Exclusive Performance by Aled Jones MBE
Take your seat for a magical live performance of the enduring Christmas classic The Snowman. In an Imagine Holidays exclusive, Aled Jones MBE will perform to a screening of the cartoon with the accompaniment of a live string orchestra. The most iconic treble voices of our age, Aled first sung “Walking in the Air” on record at age 14. Today, his voice has matured into a forceful baritone that adds new, soul-stirring depth to one of our best-loved Christmas songs. Listen as Aled tells this classic story and sings its signature musical number.
In addition to The Snowman, Aled will also sing a selection of his favourite carols, both old and new, which are guaranteed to leave you full of festive cheer as you continue your Christmas cruise through the Danube’s old-world towns and villages. Your evening will begin with a welcome drink and finish with an exclusive Q&A session – a magical Christmas experience that you’ll remember forever.
Your Imagine Holiday Includes
11 night full-board cruise on board Hurtigruten’s MS Kong Harald
4 night full-board river cruise on board Emerald Dawn
Exclusive intimate performance by Aled Jones MBE
3 night hotel stay in Bergen at the Zander K
Overnight flight
Your Voyage
Your Itinerary
Your holiday begins as you fly from Australia to your destination.
The picturesque coastal city of Bergen sits nestled among seven mountains. Bask in the colourful port houses, stunning views of the fjords, and snow-capped mountain surroundings.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Zander K
Embark MS Kong Harold and set sail north from Bergen along the Hjeltefjord, following the same route as the legendary Vikings. The Expedition Team will help enhance your experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
As you continue north, you’ll call at Ålesund, renowned for its beautiful art nouveau architecture. Come evening, you’ll arrive in Molde, known as the ‘City of Roses’ due to its sprawling gorgeous gardens.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
Discover vibrant Trondheim, home to the impressive Nidaros Cathedral, with a fascinating walking tour before setting sail again this afternoon. Pass the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and numerous islets and rocky outcrops before calling at Rørvik.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
Today, you’ll cross over into the Arctic Circle, where you’ll have the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Experience Saltstraumen, the world’s most powerful maelstrom before arriving at the Lofoten Islands where you’ll get a taste of genuine Viking life.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
Among your onshore stops today will be Tromsø, the perfect place to enjoy typical local activities including skiing, dog sledding and whale safaris. You’ll also get a fantastic opportunity to witness more of those ethereal Northern Lights.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
Honningsvåg is the gateway to the spectacular North Cape. Take an excursion to the North Cape plateau, for an exciting snowmobile trip through enchanting scenery, and learn how the local Sámi people use nature to survive.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
The wintry landscape in Kirkenes is perfect for snowmobile and dog sledding adventures. This is the turning point in your Hurtigruten cruise, as you now commence your return voyage back to Bergen.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
As you continue south, you’ll stop at a number of ports to enjoy spectacular scenery, local specialities, and historic landmarks. In Mehamn, the fresh winter air and clear, starry skies are perfect for seeing the Northern Lights.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
The island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen offer some of the most stunning scenery that you’ll encounter during your adventure. Enjoy a stop at Svolvær, where you’ll be able to experience a thrilling horseback ride at sunset.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
Today you’ll sail past mountain ranges with unique formations that have inspired many myths and legends. The Seven Sisters are allegedly the daughters of a Troll king who escaped his strict control until daylight turned them to stone.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
Today you’ll get another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim before sailing through the majestic Trondheimsfjord, Norway’s third longest fjord. In Kristiansund, you’ll get a sense of the importance of the fishing industry to Norway’s coastal communities.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: MS Kong Harald
Today you’ll get your final glimpses of the Norwegian Fjords and the wildly beautiful coastlines, before disembarking the Hurtigruten upon arrival back in Bergen.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Zander K Hotel
The city boasts a treasure trove of late-Renaissance and Rococo architecture. See the fabled statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid, and stroll along the old harbour of Nyhavn.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tivoli Hotel
Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is a mesmerising blend of history, culture, and stunning architecture. Divided by the Danube River, the city is known for its iconic landmarks, including the grand Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Mamaison Andrassy Hotel
This award-winning vessel boasts exceptional comfort with exquisite style, offering the perfect surroundings in which to unwind as you settle in to explore some of the most enchanting destinations in Europe.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Emerald Dawn
This pretty city is divided by the mighty River Danube, Budapest is split into two neighbourhoods with distinct personalities: Buda with its steep hills and sweeping panoramas and Pest with its café culture and buzzing bar scene.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Emerald Dawn
In the capital of Slovakia, you’ll find stunning fairy-tale castles offering panoramic views across the river. Relish a sightseeing tour and explore the remarkable Old City and find a wealth of charming Christmas markets to enjoy at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Emerald Dawn
Join Aled Jones MBE for a fascinating Q&A session and be enchanted by an intimate and live performance of The Snowman. You’ll then join in with the festivities as Aled sings a selection of his favourite carols.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Emerald Dawn
Your holiday complete, today you’ll disembark your ship and head to the airport for your flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
MS Kong Harald
Named after Norway’s reigning monarch, who is himself a seasoned sailor, the MS Kong Harald (refurbished in 2016) presents a sleek, state of the art, arctic inspired interior and boasts three on board restaurants, a bakery, ice cream bar, sauna, and fitness room – available for all 590 guests to enjoy.
