• World
    • ASIA
      • Thailand
      • Sri Lanka
    • EUROPE
      • England
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Italy
      • Monaco
      • Norway
        • Northern Norway
        • Central Norway
        • Western Norway
        • Eastern Norway
        • Southern Norway
      • Spain
      • Sweden
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • Cuba
      • Dominican Republic
      • Mexico
      • Belize
      • United States of America
    • OCEANIA
      • New Zealand
      • Australia
    • SOUTH AMERICA
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
      • Uruguay
  • 7 Things to Do Around the World
  • Norway
  • Travel Smart
    • Solo Traveler
    • Road Trip
    • Itinerary
    • Wine Tasting
    • Postcard
    • The Travel Year
  • About
  • World
    • ASIA
      • Thailand
      • Sri Lanka
    • EUROPE
      • England
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Italy
      • Monaco
      • Norway
        • Northern Norway
        • Central Norway
        • Western Norway
        • Eastern Norway
        • Southern Norway
      • Spain
      • Sweden
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • Cuba
      • Dominican Republic
      • Mexico
      • Belize
      • United States of America
    • OCEANIA
      • New Zealand
      • Australia
    • SOUTH AMERICA
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
      • Uruguay
  • 7 Things to Do Around the World
  • Norway
  • Travel Smart
    • Solo Traveler
    • Road Trip
    • Itinerary
    • Wine Tasting
    • Postcard
    • The Travel Year
  • About

The Small Arctic Cruise in Norway

October 8, 2023

Why go on a cruise with 565 other guests? When you can go on a small Arctic cruise in Norway. An adventure cruise starting in Tromsø, seeing Lofoten, Senja, Troms, Lyngen Alps, and Alta with the Nansen Polar Expedition.

The Small Arctic Cruise in Norway with MS Villa Nansen Polar Expedition

The Small Arctic Cruise I’m talking about is the Adventure Cruise of Nansen Polar Expedition, which takes around 12 lucky guests on a private cruise along the best part of Northern Norway above the Arctic Circle. Being only 12 guests, you will have plenty of space on board. Best of all, easy and fast access to the Zodiacs. Often, it only took 10 – 15 minutes before we were on the water looking at the whales.

I used to work at Up Norway, one of the best travel companies in Norway for bespoke journeys. I was lucky to be invited on a voyage to explore the wonders of the small Arctic cruise in Norway.

Lofoten Islands. The Small Arctic Cruise in Norway onbaord MS Villa - The Nansen Polar Expedition
Lofoten Islands at Sakris & Reine. The Small Arctic Cruise in Norway onbaord MS Villa - The Nansen Polar Expedition

Day 1: Embarking the Small Arctic Cruise

Arriving in Tromsø, the Arctic Capital of Norway, embarking on MS Villa and meeting the dedicated expedition team. If you have time before embarking, maybe stop by the Polar Museum to immerse yourself in the polar history of Norway. Tromsø is the Gateway to the Arctic in Norway. Or have coffee at Kaffebønna, a place to be when wandering in Tromsø.

Day 2 – 4: Expedition Mood on the Small Arctic Cruise

Every morning, the expedition team will tell you the plan for the day. Still, it always includes looking for whales, when possible, putting the zodiacs in the water, getting closer to nature, and sometimes even having unique close encounters with the whales. Often, we spotted the whales and were in the Zodiac in less than 15 minutes.

Lofoten Islands & Trollfjorden

Depending on your voyage, you may be lucky to wake up at Lofoten Islands, and seeing Lofoten in winter is even more pleasing than the summer. Why? The peaks are covered in snow and are more dramatic than ever. Also, the light is different, and the air is so crisp and clean; most of all, the energy is calm and inviting. See yourself in this blog post: Lofoten in April.

Sakris Island picture from The Small Arctic Cruise in Norway on MS Villa.
Trollfjorden on the Small Arctic Cruise in Norway
MS Villa the Nansen Polar Expedtion in Trollfjorden 2023.

Senja

It is the second largest island in Norway after Svalbard. It is a stunning place to be cradled between fjords, snow peaks, and pristine arctic water with clean air. Senja is an excellent spot for white-tailed eagles, seals, and Northern Light. Senja is a secluded area that lacks light pollution. If you are lucky, you may see the Northern light all four days on the cruise, as I did. Also, you may get a challenge for an Arctic Plunge, which is highly a thing to get on your bucket list. When was the last time you swam in -0,7 Celsius degree water? Less than 32 Degrees Fahrenheit.

Troms & Lyngen Alps

One of the highlights of the small Arctic cruise in Norway was sailing through the Lyngen Alps with the most bedazzling mountain peaks. Also, in this area, you are close to Skjervøy, where the Orcas and humpbacks love to hang out during the winter months in Norway. One time, one of the photographers could not capture the whales with the camera because he was so close he had to enjoy it with his eyes. Seeing the whales in their natural habitat is a transforming experience, and you genuinely admire the wonder of Mother Nature.

The Small Arctic Cruise in Norway by the Lyngen Alps and the Whales
Whales in Norway, Lyngen Alps close to Skjervøy
Whales in Norway, Lyngen Alps close to Skjervøy

The Aurora Distillery

The Northernmost distilleries are great places to connect with local ingredients and culture and understand the pure melt waters to create some of the best award-winning whiskey. The fun part is the tasting.

The Aurora Distillery - Bivrost Arctic Gin

Day 5: Disembarking in Alta

All good things must end; luckily, that does not mean that the adventure has to stop. After our breakfast, we went to the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta. We went on an incredible snowmobile adventure. We saw the vast landscape of Alta & Finnmark. Including the awe-inspiring view of Alta Canyon, a famous and important landmark. One of Northern Europe’s largest canyons and one of the best salmon rivers in the world. You can have lunch either at Jotka Moutain Lodge or Sorrisniva Lavvu restaurant. Spend the night at the Igloo Hotel or one of the rooms at the Lodge of Sorrisniva.

