If watching programmes like the BBC's amazing Frozen Planet series has given you a yearning for a new holiday adventure then maybe a glimpse of the exciting itineraries offered by specialist cruise line Hurtigruten will give you some food for thought.

Operating primarily along the spectacular coastline of northern Norway and venturing into further Arctic waters, Hurtigruten's fleet of smaller sized ships really does enable you to get really close to some of the most spectacular scenery and amazing wildlife on the planet.

An exhilarating Hurtigruten cruise holiday is a photographer's dream, visiting picturesque fishing ports with coloured wooden houses and flitting along fjords whose stunning landscapes can literally take your breath away.

Majestic birds of prey and magnificent marine mammals are often seen as you skirt the rugged coastlines and islands of this beautiful northern region.

And your Hurtigruten ship has been carefully designed with large open deck areas and huge panoramic windows in bars and lounges to ensure you don't ever need to miss a moment of your sensational sightseeing opportunities.

Some of Hurtigruten's ships venture to the Baltic Ports and even further south, with occasional itineraries to the Canaries via Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

The cruise line's expedition ship, MS Fram takes the more adventurous holiday explorers deep into the Antarctic waters to witness a land of truly awesome grandeur with its rich bird and marine life.

Hurtigruten's ships are elegant and attractive with beautiful restaurants and classy bars and cafes.

The emphasis onboard is to provide welcoming places to relax and chat over a snack or a drink while reflecting on the exciting sights you've seen that day and looking forward to your next fascinating port of call.

There are occasional performances by traditional local singers and musicians but there's usually no formal entertainment programme, except on special themed cruise holidays.

Your meals are usually enjoyed in the main restaurants with the famous Norwegian cold buffet selection available during the daytime and excellent three-course dinners in the evening.

Cabins are comfortable and functional with layouts that vary from ship to ship. Extras like TVs and mini-bars would normally only be found in suites.

A Hurtigruten cruise holiday is ideal for those with a spirit of adventure and will leave you with a lifetime of incredible memories of some of the planet's most impressive and striking natural wonders.

And, with flights to your embarkation port from a variety of UK airports, it's easy to see why increasing numbers of British passengers are choosing this exciting cruise holiday option.