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Ultimate Norway – Arctic Winter Expedition Cruise under the Northern Lights

Ultimate Norway – Arctic Winter Expedition Cruise under the Northern Lights

From AUD $6,487

Description

An Expedition in an Arctic Winter Wonderland Setting out from Tromsø, we set out to explore four spectacular regions during the enchanting winter season aboard the perfect expedition vessel, MS Spitsbergen. As we spend an exciting week witnessing the glacial majesty of the Lyngen Alps, the dramatic beauty of the Lofoten Islands, the forested mountains of Vesterålen and the serenity of Senja, you’ll see snow-frosted mountains, deep blue fjords, charming fishing villages and – with luck – the magical Northern Lights. 
Set a Course for Adventure with the True Norway Experts We’ve been sailing Norway’s coast since 1896, and nobody knows it like we do. Using our expertise and with a flexible itinerary, we’ll head out in our small expedition boats to the best and most beautiful islands and beaches. Here you’ll enjoy activities such as snowshoeing, hiking and kayaking. What’s more, three unique and bespoke adventures mean you’ll experience a beach bonfire under the stars, a Nordic sauna and polar plunge, and an after-hours heritage dinner at a museum reserved exclusively for us.  

Trip Name
Ultimate Norway – Arctic Winter Expedition Cruise under the Northern Lights
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 100 metres Passenger Capacity: 335 Built / refurbished: 2009 / 2016 MS Spitsbergen is an intimate expedition vessel named after the largest island in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, designed for deep exploration of remote polar and subpolar regions. Rebuilt in 2016 and extensively refurbished in 2025, the ship combines modern expedition capability with Scandinavian simplicity and elegance. With capacity for just 150 guests, enhanced manoeuvrability, and a compact size, she can access narrow fjords, secluded coastlines, and landing sites beyond the reach of larger ships, offering a highly immersive style of exploration supported by an experienced Expedition Team of naturalists and guides. Life onboard is calm, functional, and closely connected to the surrounding environment, with panoramic windows, open decks, and interiors inspired by the sea. Facilities include an Explorer Lounge and Bar, a central Science Centre for lectures and workshops, regionally inspired dining venues, and wellness spaces such as a panoramic sauna, fitness room, and outdoor hot tubs. Accommodation ranges from comfortable cabins to spacious Expedition Suites with private balconies, balancing practicality with understated comfort. MS Spitsbergen operates as a true floating basecamp, prioritising access, education, and meaningful engagement with some of the world’s most remote landscapes.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 Depart from Tromsø
A winter cruise to Norway's Northern Fjords from Tromso - Visit Lofoten, Lyngenfjord and Trollfjord and fingers crossed for thew Northern LightsDiscover the gateway to the Arctic Backed by snowy mountains, lively Tromsø is the perfect place from which to set out on an adventure. It was the base for many a historic Arctic expedition, including those of Roald Amundsen, and its situation 250 miles north of the Polar Circle has led to it being called the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’.  If you arrive early in Tromsø we recommend exploring the city before joining your cruise.  There’s plenty to see, such as the Polar Museum, where you’ll learn about the city’s exploration heritage. And make sure to visit the striking Arctic Cathedral – with its huge stained-glass window.
Day 2 - DAY 2 Exploring Lyngen Fjord and Alps
