Northern Lights Short Cruise – Winter 2020 / 2021
CORONAVIRUS STATUS UPDATE: From January 2021 there are 5 ships sailing the Norwegian coastal voyage route for local access and freight transport. Further sailings for other ships are being considered to start in early 2021. The size and scale of the restart is dependent on national and international travel restrictions, government support and other external factors outside of Hurtigruten's control. As of 03/08/2020 Hurtigruten has temporarily suspended all expedition sailings only on MS Roald Amundsen, MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Spitsbergen until further notice. All Antarctica expedition sailings departing in Winter 2020-21 are also cancelled.
This 5 night package includes 3 nights B&B on a short Northern Lights cruise on a Hurtigruten ship. Optional activities include dog sledding, snowmobiling (subject to local snow conditions) and attending a midnight concert in the Arctic Cathedral.
Price from: €1495 pp sharing
Activities: Not included. Available to pre-book. Ask for details
Destinations: Arctic, Norway
Season: Winter
Types: Northern Lights Cruise, Short Break Holiday, Family Holiday, Couples, Groups, Solo Travellers
See Hurtigruten’s online brochures to discover more about their destinations, their ships and life on board during an Arctic voyage.
Note: we will update prices and offers on this site when regular sailings resume. In the meantime, please ask us for a quotation.
Day 1: Fly Dublin to Tromsø via Oslo. Overnight at the Scandic, Clarion or Thon Hotel in Tromso (or similar).
Day 2: Today you have a full day in the wonderful ‘Arctic Capital of the North’. You can choose to explore some of the fascinating sights which include The Polar Museum, where you learn about the early Arctic Explorers; the Tromso Museum which includes exhibits on the indigenous Sami people and their culture as well as Embrace the Aurora, a must-see presentation for any enthusiast on the mystical Northern Lights. Or you might like to enjoy a thrilling dog sledding ride through the snow-covered local mountains and countryside (snow permitting, additional cost applies). At 1830 hours depart on your Hurtigruten ship for 3 nights B&B voyage in the cabin category of your choice. Seeing the Northern Lights from the ship’s deck under a star-spangled sky is a magical experience.
Days 3 – 4: Enjoy the voyage, passing North Cape (optional excursion to Europe’s northernmost point) and on to Kirkenes, the turning point for the ship. Whilst on the ship and in Kirkenes a variety of optional excursions are available including a snowmobile safari (driver’s licence required) or a visit to a Snow Hotel or (numbers permitting) a tour to Andersgrotta bomb shelter used during the occupation of the town throughout World War II.
Day 5: Arrive Tromsø late evening. Disembark and overnight at the Scandic, Clarion or Thon Hotel in Tromso (or similar).
Day 6: Early start to Tromsø airport for your flights home.
Departures:
Thursdays, November 2019 – March 2020
Alternative departure days available on request. Changes to the cost may apply.
As Hurtigruten only makes a limited number of cabins available for this voyage on each ship, it is useful to have some flexibility on your travel dates.
Adult: Inside Cabin from €1495 pp sharing
Single Supplement 2 nights in hotels: from €190
Single Supplement 3 nights on ship: from €255 (inside cabin)
Full board on ship: add €424 pp
Child (under 12): on request
Prices correct at time of print (July 2020). E&OE. Subject to availability at time of booking. As they are a natural phenomenon, seeing the Northern Lights is not guaranteed.
- Return flights Dublin/Norway (excluding taxes from approx €58 pp)
- One 20kg checked bag per person
- 2 nights B&B in a quality, central Tromso hotel
- 3 nights B&B in a shared Inside Cabin on Hurtigruten ship
- Full information pack including maps, tips on photographing the Northern Lights, advice on what to wear, etc
- Meals other than as stated
- Airport transfers in Tromso (easy coach or taxi)
- Air taxes (from approx €58 pp sharing)
- Additional meals: full board supplement on ship €359 pp
- Winter travel insurance (required)
- Optional excursions and tours (pre-bookable in advance)
Optional Excursions on Hurtigruten (more available):
- Visit to the North Cape (€189 pp)
- Kirkenes: Dog Sledding* (€231 pp) or Snowmobiling* (shared) (€263 pp) * subject to weather conditions
- Arctic Cathedral Midnight Concert (book on ship – approx €89 pp)
Upgrade to an Outside Cabin form an extra €175 pp sharing
Extend your stay with extra nights in Oslo and/or Tromso.
For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights you need to be above the Arctic Circle between October and early April. You also need to be under the Northern Lights Oval, the ring that circles the Magnetic North Pole. They tend to show best between 8pm and 2am.
Northern Norway is one of the only easily accessible and habitable Northern Lights locations in the world situated under the Aural Oval. Despite scientists’ best efforts, no correlation has been found between the 11 year solar cycle and observations of the Northern Lights within the Oval. The Oval extends further south during the peak solar cycle, allowing the Lights to be seen in more areas, but the solar cycle itself does not increase the frequency or intensity of showings.
