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FANTASTIC NORTHERN LIGHTS TO REACH THEIR PEAK IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, SAY SPACE SCIENTISTS.

Activity on the Sun rises and falls in a cycle lasting approximately 11 years, and the entrancing Arctic displays known as aurorae or the northern lights wax and wane in step with it. According to space scientists, the Sun's current cycle of activity will peak this autumn, so the opportunities for seeing the northern lights in late 2013 and early 2014 should be the best for over a decade.

Aurorae are a phenomenon of the Earth's upper atmosphere, sparked by streams of atomic particles from the Sun. Funnelled downwards by the Earth's magnetic field, the solar particles cascade onto the atmosphere in a ring around the poles, making it glow with dancing veils of light.

In a recent survey by the Passenger Shipping Association, the northern lights was voted the natural phenomenon that passengers would most like to view from a cruise ship. Northern Norway is directly under the zone of maximum activity and is hence an ideal place to experience this great natural light show at its best.

Hurtigruten, the Norwegian coastal line, offers specialist astronomy voyages which include lectures and stargazing sessions on deck. Join me or my fellow astronomy lecturer Dr John Mason on our voyages north on Hurtigruten in search of the northern lights in 2013 and 2014.

Ian Ridpath
Lecturer, Hurtigruten astronomy voyages

Aurora Guide by Ian Ridpath

North Cape Excursion Offer
For new bookings on the Round Voyage, Norwegian Discovery Voyage, Voyage North and Arctic Highlights, we will be offering a free North Cape excursion (6A) for each person travelling (normally £98 per person), for sailings from 1st October to 31st December 2013. This offer also includes the Round Voyage with charter flights travelling between the above dates.

Two for One Offer
This summer, we have a fantastic offer for you to take a Hurtigruten voyage with a companion, and only pay for one passenger. With our two-for-one offer, you can enjoy the Norwegian fjords and the Midnight Sun on board your ship whilst making a wonderful saving.

No Single Supplement
If you are a single traveller and would like to avoid costly single cabin supplements on your voyage, we have added numerous new departure dates for sailings on any of the Classic Voyages up to the end of April 2014.

Free Flights Offer
Book one of our Classic Round Voyages, for selected departures in December 2013 and we can offer you FREE return flights from London Gatwick (normally £450 per person), together with a free North Cape Excursion (6A) for each person travelling (normally £98 per person).

North Atlantic Islands, Autumn Adventure
Join the MS Fram to experience the Autumn season in Northern Europe as you travel from Reykjavik to Bergen, visiting islands including the Faroe and Shetland islands, and a crossing the North Sea, all for a great price with our new Guaranteed Price Offer.
Select from either an inside or outside cabin or suite and make great savings on the normal fare.

Save up to 25% off your 2014 Hurtigruten voyage
Book your 2014 Hurtigruten voyage early and you can save up to 25% off the normal brochure fare. However, these offer prices are strictly availability controlled. As the cabins book up, the discounts will be reduced, so to get the best possible price . . . . . book early!

For full details, see our Special Offers page

Many Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours,

Jeff Paulett

Coastal Cruises