05 June 2019

5 surprising things you didn’t know about expedition cruising with Hurtigruten 1. Hurtigruten ships are filled with Expedition Teams! Whether you are sailing with Hurtigruten along the Norwegian coast or other remote destinations around the world, you will be accompanied by an expert Expedition Team. They are your hosts on board and ashore, and will provide lectures in subjects such as geography, history, wildlife and more. 2. Northern Lights guarantee. 100%. That’s how sure we are that the spectacular Northern Lights will make an appearance on your 12-day Hurtigruten voyage. It’s even backed it up with a special promise to you. If they do not appear on your voyage, you will get another 6 or 7-day Classic Voyage FREE OF CHARGE, so your Hurtigruten experience will be one with zero regrets. How amazing is this!? 3. Hurtigruten is not your normal cruise operator. When you sail with Hurtigruten, you are on an expedition with likeminded adventurers who value personal growth and exploring over luxury. You won't find waterslides, casinos or any sort of dress code. However, you will find a casual and relaxed atmosphere, great food, and all the quality equipment you need to explore new destinations. 4. There are two new ships adding to the Hurtigruten fleet in 2019 and 2020. Modern, hybrid, and inspired by our Scandinavian heritage - in 2019 Hurtigruten will welcome MS Roald Amundsen. The year after, she will be joined by MS Fridtjof Nansen. Named after two of Norway's most famous explorers, these state of the art ships will follow suit and explore some of the most remote destinations in the world. 5. Committed to sustainable travel. Hurtigruten operate in some of the world’s most pristine and vulnerable natural landscapes. This is a responsibility taken seriously, which is why we educate our guests on how to reduce our environmental footprint. Read more about our efforts to minimize the impact, our use of local food along the Norwegian coast, research and knowledge in polar waters, and much more in "Leaving a Smaller Footprint".

31 May 2019

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of MSC’s brand new ship the Bellissima. We had the luxury of spending 24 hours on board this beautiful new ship to really get a feel for what she has to offer. The whole process of boarding the ship in Southampton was so easy and stress free, it’s easy to see why so many travellers now decide to cut out the airport from their trip and embark in the UK! Simply park your car near the terminal, head through security and check in and away you go to start exploring! As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by this beautifully decorated atrium, I didn’t know where to look first! From the Swarovski staircases and stage area, to the surrounding bars and lounge areas, everywhere was super sparkly and new! It has the wow factor! My cabin was located on Deck 13 so really close to all the main facilities on the ship. My balcony cabin was lovely and bright, spacious and great new tech where you can view everything the ship has to offer on your TV plus you can also ‘Ask Zoe’, Bellissima’s version of Alexa so she can help you out with any questions you have about the ship. I then went off to explore the ship. On board there are 20 bars and 12 places to dine so there is plenty of choice for your stay, a lot more than if you were in an all-inclusive hotel on a land-based holiday. As I wondered, I managed to sample a few of the options on offer including the tapas bar, sushi bar, creperie and the buffet restaurant The Marketplace which is jam packed with choice! From fresh pizzas, pasta, salads, meats, you will struggle to try it all! On the very top deck, you will find a kid’s paradise! This is where there are pools, water slides, flumes, fountains and even a high wire course across the back of the ship. This along with the most incredible kids clubs I have ever seen; I guarantee the kids won’t have time to be bored! The kid’s clubs range from babies to teens and separate areas for each. From a tech lab for the older ones to Lego themed rooms for the younger ones. Plus, a full-sized basketball court! Why not take advantage of the kids being taken care of and head off to the spa for a cheeky treatment or two? Beautifully tranquil it is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Or head out onto the main decks where you will find plenty of sunbeds to take in the views. There are plenty of evening food options, various a la carte restaurants plus the Marketplace buffet dining. And lots of options for that pre dinner drink in a cocktail bar or out in the atrium enjoy the live music on offer every night. If you think you will miss out on shopping, then think again! As you walk through the wonderful mall area, there is a souvenir shop, jewellery shops, duty free, clothes shops…. Plenty to keep you busy! Evening entertainment is fantastic on board the Bellissima. After dinner you can head to the main theatre for a fantastic show every night. We got to see the Rock show, all the singalong songs and a brilliant performance from the cast. At the end everyone was up on their feet having a good dance. Another option is Cirque De Soleil at sea. Set in a special theatre this is a show not to miss, but I would recommend booking before you travel so you don’t miss out! Overall, I can’t recommend the MSC Bellissima enough, whether it’s a family trip, friends, couples or even solo travellers, there is something on board for everyone!