Vesterålen in winter with northern lights in the sky.
Reine in Lofoten by night.
People in red jackets talking to fishers.
This 22-day expedition cruise takes you from Dover, England to the Norwegian fjords on an epic hunt to see the Northern Lights .
Visit UNESCO sites Bryggen and Hjørundfjorden in Norway, and see UNESCO-protected townhouses along the Grachtengordel canals.
Meet local communities in hidden idyllic spots only can reach, and keep an eye out for the wildlife – especially Tromsø’s humpback whales.
Our Norwegian cruise takes us on a quest to see the Northern Lights. With more than ten days above the Arctic Circle, the chances of experiencing this cosmic phenomenon are as good as they get.
Visit beautiful cities, towns and villages in the Netherlands and Norway, as well as incredible landscapes and unforgettable blue fjords. Thanks to the smaller size of our cruise ship, you’ll visit places few others ever see.
Enjoy winter activities
Join optional snowshoeing, kayaking and hiking expeditions, surrounded by natural wonders and meeting local communities along the way.
Flights
Onboard activities
Landing activities
We'll help you plan where to go, when to visit and how long to stay
Depart from Australia or New Zealand on your included overnight flight to London to embark the ship.
After arrival from London make your own way to Dover to embark the ship. We recommend taking a train to Dover Priory station.
Setting sail for winter sights and Northern Lights
Your Arctic expedition cruise starts in Dover. If you have time, take a walk along the famous white cliffs at St Margaret's Bay for incredible views of the chalky coastline and sparkling English Channel below. Soon it's time to board MS Maud, your home for the next 22 days. Once you've settled in, you'll have a chance to meet our expert Expedition Team, your friendly hosts and knowledgeable guides throughout your expedition. Watch the iconic cliffs fade into the distance from the observation deck, or through the panoramic windows of our Explorer Lounge and Bar. Your adventure has begun.
As we cross the North Sea, enjoy the onboard amenities like the hot tubs, sauna and indoor gym. The Expedition Team will begin the first of their daily lectures in the well-equipped Science Center.
Each member of the Expedition Team has been picked for their extensive knowledge of Norway. They'll tell you more about what lies ahead, and may go deeper into the science behind the Northern Lights.
We can't completely predict the weather at this time of year so things aren't set in stone, but we plan to reach Bergen the next day.
We arrive in Egersund in the morning. Today is Christmas for Norwegians so the town will be quiet and we'll have it to ourselves. Admire the wooden houses and narrow streets decked out in fairy lights.
Wander around the beautifully decorated shops full of handicrafts, then pop into a café for a glass of hot gløgg (mulled wine). A visit to the local chocolate and ice cream factory is a must. We recommend the gingerbread ice cream.
You might also have the chance to attend a Christmas service and an outdoor choir concert, then it's back to the ship for a sumptuous meal as the festivities continue.
Weather permitting, we'll arrive in Bergen in the afternoon. Surrounded by seven mountains and the sea, the old capital is one of Norway’s most picturesque cities.
Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district and discover its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 14th century. Across from Bryggen, you'll find the city's famous fish market. From there, explore the cobbled streets on foot, stopping at artisanal boutiques and cafés.
You'll enjoy an included excursion to Mount Fløyen. Take the funicular railway up to the summit for amazing views over the city. If there’s time, we might even venture into the alpine forest for a short hike.
MS Maud's more compact size allows us to explore deep into Sognefjorden's interior, stretching 127 miles inland, to visit the hamlet of Fjærland.
About 300 people live in idyllic Fjærland. Discover this charming and quaint village, that's a designated Norwegian Book Town, where second-hand book shops and stands can be found around every corner.
This is also where Sognefjorden meets one of Norway’s best-known glaciers, Jostedalsbreen. Enjoy an included visit to the award-winning Norwegian Glacier Museum and learn more about the processes involved in their creation.
Part of the UNESCO-designated Fjords Norway area, Hjørundfjorden is surrounded by the Sunnmøre Alps. It’s one of the most scenic fjords in Norway and largely undiscovered by other cruise lines. We anchor close to one of two fjord settlements, Urke or Sæbø, and go ashore to experience Norwegian nature and culture.
Enjoy at your own pace or join one of our optional excursions. These include a guided walk among the villages to discover the area’s history and nature. You can also experience incredible views on a mountain hike or soak in the silence while kayaking in the still fjord waters.
Venturing through rarely seen landscapes to discover the true Norway
When Hurtigruten first sailed north of Trøndelag in 1893, much was unknown. Today we’re the experts in these waters, and the only ones who can take you to the heart of this spectacular scenery. This is the home of kos – a state of mind that celebrates warmth, kindness and togetherness. This pairs with an intense local love of nature and the great outdoors known as friluftsliv.
