The Ultimate Norway Expedition

This was a week-long roundtrip sailing from Tromso and visiting some of Northern Norway’s highlights, including the Lofoten Islands and Senja. After some free time in the beautiful Tromso, we were able to board the ship that evening. We stayed in an Arctic Superior Cabin; the room itself was spacious and well equipped with a large double bed, plus a separate pull-down bunk bed in case you required it. We where greeted with a variety of in-cabin amenities including a robe, slippers and an HX Expeditions water bottle.

I was extremely impressed with all the facilities on board. The dining was a buffet-style restaurant with a huge range of options. I found the relaxed dining arrangements meant I was under no time constraints alongside the excursions and landings we had planned. They had choices for starters, main courses and desserts meaning there was something for everyone! To finish the voyage, they hosted an à la carte dining night to celebrate the cruise line's anniversary.  This was such a special way to close the trip and the food was delicious!

One of the most interesting facilities on board the ship was its science centre. The ship had its very own science crew who regularly held lectures, group talks and discussions. These lectures were all about the science of Northern Norway and was such an immersive way of learning about the area we were exploring. They had pictures, videos, fossils, books and other collection items. As part of the daily schedule, they often put on guided talks for guests. These involved a knowledgeable guide teaching us about the science behind the wildlife both on land and in the sea. The science centre was an interesting and educating facility on the ship and was a great way to spend free time.

Aside from all the activities, excursions and landings available to guests, MS Spitsbergen also offers a great fitness and relaxation experience. Up on Deck 7 of the ship, they had a well-equipped gym, two hot tubs and a spacious sauna. This provided guests with the opportunity to relax and take in the panoramic views of Arctic Norway. 

I found the staff on board to be exceptionally welcoming and dedicated to ensuring guests had the absolute best time. They would always go above and beyond to make the experience as immersive and enjoyable as possible. One fun activity we were lucky enough to win at an auction they held was a champagne and 'honk the horn' experience with the captain!

With everything considered I believe this cruise would be perfect for an adventure traveller and nature lover; someone who is interested in science and up for expedition style excursions such as the polar plunge, kayaking and hiking above the Arctic Circle. Cruising through here enabled us to reach some very remote areas, this was best for wildlife spotting and seeing Norway in depth. Despite there being something for everyone, this HX Expeditions voyage is better suited for someone hoping to escape from the crowds and soak in Norway’s dramatic landscapes.

Overall, I can confidently recommend HX Expeditions to anyone and would hope to book on another one of their voyages in the future. The cruise line itself went above and beyond to provide such a special experience for their guests – whether that was alerting guests to orca and dolphin sightings or the staff performing karaoke in the bar at night! My favourite moment of the trip was seeing the Northern Lights above the ship, March was such a great time to witness these dance in the sky and see the last of the snow capped mountains before the end of Norway’s winter.

If you're interested in a Norway expedition cruise, click here and browse all sailings.