Norway on Cruise Express: A new cruise and rail tour takes in Northern Lights

LIGHTEN UP

Cruise Express has a new cruise and rail tour to Norway to see the aurora borealis. The 15-night Journey to the Northern Lights departs Australia on February 18, 2019, with two nights in Oslo, train journeys to Voss and Bergen, and a six-night voyage on Hurtigruten's 691-passenger ship Kong Harald. The cruise stops at ports such as Trondheim and Alesund and traces the fiords above the Arctic Circle as far as Kirkenes​ on the Russian border, where guests can see reindeer, ride in a dog-sled and stay at the ice-carved Snow Hotel.

Phone 1300 766 537. See cruiseexpress.com.au

FINE PURSUIT

Azamara Club Cruises is transforming its new ship Azamara Pursuit so that it is almost identical to the company's sister ships Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey. It sails on its first post-transformation voyage from Southampton on August 1, 2018, to visit eight destinations in Norway on one of its Destination Immersion country-intensive cruises. Azamara Pursuit then departs Southampton for an Iceland-intensive voyage on August 13, 2018, before a special rechristening voyage on August 28. The ship departs Southampton once more on August 30 for a 13-night Wine & Romance voyage.

Phone 1800 754 500. See azamaraclubcruises.com

ROCKS OF AGES

APT is continuing its 40-year experience in the Kimberley with its iconic 11-day Kimberley Coast small-ship cruise, which explores the waterfalls, gorges and reefs of this corner of Western Australia. Guests can ride a high-powered fast boat through Horizontal Falls, search for marine life as the tide recedes at Montgomery Reef, and admire Indigenous rock art. New for 2019 is the chance for guests to extend their tour to include Arnhem Land in the Top End and interact with Indigenous communities, who will share their ancient art, culture and heritage.

Phone 1300 196 420. See aptouring.com.au