03 mins | 10 Oct 2024 Holidays and Festivals in Norway When you think about Norway, you undoubtedly envision captivating fjords and stunning scenery. But Norway is much more than just nature at its finest. Scratch under the lovely surface to reveal the rich culture and traditional practices that give the country its own delight. Want to experience the delights of Norway’s event calendar? Here are some of the top Norwegian celebrations and festivals to attend during your stay. Constitution Day If there is one celebration that properly embodies the spirit of Norway, it is Norwegian Constitution Day. Norwegian Independence Day, which commemorates the signing of the Norwegian Constitution on May 17, 1814, is a significant and enjoyable event. With locals dressed traditionally (bunads) and children enthusiastically waving Norwegian flags, it’s difficult not to feel thoroughly immersed in the overwhelming sense of national pride. A vacation to Norway will provide you with a front-row seat to the celebrations on board the ship, as well as the opportunity to enjoy some delicious street food in the ports. Saint John’s Eve Summer is a great season to visit Norway. The Midnight Sun allows for limitless days north of the Arctic Circle and ensures continuous daylight along the Norwegian shoreline. All summer long, there will be a variety of activities, ranging from food fairs to world-class concerts. On June 23rd, Norwegians gather to commemorate the birth of Saint John the Baptist and the summer solstice, lighting massive bonfires as the sun sets over the horizon. Few sites are as stunning as this one; prepare for a visual, auditory, and gastronomical feast! Beregenfest Looking for additional activities to do during the Norwegian summer? Look no further than Bergenfest, a music festival featuring the best of Norwegian and worldwide music. You can see a variety of live acts, including music, theatre, dance, and visual arts, over the course of two weeks in May or June. As if that wasn’t enough, it takes place at Bergenhus Fortress, a medieval castle in Norway’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed neighborhood of Bryggen. You’ll get to immerse yourself in Norway’s artistic culture while admiring the beauty of your surroundings! St. Olav’s Day The St. Olav Festival in Trondheim showcases Norway’s interesting medieval heritage. The annual festival, held on July 29th, is a tribute to Norway’s patron saint, St. Olav, who played a significant role in defining Norway’s rich Christian heritage. Even if you’re not very interested in medieval history, the magnificent processions, theatrical plays, and lavish costumes are certainly worth seeing! Northern Lights Festival Seeing the Northern Lights is a very breathtaking experience. But when you mix that with traditional Norwegian music, the effect becomes even more amazing. The Northern Lights Festival, which runs from January 26th to February 2nd, comprises live outdoor concerts by renowned musicians, with the goal that the aurora borealis would make an appearance or two at the same time. Santa Lucia When visiting Norway during the winter months, Christmas isn’t the only pleasure. On December 13th, you’ll also be able to participate in the Santa Lucia celebrations, which engulf the Scandinavian countries in a whirlwind of dazzling lights and festivities. The celebration, named after the Christian martyr Saint Lucia, aims to be a source of light and hope during the darkest time of year. Schoolchildren dress in white and sing traditional songs, led by a chosen girl who will represent Lucia. While Santa Lucia is mostly aimed toward children and families, don’t let that deter you from enjoying the lively music and delicious snacks – the saffron buns are a particular highlight! Team Cruise Professionals
Cruise for Solo Travellers
02 mins | 10 Oct 2024 Cruises for Solo Travellers There’s a lot to love about taking a cruise as a solitary traveler. Whether your travel companion is busy, you want to recharge your batteries with some’me time’, or you leave with a slew of new friends, there are numerous reasons why a solo cruise could be the ideal vacation for you. First Time Solo Traveller Solo cruising provides unforgettable experiences in breathtaking destinations. Discover the rich history and natural beauty of the Mediterranean, including varied coastlines and Greek islands. The Caribbean is the ideal place for your first solo cruise, with glorious sunshine and white sandy beaches. A Northern Lights cruise is ideal for witnessing the breathtaking natural light show. There are plenty of excellent cruises to fantastic destinations, so you’re likely to find one that fits your fantasy experience. A cruise holiday is ideal for a solitary traveler looking to meet new people. Some cruise lines provide complimentary activities designed expressly for single travelers to interact and get to know one another, such as coffee mornings and drink receptions. Dining and shore excursions provide opportunities to meet new people. And don’t forget, there are lots of choices for alone time! Relax in your cabin with room service or visit the on-board spa for restorative treatments. There are numerous perks to travelling alone. