CLIMATIC CHANGES FACING THE WORLD'S LARGEST ISLAND

DR. DAVID HOLLAND, DIRECTOR OF C.A.O.S., JOINS HURTIGRUTEN GREENLAND CRUISE

12-Day Adventure Departs June 23 – Air-Inclusive Fares Reduced 25% And Include Two Free Hotel Nights

New York, NY, May 2009 -- Guests joining Hurtigruten's June 23rd departure of its 12-day Greenland voyage, will have the added perk of traveling with Dr. David Holland, the director of the Center for Atmosphere-Ocean Science (CAOS) and Professor of Mathematics at NYU's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences.  Dr. Holland will discuss the climate change in Greenland and the effects those changes may have elsewhere in the world, while the ship's team of Expedition Leaders teach guests about the island's history, geography, culture and wildlife.  Guided walking tours take in Inuit villages and towns with tongue-twisting names – Qeqertarsuaq, Ukkusissat, Itelleq and Ilulissat – and illustrate how the friendly local populations have flourished in one of the harshest climates on Earth.  The air-inclusive fares, reduced 25% and now including two free hotel nights in Copenhagen, are $5,009 to $8,549 per person, double.

The 12-day itinerary begins with an overnight stay in the medieval city of Copenhagen (repeated at the end of the vacation) where guests can take in a treasure trove of sites as they stroll the cobblestone streets and crisscross  the canals.  After a flight to Greenland, participants board the 318-berth MS Fram, the world's newest and most deluxe expedition ship, which heads out along Kangerlussuaq Fjord, one of the world's longest fjords, on its way to huge Disko Bay.  Along with the villages mentioned above, passengers visit Uummannaq, a halibut center at the foot of a heart-shaped mountain; and Sismiut, the second largest town with about 4,900 people.  Scenic highlights include Eqip Sermia Glacier, a huge wall of ice that calves directly into the sea; towering icebergs at the mouth of Jakobshavn Ice Fjord, a World Heritage Site; and Jakobshavn Glacier, the world’s most active glacier.

Dr. Holland has received numerous awards and written extensively on the phenomena of the polar oceans and their impact on the global climate.  He is currently researching the interaction of floating ice shelves with polar ocean waters and in 2007, he placed time-lapse cameras and an automatic weather station on the Jakobshavn Ice Fjord, in Greenland, the fastest-moving glacier in the Arctic.

The 12,700-ton, eight-deck ship, makes significant use of Greenland’s culture as inspiration for design while incorporating a striking Scandinavian feel with the extensive use of wool, leather and oak.  Suites include seating areas, some with two rooms, TV, mini-bar and queen-size beds.  The ship also boasts an Internet café, a large glass-enclosed observation salon offering panoramic views of the outside scenery, restaurant with ocean views, wellness center with saunas, work-out room and two glass-screened heated outdoor whirlpools.

This special voyage includes cabin category selected and three meals daily aboard ship, lectures by Dr. Holland, services of naturalist guides, specified land excursions and PolarCirkel excursions, ship transfers and port charges.  Air fuel surcharges and taxes are additional.  Add-on airfares are available from dozens of North American cities. 

Information, brochures and reservations can be obtained from Hurtigruten Inc., (800) 323-7436 or (212) 319-1300; fax (212) 319-1390; for brochures (800) 582-0835, 24 hours a day; www.hurtigruten.us.

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