Southbound Arctic Circle Crossing

click images to enlarge

Heading Back Southbound

Crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°33’ N is an important rite of passage. Day 10 we celebrated the event out on deck with a taste of Arctic tradition – a spoonful of cod liver oil!

We couldn't have asked for a better day as we crossed the Arctic Circle for the second time.  The blue sky and white clouds made a beautiful background for the snow-capped mountain tops.

The Arctic Circle is the most northerly of the five major circles of latitude as shown on maps of Earth. It marks the northernmost point at which the noon sun is just visible on the December solstice and the southernmost point at which the midnight sun is just visible on the June solstice. The region north of this circle is known as the Arctic, and the zone just to the south is called the Northern Temperate Zone.

Bodø – Rørvik

We spent the majority of Day 10 sailing along the Helgeland coast. We passed hundreds of islets, fertile farmland, and steep granite walls rich in local lore.

Additional photos can be found on our Norway Shutterfly page

Crossing the Arctic Circle Southbound
Sailing Day 10





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Crossing Arctic Circle

click images to enlarge

Arctic Circle

The Arctic Circle is the most northerly of the abstract five major circles of latitude as shown on maps of the Earth. It marks the northernmost point at which the noon sun is just visible on the northern winter solstice and the southernmost point at which the midnight sun is just visible on the northern summer solstice.

The region north of this circle is known as the Arctic, and the zone just to the south is called the Northern Temperate Zone. North of the Arctic Circle, the sun is above the horizon for twenty-four continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore visible at midnight) and below the horizon for twenty-four continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore not visible at noon); this is also true within the equivalent polar circle in the Southern Hemisphere, the Antarctic Circle.

A sign on the Vikingen island marking
the Arctic Circle in Norway

‘Crossing the line’ to the land of the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights

An invisible line sweeps across Sweden, Finland, Russia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Iceland – a line that also splits Norway in two.

You will see the line marked on a globe on the small islet of Vikingen, in Rødøy between Nesna and Ørnes. To the west of this point is the island of Hestmannen, which was depicted in the Nordland legend about the trolls that were suddenly turned into stone and became the mountains along the Nordland coast. Eastward, Mefjorden continues up to the Svartisen Glacier.

Crossing Ceremony

Hurtigruten Voyages often celebrate crossing the line with rites such as whistle signals and symbolic onboard baptisms.  There was a ceremony held during our voyage.   Certificates were awarded to those that completed the ceremony which included baptism with ice water.

The exact location of the Arctic Circle varies each time you travel past it. Over the course of a full year, the virtual line shifts by almost 50 feet – while Vikingen and the Arctic Circle Monument remain firmly in place. The exact position of the line depends on the angle of the Earth’s axis compared to the plane of the Earth’s orbit.

Additional photos can be found on our Norway Shutterfly page

Arctic Circle (Northbound)
King Neptune


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Celebrity Reflection and Constellation Europe 2013

Where Europe vacation dreams
become a reality.
2013 Europe Deployment

Celebrity Reflection^SM

Celebrity Reflection – which sets sail in October of this year, complete with the brand's first "Signature Suites" and jaw-dropping, two-bedroom "Reflection Suite," complete with a sea-view bathroom extending out over the edge of the ship, a veranda tub with soothing rain shower, and panoramic views courtesy of the wraparound veranda – will present a full season of 10- and 11-night sailings roundtrip from Rome. The 10-night itinerary features visits to Sicily, Italy; Athens, Greece and the Greek Isles, and Kusadasi, Turkey, while the 11-night sailing also features an overnight stay in Istanbul.

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S) 2013	ITINERARY
16-Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise	Apr 20	Miami, Florida; Tenerife, Canary, Islands; Lanzarote, Canary, Islands; Barcelona, Spain; Provence (Toulon), France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
10-Night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise	May 17; Jun 07, 28; Jul 19: Aug 09, 30;Sep 20; Oct 11	Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Sicily (Messina), Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Naples/Capri, Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
11-Night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise	May 06	Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Santorini, Greece; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Istanbul, Turkey (overnight); Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Naples/Capri, Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
11-Night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise	May 27; Jun 17; Jul 08, 29; Aug 19; Sep 30; Oct 21	Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Santorini, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey (overnight); Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Naples/Capri, Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
15-Night Westbound Transatlantic Cruise	Nov 01	Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Tenerife, Canary Islands; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Miami, Florida

Celebrity Constellation®

Celebrity Constellation – featuring guest-favorite enhancements incorporated in the line's Solsticizing initiative, including the Tuscan Grille specialty restaurant, Cellar Masters wine bar and Café al Bacio and Gelateria, among other venues and, by Spring of 2013, new AquaClass accommodations with exclusive access to the Mediterranean specialty restaurant, Blu – from May through August 2013 will present seven Scandinavia/Russia cruises, an Arctic Circle voyage and a Norwegian Fjords sailing, all roundtrip from Amsterdam. Then, from Istanbul, the ship will set sail on two new 12-night Black Sea & Greek Isles sailings, highlighted by an overnight stay in Odessa, Ukraine; visits to Sevastopol and Yalta, Ukraine, and Celebrity's first visit to Varna, Bulgaria. Celebrity Constellation will round out her summer season with four 12-night Greek Isles & Turkey voyages, all roundtrip from Istanbul.

