Seattle, June 2014 – Camping, hiking, kayaking and small boat excursions offer guests on Hurtigruten's Antarctica Explorer sailings experiences that yield lifelong memories, stories to share with family and friends, and a greater understanding and attachment to this pristine environment. Combining these excursions with the numerous landings, thousands of penguin hosts, and the stunning scenery of the White Continent, makes any of the five 2014-2015 season Antarctica itineraries a trip-of-a-lifetime. Current fares (best prices are for earliest bookings) range from $7,299 for an inside cabin to $18,217 for a Grand Suite, per person, double, depending on itinerary.

Antarctica takes the lead when it comes to exploring one of the world's most remote and untamed regions. To bring its guests as close as possible to experiencing this remoteness, Hurtigruten has added several intimate opportunities. Camping started last year and remains one of the most sought out of excursions. Guests help in pitching the two-man polar tents before spending the evening on short hikes with expert expedition leaders and getting a different perspective of the scenery. The night is spent lying in warm sleeping bags on comfortable mattress pads listening to the waves of the ocean and distinct cracks of calving glaciers. Hiking, done in snowshoes or regular hiking boots, allows participants to go beyond the ordinary and maybe get a small taste of what Roald Amundsen and his crew faced as they headed to the South Pole. The ship's fleet of double and single kayaks allow for maneuvering the ice-cluttered waters with the possibility of seals and penguins swimming nearby.

Perhaps the most remote of Hurtigruten's offerings is the “Antarctica Circle Expedition.” This 15-day voyage sets out to cross into the Polar Circle - 66° 33' and make landings in some of the rarely visited area of the Antarctica Peninsula. Possible highlights include the former research Station W on Detaille Island; the relatively unaltered and completely equipped British scientific research station from the 50s, known as Station Y Horseshoe Island; as well as several other more established sites. Departures are on Jan. 28 and Feb 11, 2015.

Celebrate Christmas and New Years with penguins and seals and crew (oh my!) on Hurtigruten's “Christmas Expedition,” sailing from Ushuaia on Dec. 19, 2014. The voyage combines the Falklands and its capital town of Stanley; South Georgia, where a true Norwegian Christmas is celebrated; the near deserted South Orkney Islands; and Antarctica, into an amazing 17-day adventure. The “Great Antarctica Expedition” has the same itinerary but adds two days and sails on Dec. 1, 2014. “In the Realm of the Great Explorers” sailing on Nov. 1, 2014 and Feb. 25, 2015, is also a 19-day voyage and follows a similar route as the early 20th-century explorers, focusing on the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica. The 14-day “Land of the Penguins” is the shortest itinerary but still spends seven days in the White Continent mixing landings and penguin visits with lectures on history, the environment and the wildlife. The three sailings are on Nov. 19, 2014 and Jan 4 and 16, 2015.

All of the Explorer Voyages are aboard the deluxe expedition ship MS Fram. The 318-guest vessel was purpose-built in 2007 and sports unique aspects such as Polarcirkel boats that are built for extreme conditions with a hard-floor hull design and step-bow railings for greater comfort and safety, and a mid-level deployment deck for easier on/off by avoiding ladders or steps. Added to this is the simple fact that Hurtigruten trains the Pilots who are required to escort vessels in sensitive polar waters, and that the MS Fram is the only ship, along with its captains and crew, to offer an unmatchable level of experience by operating 100% of the year on Polar itineraries.

Just as important as the focus on the experience, is Hurtigruten's focus on safety and safeguarding these remote destinations seriously giving the company a true leadership position in the world of sustainable travel.  Hurtigruten belongs to numerous environmental organizations including AECO, IAATO and Clean Up Svalbard, all of which demand that members maintain responsible travel safeguards for future generations. 

Hurtigruten sails to the most remote of destinations as well as year-round along Norway's coast and in Europe. The company's fleet of intimate ships, which each carry 100 to 646 guests, allows travelers to enjoy the scenery and culture of the destination in a relaxed atmosphere.

Additional information, brochures and reservations can be obtained from travel agents or Hurtigruten's visitor-friendly website, www.hurtigruten.us; by phone at 877-301-3117877-301-3117; or fax at 888-524-2145. To order brochures 24 hours a day, call 800-582-0835800-582-0835.

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Gillies and Zaiser

10 Nytko Drive

Pomona, NY 10970-2646

HTN-20-June 2014