Join Hurtigruten and Celebrate Norway’s Big Day Out

In 2011 Hurtigruten offers spectacular 12 day Norway sailings in combination with the National day on the 17th of May. Enjoy incredible scenery and take part in Norway’s big day out on board all 11 ships and in their ports of call.

With its parties, parades and children’s processions Norway’s National Day, 17th of May, is unique in the world – just like Hurtigruten. With banners, flags and bands the children play the main role in the celebration and take centre stage on this amazing day in spring-dressed Norway.

Sailing through the magnificent coastal waters of Norway you will enjoy a wide array of educational lectures about the history of the national day, the Norwegian Royal family and the national costumes. Be entertained with traditional folk music and learn the Norwegian anthem on board. These voyages will not only give you memories for a lifetime but also knowledge about the communities and the culture of the land of the midnight sun.

Norway adopted its constitution in 1814, and it is this event that is celebrated on the 17th of May each year. Stortinget, the Norwegian parliament, held the first 17th of May celebration in 1836, and from then this day was regarded as the national day. The first children’s processions were arranged in 1870 and since 1906, the Royal Family has gathered on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo to wave to the children marching by. On this day the celebration takes place in every town and every small community along the ragged coast of Norway. The 11 Hurtigruten ships calls their different ports during the day and as a guest on board you can take part in the celebration.

The sailings will of course include all the unique sights of a classic round trip with Hurtigruten: Bergen, the cultural gateway to the spectacular fjords, the Geiranger fjord, the medieval city of Trondheim, the magnificent coast of Helgeland, the crossing of the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten islands, Tromsoe, the gateway to the Arctic and not to forget the North Cape.

The 17th of May sailings start in Bergen on the dates from May 6-16.
Price from: AU$2880 (£1612 pp)

Choose also from a range of other theme voyages on board Hurtigruten’s ships:

Opera Voyage
Once again the National Norwegian Opera will bring some of their best soloists to the Opera voyage on Hurtigruten, a special departure with MS Trollfjord from Trondheim to Oslo. The passengers can look forward to a program that represents classicals from well known operas, operettes and musicals.
January 6-9 2011 Trondheim – Bergen – Oslo, MS Trollfjord
Price from: AU$800 (£448 pp)

Birds of the Nordic coast
Sailing through a landscape of towering mountain peaks and breathtaking fjords this is a fantastic opportunity to combine Hurtigruten and bird watching. In May millions of migrating birds return to the Arctic coast during their nesting period. Species like puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, Arctic skuas, northern fulmars, northern gannets and sea eagles are numerous in this area. Enjoy the full Hurtigruten experience together with field trips, excursions, on board sighting sessions and lectures amidst the stunning backdrop of this beautiful coastline.
20-25 May 2011 Kirkenes-Bergen, MS Nordnorge
Price from: AU$1584 (£887 pp)

Edvard Grieg, Hall of the mountain King
Join this unique and classic voyage to immerse yourself in the music and background of the man who has become, to many, one of the most prominent ambassadors of Nordic music known today. This classical and unique voyage with the nation’s favorite composer combines the dramatic and beautiful landscape of Norway’s fjords and coastline with a series of on board concerts and lectures.
October 09-15 2011, Bergen – Kirkenes, MS Trollfjord 7 days
October 15-20 2011, Kirkenes – Bergen, MS Trollfjord 6 days
Price from: AU$1600 (£913 pp)

Polar-historical voyage
Sail in the wake of the great Norwegian polar heroes, Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen and discover how these pioneers confronted the elements, pushing the boundaries of human endurance to achieve incredible feats of exploration. As well as breathtaking nature during your voyage you can enjoy a number of lectures about the polar heroes and their voyages, as well as the culture and the inhabitants of the polar region.
October 14-20, Bergen – Kirkenes, MS Nordkapp 7 days
Price from: AU$1459 (£817 pp)

New Year at North Cape 2011/2012
Join our unique New Year departure and celebrate the dawn of 2012 on the top of the world at North Cape. Sailing from Bergen, this unique itinerary on board MS Trollfjord offers an exclusive chance to celebrate the New Year at mainland Europe’s most northerly point – the North Cape. This special itinerary includes an over night stay the winter city Alta.
December 26-January 6, Bergen-Alta-Bergen, MS Trollfjord 12 days
Price from: AU$2330 (£1328 pp)

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising and is represented in Australia by Discover the World Marketing. For more information see your local Travel Agent or contact Hurtigruten on 1800 OCEANS (1800 623 267) hurtigruten@discovertheworld.com.au