Approaching the scenic Lyngen Alps via the Lyngenfjord For the next seven days we’ll be exploring four distinct regions, each with its own outstanding features and unique beauty. The first such region we’re likely to visit is Lyngen.  The scenic Lyngen area is a landscape of jagged, snowy mountains, and a magnet for winter activities. The Lyngen Fjord is over a hundred miles long, and we’ll spend the day going on a nature landing, with hikes, snowshoe walks and – if conditions allow – kayaking.  Later, it’s time for a real treat. After our active day we’ll gather on the beach and enjoy the warmth of a bonfire. With hot drinks in hand, Norwegian foods cooked by our onboard chefs, you’ll really feel at one with nature. If we’re lucky, perhaps the Northern Lights will put on a display for us. Please note, this is an exploration week and the actual route taken may vary from the text above.  
Day 3 - DAY 3 Senja
Discover Norway in miniatureSenja is Norway’s second-largest island, and it’s sometimes called Norway-in-miniature. With its rugged mountains, sandy beaches, dark forests and idyllic fishing villages, you can see how it earned this name. Free-roaming reindeer wander around the island, so keep an eye out for them. Here, we’ll visit a local community and experience some warm Scandinavian hospitality. We'll learn about the Sámi culture, and about life in remote villages during the winter months. Some of the time, we’ll be sailing in the dark and at dusk – but this will only enhance our experience, with glittering snowscapes illuminated by the low sun and the starlight.  Please note, this is an exploration week and the actual route taken may vary from the text above. 
Day 4 - DAY 4 Towards Lofoten
Experience dramatic panoramasAs we sail towards the Lofoten Islands, the Expedition Team will seek out the best place for a nature landing, perhaps at one of the many fine beaches likely covered in pristine snow. We may head out in our small expedition boats to explore between remote islands or get out the kayaks.  Approaching the dramatically steep mountains of Lofoten by ship is an experience that’s unforgettable. You’ll be in awe of the landscapes as we sail through this region of windswept islands, sheltered bays, and some of the most beautiful fjords in the world. Look out for Sea Eagles as you admire the exceptional beauty of this stretch of coastline. Please note, this is an exploration week and the actual route taken may vary from the text above. 
Day 5 - DAY 5 Lofoten
Get to know Lofoten in more detailIn winter, the Lofoten Islands transform into a snow-covered wonderland. Narrow fjords, hidden beached between towering mountains and picturesque fish villages are all ideal for a small ship like MS Spitsbergen. Embark on a fishing trip from Svolvær, or relax in a traditional Nordic sauna before taking a thrilling polar plunge – sure to revitalise you! You can get a taste of Svolvær when our ship stays overnight here. It’s a small town, but it’s the biggest you’ll find in these islands, and there are a few cosy restaurants and bars here if you fancy trying a Lofoten snack or brew.  Please note, this is an exploration week and the actual route taken may vary from the text above. 
Day 6 - DAY 6 Vesterålen
Enjoy an exclusive adventureSailing from Svolvær to Vesterålen, we cruise through the narrow Trollfjord into the Raftsund strait, passing between towering cliffs. As we do so, you’ll enjoy great views from the deck, and we sail so close to the sides it feels like you can almost touch them! Vesterålen awaits us with its beautiful snow-covered landscapes, ideal for expedition activities such as snowshoe hiking, small boat cruising and kayaking. It’s here that we have another bespoke adventure when we spend an evening at the Hurtigruten Museum, where you’ll enjoy an exclusive opening and be served dinner in this very special heritage setting. Please note, this is an exploration week and the actual route taken may vary from the text above. 
Day 7 - DAY 7 Towards Tromsø
