15-Days Northern Lights Expedition Cruise from Dover

Your Arctic expedition cruise to see the Northern Lights starts in Dover. If you have time, take a walk to Dover Castle and enjoy sparkling Channel views from this historic fortress.

Soon it’s time to board MS Maud, your home for the next 15 days. Pick up your complimentary expedition jacket, settle into your cabin, and meet your Expedition Team.

Watch the iconic white cliffs fade into the distance from the Observation Deck, or through the panoramic windows of our Explorer Lounge and Bar. Your adventure has begun.

The next two days at sea will give you plenty of time to enjoy the onboard facilities like our hot tubs, sauna and gym. You’ll also dine on delicious seasonal produce in our restaurants.

The Expedition Team will begin the first in their series of lectures over at the Science Center. Each member of the Expedition Team is an expert in their field. They’ll share fascinating insights about the places, history and nature you may encounter on your Norwegian coast adventure.

Find out about our Citizen Science projects, where you can contribute to important scientific research. Or pick up pointers on improving your wildlife and landscape images from our expedition photographers.

In the morning, we’ll enter Nordfjorden. Gaze in awe as we pass Hornelen, Europe’s highest sea cliff and head towards Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s largest glacier.

As we cruise past picturesque inlets, you’ll spy old fishing communities dating back to pre-Viking times. One of these is Loen, where we’ll land if conditions are right. In the shadow of the mighty glacier, there’s much to discover.

After a short boat ride to the floating jetty, you’ll take the Loen Skylift to enjoy spectacular views from the summit of Mount Hoven. After, you can take part in optional activities like snowshoeing, sledding or winter kayaking.

As we continue our Northern Lights cruise, keep your eyes on the scenery as we pass Helgeland county. You’ll sail past the Seven Sisters mountain range and Torghatten mountain, with its distinct hole right through the middle.

We’ll also be travelling under the Auroral Zone, a prime area for Northern Lights. If we’re lucky, we could have multiple sightings here. Our professional onboard photographer will also share some top tips for capturing the Aurora.

Your Expedition Team will continue their onboard lectures. Discover more about local folklore, or the Norwegian passion for the outdoors, known as friluftsliv.

A majestic wall of mountains signal your arrival in stunning Lofoten. The breathtaking scenery is a masterpiece of jutting snowcapped mountains, sheltered bays, untouched beaches and fishing villages.

You’ll spend the day in the picture-perfect fishing village of Reine Its iconic red fishing huts, or rorbuer, dotted against granite peaks, make this one of Norway’s most photographed landscapes. If the Northern Lights are active, it will only add to the magic.

Your included activity for the day is a trip to Å, one of the best preserved traditional fishing villages in Norway. You’ll visit the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum, and learn how fishing has shaped life of local communities here over the centuries.

Lying 70º north of the Arctic Circle, Alta is the perfect destination for winter activities like visiting snow hotels, dog sledding and snowmobiling. Alta lies directly beneath the Auroral Oval. If conditions are right, you could be in for quite a show.

Learn more about the aurora on a visit to the modern Northern Lights Cathedral, where you’ll be treated to a classical concert and an interactive exhibition on Northern Lights research.

Or enjoy an optional excursion to visit a Sámi village and learn more about the indigenous and semi-nomadic reindeer herders. The Expedition Team may even give a lecture on Sámi culture.

Our Northern Lights cruise continues to capital of the Arctic, Tromsø. As we arrive, look out for humpback whales – your Expedition Team will let you know of any sightings nearby.

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.

On your included Polar Museum visit, you’ll discover the city’s heritage as a base for famous trappers and legendary explorers including Roald Amundsen. Or try an optional excursion from dogsledding and snowshoeing to nature hikes.

We arrive into Narvik in the morning. Sitting 150 miles inside the Arctic Circle and surrounded by three fjords, the town enjoys a spectacular setting. Take time to explore the galleries, shops, and restaurants – specialising in local seafood and reindeer meat.

An important port, Narvik was a strategic target for Germany during World War II. You’ll visit Narvik War Museum and learn about the Allied troops’ liberation of the town.

Then ride the cable car to the top of Mount Narvik, or go on optional excursion hikes, snowshoeing or kayaking on the fjord. In the evening, we’ll look out for Northern Lights as we cross Vestfjorden.

Over the next two days, we may go off the beaten track to wherever takes our fancy. There are many islands and fjords to discover in this region. We’ll go ashore in expedition boats and look for wildlife in their natural habitat.

Activities and landings will be picked at the discretion of the Expedition Team, and they’ll draw on their in-depth knowledge of the area to bring you to the most exhilarating and naturally beautiful locations.

You’ll also learn more about what we’ve seen – with lectures from our Expedition Team or in our Science Center. You can join a Citizen Science project like Happywhale, which uses photos of sightings to track whale migrations around the world.

Enjoy the unique charm of what was once Norway’s capital, Bergen. It’s one of Norway’s most picturesque cities, surrounded by seven mountains and the sea.

Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district and discover its colourful wooden wharves dating back to the 14th century. Explore the cobbled streets and alleys on foot, stopping at fascinating museums, artisanal boutiques, cafés or a pub for a glass of local Hansa beer.

Afterwards, enjoy an included excursion up Mount Fløyen on the funicular railway. At the summit, you’ll find amazing views over the city. If there’s time, we might even venture into the alpine forest for a short hike.

You’ll love the cosy feel of Egersund, with its brightly coloured, wooden houses – so different to traditional, white-painted Norwegian homes.

People have lived here since the Stone Age, and you can even find ancient runes carved into rocks nearby. It’s also one of the best natural harbours in Norway – as a fishing town, Egersund used to land more fish than anywhere else in the country.

The best way to explore is on foot. You can take an optional hike in the hills or enjoy exploring the town centre on your own. For panoramic views, hike to the viewpoint at Varberg, a short walk from the centre.

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.

We pass the white cliffs of Dover during the early morning. After breakfast, it’s time to head ashore.

Dover is the gateway to English countryside, so before you rush off, why not visit Dover Castle, or the Roman lighthouse that’s reputedly the UK’s oldest building? You can also tour the underground hospital and secret WWII tunnels beneath the castle.

As you leave, you’ll carry wonderful memories of coastal Norway, the Northern Lights, the culture you’ve encountered, and friends you’ve made.