Hurtigruten makes Antarctica affordable–pricing from $5,750 for 17-day adventure on Midnatsol sailings

Hurtigruten Announces 2016/17 Midnatsol Antarctica Itineraries;   Affordable Pricing Model Opens up Bucket-List Trip to Far More Travelers   Fares start at $5,750 for 17-day Adventure           Seattle, November 2015 -- Hurtigruten, a world leader in sustainable explorer travel, recently announced it was adding the MS Midnatsol to its Antarctica fleet for the 2016/2017 season, more than tripling the company’s guest capacity to the White Continent. Now the company has announced a pricing model that puts the once-in-a-lifetime trip in reach of many more travelers â€" with early-booking fares as low as $5,750 for a 17-day adventure â€" plus an additional 5% off for any past Hurtigruten guests (available on all itineraries), lowering the price to $5,463. A new online brochure provides full details - www.hurtigruten.us/pages/order-brochures.           “Our new pricing model of rewarding early planners with the best prices is in itself a great way for our guests to save money on these bucket-list expeditions,” states Gordon Dirker, managing director, Hurtigruten USA. “But we go even further with published fares that are on par with the pricing of European river cruises and 14-day ocean voyages, and an adventure experience that is one of the best in the industry.”           The Discovery Style Voyages available on the Midnatsol are slated towards soft adventure, focusing on a hands-on, get ashore, affordable, bucket-list adventure with expert lecturers and guides, shore visits, excursions, kayaking, hiking, and overnight camping. Another aspect that sets the Midnatsol apart is that its’ six, 15-to-18 day voyages (10 departures) sail from Chile’s Punta Arenas (one night in 1st-class hotel in Santiago and roundtrip flight to Punta Arenas included) or Uruguay’s Montevideo and include Patagonia in many of its sailings. Other highlights include the Falkland Islands, Chilean fjords, the Magellan Strait and Cape Horn. The season runs from September 2016 to April 2017 with starting fares ranging from $6,250 to $9,304 per person, double, before discounts.                       Every sailing features an expert expedition team to lead guests on exciting and educational shore excursions. Experts range from Lewis Gordon Pugh, the first to swim across the North Pole and the UN’s “Patron of the Oceans,” to climatologist Olav Orheim and biologist Monica Kidd â€" and others. The on-board scientific lectures will give guests an insight into some of the same mysteries that have attracted the world’s explorers, scientists and adventurers to this remote wonderland for more than 100 years. An Expedition photographer is also on every sailing to photograph the guests, offer advice and show off the day’s fun in the ship’s media room. Children are more than welcome with special pricing and a complimentary Young Explorers Antarctica program.                     Hurtigruten has been sailing polar waters for more than 120 years and has more combined experience than any other operator and the highest maritime reputation. The Midnatsol is a purpose-built ice class 1X ship with open seas stabilizers, forward-scanning sonar, ice radar and an extensive range of safety equipment and expertise. Landings are accommodated in either Zodiacs or the Hurtigruten-exclusive Polarcirkel craft â€" with hard floors, handrails and easy in-out access. The ship offers sea-level launching from either side so the top deck is left open for guest enjoyment (vs. competitors who need to use it for Zodiac storage) and guests are able to get in and out of the craft while protected from winds and weather. The ship’s two-story panoramic lounge and large expanses of windows means scenery is viewable from incredibly comfortable environs â€" throughout the ship.                2016/17 Season Voyages: 18-day South Atlantic, Antarctica & Patagonia takes in Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Antarctica and the wild fjords of Chile. Priced from $6,499. 15-day Chilean Fjords & Antarctica visits Patagonia, the Chilean fjords, the South Shetland Islands and Antarctica at fares from $6,833. 16-day Discover Patagonia & Antarctica is an in-depth exploration of these two great sites â€" priced from $6,670. 18-day Legendary Magellan Chilean Fjords & Antarctica celebrates the holidays in the fjords, Falkland Islands and Antarctica with prices from $7,167. 15-day Cape Horn & Antarctica includes six days on the White Continent and explores Cape Horn and the Chilean fjords at fares from $7,000. 17-day South America & Antarctica takes in the highlights of both on the same voyage as well as the Falkland Islands â€" priced from $6,250.         Pre- and post-sailing options include additional hotel nights in Santiago or Montevideo, flight packages, and single or multi-day tours and stays including Patagonia and Atacama Desert..           Hurtigruten is a world leader in exploration travel, sailing to the most remote of destinations as well as year-round along Norway's coast. 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.