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See the Frozen Planet for yourself on a Hurtigruten cruise to Spitsbergen

To meet the extra demand created by the BBC’s Frozen Planet series, polar experts Hurtigruten are to send an extra ship to Spitsbergen for summer 2012.

Millions were captivated by David Attenborough’s documentary series, and there has been a substantial increase in interest it is experiencing the Arctic which was given a further boost by Prince Harry’s recent televised expedition.

What’s more, if you book your cruise by January 31 you’ll receive a 10 per cent discount.

MS Nordstjernen spend the summer cruising around Spitsbergen

Between June and August 2012, Hurtigruten will send MS Nordstjernen up to Spitsbergen to travel the west coast of the island for a total of 21 five and six-day itineraries.

This nostalgic ship is well known in the Svalbard Archipelago having sailed there between 1994 and 2009 and for many, exploring this frozen landscape and reaching the 80th parallel on a traditional ship is a perfect combination.

Between 2009 and spring 2012 Nordstjernen has sailed along the Norwegian coast. Hurtigruten’s newest ship MS Fram will continue to sail the summer in Spitsbergen also.

Spitsbergen lies 1200km from the North Pole and is home to the King of the Arctic – the Polar Bear. On the journey through the light polar night in the north of the archipelago guests visit interesting settlements including the Russian coal mining town of Barentsburg and the Ny Ålesund research station, as well as excursions to fascinating glaciers and landscapes. In favourable weather conditions, the ship reaches the 80th parallel.

An encounter with polar bears is one of the highlights of the trip alongside walruses, arctic sea birds and of course the Midnight Sun.

POLAR ENCOUNTERS VOYAGE – From £1614pp

A 5-nigh Polar Encounters voyage to Spitsbergen on selected dates in June, July and August costs from £1614 per person including four night’s full board on the ship, one night’s b/b in a Longyearbyen hotel plus landings, sightseeing in Longyearbyen and accompanied by an expedition team. Based on two sharing and price valid if booked by January 31. Flights can be booked via Hurtigruten from £844pp.