Offering mesmerising views that you can enjoy as you soak up the scenery from one of two on deck hot tubs, contrasting the icy northern waters with warm, bubbly luxury. And atop the vessel, experience stunning panoramic coastal views that you won’t find anywhere else.
Through the on-board educational Coastal Experience Team, the cruise’s on-board learning institution, introduce yourself to Norwegian “friluftsliv” (outdoor life) as you delve deep into rich culture and experience the wonders of northern nature, from animals to stunning weather phenomenon (such as the Northern Lights), on board this fascinating Norwegian voyage.
- Tonnage 11,204 tons
- Length 400 ft (121.80 m)
Life on Board MS Kong Harald
From indulging in a wide range of delectable dishes in one of three authentic restaurants, grabbing a traditional drink at the bar, or letting loose in the sauna, life on board MS Kong Harald is as relaxing as it is mesmerising and intellectually engaging.
dining
With three top class restaurants to choose from with a Norwegian authenticity few else can provide, a bakery offering arctic ice cream and fresh tasty treats and a bar to unwind in, your taste buds are on a Norwegian voyage as well.
- Kysten Arctic Fine Dining
- Torget Main Dining
- Multe Bakery and Ice Cream Bar
- Brygga Bistro
Bars and Lounges
- Explorer Lounge & Panorama Bar
Facilities
MS Kong Harald boasts an array of unique on board facilities, from super-fast Wi-Fi to a beautiful panoramic lounge above deck – and even on board car parking. It just doesn’t get better than this.
- Coastal Experience Team
- Panoramic lounge
- Wi-Fi (for payment)
- Sauna
- Fitness room
- Lift
- Conference room
- Car deck
- Hot tub
entertainment
On board MS Kong Harald, you’re in for a treat. Experience what mother nature has to offer as you gaze upon the mysterious Northern Lights, observe a wild whale in a once in a lifetime meeting, see an array of Arctic wildlife, and learn the secrets of the Arctic with the Coastal Experience Team.
- See the Northern Lights
- Whale Watching
- Coastal Experience Team Talks
- Arctic Wildlife
- Bar
Emerald Dawn
This magnificent vessel entered service in 2015, and undertakes luxurious round trips across Europe.
Emerald Dawn comprises three spacious decks, incorporating unique, comfortable, and relaxing staterooms and suites, along with multiple bars and lounges.
Dining on board Emerald Dawn represents a simply exquisite experience – the focal point for which is the ship’s main dining room, the Reflections Restaurant.
The standout feature of Emerald Dawn is undoubtedly her heated swimming pool. The pool has a retractable roof and offers spectacular 180-degree views at the ship aft. This area of the ship seamlessly transforms into an enchanting cinema at night, complete with cocktails and popcorn.
Emerald Dawn hosts themed cruises to all manner of tempting faraway destinations. With her indulgent facilities, attentive service, and itinerary of fabulous European river destinations, Emerald Dawn really does provide the perfect way to escape.
