14 Night Cruise sailing from Tilbury roundtrip aboard Marco Polo.

The 22,080grt Bahamian flagged Marco Polo with her handsome traditional profile, beautiful teak decks and distinctive dark blue hull and deep draft is a fully stabilised and air conditioned classic ocean liner, extensively re-built in 1993 for the discerning premium cruise market.

She can accommodate up to 850 guests and has eight passenger decks, serviced by three main lobbies and four lifts. Her wide range of public facilities include; the impressive Seven Seas Restaurant offering two sitting dining or as an alternative dining experience, the more informal and stylish Raffles bistro.

There are five lounge areas comprising the theatre style Ambassador main show Lounge, the elegant Polo Lounge, the perfect venue for pre-dinner cocktails accompanied by the resident pianist, the Charleston Club up on Promenade deck, an ideal spot for the night owls or the relaxing Palm Court with wonderful panoramic ocean views and the extended Le Bar offering yet another comfortable lounge option.

Highlights of this cruise:

Discover the haunting winter landscape sailing along the stunning Norwegian coastline and across the Arctic Circle in search of the spectacular Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. This atmospheric display of green and pink light dancing across the sky is one of nature's wonders and Narvik, Tromsr and Alta are among the best places in Norway to witness this phenomenon. There is also the opportunity to see Polar wildlife and visit the unique Ice Hotel.

Sail to Amsterdam where busy streets and cobbled lanes lie alongside peaceful canals criss-crossed by bridges. A day at sea before calling at Molde, tucked into a sheltered location with a surprisingly mild climate. Crossing the Arctic Circle, view Svartisen Glacier which stretches from the Saltfjellet mountain region through beautiful valleys and out to the coast. Svolvær, in the rugged Lofoten Islands, is laid out across islands and bays with colourful waterfront buildings, and Narvik provides breathtaking views across deep fjords and wild mountains in the crisp Arctic air with the possibility of viewing the spectacular Northern Lights, a curtain of purples, blues and greens rippling across the night sky. Next call is the town of Tromsr, boasting streets of old wooden houses and two wooden stave churches. An overnight stay in Alta, the site of around 3,000 prehistoric rock carvings, gives a further opportunity to witness the breathtaking phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis. Ĺlesund is an art nouveau masterpiece; a townscape of gables, turrets and ornate flourishes across pastel-hued facades. It's then on to bustling Bergen with its maritime history and colourful harbour-front fish and flower markets. A final day is spent at sea to reflect on the highlights of this stunning voyage.