The weather will determine what we do while we’re here, but once we’ve decided our day’s destination, we’ll use our small boats to head ashore. You’ll be able to join optional hikes or kayaking – possibly even both.
You'll enjoy a special ceremony to celebrate crossing the Arctic Circle. A majestic wall of mountains signal your arrival in stunning Lofoten.
We sail along Vestfjorden to the fishing town of Svolvær. Browse the shops and galleries along the promenade, with iconic red fishing huts known as rorbuer, and air-drying cod hanging on wooden racks or hjell.
Then it's time for an included visit to the Magic Ice bar, filled with ice sculptures, for a signature spirit to warm you up. Your Expedition Team will be on hand to suggest safe and spectacular hiking trails or snowshoeing areas to offer as optional excursions.
Deep inside the Arctic Circle, surrounded by fjords, Narvik is home to galleries, shops, and restaurants serving local seafood and reindeer meat.
An important port for transporting Swedish iron, Narvik was a strategic German target in World War II. You'll visit the War Museum to learn how Allied troops liberated the town. Optional activities include a cable car ride up Mount Narvik, snowshoeing, kayaking on the fjords or possibly ice-fishing and meeting local Sámi. We may visit Polarparken, the word’s northernmost animal park, where wolves, bears, lynx, moose and reindeer roam huge enclosures.
We arrive in Vesterålen early, so you have all day to explore an area few others ever have.
Depending on the weather, we'll dock in Sortland with its distinctive blue houses, the historic fishing village of Risøyhamn, or Harstad – with the world’s northernmost medieval church and artificial channel, constructed specifically for Hurtigruten back in 1922.
Vesterålen is a hiker's paradise, with trails for all levels of experience leading to stunning views. We also plan to put our kayaks in the water while we're in port, increasing your chances of spotting whales, commonly seen here during winter.
You'll have a full day to visit Tromsø's many attractions. As we cruise, look out for humpback whales – they're known to frequent these winter waters.
With its huge stained-glass window, be sure to stop off at the Arctic Cathedral, one of the most striking landmarks in Tromsø. Or drop in on the world’s northernmost brewery, Mack Bryggeri.
You'll visit the Polar Museum on an included excursion, where you'll discover the city’s heritage as a base for famous trappers and legendary explorers. Or try an optional winter excursion, from dogsledding and snowshoeing to nature hikes.
From the small town of Honningsvåg, enjoy a scenic bus ride past tiny villages and across a mountain plateau to the North Cape, just 1,300 miles from the Geographic North Pole.
Enjoy cliff-edge views across the sparkling sea, then take a selfie at the Globe Monument before visiting North Cape Hall’s exhibits on the cape’s history.
Back in Honningsvåg, enjoy a stroll by the pretty harbour, browsing the charming shops, houses and church. Or sample king crab at one of the many local fish restaurants. This is the ship’s turning point. From here, we begin our trip southbound.
Lying 70º north of the Arctic Circle, Alta is the perfect destination for winter activities like snowmobiling, mountain hiking or riding fat bikes. It lies directly beneath the Auroral Oval – if conditions are right, you could be in for quite a show. Learn more about the aurora at an interactive exhibition in the modern Northern Lights Cathedral, where you’ll also be treated to a classical concert. Optional excursions include a visit to a Sámi village to learn more about their indigenous, semi-nomadic culture. You could also try snowshoeing or go hiking across the incredible tundra wilderness.
This lesser-travelled island – perhaps due to its remoteness – features on CNN’s Top 10 list of ’World’s Most Beautiful Islands’.
Nicknamed 'Miniature Norway' due to the diversity of its landscapes, Senja's northern coastline has sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and lofty mountains. Southern Senja and Ånderdalen National Park offers rocky coastline and pine forests, while you'll find rolling hills and birch forests to the east.
The captain will decide on the best location to drop anchor and go ashore to explore. Don't forget to ask your Expedition Team about our optional excursions.
We return to Lofoten, this time to the fishing village of Reine, one of the most photographed landscapes in all of Norway.
The breathtaking scenery is a masterpiece of jutting snowcapped mountains, sheltered bays, untouched beaches and fishing villages. If the Northern Lights are active, it will only add to the magic.
Fishing is central to Lofoten's local communities. Discover one of the best-preserved traditional fishing villages in Norway on an included activity to Å, where you'll visit the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum, and learn how fishing has shaped life here over the centuries.
