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• Specialist photographer to help guests capture great images
• Astronomer on board to enhance night-sky watching
• Stay overnight at husky lodge to view the Aurora Borealis
• Take 15-kilometre dog-sledding ride over the tundra
• Chauffeur service to and from the port included in the price, along with travel insurance and even wine with lunch   and dinner

A photographer who specialises in night-sky imagery accompanies Saga guests when they go searching for the Northern Lights in Northern Norway during a new 2020 cruise on Saga Sapphire.

There’s never a guarantee that the elusive Aurora Borealis will come out to play but the Aurora Explorer sailing features overnight stays in the cities of Alta and Tromso and with an included evening excursion, accompanied by a local expert guide this will maximise the opportunity to see the spectacular natural phenomenon.

An astronomer is also on hand to provide fascinating information about the solar system while all eyes are on the dark sky. In addition, there are daytime lectures to help build or ehance the knowledge of the night sky and the art of photography.

Guests can opt to watch for the Aurora Borealis while bedding down at the Holmen Husky Lodge in the stunning town of Alta. In front of a log fire, in a luxury lavvu bungalow, there’s a chance to enjoy the views through floor-to-ceiling glass panels. A 15-kilometre dog-sledding ride over the tundra adds to this winter wonderland adventure.

There’s reindeer-sledding on a traditional Sami sledge, and after crossing a frozen lake, guests return to a lavvu tent for warming soup while listening to stories of Sami life.

The chic and elegant 720-guest Saga Sapphire also sails into Kristiansund, where opera is a way of life, as well as the World Heritage City of Bergen where an optional ride up Fløyen Mountain on the funicular railway offers fantastic views of the fjords.

Alesund is also on the itinerary with an opportunity to hike 418 steps to the top of Aksla to see the Sunnmøre Alps. The last port of call before returning to Dover is Stavanger.  Here, in the Oil Capital of Norway, it is lovely to walk in the old centre to see the historic wooden homes, wind-down and celebrate a wonderful ‘bucket-list’ experience in beautiful Norway.

For details visit saga.co.uk/ocean-cruises or call 0800 50 50 30.

 16 nights from £2,419 per person, departing on February 21, 2020. Price includes UK travel package to Southampton and from Dover on return, all meals and entertainment, choice of table wines at lunch and dinner, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited tea and coffee in selected venues, free wifi, all on-board gratuities, porterage, free shuttle bus to nearest town centre (whenever possible and when the ship is berthed more than 500 yards away), optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if passenger has own insurance.

 All excursions mentioned are optional, at an additional cost, and are subject to availability and change. Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions or by exploring independently.

 Price based on two people sharing the lowest available inside cabin grade and includes any relevant booking discount. Fare was correct at the time of sending and is subject to availability and change. Further terms and conditions apply.