Northern Lights Expedition Cruise from Dover

Your magical winter cruise to Norway starts in Dover.

Before embarking your comfortable expedition ship MS Maud, take a walk alongside or atop Dover’s iconic white cliffs.

Once you board, pick up your complimentary expedition jacket and settle into your cabin before attending a mandatory safety drill. Your Christmas and New Year’s adventure to the Arctic is officially underway!

Later in the evening, you will be called on the port of Harwich, which is one of the most important ports on the Essex coast. To celebrate the start of your journey, you will be presented a local sea shanty performance before crossing the North Sea.

Spend two comfortable days at sea and experience Norwegian Christmas.

The holiday season is in full swing and so is your expedition cruise. Over the next two days at sea, enjoy time to ease into your journey. Start by enjoying the onboard facilities like the hot tubs, sauna, and the indoor gym.

Norwegians celebrate Christmas on December 24 and Lille Juleaften (Christmas Eve) on December 23. There are many Christmas traditions and every family has its own. Some might weave julekurver, which are heart-shaped paper decorations, while others build gingerbread houses, decorate the tree, or eat risengrynsgrøt, a warm rice porridge served with cinnamon, sugar, and butter.

Your Expedition Team will begin their series of insightful lectures in the Science Center. Each team member is an expert on different subjects, and you can learn all about the places, Christmas traditions, history, and natural phenomena you’re likely to encounter on your expedition cruise.

Soak up stunning mountain views in Loen.

The festive mood continues today as you sail into Norway’s sixth longest fjord, Nordfjord. Norwegians typically open their gifts after dinner the night before Christmas morning, but you might have left yours to unwrap today. Share season’s greetings with family and friends or head on deck to admire the picturesque winter landscapes.

Thanks to the smaller sized ship, you’ll be closer to the Norway’s famous scenery and small communities. One such place is Loen, a tiny fishing village dating back to pre-Viking times. At the very heart of the Nordfjord, in the shadow of the mighty Jostedalsbreen (the Jostedal Glacier), Loen is the perfect place to explore this gorgeous area.

Enjoy a restful day at sea and cross the Arctic Circle.

Relax in the ship’s Explorer Lounge or enjoy the scenery on deck as you sail through Helgeland County, home to the Seven Sisters mountain range, and cross the Arctic Circle.

The Expedition Team will continue its onboard lecture series and you can ask the Expedition Photographer for tips on how to best capture images of the Northern Lights.

Experience the Polar Night above the Arctic Circle, when instead of total darkness, the skies turn a dreamy shade of cobalt blue, bathing the fjords and mountains in an ethereal hue. It’s known as the ‘blue hour’ and is caused by an extended twilight when the winter sun glows just below the horizon.

Majestic peaks, sheltered bays, and pristine beaches

Today, you explore the famed Lofoten Islands. With steep mountains, beautiful beaches, and pretty fishing villages, the archipelago is unlike anything you’ve seen. 

With its iconic red fishing huts, known as rorbuer, dotted against a granite-peak backdrop, Reine is an idyllic place to visit. You’ll see why this is one of Norway’s most-photographed places. If the weather conditions aren’t quite right, there are plenty of other equally memorable ports in the area to explore, such as Svolvær.

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Located at the western tip of the archipelago, Å is a unique historical attraction. Here, you’ll find one of the best preserved old fishing villages in Norway, offering a variety of opportunities to experience life in the Lofoten fisheries through the last 250 years.

Welcome to Alta, one of the northernmost towns in the world.

Dubbed ‘The Northern Lights City’, Alta is the turning point of your expedition and one of the northernmost towns in the world. It’s charming to stroll around, swathed in Christmas lights and snow.

Lying 70º north of the Arctic Circle, Alta sits directly beneath the Auroral Oval, a zone known for consistent Northern Lights activity. If the conditions are right, you could be in for a show.