DESCRIPTION	SAIL DATE(S) 2013	ITINERARY
15-Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise	May 05	Miami, Florida; Madeira (Funchal), Portugal; Lisbon, Portugal; Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France; Dover, England; Amsterdam, Netherlands
12-Night Scandinavia & Russia Cruise	May 20; Jun 01; Aug 24	Amsterdam, Netherlands; Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia (overnight); Tallinn, Estonia; Copenhagen, Denmark; Amsterdam, Netherlands
10-Night Norwegian Fjords Cruise	May 24; Jun 14; Jul 05	Harwich, England; Oslo, Norway; Stavanger, Norway; Olden, Norway; Alesund, Norway; Geiranger, Norway; Flam, Norway; Bergen, Norway; Harwich, England
12-Night Scandinavia & Russia Cruise	Aug 12	Amsterdam, Netherlands; Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Tallinnn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia (overnight); Helsinki, Finalnd; Copenhagen, Denmark; Amsterdam, Netherlands
12-Arctic Circle Cruise	Jun 13	Amsterdam, Netherlands; Arctic Circle (Crossing); Leknes (Lofoten), Norway; Arctic Circle; Longyearbyen, Norway; Arctic Circle; Honningsvag, Norway; Arctic Circle (Crossing); Molde, Norway; Bergen, Norway; Amsterdam, Netherlands
12-Night Norwegian Fjord Cruise	Jun 25	Amsterdam, Netherlands; Bergen, Norway; Olden, Norway; Molde, Norway; Geiranger, Norway; Alesund, Norway; Skjolden, Norway; Flam, Norway; Oslo, Norway; Amsterdam, Netherlands
12-Night Scandinavia & Russia Cruise	Jul 07, 19, 31	Amsterdan, Netherlands; Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia (overnight); Tallinn, Estonia; Copenhagen, Denmark; Amsterdam, Netherlands

Where in the World Does Celebrity Cruise - Vol. 5

The Baltic & Europe

Our next destination in our series on Where in the World does Celebrity Cruise in 2010/2011 is the Baltic and other European destinations, such as the Norwegian Fjords and Arctic Circle. You don't have to worry if you can't spare seven days or more. Celebrity has short cruises to Europe to accomodate your busy schedule!

Celebrity Cruises has two ships in this part of Europe in 2010, including the brand new Celebrity Eclipse. Your ship becomes your base of operations for exploring several European cities. You can marvel at the scenery in Norway or at the architectue in St. Petersburg, Russia. Visit the land of your ancestors and become enriched by the experience.

Celebrity Constellation®

7 Night Norwegian Fjords Cruise
05/09/10

Amsterdam, Holland • Oslo, Norway • Stavanger, Norway • Alesund, Norway • Bergen, Norway • Amsterdam, Holland

12 Night Scandinavia & Russia Cruise
05/16; 05/28; 06/09; 07/03; 07/15; 07/27; 8/22/09

Amsterdam, Holland • Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany • Stockholm, Sweden • Helsinki, Finland • St. Petersburg, Russia • St. Petersburg, Russia • Tallinn, Estonia • Copenhagen, Denmark • Amsterdam, Holland

12 Night Arctic Circle Cruise
06/21/10

Amsterdam, Holland • Alesund, Norway • Arctic Circle • Tromso, Norway • Honningsvag, Norway • Molde, Norway • Geiranger, Norway • Olden, Norway • Bergen, Norway • Amsterdam, Holland

8 Night Northern Europe & Mediterranean Cruise
09/03/10

Amsterdam, Holland • Brussels, Belgium • Cherbourg, France • Vigo, Spain • Lisbon, Portugal • Gibraltar, United Kingdom • Barcelona, Spain

Celebrity Eclipse SM

4 Night Cork Short Break Cruise
04/29; 05/03/10

Southampton, England • Cork, Ireland • Cork, Ireland • Southampton, England

14 Night Scandinavia & Russia Cruise
05/07/10

Southampton, England • Brussels, Belgium • Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany • Stockholm, Sweden • Helsinki, Finland • St. Petersburg, Russia • St.Petersburg, Russia • Tallinn, Estonia • Copenhagen,Denmark • Copenhagen, Denmark • Southampton, England

06/12/10

Southampton, England • Brussels, Belgium • Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany • Stockholm, Sweden • Tallinn, Estonia • St. Petersburg, Russia • St. Petersburg, Russia • Helsinki, Finland • Copenhagen, Denmark • Copenhagen, Denmark • Southampton, England

06/26/10

Southampton, England • Brussels, Belgium • Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany • Stockholm, Sweden • Helsinki, Finland • St. Petersburg, Russia • St. Petersburg, Russia • Tallinn, Estonia • Copenhagen, Denmark • Copenhagen, Denmark • Southampton, England

07/10/10

Southampton, England • Brussels, Belgium • Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany • Stockholm, Sweden • Helsinki, Finland • St. Petersburg, Russia • St. Petersburg, Russia • Tallinn, Estonia • Amsterdam (Rotterdam), Holland • Southampton, England

Let me help plan YOUR Baltic or Europe Cruise Vacation on Celebrity Cruises

Itineraries:

Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Constellation