Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines makes return to homeland Norway as new ship Borealis sets sail to seek out Northern Lights

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is making a return to its homeland of Norway today as new ship Borealis sets sail in search of the Northern Lights, the natural phenomenon after which she is named.

Since the line resumed sailing in the summer, Fred. Olsen’s first cruise to Norway marks the start of a hand-crafted programme of cruising to the region, with 22 sailings across all four seasons in 2022.

Fred. Olsen’s Journey Planners have crafted the Norwegian sailings to maximise the benefits of their smaller ships, which allow them to sail size restricted waters such as Lysefjord, Åkrafjord and Fjaerlandsfjord, leading to secluded waterfalls and scenic fjord sailing.

Martin Lister, Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experience at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“At Fred. Olsen, we are proud to sail our own course, and our homeland of Norway is somewhere this really shines through.

“This is especially true in the fjords, where we frequently travel away from the well-sailed route. Here we can offer exceptional experiences for our guests, such as sailing Maurangerfjord to show our guests the sprawling Fureberg Waterfall.

“The smaller size of our ships opens up so many possibilities for us. We can sail the size-restricted Lysefjord so guests can look up at the famous Pulpit Rock or cruise Åkrafjord to the tall and tumbling Langfoss Waterfall, often regarded as the best waterfall in Norway, offering views of spectacular scenery direct from the ship.

“This first cruise back to Norway will be extra special, as not only will we be visiting Alta, renowned for being one of the best places on earth to see the Northern Lights, but it will also see Borealis going in search of the phenomena from which she takes her name. We can’t wait to share this experience with our guests.”

Some highlights of Fred. Olsen’s sailings to Norway in 2022 include:

Bolette’s 14-night T2202A ‘In Search of the Northern Lights cruise, departing from Southampton on 30th January 2022. Prices start from £1,399 per person.
Itinerary: Southampton, England – Trondheim, Norway – Alta, Norway (overnight stay) – Tromsø, Norway (overnight stay) – Bodø, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Southampton, England
For more details: Visit T2202A ‘In Search of the Northern Lights

Borealis’ eight-night S2208 ‘Classic Norwegian Fjords’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 6th April 2022. Prices start from £999 per person.
Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Cruising Lysefjord, Norway – Cruising Hardangerfjord, Norway – Eidfjord, Norway – Cruising Maurangerfjord and Furebergfossen, Norway – Flåm, Norway – Cruising Nærøyfjord, Norway – Bergen, Norway – Kirkwall, Orkney Islands – Liverpool, England
For more details: Visit S2208′ Classic Norwegian Fjords.’

Balmoral’s 15-night L2217′ Rugged and Remote Spitsbergen’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 22nd June 2022. Prices start from £2,599 per person.
Itinerary: Newcastle, England – Olden, Norway (overnight stay) – Cruising Nordfjord, Norway – Maloy, Norway – Cruising Nærøyfjord, Norway – Cruising Torghatten, Norway – Cruising Seven Sisters Mountain Range, Norway – Crossing the Arctic Circle, Norway – Cruising Trollfjord, Norway – Cruising by Djevelen Tanngard, Norway – Honningsvåg, Norway – Cruising North Cape, Norway – Pyramiden, Norway – Cruising by Nordenskiöldbreen, Norway – Cruising by Templefjorden, Norway – Longyearbyen, Norway – Tromsø, Norway – Cruising by Black Glacier, Norway – Cruising Nordfjorden, Meloy, Norway – Åndalsnes, Norway – Cruising Romsdalfjorden and Isfjorden, Norway – Newcastle, England
For more details: Visit L2217′ Rugged and Remote Spitsbergen’

Braemar’s five-night M2222′ Summertime Fjords in Five Nights’ cruise, departing from Edinburgh (Rosyth) on 29th July 2022. Prices start from £799 per person.
Itinerary: Edinburgh (Rosyth), Scotland – Olden, Norway – Cruising Nordfjord, Norway – Cruising by Hornelen, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Cruising Hjørundfjord, Norway – Edinburgh (Rosyth), Scotland
For more details: Visit M2222′ Summertime Fjords in Five Nights’

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Nordic Tour Operator Launches “Isocation” Holidays for 2021

After the staycation summer of 2020, Magnetic North Travel predicts 2021 will be the year of the Nordic “isocation” as the specialist tour operator helps clients to escape to the wild corners of Scandinavia and the Nordic countries.

Magnetic North Travel has highlighted some of its most naturally Covid-secure trips to assist travellers in planning an escape. These include remote fjordside cabins, secluded forest retreats, glass igloos, island escapes, empty road trips and treetop houses.

Founder Laura Greenman explains why travellers should consider the Nordic countries in 2021. “As we view images of crowded beaches, busy beauty spots and packed campsites in the UK, travellers wishing to maintain social distancing will be lured to the freedom and space offered in the Nordic countries,” she explains. “With its abundance of wilderness, a holiday in Norway, Finland, Iceland or Sweden provides a stress free post pandemic getaway.”

The Nordic countries benefit from low population densities, with just 17 people per square kilometre in Finland, compared to England at 430 per sq km. “All of our Nordic partners will follow respective government guidelines to maintain social distancing measures without compromising on guest experience” says Greenman. “In some cases very little will need to change as outdoor adventures are always in small groups and distance between guests can be sustained. I believe travellers will be looking for reassurance from the industry to help them feel confident to board a plane and venture overseas. Travelling to the Nordic countries is a great first step out of the pandemic and into a new way of exploring the world.”

Magnetic North’s Top Five Nordic Isocations

Varanger Lodge – Northern Norway
On Norway’s empty Arctic coast, a pair of isolated cabins overlook stunning fjord and mountain vistas. Here wildlife lives undisturbed and visitors feel as though they have reached the edge of the world. Magnetic North offers self drive holidays along the Arctic coastal highway, and winter adventures in search of the Northern Lights.

Loggers Lodge – Arctic Sweden
The only neighbours for miles around are moose, reindeer and husky dogs. It’s just you, the forest and your private host a short walk away. The accommodation is a luxury converted cabin, complete with sauna and outdoor hot tub.

Levi Glass Igloo – Finnish Lapland
Create your own social bubble at this small luxury resort in the fells of Finnish Lapland. Meals can be delivered to your glass igloo and then it’s your choice of relax, or explore the empty trails surrounding the resort.

Self Drive Tour of Iceland’s Westfjords
The west of Iceland is uncompromising in its isolation. Here wildlife seeks refuge and civilisation is replaced by sorcery. Discover the stories and sagas hidden among the fjords, mountains and glaciers of this remote region on a week long self-drive holiday of Iceland’s Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Westfjords.

Eagle View Suite – Finnish Lapland
Ideal for lovebirds, the Eagle View Suite sits atop the Iso-Syote ski resort. With winter activities suited to social distancing, this romantic break may be the perfect post lockdown treat to look forward to.

For more Nordic isocation inspiration, visit: https://www.magneticnorthtravel.com/nordic-isocation