Taking a short (2 or 3 nights) Northern Lights cruise, departing from Tromso, you spend all your time above the Arctic Circle. This gives you the best chance of seeing the Aurora. For a longer holiday consider one of the 11-night, 6-night or 5-night Classic Winter Coastal Voyage or a specialist 11-night Astronomy Voyage.
Testimonials
A really marvellous trip. Let me also say all the staff on MV Lofoten were excellent. Please pass on our sincere thanks to them for giving us such a special holiday.
- Mr D E, Down (2017)
Thanks for all of your work. I would recommend your agency with little hesitation.
- E&M O'M, Dublin (2020)
We had a simply great time. From the moment we landed in Oslo the organisation was perfect.
- Ms V W, Dublin
Thank you very much for your excellent organising of our fantastic adventure to Norway. Everything was so easy for us ... 8 every step of the way. We are very impressed.
- Ms D M, Clare (2017)
A big thank you for arranging all the details for our wonderful holiday in Norway. Your local information and brochures were really helpful and so well written.
- Ms CM, Wexford (2019)
Norway is drop dead gorgeous. I really enjoyed the trip with its perfect and professional organisation. Brilliant!
- Mr F B, Dublin
Thanks a million for all your help with my trip to Norway – it was truly the trip of a lifetime! Everything about it was superb.
- Ms P N, Cork
We had a marvellous Hurtigruten trip.Your attention to detail, information pack, and guidance on cabins was particularly appreciated.
- Mr D R, Wicklow (2019)
Project Travel are Norwegian experts and they were very good, I must say. I’d recommend them to anybody.
- George Hook, Newstalk
A wonderful holiday. Thank you so much for organising it all so well. I will be recommending Hurtigruten and Project Travel to my friends and family.
- Mrs M O'D, Cork (2019)
I want to thank and congratulate you on the superb job you did in organising my trip to Svalbard. I have been recommending Project Travel to anyone who will listen.
- Ms MD, Dublin (2020)
We had a fantastic holiday in northern Norway. I would certainly recommend you.
- Mr S G, Dublin (2019)
We had a fabulous time. The itinerary was perfect, everything went so smoothly. We even made it onto the Kirkenes Snowhotel Instagram page for Paddys day!
- Ms K M, Dublin (2019)
The Hurtigruten experience was wonderful. We will definitely be recommending you to anyone who wants to do a similar trip.
- Mr & Mrs S M, Dublin (2017)
We had a fabulous time in Norway. Really spectacular holiday. Thank you so much for all your organising – it was seamless and very easy for us.
- Ms A C, Dublin (2017)
We returned from our wonderful trip to Norway, the complete package was perfect. Thanks for the guidebooks and extra local tips.
- Mr & Mrs B C, Dublin (2017)
I had a very enjoyable time in Norway thanks in no small way to your excellent preparation and guidance. Sincere thanks to you both for all your assistance.
- Mr CM, Dublin (2019)
Guy Tominaga of Project Travel is unique. In these days of impressionism and spin he shines out as a true professional. I would unreservedly recommend Project Travel.
- Mr F B, Dublin
I had the most wonderful time on the Hurtigruten cruise to Antarctica. From start to finish everything was handled very professionally.
- Ms S J, Wicklow
I had the absolute best trip ever. I want to compliment you on your advice and the extra care you clearly take of clients.
- Ms K C, Kildare (2017)
We had a brilliant time. Norway was beautiful, quaint, awesome! Thank you for arranging it all so efficiently, thoroughly and pleasantly. It couldn’t have been better.
- Ms S H, Westmeath (2019)
Everything went well on our Tromso holiday and we had a great time. Thanks for your help in organising the trip for us. I would highly recommend it.
- Mrs C N, Wicklow (2019)
I enjoyed every part of the Icelandic Hurtigruten cruise: accommodation, excursions, variety of food, lectures and very helpful crew.
- Ms A O'D, Dublin (2019)
Last night we were treated to another fantastic night of Aurora Borealis. It really is something everybody should see.
- Jonathan McCrea, Futureproof, Newstalk (2014)
Thank you for a truly remarkable holiday. It was fantastic. We both appreciate the level of attention that Project Travel put into organising the trip.
- Mr & Mrs J O'F, Cork
My Antarctic trip was superb in every aspect – comfort of ship and hotels, quality of service in same. I can recommend it without reservation.
- Ms A O'D, Dublin (2016)
I did all trips you recommended. The “aurora” is my passion and Tromsø was the best trip so far.
- Ms M O'G, Offaly
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Image credits: Visit Lyngen, Ørjan Bertelsen / Hurtigruten