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but you will also be able to travel without compromising by selecting the cruise and itinerary that best suits you. A solo cruise can definitely take the worry out of travel and make you feel a little safer; you can relax knowing you don’t have to dine alone or tour the sites on your own, unless you want to, of course! Choosing your Cruise Accommodation As a solitary traveler, we provide a variety of cabin alternatives to ensure your satisfaction. Every cabin includes a comfy bed for a good night’s sleep after a day of exploration, plenty of storage space, and your own en-suite bathroom. There are plenty wonderful options to pick from, including single cabins, sea view cabins, and balcony cabins. Whatever your preferences or demands, we offer the ideal cabin for you. As a solo tourist, you may prefer a single cabin. A single cabins have lots of space and conveniences to make it feel like a home away from home. Single rooms are available as Inside, Sea View, and Balcony cabins, with further information available on each ship’s tour (here). If you prefer a little more space, the cruise may provide larger rooms with king-sized mattresses and a sea view or balcony. Cabin rooms, including Mini-suites and Suites, offer additional amenities such as a spacious lounge area, complimentary Champagne and chocolates upon arrival, butler service, bathrobes and slippers, and a whirlpool bath for relaxation, making your solo cruise even more special. Team Cruise Professionals
Planning a Japan Cruise
3 mins | 10 Oct 2024 Planning a Japan Cruise Japan has a long history, advanced technology, a vibrant culture, and beautiful architecture. From iconic skyscrapers and modern buildings to world-famous temples, shrines, and magnificent national parks, Japan has much to offer travelers visiting the country. When planning your Japan visit, including these must-see attractions: Sensoji Temple Sensoji Temple is situated in Asakusa, a prominent neighborhood of Tokyo. Built in 628 CE, this Buddhist temple is Tokyo’s oldest, and it is claimed that over 30 million people visit it each year to ponder in its contemplative environment. The Sensoji Temple was originally erected to commemorate Bodhisattva Kannon, the goddess of mercy, and it is still a significant center of worship. You won’t want to miss it while cruising Japan. Lake Toya Sapporo’s Lake Toya is a stunning 100,000-year-old caldera teeming with trout and smelt, making it a favorite fishing destination. Because of geothermal heating from surrounding volcanoes, it is ice-free all year round. Visitors can enjoy cruising Lake Toya through its calm waters before proceeding to Mount Usu, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. A visit to this gorgeous location will provide you with plenty of photo opportunities. Itsukushima Shrine The Itsukushima Shrine, located on Miyajima, a sacred island southwest of Hiroshima, is regarded as one of Japan’s top three picturesque spots. The shrine’s “floating” red torii (entry gate) makes it easily identifiable. as the tide is high, the gate looks to be buoyant; as the tide recedes, you may go out to the pillars that hold the gate firmly to the ground and take some closer shots. This famous landmark, designated by Japan as a National Treasure, should be at the top of your agenda when your cruise ship arrives in port. Are you ready to arrange your Japan vacation? Discover the cruise that is ideal for you. View Japan Cruises. Team Cruise Professionals
The Wonders of Penguin Highway
2 mins | 09 Oct 2024 The Wonders of Penguin Highways Antarctica, the distant and frigid continent, is home to rare fauna and breathtaking vistas. It’s the coldest, driest, and windiest spot on the world, but it also hosts one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles: the penguin highway. These are not man-made roadways, but rather routes formed by penguins’ constant march between their nesting areas and the ocean. What are Penguin Highways? Penguin highways are the consequence of many penguins following the same route from their nesting areas to the sea and back again. Their webbed feet create a natural highway over the tough Antarctic environment by packing snow into a smooth, ice route over time. These paths, visible from a distance, generate complex networks of trails that crisscross the frozen terrain. These roadways are alive with activity as penguins march orderly to and from the ocean, providing a look into the structured chaos of penguin life. Seasonal Creators Penguin highways occur when penguins arrive at breeding colonies during the Antarctic spring and summer (November-February). During this period, the trails become the major routes for the colony’s daily activity, allowing the penguins to travel more swiftly and effectively while minimizing the effort required to navigate deep snow and ice. This efficiency is especially critical during the breeding season, when parents must make many journeys to the ocean to provide food for their young. The Cold War’s Commuting Penguin highways form when penguins arrive at breeding colonies throughout the Antarctic spring and summer (November–February). During this time, the trails become the primary routes for the colony’s daily activities, allowing the penguins to travel more quickly and effectively while requiring less effort to navigate deep snow and ice. This efficiency is especially important during the breeding season, when parents must make frequent trips to the water to produce food for their offspring. Tracking Penguin Highways Observing penguin highways is a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experience for individuals who have the opportunity to visit Antarctica. Expeditioners can see a continual stream of penguins marching along these roads, frequently in single line, with a clear purpose and intent. Standing among the icebergs and glaciers, watching penguins go about their daily routines, you’ll be struck by the beauty and resilience of Antarctic life. It’s an experience that you’ll remember long after you’ve returned home. So, the next time you think about penguins, imagine them on their highways—tiny travelers making their way through the freezing plains of Antarctica, one of our planet’s harshest regions. Team Cruise Professionals
Antarctica – The White Continent
3 mins | 09 Oct 2024 Antarctica – The White Continent About Antarctica Located at the world’s southernmost point, the world’s greatest, driest, windiest, most frigid, and iciest continent is found at the south pole – Antarctica. Spread over an area of over 14.2 million square kilometers, or 5.5 million square miles. Ninety-eight percent of the land is covered by ice. It is practically hard for the flora and wildlife to flourish in Antarctica due to its severe and harsh environment. Some of the fauna that makes these places so alluring to visitors still lives in the immense horizon of frozen oceans, lone icebergs, and snow-covered deserts . Weather Due to its location at the South Pole, Antarctica experiences relatively little direct sunshine year-round making it the coldest area in the world. Throughout the year, the average temperature that has been observed is -57 degrees Celsius. When it comes to summer temperatures, the highest recorded temperature is -2 or, fortunately 8 degrees Celsius whereas in the winters the lowest recorded temperature across the continent is -97 degrees Celsius. Antarctica wildlife Despite the extreme weather and low temperatures that nearly make it impossible for wildlife to live, travelers can still see amazing creatures including blue whales, humpback whales, seals, penguins, large-winged albatrosses, and elephant seals. These creatures have a large layer of fat behind their thick coats, which allows them to survive in this hostile environment. They have an additional layer of fat called blubber that protects them from the cold and gives them better heat insulation. In addition to this, Antarctic creatures are exceptional in hiding from their surroundings through camouflage. The animals’ fur color—their bright undersides and dark backs—provides additional protection. This makes it simpler for predators to keep concealed from prey and vice versa as prey stay hidden from predators. They can blend in with their surroundings, such as the dark sea floor from above or beneath massive icebergs from below. Best time to visit Antarctica Depending on what attractions visitors like to see, there is a suitable period to visit Antarctica. If someone asks you, “What is the temperature in Antarctica?”. Many of you will probably remark, “Oh, that’s so simple; even a child can answer that question.” And probably would have said ‘cold’, but what if I told you that due to the Earth’s tilt and orbit around the sun, there tends to be two distinct seasons: winter and summer. The continent is encircled by massive icebergs and sheets of ice for six months, that is when you see that the continent is greeting the arrival of winters and preventing visitors from visiting this awe-inspiring place. Winter is also the season when the sun sets far below the horizon, plunging the area into complete darkness. These animals’ migration serves as a persuasive argument against traveling to Antarctica in this prevailing weather conditions. But as the saying goes, “every cloud has a silver lining”. Antarctica experiences its summer from October to the end of March. Breaking the ice and clearing the path for the family, the summer thus welcome the approach of their old friends such as whales, penguins, seals, and birds. These creatures’ arrival indicates that summer is, in fact, the best time to book an Antarctica cruise. Team Cruise Professionals