Learn more about the Aurora on a visit to Alta’s Northern Lights Cathedral, with its striking Aurora-inspired architecture and fascinating interactive exhibition on Northern Lights research.

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Visit a cultural landmark with extraordinary architecture that captures the Northern Lights.

Discover the rich history and culture of Tromsø.

Today you sail to Tromsø, capital of the Arctic. The city is especially gorgeous around Christmas, all spruced up with lights and decorations. Spend your day discovering its fascinating history, culture, and bold architecture.

One of the most striking landmarks in Tromsø is the Arctic Cathedral, especially when it’s lit up at night. Visit the Polar Museum to learn about Tromsø’s fabled exploration history and join friendly locals in the town’s many pubs. Don’t miss Ølhallen, Tromsø’s oldest pub, with around 70 Norwegian beers on tap.

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Learn the history of Arctic exploration and see equipment from polar expeditions and hunters.

Discover one of the world’s northernmost towns.

Sitting 150 miles inside the Arctic Circle and surrounded by three fjords, Narvik enjoys a spectacular setting.

Developed as a year-round port for the Swedish iron mines, Narvik was a strategic target for Germany during World War II. Today, you can browse the local galleries, shops, and restaurants specializing in local seafood and reindeer meat.

Conditions permitting, ride the cable car to the top of Mount Narvik for breathtaking views. You can also go hiking, snowshoeing, or kayaking on the fjord.

Start the new year on a wild adventure.

Over the next two days you’ll go off the beaten track, heading wherever we see fit. The Expedition Team will choose the activities and any landings you make. They’ll draw on their in-depth knowledge of the area to bring you to the most scenic locations.

There are many islands and fjords to discover in this region, and you’ll get a closer look at some of them. MS Maud's small boats (RIBs) take you ashore, giving you the chance to experience the exhilarating feeling that comes from exploring a wild and remote island or discovering a hidden fjord. Weather conditions will also play a part in deciding where to explore, so expect the unexpected!

The City of Seven Mountains is full of history and charm.

Welcome to Bergen, one of Norway’s most picturesque cities, which is perfect for exploring on foot. It was once Norway’s capital and you’ll see that the city has retained a great deal of its local character, heritage, and charm.

You’ll take a funicular ride to the top of Mount Fløyen. At the summit, bask in stunning views of city and its surroundings: seven mountains and the sea.

Once back in the Bergen city center, stroll around the historic Bryggen district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its distinctive wooden wharves. Explore the many boutiques, cafés and galleries along its cobblestone streets and alleys.

Bask in the magical atmosphere of this well-preserved town.

Go back in time as you stroll around cozy Egersund, admiring the rustic wooden houses and narrow streets. At this time of year, they’re normally decked out in festive decorations and fairy lights, with a Christmas tree in the town square.

Peruse the beautifully decorated shops of the pedestrian town center. See the local chocolate and ice cream factory, where you can watch tasty treats being prepared through the small windows. Then, indulge in the gourmet chocolate and pick from a range of ice-cream flavors. Recommendation is the pepperkake-is, which is gingerbread ice cream.

Think back on the best moments of your expedition cruise

Make the most of your last full day aboard MS Maud. Soak in the hot tub, work out in the gym, spend time in the Science Center, or simply relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar and edit photos from your trip.

Join the Expedition Team as they review the highlights of your memorable expedition cruise to the fjords of Norway. Reflect on all the wonderful experiences you’ve had, like the sensation of standing in awe under the Northern Lights or the spectacular scenery of the Lofoten Islands.

Refreshed and ready for the year ahead

Today you’ll say farewell to MS Maud. You will take home unforgettable memories of Norway during Christmastime: wonderful fjords, fascinating towns and cities, and hopefully the Northern Lights. Before you head out of the area, Dover itself has a number of attractions you won’t want to miss.

No trip here is complete without a walk along or atop Dover’s iconic white cliffs. Consider visiting Dover Castle, among the largest castle in England and home to a Roman lighthouse.