Experience a final day on expeditionWe’ll stay sheltered in the deep fjords as we make our way back towards Tromsø – at each turn there will be a new island or mountain. Along the way we have plenty of time to scout out landing sites in our small expedition boats, and to go on nature walks and take part in other activities.  The scenery continues to be stunning as we pass through these inner waters, with the winter sun illuminating the landscapes and mountains – and it’s also the area where we’re most likely to see whales. While on board, enjoy the Arctic scenery from the ship, warm up in the sauna or join the Expedition Team to watch talks and see demos in the Science Centre. Please note, this is an exploration week and the actual route taken may vary from the text above. 
Day 8 - DAY 8 Return to Tromsø
Another opportunity to explore Tromsø Your expedition cruise ends back in Tromsø. If you didn’t have an opportunity to explore this beautiful town before the cruise, make sure you do now. There’s so much to see and do here. We’re sure that you will have enjoyed your winter expedition in Arctic Norway. 
Day 9 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
28-11-202605-12-2026AUD $7,091Polar Inside. From
28-11-202605-12-2026AUD $8,296Polar Outside. From
28-11-202605-12-2026AUD $9,218Arctic Superior. From
28-11-202605-12-2026AUD $12,055Expedition Suite. From
05-12-202612-12-2026AUD $7,091Polar Inside. From
05-12-202612-12-2026AUD $8,296Polar Outside. From
05-12-202612-12-2026AUD $9,218Arctic Superior. From
05-12-202612-12-2026AUD $12,055Expedition Suite. From
12-12-202619-12-2026AUD $9,433Arctic Superior. From
12-12-202619-12-2026AUD $12,335Expedition Suite. From
12-12-202619-12-2026AUD $7,256Polar Inside. From
12-12-202619-12-2026AUD $8,490Polar Outside. From
26-12-202602-01-2027AUD $8,083Polar Inside. From
26-12-202602-01-2027AUD $9,457Polar Outside. From
26-12-202602-01-2027AUD $10,507Arctic Superior. From
26-12-202602-01-2027AUD $13,740Expedition Suite. From
02-01-202709-01-2027AUD $7,752Polar Inside. From
02-01-202709-01-2027AUD $9,070Polar Outside. From
02-01-202709-01-2027AUD $10,078Arctic Superior. From
02-01-202709-01-2027AUD $13,178Expedition Suite. From
09-01-202716-01-2027AUD $7,752Polar Inside. From
09-01-202716-01-2027AUD $9,070Polar Outside. From
09-01-202716-01-2027AUD $10,078Arctic Superior. From
09-01-202716-01-2027AUD $13,178Expedition Suite. From
16-01-202723-01-2027AUD $8,083Polar Inside. From
16-01-202723-01-2027AUD $9,457Polar Outside. From
16-01-202723-01-2027AUD $10,507Arctic Superior. From
16-01-202723-01-2027AUD $13,740Expedition Suite. From
23-01-202730-01-2027AUD $8,083Polar Inside. From
23-01-202730-01-2027AUD $9,457Polar Outside. From
23-01-202730-01-2027AUD $10,507Arctic Superior. From
23-01-202730-01-2027AUD $13,740Expedition Suite. From
30-01-202706-02-2027AUD $8,248Polar Inside. From
30-01-202706-02-2027AUD $9,650Polar Outside. From
30-01-202706-02-2027AUD $10,722Arctic Superior. From
30-01-202706-02-2027AUD $14,021Expedition Suite. From
06-02-202713-02-2027AUD $8,248Polar Inside. From
06-02-202713-02-2027AUD $9,650Polar Outside. From
06-02-202713-02-2027AUD $10,722Arctic Superior. From
06-02-202713-02-2027AUD $14,021Expedition Suite. From
13-02-202720-02-2027AUD $8,413Polar Inside. From
13-02-202720-02-2027AUD $9,843Polar Outside. From
13-02-202720-02-2027AUD $10,937Arctic Superior. From
13-02-202720-02-2027AUD $14,302Expedition Suite. From
20-02-202727-02-2027AUD $8,578Polar Inside. From
20-02-202727-02-2027AUD $10,037Polar Outside. From
20-02-202727-02-2027AUD $11,152Arctic Superior. From
20-02-202727-02-2027AUD $14,583Expedition Suite. From
27-02-202706-03-2027AUD $8,744Polar Inside. From
27-02-202706-03-2027AUD $10,230Polar Outside. From
27-02-202706-03-2027AUD $11,367Arctic Superior. From
27-02-202706-03-2027AUD $14,864Expedition Suite. From
06-03-202713-03-2027AUD $8,744Polar Inside. From
06-03-202713-03-2027AUD $10,230Polar Outside. From
06-03-202713-03-2027AUD $11,367Arctic Superior. From
06-03-202713-03-2027AUD $14,864Expedition Suite. From
13-03-202720-03-2027AUD $8,744Polar Inside. From
13-03-202720-03-2027AUD $10,230Polar Outside. From
13-03-202720-03-2027AUD $11,367Arctic Superior. From
13-03-202720-03-2027AUD $14,864Expedition Suite. From
20-03-202727-03-2027AUD $8,578Polar Inside. From
20-03-202727-03-2027AUD $10,037Polar Outside. From
