15 Day Follow The Lights - Southbound

• Incredible sightseeing including city tours of Helsinki, Bergen & Oslo, the famous Norway in a Nutshell journey including the Flåm Railway, a fjord cruise in Norway, husky and reindeers safaris all the while having optimum chances of seeing the Northern Lights
• 9 nights accommodation in centrally located 4 star accommodation - including one night in a glass
• 5 nights on board the signature Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express voyage, southbound 
• Train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi
• Breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 9 dinners
• Fully escorted by a professional English-speaking tour guide
• Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
• In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary

• Helsinki - grand city tour
• Bergen - walking tour
• Oslo - grand city tour
• Norway - see the diverse landscapes of Norway on your southbound Hurtigruten cruise
• Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord - fjord cruise
• Tromsø – Northern Lights concert at the Arctic Cathedral
• Saariselkä - spend a night in a glass igloo at the Arctic SnowHotel
• Kirkenes - spend a night in a gamme cabin
• Flåm - ride the iconic Flåmbana railway
• Rovaniemi - husky safari
• Saariselkä - reindeer safari

The Norwegian Coastline Cruises operate with a number of different ships, all with similar facilities and deck plans. Please click the ship name below to be taken to further information including the deck plans;

MS Kong Harald

MS Nordkapp

MS Nordnorge

MS Richard With

MS Polarlys

Cruise Information and Upgrades
Bedding on board the cruise is restricted to the following configurations. If you wish to upgrade your cabin, the following amounts are payable in addition to the package price prior to travel:

Polar Outside - cabin code L2 included
These comfortable outside cabins for up to two people on the lower deck have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa, and bathrooms with shower and WC. The cabins have portholes, some with limited or no view.

Polar Outside - cabin codes J2/J2D from $58 per person, twin share. Solo fare on application.

Cabin code: J2 
These comfortable outside cabins for up to two people on the upper deck have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa, and bathrooms with shower and WC. The cabins have limited or no view.

Cabin code: J2D
Outside cabin on upper deck for 2 people. The cabin comes with a double bed, TV, and has a limited view.

Polar Outside - cabin codes N2/N2D from $164 per person, twin share. Solo fare on application.

Cabin code: N2 
These standard outside cabins for up to two people on the middle decks have separate beds and bathrooms with shower and WC.

Cabin code: N2D
Outside cabin on middle decks for 2 people. The cabin comes with a double bed, full view and TV.

Polar Outside - cabin codes O2/O2D from $213 per person, twin share. Solo fare on application.

Cabin code: O2 
These comfortable cabins for up to two people on the middle/upper decks have bathrooms with shower and WC.

Cabin code: O2D
These comfortable outside cabins for up to two people on the middle/lower decks have a bathroom with shower/WC, and a double bed.

Arctic Superior - cabin codes P2/P2D from $377 per person, twin share. Solo fare on application.

Cabin code: P2
These comfortable outside cabins for up to two people on the upper decks have a bathroom with shower and WC, and separate beds, one of which doubles as a sofa.

Cabin code: P2D
Arctic superior cabin on upper decks for 2 people, with double bed, full view and TV.

Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.

Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.

Instalment Schedule:

1. At the time of booking pay a $99.00 deposit per person.
2. Pay a 1st installment of $1,554.00 per person within 7 days.
3. Pay a 2nd installment of $1,243.00 per person within 90 days.
4. You will then be invoiced for final payment 120 days prior to departure.

Please note that if you have selected a cabin upgrade or are booking a single cabin, your first installment will differ from your initial invoice.  At the time of confirmation we will adjust your invoice accordingly to ensure we collect the correct amount in order to secure your booking with our supplier.

Please refer to conditions below, which are agreed to at time of purchase. 

Can I extend my stay pre- and/or post-tour?

This depends on the package you are booking. 

Where available, extensions must be added at time of purchase and cannot be added post-purchase unless inside the 7-day cooling off period.

We can assist in arranging your airfares to accommodate an extension; however, you must also book the additional nights’ accommodation through us at time of booking (where available as an add-on):

• At check-out, please ensure you add the numbers of extra nights you would like pre- and/or post-tour (where available as an add-on). This can only be done at time of booking and cannot be added after purchase.
• Some packages may only offer the opportunity to book one (1) extra night pre and/or post. If you want more nights’ than what is available to book you must choose Land Only (refer below).
• If there is no option to add additional nights’ accommodation to your booking, then extending your stay with Inspiring Vacations is not an option and you can instead choose to change your booking to Land Only so you can arrange both your airfares and additional accommodation independently. 

When adding additional nights to your booking, the cost of the extra nights’ accommodation will be reflected on your invoice and payable with the final balance. 

Airfare surcharges may apply if extending due to airfare seasonal changes and possible fare differences. These are payable at the time of selecting your desired airfare. 

The second installment of your booking must be made before airfares can be booked. 

Outside of extending your stay you must select Land Only if:

• You would like to stopover
• You would like to upgrade your cabin class
• You would like a specific airline booked 
• You would like to extend longer than what is available within the package 
• You intend to book additional accommodation independently
• You would like to arrive and/or depart from another city or airport or; 
• Your preferred domestic departure city point (ie Perth, Australia) is not an option 

If you are interested in one of the above options, please select LAND ONLY at time of check-out and you will need to arrange your own airfares. Inspiring Vacations will not be accountable for flight delays or missed tour components due to late arrival or airline changes.

Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:

• For travelers departing from these cities will attract the following surcharge;
  • Flights from Dallas, additional $499 per person surcharge
  • Flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco, additional $399 per person surcharge
  • Flights from New York City, Miami and Chicago, additional $299 per person surcharge
• Flights will be booked with the best available airline/s. Low-cost carriers may be booked in conjunction with a full-service airline. Depending on the carrier, entertainment and meals may not be included but payable at an extra cost on-board. We cannot specify or guarantee the airline booked. If you would like a specific airline, please select land only. 
• Flights may not be direct and may include multiple connections
• All tickets will include 7 kilos of hand luggage
• Due to disrupted airline schedules globally with the pandemic, stopovers/transit times may be longer than usual (up to 12 hours in duration in some circumstances).
• Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable; any changes will be subject to the airline rules and change fees. 
• Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required at the time of submitting your traveler booking form. Any error in the names submitted will be subject to fees to amend with the airline or the ticket may be non-refundable with the purchase of a new ticket required. 
• Depending on departure date and time of booking, the required booking class for airfare offer may be too far in advance to book with the appropriate airline.
• If the required booking class is unavailable at time of booking, surcharges may apply. Total cost is final only at time of ticketing. Once issued, air tickets are subject to amendment and cancellation fees or may be non-refundable
• Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control and it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure they are familiar with the most up to date airline schedule prior to departure
• After booking, the price payable may be subject to change as a result of factors beyond the control of Inspiring Vacations. Inspiring Vacations reserves the right to increase the price payable and this will be reflected on the customer's invoice. Increases may be in relation to, but not limited to, currency fluctuations, airline taxes, airfare increases and fuel surcharges.
• Internal airfares (where applicable and included in the itinerary) will be using a local carrier and may include low-cost carriers without meals or entertainment.
• If you are travelling with another party on a separate booking, we cannot guarantee that the same flights will be booked for all parties, as this strictly depends on availability. 
• You will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters are not included. If travelling over the recommended amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable directly.

Seat Selection & Frequent Flyer Points

Inspiring Vacations do not arrange seat selection. It is important to highlight that some airlines do not allow pre-selected seats or they may charge a fee to do so. We strongly suggest you contact the airline directly with seating allocation requirements and or arrive at the airport earlier to arrange your seating. While we do not add frequent flyer member details to bookings, you can do this directly with the airline once you have your flight information.

Online check-in 

Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.

Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.

If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.

If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.

Fitness Requirements 
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.

As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.This particular tour is categorised as a ”1”

1 - Leisurely Paced Tour: A general level of fitness and mobility is required for this tour. The itinerary includes ample free time and you will not be impacted by stairs and uneven terrain. Where coach transportation is included, you will be required to get on and off the coach with ease.

Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.

You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.

Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:

1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $2,645.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.

2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement. 

You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub

During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name

Triple Share
Not available.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.

Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.

Visas may be required.

Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.

Group Size
Max 24 people. Please be advised that under exceptional circumstances, the group size may slightly surpass the designated limit due to operational reasons, such as in the event that a cruise date is consolidated with another.

Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.

Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:

• Fully Escorted - This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.

Northern Lights
Please note, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomena and can't be guaranteed. The dates provided will give you the best chance of hopefully viewing the lights during your trip, but Inspiring Vacations will not be liable for any departures which unfortunately don't see the Northern Lights during their trip. 

What to pack for your Follow The Lights Tour

To ensure your comfort we suggest packing base and mid layers, along with a substantial winter jacket, a wool or fleece hat, balaclava/buff, gloves, a woolly jumper, scarf, winter boots.. Keep in mind the layering principle: it's more effective to wear several thin layers than a few thick ones.

In exceptionally cold conditions, consider wearing two pairs of gloves – a thick pair of mitts (as mitts keep your hands warmer by not separating the fingers) and a thin pair of gloves underneath for finger dexterity. For those susceptible to cold extremities, consider acquiring carbon hand and foot warmers, typically found in reputable outdoor stores.

It is highly recommended to pack (or buy in a local shop) snow spikes/cleats. These anti-slip traction accessories for your shoes will come in very handy towards navigating slippery roads and slopes. Just keep these handy as you will be expected to remove them before entering shops and restaurants.

Click HERE for more information on weather in Norway.

Click HERE for more information on weather in Finland.

This package is sold as land only, however you do have the option of adding international airfares to your booking. Simply click on’ book now’, and under upgrades ,  you will be asked “Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?”

By selecting this option Inspiring Vacations will contact you to discuss adding flights to your chosen destination. We can assist with flying the airline of your choice to turn your booking into a flight inclusive package.

We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:

• Airline Preferences - You may wish to fly with a particular airline
• Cabin Preferences - These include upgrading to premium economy or business class
• Extensions (start and end cities must remain the same) - You may request to extend your stay pre or post tour.
• Meal Requests - You may request a specific meal for dietary requirements.
• Seat Requests - If you would like to request particular seating. However please note, not all airlines allow the selection of pre-purchased seat arrangements.

We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:

• Stopovers - Is where you might want to stop in transit for a certain amount of days prior to your tour or after your tour.
• One way flights
• Different start or end city to the tour - you may not amend the arrival or departure city of your itinerary. 
• Around the world tickets  - Is when a ticket includes multiple stops in different continents.
• Return home to a different city from the one you departed.
• Frequent Flyer point redemption - Is when an airline allows you to redeem points to pay for your flights or upgrade your ticket.  

Online check-in 

Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.

• International airfares
• Arrival airport transfer
  
• Departure airport transfer
• Visas
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Tipping
• Optional activities
• Personal expenses
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary