Topic: Here is A Fantastic Deal Sailing from the UK in Search of the Northern Lights!!

Holland America Ryndam is a sailing a 13 night North Cape Itinerary 20th May 2012 departing from Dover

NorthernLights.jpg

This cruise visits Oslo, Stavanger, Leknes and also overnights in Honningsvag - (which is the Northernmost port where you will have the greatest chance of seeing the northern lights), Alesund, Flam and Bergen. (I have been to Bergen recently click here to read my blog)

Bergen October 2011 012.jpg

Bergen October 2011 010.jpg

Unbelievably outside cabins for this cruise lead in at £1229.00 per person and this also includes Free Car Parking at Dover. Inside cabins are cheaper BUT do not include the free car parking so that would be false economy!! I won't mention any names but this is considerably cheaper than similar cruises on another well known cruise line sailing from the UK!!

The Ryndam is a smaller ship within the Holland America fleet, 56,000 tons holding 1260 guests this makes it a perfect ship for this itinerary plus you have the benefit of the fantastic service provided by Holland America who are a Premium cruise line. If you have read any of my blogs you will already know about the little extra touches they provide. The main one being that they have a higher space ration per passenger therefore meaning less queuing for facilities.
Click here to read my blog on Holland America Princendam

So to find out more and to pick your cabin please call on 0800 408 6166 or email jeannettes@cruise.co.uk

Won't it be almost 24 hours of daylight at this time of year this far north? Is there much chance of seeing the Northern lights at the end of May?

QUOTE:

Won't it be almost 24 hours of daylight at this time of year this far north? Is there much chance of seeing the Northern lights at the end of May?

Hi, I think there is little chance of seeing the Northern Lights at the end of May. The best time to see them is usually during the darkest period between November and February. I sailed to the Arctic Circle with Hurtigruten during the month of October and sadly we didn't see the lights. Our guide said it is possible that you could see them in late August, or even mid April. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will see the lights even if you travel in the darkest period.

BTW the queuing on the Ryndam is horrendous - in my experience.

Having read a few reports I would agree that probably unlilkely to see Northern Lights at this time of year - however various reports do say that they are there but not so easily visible as they would be against a night sky. It is a shame if you have had a bad experience on the Ryndam - I had quite a few customers on the Ryndam last year and didn't have any complaints. Bearing everything in mind still a great value cruise sailing from the UK (in my opinion!!)

We could debate this ad nauseum but I won't - except to say there are numerous threads elsewhere on how awful the Ryndam can be. One very experienced cruiser described it as a bucket. So I know I am far from being alone or charitably a lot of us were very unlucky.

Yes it is a good price but you have to ask why?

Honest - last word - 3 star cruise ship at very best - I just don't want people to think they are sailing on a 5 star cruise vessel - BTW Azamara is my bench mark for 5 star.

Annie