Catch up on Cruising with Susan Calman on Channel 5

Scottish comedian and Strictly Come Dancing star Susan Calman embarked on a festive adventure aboard Hurtigruten Expeditions ship MS Maud for a Christmas cruise from Dover to Norway.

The two-part special saw Susan Calman enjoy an exciting adventure complete with breathtaking scenery, a search for the Northern Lights and plenty of local crafts and customs to boot.

Missed the show? You can catch up on Christmas Cruising with Susan Calman on My5 by clicking here.

What to expect from a Christmas cruise to Norway

There are few places on earth that are more deserving of taking a Christmas cruise than Norway. The further north you head, the deeper the snow will be; swathes of the white stuff for as far as the eye can see, and a festive feeling you’re unlikely to get from sitting on the sofa.

If like many people you recently tuned into Cruising with Susan Calman on Channel 5, there’s every chance that a Hurtigruten Christmas cruise from Dover to Norway is going to be on your wishlist. Setting sail on the Hurtigruten Expeditions ship MS Maud, Susan was treated to a Christmas cruise like no other, taking in Norway’s striking snowscapes and going in search of the Northern Lights.

Whether you want to come nose to nose with reindeer, fill your camera roll with snaps of the snowy landscapes or marvel at the surrounding glaciers, a Christmas cruise to Norway could be just the ticket. Cruises from Dover to Norway do, of course, run all-year round. but there’s something particularly magical about this journey when Christmas comes around.

Norway is a country of great contrasts. Most Christmas cruise itineraries to the country will take in ports towards the south of the country, including Stavanger and Bergen, before transporting you northwards where the wintry scenery really starts to take hold.

The Hurtigruten Expeditions MS Maud Christmas cruise itinerary took Susan Calman right up to the North Cape, the most northerly point on the European continent. There’s a globe monument to mark this special place – a photo opportunity if ever we’ve seen one!

Your cruise ship is likely to be dressed to the nines, with the food and entertainment only adding to the Christmas spirit. As for the excursions, these will vary depending on which operator you’re travelling with.

Finding reindeer on a Norway cruise

Will I see the Northern Lights on a Norway cruise?

One of the main draws of any cruise to Norway is the potential to see the Northern Lights. Travel to the country between late-September and late-March for the best possible chance to spot the Aurora Borealis.

Many operators offer Northern Lights cruises, including Hurtigruten Expeditions. As seen on the Susan Calman cruise, passengers have the opportunity to get alerts through the PA system on their phone when the Northern Lights make an appearance. You’ll need to be prepared to layer up at the drop of a thermal hat, as there’s no guarantee when they will appear, or for how long.

On a Hurtigruten cruise, you get the added benefit of the Northern Lights Promise. If the lights don’t appear on your trip, you’ll automatically be entitled to a six or seven-night classic voyage free of charge. This offer is available on selected trips and could be worth a closer look if seeing the Northern Lights is a must-see on your Christmas cruise to Norway.

Northern Lights Norway cruise

Book a 2022 Christmas cruise with Hurtigruten Expeditions

If you want to follow in Susan Calman’s footsteps and embark on a MS Maud Christmas cruise, the good news is that Hurtigruten Expeditions is already taking bookings for the coming years.

The 2022 MS Maud Christmas cruise tackles a slightly different itinerary to the one you’ve seen on the Susan Calman cruise. Guests will bypass Stavanger and be transported directly to the snow-covered north of the country, where destinations include Alta, Tromso and Reine.

See the 2022 Christmas cruise onboard MS Maud by clicking here. Or, if you’d prefer a Northern Lights cruise, you can find the details on this link.

There are various Christmas cruises to Norway, as well as Northern Lights cruises, so take a look at the various options and decide which will make it to the top of your list.

Share this on: