New York, NY, January 2007 -- Norwegian Coastal Voyage's air-inclusive Expedition Cruises to the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen offers guests a combination of a hands-on visit to a unique Arctic environment where the Midnight Sun casts a 24-hour spotlight on polar bears, Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, whales, walruses and ringed and harp seals and dozens of other animals and migratory birds still roam the stunning landscapes of their natural habitat, and a natural classroom to learn about and see the effect global-warming is having on so many of these fragile regions. NCV, a leader in expedition cruising at both ends of the Earth and the largest cruise company to visit Spitsbergen, offers nine-day adventures along the west coast, or a 12-day version that circumnavigates the island. Prices are $4,899 to $5,259 for the nine-day program and $7,099 to $9,199 for the 12-day program. Departures run June-through-August; AARP members receive a discount of $100 per cabin.

“These sailings have been developed to offer our active travelers a real close-up encounter with this breath-taking piece of the frozen world,” say Hans Rood, president of Norwegian Coastal Voyage. “Whether they are taken by the beauty, the abundance of wildlife or the Midnight Sun, we send them home with an understanding of why it is so important to see these remote places now and protect them for future generations to enjoy.&rdquol;

The all-inclusive itineraries lead off with overnight stays in Oslo and Longyearbyen, the Svalbard capital and ships' departure point. Passengers then spend four days on the 114-passenger MS Nordstjernen or eight days on the MS Polar Star sailing along Spitsbergen's northwest coast to the Russian mining town of Barentsburg, Prins Karl Forland Island National Park with its massive glaciers, the Ny-Alesund research center, Monaco Glacier in Woodfjord, old whaling sites, spectacular fjords and, weather and ice permitting, cross the 80° N.L. line.

The more comprehensive MS Polar Star voyages continue along the coast to the remote fjords along the archipelago's isolated northern and eastern regions where landing sites and the ship route can change with the weather and ice conditions. Highlights include Hinlopen Strait where it is always winter; glacier-covered Nordaustlandet Island, the land of polar bears; and a return via Edgeoya and Spitsbergen's Southern Cape.

Both itineraries feature daily lectures from onboard naturalist guides, expedition leaders and Zodiac landings, round-trip flights between New York, Oslo and Longyearbyen, hotel and breakfast in each capital, cabin category selected and all meals on the cruise, shore excursions, transfers and port charges. Add-on airfares are available from other U.S. cities.

Spitsbergen brochures and reservations are available from Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc. at 405 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022; (800) 323-7436 or (212) 319-1300; fax (212) 319-1390; for brochures, (800) 582-0835, 24 hours a day; www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us.

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

NCV-25-January, 2007