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel Snowmobile Adventure with the viewpoint of Alta Canyon
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel

Being Onboard the Small Arctic Cruise

Onboarding MS Villa is an ocean retreat where you can closely encounter nature. Spending four nights onboard the MS Villa is true tranquility and time to enjoy the art of just being. Sitting right next to the captain and looking at the villages and fjords passing by is perfectly acceptable without doing anything more than only being. Sometimes, the captain even borrows his chair from you. MS Villa is a treat with only 12 guests, comfortable cabins, and outstanding food. Best of all, it is packed with stunning scenery and jaw-dropping adventure. Sometimes, there is a dazzle of Northern Lights and Whales cruising past in the fjords. What more do you need in a small Arctic cruise in Norway?

Packing for Small Arctic Cruise in Norway

Yes, you will need warm winter clothes and wool lawyers. Yes, bring several jackets to lawyer up. I used wool t-shirts, a fleece jacket, a down jacket, and my parka jacket on top of all those lawyers that kept me warm for the zodiac adventures. Other than that, the atmosphere is relaxed. You are more than comfortable walking around inside slippers and casual outfits on the boat.

Photo Credit: Anna Vdovenko, Sales on Nansen Polar Expedition. Pauline from Up Norway & Caroline from Sorrisniva in Alta.

Nansen Polar Expedition

If you would like a small Arctic cruise in Norway, I highly recommend Nansen Polar Expedition; you can look at their booking page to find your adventure: Adventure Cruise in Arctic Norway.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Related

Share

Adventure Cruise  / Northern Norway  / Norway

Pauline
My name is Pauline, and I'm a Norwegian girl who started to explore the beautiful world for some time, and now I can't stop. I have to see what's out there. I love discovering new places, meeting new people, have crazy experiences and unique stories to tell. Life is for living, and I like living in adventures.

Comment


The Travel Year 2023 Highlights – Axivor
November 24, 2024 at 9:43 AM

[…] each year, where you go out and explore some great adventures for future travelers. I went on an Arctic Winter Expedition Cruise with Up Norway and Nansen Explorer from Tromsø – Lofoten Islands – Senja – Lyngen Alps to […]



Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Follow the Adventure

    Follow the Adventure
  • 7 Must-Read Posts

  • 8-Day in Rhodes Without a Car: Beach & History Trip to Explore the Island8-Day in Rhodes Without a Car: Beach & History Trip to Explore the IslandEurope
    7 Tips for Packing to Norway from a Norwegian7 Tips for Packing to Norway from a NorwegianNorway
    Guide to Getsemani The Authentic Neighborhood in Cartagena de IndiasGuide to Getsemani The Authentic Neighborhood in Cartagena de IndiasColombia
    The Ultimate 3-Day Malaga Itinerary in Low SeasonThe Ultimate 3-Day Malaga Itinerary in Low SeasonEurope
    7 Days in Sicily Without a Car7 Days in Sicily Without a CarEurope
    5 Places to Eat in Getsemani in Colombia5 Places to Eat in Getsemani in ColombiaColombia
    5 Breakfast Places in Oslo5 Breakfast Places in OsloEastern Norway


    • Sustainable Travel with Pauline Travels
  • paulinetravels

    A Norwegian Travel Voice & Trying to Impact the World by Nudging People to Choose More Sustainable Travel.

    Save for you next Cuba trip! La Lluvia de Oro!! 🇨🇺 Cuba and the people! That’s why you go to Cuba! To experience something that touches your soul and leave a little more lively, embracing the moment and the music! That’s what we love about old Havana you can always find great live music, with energy, singing and dancing! Yes a small escape to be in the moment and let go of any other thoughts. Be right here and now, that’s what Cuba invites you into experience if you decide to let go and follow the flow of Havana Vieja. #havanavieja #havanavieja🇨🇺 #havana #havanacuba #cubatravel #visitcuba
    Cuba 🇨🇺 A special travel. Always with many t Cuba 🇨🇺 A special travel. Always with many things. Some easy and some complicated. People are easy, always friendly and always with time to talk. Forgetting your phone is easy in Cuba. Forgetting time is easy in Cuba. It’s complicated to let go of the challenge of life, like some places do not have electricity and cellphone service, and gasoline is more challenging than ever and som have very little.  However food is always here, as long you are a tourist and can buy food. If you are inventing new recipes you are also good. #cuba #cubatravel #cubaporlavida #travelcuba #cubatrip #havana
    It’s that time of the year again. The magic spri It’s that time of the year again. The magic spring! The feeling of coming alive again. Sun inside, Sun outside, Sun in the heart, Sun in the Soul. Sun in all of you!! I love this song ✨Wow, what an energy load today with all the Sun and so many great people ✨🌞 Hope you as well had a blissful Sunday 🌞 #norwaytravel #springtime #lofoten #visitlofoten #lofoteninfo #visitnorway
    Cuba nos vemos pronto 🇨🇺 The Last time we sa Cuba nos vemos pronto 🇨🇺 The Last time we saw each other was in 2023, and the first time was in 2019, right before COVID-19 and the island was closed down. I have always been fascinated by Cuba. It is a place where you become much more aware of how much you have and how lucky you are with all your things. It teaches you to be happy about simpler things, it teaches you to be present, and most of all, to go with the flow. Traveling to Cuba is different but beautiful. #cuba #visitcuba #havana #cubatravel #meaningfultravel
    Follow on Instagram

© Copyright Pauline Travels

 

Loading Comments...