Whatever you do today, don’t take your eyes off the scenery. Not only because it’s beautiful but because this is fairytale country. You’ll pass the Seven Sisters mountain range, apparently created when seven troll sisters were caught by the sunrise. Torghatten – the mountain with the hole in the middle – was created, it’s said, when the troll king’s hat was pierced by an arrow. Your Expedition Team will share these tales and more, bringing this legend-rich landscape into sparkling life. Our onboard photographer is also at hand to give you tips on capturing the mighty aurora.
In the morning we cruise into Nordfjorden, past fishing communities that trace their history back to pre-Viking times. One of them is Loen, that sits in the shadow of Jostedalsbreen glacier. This is where we’ll get an unrivalled view of the scenery. The floating jetty at Loen is also the starting point for the Loen Skylift, which takes you to the top of Mount Hoven in just five minutes. At the summit, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable vista over the fjord, glacier and mountain scenes. After optional snowshoeing and sledding, if time and conditions allow, we’ll do some kayaking before returning to our ship.
Today you'll visit the best-preserved fishing village in western Norway, with just 400 inhabitants. No other expedition ships visit here so you're guaranteed a unique, authentic experience.
Kalvåg's name literally means 'Frozen Bay' – and as the name suggests, it's not always possible to land here. Your Captain will try his best though, as charming Kalvåg is one of the best kept secrets of the Norwegian coast.
Admire an open-art exhibition and wander around Kalvåg's old waterfront buildings, from restored wooden wharves to herring salting warehouses. It's a wonderful wintry experience.
As you cruise back across the North Sea to Dover, you'll have time to relax and look back on some of the incredible experiences you've enjoyed on this expedition.
Spend time in the Explorer Bar with your fellow adventurers or relax in the hot tubs or sauna. You can also enlist the help of our onboard photographer for editing pointers on the many photos you'll no doubt have taken on this cruise. If your fascination for the Northern Lights and Norway hasn't been sated, our Expedition Team will be on hand to fill in any gaps – head to the Science Center to discover more.
Harlingen is one of the 11 cities of Friesland. Its harbour was the only seagoing port in Friesland and the area has a strong nautical heritage: fishing, trade, and whaling. Nowadays, Harlingen is the busiest port in the north of the Netherlands.
In the Old Town, you can visit the 18th century City Hall, Hannemahuis Museum, Blauwe Hand - the city’s oldest warehouse, and St Michael’s Church.
Explore the old harbours of Noorderhaven and Zuiderhaven, where you’ll see historic warehouses and a fleet of traditional sailing ships. Out by Zuider Pier, look out for the life-sized sculpture of a sperm whale, which spouts a powerful stream of water into the air at regular intervals.
The 16th century Arctic explorer, William Barents, was born on the nearby island of Terchelling. The reproduction of his expedition ship is a must-see for anybody interested in Arctic exploration.
The Harlingen Aardewerk Museum will delight those interested in Frisian pottery. Harlingen is home to the last traditional pottery factory in the Netherlands, still using the original majolica technique, entirely handmade and painted with tin glaze. This style has been used since 1598, and the local tiles and ceramics make for wonderfully original souvenirs.
We pass the white cliffs of Dover during the early morning hours and dock at the city’s harbour. After a final breakfast, it’ll be time to say a fond farewell to the ship, the Captain, crew, Expedition Team, and your new-found friends.
As you head ashore, you’ll take with you special memories of Norway in winter: wonderful fjords, fascinating towns and cities, friendly people, and the magical Northern Lights.
Dover acts as the gateway to English countryside, the verdant counties of Kent and Surrey, and beyond to the melting pot of London. But before you rush off, you might to like to visit Dover Castle, tipped to be the largest in England.
There is a rare Roman lighthouse here, one of only three in the world and reputedly the UK’s oldest building. You can also go on a tour of the underground hospital and secret WWII tunnels that run beneath the castle complex.
Whatever’s next for you, we wish you a safe onward journey and look forward to seeing you on your next adventure!
Make your own way back to London Heathrow for your return included flight to Australia or New Zealand.
Take a closer look at our ships typically used on this expedition
Practical information you need to know
Expedition exclusive cost savings and rare opportunities.
* Certain offers may not be combinable, up to two savings opportunities except where noted otherwise
Book With Confidence
We have relaxed our booking conditions to give you confidence, peace of mind and security in this uncertain time due to Covid. This policy applies for new bookings made from 1 July 2021.
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Health & Safety Onboard
We’ve partnered with experts in health and safety to design new protocols and procedures to be safer together as we restart our expedition operations.
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Norway
