Solar Eclipse & Northern Lights Spectacular

Ship: Marco Polo • Departs: London Tilbury • Sail Date: Monday 16th Mar 2015 • Duration: 11 nights
Cruise Code: P500

Twin Inner from: $4829pp $2099pp

Twin Ocean View from: $7089pp $3089pp

A chance to see two of Nature's Great Spectacles

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A total solar eclipse will occur on 20th March 2015 off the coast of the remote Faroe Islands. This special cruise aboard Marco Polo will take you there to witness this phenomenon and hopefully, the amazing ‘solar corona’. This spectacular cruise will visit the Scottish Highlands, Orkney and Faroes plus Iceland – the ‘Land of Ice and Fire’, where it may be possible to view the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the Sun’s image. A total solar eclipse occurs in a narrow path across the surface of the Earth when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun, blocking all direct sunlight and turning daylight into darkness. The longest duration of totality will be off the coast of the Faroe Islands.

The total phase of a solar eclipse is considered to be one of nature’s most awe inspiring spectacles. The sky takes on an eerie twilight as the black disc of the Moon replaces the bright face of the Sun. Then, weather conditions permitting, the spectacular solar corona surrounds the Moon like a magnificent halo. The corona is a plasma some two million degrees in temperature, the mysteries of which are still studied by scientists during eclipses.

What better way to witness this memorable experience than on this unique cruise itinerary aboard Marco Polo cruising off the coast of the Faroe Islands. Visit the Scottish Highlands from Invergordon, the Orkney and Faroe Islands and enjoy an overnight stay in Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik offering the chance to search for the spectacular Northern Lights.

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

A chance to experience some amazing spectacles together with the history and heritage of intrepid early Norse and Viking explorers. These are just some of things you could see or do.

Enjoy the smallest capital city in the world - Tórshavn, in the remote Faroe Islands. Just 15,000 inhabit this town with houses fanning out along the coast and up the hillsides.

On Friday, 20^th March at position 64° 25' 56" N; 6° 38' 32"W, Marco Polo will position herself to view the solar eclipse.

From Reykjavik, travel into the country and search the sky for the infamous Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.

Bathe in Reykjavik’s Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, where the warm, mineral -rich waters are rightly renowned for their healing properties.

Visit the classic picture postcard ruin of Urquhart Castle, perched on a rocky cliff on the shores of Loch Ness. Virtually as near as you can get to the mythical Monster without venturing out in a boat!

Dont't Miss the Eclipse!

This will be the last total solar eclipse visible in Europe until August 2026. To witness such an event is a singularly memorable experience not to be missed. We expect demand to be very high, so secure your place now!

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Of the Solar Eclipse & Northern Lights Spectacular Cruise

Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
16/03/15	London Tilbury (United Kingdom)	-	1700
17/03/15	At Sea	-	-
18/03/15	Kirkwall, Orkney Islands (United Kingdom)	0700	1700	Click for more informationto hide
	The capital of the amazing Orkney archipelago, the Royal Burgh of Kirkwall sits almost exactly in the centre of Mainland, dividing the island into East and West. The magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral, a legacy of the town’s rich Viking heritage, dominates Kirkwall’s skyline. In its shadow, the town is a cluster of grey stone buildings lining narrow, flagstone streets. Excursions explore these beautiful islands whose history can be traced back some 6,000 years through Neolithic standing stones and the magnificent archaeological site of Skara Brae. Modern day Orkney is a hive of creative activity and its craft workshops are perfect for a special souvenir.
19/03/15	Kollafjordur (Faroe Islands)	0930	1630	Click for more informationto hide
	Kollafjørdur is a small fishing port on the Faroe islands of Streymoy. Initially there were just a few dwellings adjoining the village church, which dating from 1837 is a typical black-tarred wooden building with white painted windows and a turf roof. Today, although it is home to less than a thousand people, the village stretches over four miles along the northern shore of the Kollafjørdur Fjord. From the port of Kollafjørdur optional excursions visit the island communities that live on this isolated archipelago where the landscape is both wild and dramatic.
20/03/15	View the Eclipse	0600	1300
21/03/15	At Sea	-	-
22/03/15	Reykjavik (Iceland)	0600	-	Click for more informationto hide
	Part old Norse, part modern city, the Icelandic capital has a quirky character of its own. Although Reykjavik is one of the world’s smallest capital cities, it is home to almost half of Iceland’s population. Mosaics, murals and sculptures are found throughout the oldest part of the town where brightly coloured houses with tin roofs are watched over by the towering Hallgrimskirkja Church. The classic ‘Golden Circle’ featuring vast lava fields, bubbling mud pools, crashing waterfalls and spouting geysers, is a popular optional excursion along with the chance to bathe in the famous geothermal Blue Lagoon.
23/03/15	Reykjavik (Iceland)	-	600	Click for more informationto hide
	Part old Norse, part modern city, the Icelandic capital has a quirky character of its own. Although Reykjavik is one of the world’s smallest capital cities, it is home to almost half of Iceland’s population. Mosaics, murals and sculptures are found throughout the oldest part of the town where brightly coloured houses with tin roofs are watched over by the towering Hallgrimskirkja Church. The classic ‘Golden Circle’ featuring vast lava fields, bubbling mud pools, crashing waterfalls and spouting geysers, is a popular optional excursion along with the chance to bathe in the famous geothermal Blue Lagoon.
24/03/15	At Sea	-	-
25/03/15	Invergordon, Scotland (United Kingdom)	0930	1830	Click for more informationto hide
	Situated on the shores of the deep Cromarty Firth and with a fine natural harbour, Invergordon is a key port with an important naval history stretching back through two World Wars. The small, yet modern town is a charming coastal gateway to the beautiful Scottish Highlands and the incredible scenery that forms a stunning backdrop to the romantic castles and historic battlefields featuring in optional excursions along with the ‘Capital of the Highlands’ Inverness. Other popular options include the Glenmorangie Distillery and a visit to haunting Loch Ness with its legendary monster.
26/03/15	At Sea	-	-
27/03/15	London Tilbury (United Kingdom)	0800	-

Note: In the event of adverse weather/sea conditions that prevent the ship from calling at one of the scheduled ports, alternative arrangements will be made where possible.

Land by launch or tender
Viewing Only
* Technical call (independent passengers may not go ashore)

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Of the Solar Eclipse & Northern Lights Spectacular Cruise

Cat.	Description	Full Fare	Saver Fare	Saving	Availability
IG	Voyager Inside Guarantee	$4829	$2069	$2760	Sold out	Wait List
OG	Voyager Outside Guarantee	$6619	$2829	$3790	Sold out	Wait List
1	Standard Twin Inner	$4829	$2099	$2730	Last few	Wait List
2	Standard Plus Twin Inner	$5309	$2319	$2990	Sold out	Wait List
3	Superior Twin Inner	$5949	$2599	$3350	Sold out	Wait List
4	Premium Twin Inner	$6619	$2869	$3750	Last few	Wait List
5	Single Inner	$9849	$4279	$5570	Sold out	Wait List
6	Standard Twin Ocean View	$6619	$2869	$3750	Sold out	Wait List
7	Standard Twin Ocean View	$6769	$2949	$3820	Sold out	Wait List
8	Standard Plus Twin Ocean View	$7089	$3089	$4000	Last few	Wait List
9	Superior Twin Ocean View	$7909	$3429	$4480	Sold out	Wait List
10	Single Ocean View	$12769	$5539	$7230	Last few	Wait List
11	Superior Plus Twin Ocean View	$8549	$3709	$4840	Sold out	Wait List
12	Premium Twin Ocean View	$9179	$4009	$5170	Sold out	Wait List
DL	De Luxe Ocean View	$11139	$4839	$6300	Sold out	Wait List
JS	Junior Suite Ocean View	$13079	$5679	$7400	Sold out	Wait List
DS	De Luxe Suite Ocean View	$14709	$6389	$8320	Last few	Wait List