


With your travel documents you also get a superb 200-page A5 booklet that tells you all about the cruise and what you can expect to see in wonderful detail.


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