
In Search of the Northern Lights - 1 March 2024
Highlights:
- Seek-out the Northern Lights on a special exploration
- See the Northern Lights from on board Balmoral
- Enjoy unique Arctic experiences
Return Coach Transfers from Edinburgh Available with Supplement!
In just nine nights, you will have the chance to spot the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights from the comfort of your ship. There are plenty of immersive winter activities to give you a taste of life in the Arctic wilderness, from dog sledding (during which you can even mush your own team of huskies through the snowy landscapes) to ice fishing with a Tromsø local. Our itinerary planners have also included several scenic cruising highlights, with Balmoral passing sights such the Seven Sisters mountain range and Torghatten – the mountain with a hole through its centre. Your ship is also small enough to take a scenic shortcut through the Tjeldsundet Strait.
Price Includes:
DINING & LOUNGES
- À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Daily buffet dining options
- Late night Supper Club
- Afternoon tea
- Self-service tea & coffee
- In-cabin dining & snacks
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
- Evening shows
- Live music & dancing
- Dance classes
- Lectures & talks
- Cookery demonstrations
- Traditional deck games
- Daily games & quizzes
RELAXATION & FITNESS
- Swimming Pools
- Jacuzzis
- Fitness Centre
- Fitness Classes
Itinerary
-
1 March Departing Newcastle Port, England
Some of the best moments of cruising are the days spent at sea where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful programme of events and activities we have planned for you.
-
4 March Bodø, Norway
Surrounded by steep, snow covered mountain peaks, Bodo in winter is bathed in hues of pink and orange light as the winter light reflects off the surrounding waters. Located just north of the Arctic Circle, there are also opportunities to see the Northern Lights in Bodo, and as it is the first place the Gulf Stream hits the Norwegian coast, it's climate is milder than more inland destinations.
-
5 March Narvik, Norway
Due to its location far north of the Arctic Circle, the small town of Narvik is seen as one of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis. Situated on the banks of the Ofotfjorden, with snow covered mountains and desnse forests surrounding Narvik, the Northern Lights dance in the skies overlooking the town. In March, the winter festival is held, celebrating music, literature, art, and dancing.
-
6 March Tromsø, Norway
During winter, the ice-covered seas around Tromso are filled with hundreds of whales, as they go in search of food and breeding grounds. One of the main reasons they visit this area is for the abundance of herring in the waters. Tromso is also well-known for its husky sledding, where these magnificent creatures pull sleds through the snowy countryside. It's also possible to see the other-wordly Northern Lights as they dance and flicker in the skies above northern Norway's largest city.
-
7 March Cruising Seven Sisters & Torghatten, Norway
Forming a majestic chain of peaks overlooking the shipping channel, the Seven Sister mountain range is an awe-inspring backdrop to the myriad of islands and Norwegian landscapes. Standing 1,000 feet above the shoreline, these beautiful women are perhaps best observed in all their glory from your ship. It is possible to climb them, and to learn the legend of the trolls who were turned to stone!
Located on the island of Torget, Torghatten Mountain is one of Norway's most astonishing natural wonders. Known affectionately as 'the mountain with the hole', Torghatten is famous for the huge hole which strikes right through the middle of it. Formed during the Scandinavian Ice Age, looser sediment and rock were eroded, but the harder rock at the top of the mountain remained, creating the distinctive hole. There are also one or two folklore tales about how the hole was formed! -
8 March Ålesund, Norway
Considered by Norwegians to be Norway's most beautiful city, Alesund in winter is perhaps even more breath-taking than in the summer months, as its bathed in dusky shades of orange and pink. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the Art Nouveau town is built on three islands, where panoramic views of the city, archipelago and Sunnmore Alps are best seen from the top of Mount Aksla.
-
10 March Return to Newcastle Port, England