Midnight Sun Cruise
This summer cruise through the Norwegian fjords takes you to the northern part of Norway, deep inside the Arctic Circle.
Overview
Leave your body clock at home; it simply won’t work here as day and night become one.
This relaxing summer cruise takes your from Tromsø, the capital of Arctic Norway, through the northern Norwegian fjords deep inside the Arctic Circle towards Kirkenes and the Russian border. During the summer months the sun never sets as this is the land of the midnight sun and wearing sun glasses at midnight is one of the most common yet surreal experiences. It will leave you wanting to visit more of this wonderful and fragile part of the world.
The best time to see the midnight sun is in late May, June, July and early August when the sun does not set and may simply cast a beautiful yellow light across the night sky.
During your cruise there are several optional excursions, including breakfast at the North Cape and a great sea kayaking experience in Tromsø.
There are many stops and excursions on the way and you may wish to use the cruise as a hop on / hop off service. As Scandinavian travel specialists, we can combine many of our holidays in Norway - please ask!
Suggested Itinerary
6 nights (2 in Tromso, 3 on board, 1 in Tromso) |
6 nights (2 in Tromso, 2 on board, 2 in Kirkenes) |
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| Day 1 | Flights from UK to Tromso (usually via Oslo) | Day 1 | Flights from UK to Tromso (usually via Oslo) | |
| Airport coach transfer to Tromso centre | Airport coach transfer to Tromso centre | |||
| Check in to your hotel | Check in to your hotel | |||
| Time to explore Tromso | Time to explore Tromso | |||
| Day 2 | Breakfast at your hotel | Day 2 | Breakfast at your hotel | |
| Time to explore Tromso, the history & culture | Time to explore Tromso, the history & culture | |||
| Day 3 | Breakfast at your hotel | Day 3 | Breakfast at your hotel | |
| Time to explore Tromso, the history & culture | Time to explore Tromso, the history & culture | |||
| 1830 depart on the Hurtigruten coastal steamer | 1830 depart on the Hurtigruten coastal steamer | |||
| 3 course evening meal on board | 3 course evening meal on board | |||
| Day 4 | Breakfast on board | Day 4 | Breakfast on board | |
| A day at leisure enjoying the views | A day at leisure enjoying the views | |||
| Enjoy some optional excursions | Enjoy some optional excursions | |||
| 3 course evening meal | 3 course evening meal | |||
| Day 5 | Breakfast on board | Day 5 | Breakfast on board | |
| 0900 arrival in Kirkenes | 0900 arrival in Kirkenes | |||
| Optional excursions | Self transfer to your hotel in Kirkenes | |||
| 1230 depart from Kirkenes | Check in | |||
| 3 course evening meal | Time to explore | |||
| Day 6 | Breakfast on board | Day 6 | Breakfast at your hotel | |
| Day at leisure & optional activities | Day at leisure to explore Kirkenes | |||
| 3 course evening meal | Learn more about the history of WWII | |||
| 2345 arrival in Tromso | ||||
| Check in to your hotel | Day 7 | Breakfast at your hotel | ||
| Self transfer to Kirkenes airport | ||||
| Day 7 | Breakfast at hotel | Flights back to the UK via Oslo | ||
| Airport Coach transfer to airport | ||||
| Flights back to UK (usually via Oslo) | ||||
| Times are approx. | Times are approx. | |||
Accommodation
Clarion Collection Hotel With – Tromso
Clarion Collection Hotel With is located on the quayside in the centre of Tromso and just 70m from the airport transfer bus. Around 50% of the rooms have views across the harbour and of the mountains. As a Clarion Collection Hotel, afternoon waffles and a simple evening buffet is included during your stay. One of the most popular hotels in Tromso.
Hurtigruten Coastal Steamer
A fleet of 11 ships cruise the beautiful Norwegian fjords taking you through breathtaking scenery and giving you the opportunity to see natural phenomena, such as the midnight sun and the Northern Lights from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the far north.
The journey is quite spectacular and you won't spend much time in your cabin. You must be on deck or in the panoramic lounges to witness this jaw-dropping scenery. Click on the photo to the left to see the typical cabins on board.
You will be accommodated in an unspecified outside cabin.
With the option to stay in Kirkenes
Thon Hotel - Kirkenes
A modern and comfortable hotel on the quayside in the centre of Kirkenes. Enjoy your breakfast looking across the water towards the Barents Sea. Kirkenes is at the end of the line for the Hurtigruten coastal steamer and is a town with a story to tell. Much of the history is about WWII and the special relationship with Russia.
Simply Sweden Recommendations
A range of excursions including snowmobiles and huskies. Take a look at the history and culture of Kirkenes following WWII.
