Marco Polo 2013 Cruises from Tilbury

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• Land of the Northern Lights Cruise

Make your way to Tilbury for embarkation and this afternoon's sailing.

Marco Polo spends this morning in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, with its canals, flower markets and famous museums.

Today is spent at sea, enjoying the atmosphere on board and getting to know Marco Polo's wonderful on-board amenities.

Alesund, with its natural harbours lined by pastel-painted, gabled and turreted buildings, is a beautiful first port of call. Don't miss the fascinating Sunnmore Museum, with its insight into life in this part of the world through the ages, and fine boat collection.

A very special day awaits, as Marco Polo heads into magnificent Holandsfjord, just above the Arctic Circle, cruising to the unforgettable sight of the mighty Svartisen Glacier, whose tentacles reach down to just 20 metres above sea level. The sight of the blue-white ice moving imperceptibly down the valley is one of the most arresting of the whole trip.

As 'Marco Polo' makes her way across the Arctic Circle, there's a very real chance that the amazing Aurora Borealis - actually a bombardment of the earth's polar atmosphere by electrons carried on 'solar winds' - will be visible from late afternoon until the middle of the night.

Marco Polo cruises through the snow-capped Lofoten Islands, which rise out of the sea like minature Alps, to call at the modern port of Sortland, from where there will be an opportunity to explore this beautiful corner of the world on an overland excursion.

The modern, friendly port and ski-resort of Narvik welcomes Marco Polo today, with the opportunity, on an optional excursion, to catch the cable car to the heights of Fagernesfjellet mountain for some truly spectacular views.

Marco Polo spends two days at our northernmost port of call, remote Alta. Sky-gaze at your leisure (the Northern Lights are at their most astounding here), and explore the Arctic region of Finnmark, home to the Sami people, the prehistoric rock carvings at Hjemmeluft and the famous Ice Hotel, on one of our exciting optional excursions.

The largest settlement beyond the Arctic Circle, Tromso, with its magnificent cathedral rising grandly from its bustling centre, is our port of call this afternoon. Step ashore to explore its daily market and fascinating Polarmuseum, which chronicles the lives and exploits of the likes of Amundsen and Nansen.

Today is spent at sea, enjoying life on board, as Marco Polo hugs the Norwegian coast, steaming back across the Arctic Circle, heading south.

Cruise into beautiful Romsdalsfjord for the opportunity to enjoy another shore excursion, through some of Norway's most spectacular scenery. There may be a chance to visit the famous Rodven stave church in its dreamy setting, before Marco Polo cruises on through Romsdalsfjord.

This morning Marco Polo docks in Bergen - an ancient Hanseatic city of cobbled streets and medieval houses, and birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg. Visit the vibrant harbour and fish market, stroll past the wooden warehouses of Bryggen and take the Floibanen funicular to the summit of 'Mount' Floyen.

At sea, reliving the memories of a wonderful holiday.

Marco Polo arrives back in Tilbury at the end of the cruise.