First-time Expedition Cruising in Norway

Expedition cruises are a fast-growing category of sailing, that speaks to the adventurous in us all. Picture luxury surroundings, but a holiday that also immerses you in some of the wildest, most awe-inspiring places on earth, where the onboard team of naturalists, historians, and guides ensure that everyone returns from their trip with a deeper understanding of the natural world, and a new found sense of wonder at its beauty.

Laura and Claire were lucky enough to join the Arctic Expedition under the Northern Lights voyage with HX Expeditions, who can boast over 130 years of expertise and industry-leading sustainability. Their ship, MS Spitsbergen, is named after the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago and was extensively refurbished in classic Scandinavian style in 2025.

“The ship is really lovely,” confirms Laura, “Even though it’s small and accommodates just 150 people, it still feels spacious. There is the main Restaurant Aune, with a good choice of buffet food – my favourite was the fillet steak, and Brygger Bistro also served light bites and snacks outside of the main restaurant hours. The gym was good, and I used this myself throughout the cruise. There are also a sauna and two hot tubs, so don’t forget your swimsuit! The hot tubs and the lounge are both lovely places to relax after a day exploring. The atmosphere onboard is chilled and relaxed, you make your own entertainment in the evenings, though one night they did have a team cabaret, which was a bit of fun! The staff are absolutely amazing, so attentive and kind.”  

Departing from Tromso this itinerary explores the Lyngen Fjords and Alps, Lofoten, Senja and Vesteralen with plenty of scenic cruising. The whole trip embraces Norway’s friluftsliv - a deep love for the great outdoors, and a selection of daily activities are included in the fare. Claire and Laura enjoyed:

• Exploring the coast in small Expedition Launches, hiking or spotting wildlife, with a bonfire and hot drinks on the beach.

• For the hardy, a Nordic Sauna and Polar Plunge!

• “I really loved Kayaking,” says Laura, “I’d never done it before - the sun was shining, the waters were calm, and we were surrounded by breathtaking scenery.”

• An exclusive dinner in the Hurtigrutemuseet - the Hurtigruten Museum, dining amongst the historical artefacts in the old dining room of MS Finnmarken

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To top it all off, the Northern Lights kindly put in some appearances during the voyage too, which was a real highlight.

“Norway is such a happy country!” exclaims Laura, “This was an unforgettable adventure from start to finish.”

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