Click on the image for more photos.
Activities & Excursions
Tromsø
Mountain Hike
Spectacular views of the Tromsø archipelago. Camera, good walking boots, warm and water proof clothes and a good sense of humour are all that is required! Meal included in the mountains. Available June, July and August. 0900-1630 or 1830-0200 for the midnight sun.
£129 pp.
Sea Kayaking
Paddle in the waters off the coast of Tromsø with the mountains forming a stunning backdrop. A great way to silently travel through these pristine waters and to get close to the marine wildlife. Stable, double sea kayaks and no paddling experience is required. Available June, July and August.
£129 / £149 pp 0900-1415 or 1830-0200 for the midnight sun.
Glacier Hike
The Steindals Glacier is high in the Lyngen Alps and offers a spectacular back drop to your photos. The transfer from Tromsø takes approx. 1hr. The hike to the glacier takes approx. 2hr30 where you receive some simple instructions and specialist safety equipment. 3 to 4 hours is spent on the glacier. This tour includes 2 meals and qualified and experienced guides. Please bring along warm and waterproof clothing, sunglasses, sturdy walking boots, hat and mittens. This tour requires a minimum of 4 people. Available in June, July and August 0900-2100. £159 pp.
Hurtigruten - between Tromso & Kirkenes
6A The North Cape
Enjoy the magnificent sub-Arctic landscape on your journey to the North Cape. This area is a fascinating region of overlapping Sami, Russian and Finnish cultures. You may see herds of grazing reindeer on your way to this world-famous cliff face, rising 307 metres out of the Arctic Ocean.
Available: Daily
Duration: 3hr
Price: £118 pp
6B Birdwatching Safari
This fabulous avian safari takes you deep into exotic Finnmark by small boat. From the hamlet of Gjesvær you will visit Finnmark’s largest puffin colony. Kittiwakes, sea eagles, guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, Arctic skuas, northern fulmars and Brünnich’s guillemots are all common sights.
Available: 1 May-31 Aug
Duration: 3hr
Price: £115 pp
6C A Taste of Lapland
Meet a traditional Sami family in traditional dress, try your hand at lassoing reindeer and listen to the raw emotion of Sami song (joik).
Available: 10 May-10 Sep
Duration: 2hr30
Price: £78 pp
7A The Russian Border
On this exploratory excursion, you travel to the Russian border. You won’t be able to cross but taking pictures and buying Russian souvenirs is common. Start with a short tour of Kirkenes before going farther afield, travelling by bus through surprisingly fertile landscape and seek out a view point across the town.
Available: Daily
Duration: 2hr
Price: £51 pp
Hurtigruten - between Kirkenes &Tromso
8A Breakfast at the North Cape.
Do not be put off by the tour’s early departure time: mornings at North Cape are very special: 1,000 feet above the churning Arctic Ocean, with dazzling sunlight dancing across the horizon and a hearty breakfast.
Available: 8 May-7 Oct
Duration: 6hr
Price: £151 pp
8B Hammerfest
Hammerfest is the northernmost town in the world and together with Vardø also the oldest town in northern Norway. From the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society, the bus takes you to the Meridian monument, which is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage. The column symbolizes the first official measurement of the exact size and shape of the earth.
Available: 1 May-15 Sep
Duration: 1hr
Price: £30 pp
Kirkenes
Borderland Husky Hiking
Visit these very sociable and affectionate sled dogs at their kennel in Kirkenes on the Russian border. Come into close contact with the dogs, take pictures and greet them. Take a short walk to a vantage point and peer across into Russia. Learn about sled dogs' life and history while enjoying the scenery with the dogs playing around you. The trip to the top takes about 20 minutes. At the end of the tour enjoy a lunch with local ingredients.
Available: 1 May-30 Sep
Duration: 11am-1pm
Price: £65 pp
Dates
This cruise is available ....
As a midnight sun cruise this is available late May, June, July & to mid-August
It is a Northern Lights cruise from October to March!
Prices
| 6 nights - Tromso & Cruise | 6 nights - Tromso, Cruise & Kirkenes | |
| from £1350 per person | from £1405 per person | |
| from £655 single supplement | from £450 single supplement | |
| Includes Flights from UK to Tromso Airport coach transfer in Tromso 2 nights b&b in Tromso 3 night cruise in unspecified outside cabin - half board 1 night b&b in Tromso Airport coach transfer to airport Flights to UK |
Includes Flights from UK to Tromso Airport coach transfer in Tromso 2 nights b&b in Tromso 2 night cruise in unspecified outside cabin - half board 2 nights b&b in Kirkenes Flights to UK |
Information