- Occupancy 180
- Tonnage 3,544 tons
- Length 443 ft (135.00 m)
Life on Board Emerald Dawn
Your time on board Emerald Dawn will be full of inspiring moments. Enjoy fine food and a plethora of activities, or just sip your favourite beverage as you watch the world go by.
dining
An Emerald cruise can be counted on to deliver the utmost in culinary satisfaction. With opportunities to relish the best in international dishes, light snacks, and wines, there are options to suit everyone’s tastes on board Emerald Dawn.
- Reflections Restaurant
- The Terrace
- Horizon Bar and Lounge
Facilities
There is no shortage of comfort-enhancing and relaxing facilities for passengers to take advantage of during their time on board Emerald Dawn, ranging from pools and sports to spa treatments and pampering sessions.
- Sun deck
- Golf putting green
- Games area
- Walking track
- Navigation bridge
- Daytime pool and bar
- Lift
- Reception
- Wellness area
- Fitness area
- Sky barbecue
- Hair salon
entertainment
Expect the very best in evening entertainment options during your time on board Emerald Dawn. From live music and box office films, to sipping your favourite cocktail as you watch the sun disappear over the horizon, there will be activities and stimulations to enthral and captivate you.
- Cinema
- Nightly music
- Cooking demonstrations
- Enrichment lectures
Cabins & Suites
Those Arctic nights at sea can indeed get cold. But on board MS Kong Harald, comfort is king. With a varied selection of authentic cabins to choose from, and awesome amenities, you’ll feel the hospitable Norwegian warmth straight away, and right at home.
Polar Inside / Emerald Stateroom Prices from $9,999pp
Located on all decks, the cosy windowless Polar Inside cabins are ideal for two or three travellers. Included are bathrooms with shower/WC facilities. Most of the cabins have separate beds, one of which converts into a comfortable sofa.
- 8-9 m2 (Lower deck, two travellers)
- 8-9 m2 (Upper deck, three travellers)
- Single bed
- Convertible sofa bed
- Tea and coffee making facilities.
- TV
- Bathroom and shower facilities
- Desk/seating area
Polar Outside / Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite Prices from $10,999pp
Situated on mostly the lower and middle decks, these comfortable cabins are ideal for 2 or 3 travellers, featuring a fully convertible sofa bed and other pleasant amenities.
- 11-13 m2 (Middle deck, two travellers)
- 10-12 m2 (Lower deck, two travellers)
- 8-11 m2 (Upper deck, three travellers)
- 8-11 m2 (Upper deck, two travellers)
- Single bed
- Convertible sofa bed
- Tea and coffee making f
- Windows and portholes
- TV
- Bathroom and shower facilities
- Desk/seating area
Your Hotel Stays
Bergen
Zander K Hotel (Or Similar)
The Zander K Hotel in Bergen is a modern and stylish accommodation option in Norway’s picturesque coastal city. Conveniently located near the train station, it offers easy access to Bergen’s attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf and the famous fish market. The hotel boasts contemporary design, comfortable rooms, and top-notch amenities, making it an ideal base for both business and leisure travellers. With its Nordic-inspired cuisine and panoramic rooftop bar, the Zander K Hotel provides a delightful experience in one of Norway’s most charming cities.
Copenhagen
Tivoli Hotel (Or Similar)
Nestled in the heart of Copenhagen, the Tivoli Hotel invites guests to a world of comfort and luxury. With its modern design, the hotel offers a range of stylish rooms and suites, each meticulously appointed to ensure a restful stay. The Tivoli Gardens amusement park, just steps away, provides endless entertainment. Guests can savour delectable dining options at the hotel’s restaurants, unwind in the wellness centre, or enjoy panoramic city views from the Sky Bar. This prime location makes exploring the Danish capital a breeze, and the Tivoli Hotel promises an exceptional and memorable stay in Copenhagen.
Budapest
Mamaison Hotel Andrassy Budapest (Or Similar)
Mamaison Hotel Andrassy Budapest offers a blend of elegance and history. Nestled on the iconic Andrassy Avenue, it provides a sophisticated retreat with luxurious accommodations. The hotel’s classic facade belies its contemporary interiors, offering a seamless fusion of old-world charm and modern comfort. Guests can explore nearby attractions like Heroes’ Square or unwind in the garden courtyard. With its convenient location and timeless ambiance, Mamaison Hotel Andrassy invites travellers to experience Budapest’s cultural treasures while indulging in refined relaxation.
