FESTIVE NORWEGIAN YULETIDE TRADITIONS COME TO LIFE DURING HURTIGRUTEN'S CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S NORTHERN LIGHTS VOYAGES

New York, September 2007 - "God Jul" is Norwegian for "Merry Christmas" and is often heard during special holiday departures of Hurtigruten's "Discover Winter Norway" cruise tours (formerly known as Norwegian Coastal Voyage). Revelers experience the traditions and customs of the Norwegian Yuletide combined with the peaceful scenery of snow-clad coastal landscapes with lights glowing from villages, towns and lighthouses, and when atmospheric conditions are right, the shimmering Northern Lights flashing across the sky. Six- to eight-day holiday cruise tours, departing Bergen and Tromso between December 19 and 26, are priced at $1,999 to $2,499 per person, including port charges and gratuities.

Food is an important ingredient of Norwegian Yuletide festivities and passengers sample local holiday delicacies at a festive Christmas Eve feast, including an extravagant Scandinavian smorgasbord. Guests can join the crew in reading from the Christmas gospel and singing carols by the tree and all will receive a visit from Santa Claus. New Year's Eve activities include a gala dinner, dance and midnight champagne toast and for some, joining the celebrations in Tromsø.

The seven-day Bergen-Tromsø sailing, exploring both cities and the Lofoten Islands, can be extended to eight days with a night in Oslo where the traditional Christmas market is a must-see. The eight-day Tromsø-Kirkenes-Tromsø spends the entire time above the Arctic Circle increasing the opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis and for those looking to combine the traditional with the unusual, the "Killer Whale Safari" is a six-day adventure in Tromso, Svolvaer and Oslo, with the focus on viewing orcas as they breach, lobtail and hunt.

Optional shore excursions during this season showcase Norway's history and lifestyle -- a snowmobile safari from Kirkenes, followed by a snack of dried reindeer meat in a Sami tent; a dogsledding outing in Tromsø; a trip from Honningsvåg through the desolate polar landscape to the North Cape, the northernmost point in Europe; a five-course Arctic gourmet dinner; and tours of the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund and the 1,000-year-old city of Trondheim.

Holiday cruises include three- and four-star hotels in Oslo and other cities with breakfast; meals on ships and safaris; inside or best available double cabin aboard ship - outside cabins are an $59 additional per person, per day; specified transfers; and a tour manager. Additional information and reservations can be obtained from travel agents or Hurtigruten at 405 Park Avenue, NY, NY 10022; (800) 323-7436 or (212) 319-1300; for brochures, (800) 582-0835, 24 hours per day - www.hurtigruten.us.

Gillies and Zaiser, 10 Nytko Drive; Suite 115, Pomona, NY 10970-2646

NCV-35-August, 2007