20-03-202727-03-2027AUD $11,152Arctic Superior. From
20-03-202727-03-2027AUD $14,583Expedition Suite. From
20-11-202727-11-2027AUD $6,487Polar Inside. From
20-11-202727-11-2027AUD $7,589Polar Outside. From
20-11-202727-11-2027AUD $9,081Arctic Superior. From
20-11-202727-11-2027AUD $11,027Expedition Suite. From
27-11-202704-12-2027AUD $6,487Polar Inside. From
27-11-202704-12-2027AUD $7,589Polar Outside. From
27-11-202704-12-2027AUD $9,081Arctic Superior. From
27-11-202704-12-2027AUD $11,027Expedition Suite. From
04-12-202711-12-2027AUD $6,487Polar Inside. From
04-12-202711-12-2027AUD $7,589Polar Outside. From
04-12-202711-12-2027AUD $9,081Arctic Superior. From
04-12-202711-12-2027AUD $11,027Expedition Suite. From
11-12-202718-12-2027AUD $6,617Polar Inside. From
11-12-202718-12-2027AUD $7,742Polar Outside. From
11-12-202718-12-2027AUD $9,264Arctic Superior. From
11-12-202718-12-2027AUD $11,249Expedition Suite. From
08-01-202815-01-2028AUD $7,137Polar Inside. From
08-01-202815-01-2028AUD $8,350Polar Outside. From
08-01-202815-01-2028AUD $9,992Arctic Superior. From
08-01-202815-01-2028AUD $12,133Expedition Suite. From
15-01-202822-01-2028AUD $7,397Polar Inside. From
15-01-202822-01-2028AUD $8,655Polar Outside. From
15-01-202822-01-2028AUD $10,356Arctic Superior. From
15-01-202822-01-2028AUD $12,575Expedition Suite. From
22-01-202829-01-2028AUD $7,397Polar Inside. From
22-01-202829-01-2028AUD $8,655Polar Outside. From
22-01-202829-01-2028AUD $10,356Arctic Superior. From
22-01-202829-01-2028AUD $12,575Expedition Suite. From
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $7,527Polar Inside. From
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $8,806Polar Outside. From
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $10,538Arctic Superior. From
29-01-202805-02-2028AUD $12,796Expedition Suite. From
05-02-202812-02-2028AUD $7,527Polar Inside. From
05-02-202812-02-2028AUD $8,806Polar Outside. From
05-02-202812-02-2028AUD $10,538Arctic Superior. From
05-02-202812-02-2028AUD $12,796Expedition Suite. From
12-02-202819-02-2028AUD $7,656Polar Inside. From
12-02-202819-02-2028AUD $8,958Polar Outside. From
12-02-202819-02-2028AUD $10,719Arctic Superior. From
12-02-202819-02-2028AUD $13,016Expedition Suite. From
19-02-202826-02-2028AUD $7,787Polar Inside. From
19-02-202826-02-2028AUD $9,111Polar Outside. From
19-02-202826-02-2028AUD $10,902Arctic Superior. From
19-02-202826-02-2028AUD $13,238Expedition Suite. From
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $7,917Polar Inside. From
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $9,263Polar Outside. From
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $11,084Arctic Superior. From
26-02-202804-03-2028AUD $13,459Expedition Suite. From
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $7,917Polar Inside. From
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $9,263Polar Outside. From
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $11,084Arctic Superior. From
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $13,459Expedition Suite. From
11-03-202818-03-2028AUD $7,917Polar Inside. From
11-03-202818-03-2028AUD $9,263Polar Outside. From
11-03-202818-03-2028AUD $11,084Arctic Superior. From
11-03-202818-03-2028AUD $13,459Expedition Suite. From
18-03-202825-03-2028AUD $7,787Polar Inside. From
18-03-202825-03-2028AUD $9,111Polar Outside. From
18-03-202825-03-2028AUD $10,902Arctic Superior. From
18-03-202825-03-2028AUD $13,238Expedition Suite. From

Inclusions

    • Flexible-itinerary Arctic Norway expedition during the ‘winter wonderland’ season – the best time to see the Northern Lights and enjoy winter activities.
    • All-inclusive adventure, with activities including hiking, kayaking, nature landings in small expedition boats, community visits, fishing, snowshoeing and whale spotting).
    • Three unique and bespoke experiences: Day to Dusk – Flames and Flavours; Nordic Sauna and Polar Plunge; and Into the Night – Dinner at the Museum.

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