Tromso Luxury Northern Lights Cruise Review: Hot Tub & Dinner

Chasing the Northern Lights is almost certainly on many a travel enthusiast’s bucket list, and there are loads of different ways to witness this astonishing natural light show. But let’s face it, experiencing it from the deck of a luxurious cruise ship, while soaking in a hot tub and enjoying a nice meal, is, arguably, a very good way to go. I wanted to give you the lowdown on my time with the Tromso Luxury Northern Lights Cruise that offers this very appealing combination, and whether or not it’s actually worth the money.

Setting Sail into the Arctic Night

Picture this: you are, for example, in Tromso, Norway, a beautiful spot far up north that many view as one of the main places to watch the Northern Lights. The city is definitely surrounded by great tall mountains and shiny waters, adding to the magic of, as a matter of fact, the experience that’s about to occur. When I stepped aboard the cruise ship, the anticipation in the arctic air could arguably be described as electrifying, with what appeared to be other passengers, too, full of hope and enthusiasm. I mean, that feeling when you set off, with the dark arctic waters spreading out before you, is really quite something.

The boat itself really looked to be well set-up for comfort and for viewing the aurora. It’s not hard to see, basically, why they call it a “luxury” cruise. There seemed to be spacious decks for gazing up at the sky, warm places inside for when the cold just becomes way too much, and, I suppose most importantly, that hot tub I mentioned. That’s, in other words, where I intended to spend a fair bit of the evening!

Dining Under the Aurora: A Culinary Delight

Food really is important on any cruise, that’s something you just know to be the case, and the dinner on this Northern Lights cruise seemed pretty well thought-out, too. It did seem to be more than just your average meal. The way the cruise staff prepared it and everything felt special. Locally sourced dishes showcasing Norwegian cuisine were offered. There might be fresh seafood and traditional flavors that actually gave you a taste of the Arctic.

Let’s say, you find yourself sitting in the warm dining room, and also happen to look through the window while eating some top-quality food and hopefully glimpse the Northern Lights dancing above; it seems like a once-in-a-lifetime experience that just sticks with you. It’s not just food, is that clear, it’s all part of what you get. I suppose it’s these unique moments that almost justify the expense of these kinds of trips.

Hot Tub Bliss: Warmth Amidst the Arctic Chill

Okay, now we get to arguably one of the best bits: soaking in a warm, bubbly hot tub while you are out hunting for the Northern Lights. I tell you, slipping into that hot water while it’s basically freezing outside is just the most welcome thing imaginable.

Lying back in the warmth, watching the sky and maybe chatting to some other travelers also watching, really adds a certain magic to the aurora hunting thing. The combination of warmth and nature’s spectacular show makes for, more or less, an experience that you definitely won’t forget any time soon. It seemed like such a good idea and, honestly, in practice, it turned out pretty fantastic, too. The hot tub is really a genius stroke and one of the things, at the end of the day, that elevates this cruise above other experiences.

The Aurora Borealis: Nature’s Greatest Show

I suppose the big moment that everyone is waiting for on this kind of trip is, by the way, seeing the Northern Lights. The anticipation does seem to build as the cruise ship leaves Tromso behind and goes further out into the darkness. The crew will keep you updated on how likely you are to see them, and are also skilled at picking spots with the least light, as that affects seeing the lights.

When the aurora finally puts on its show – bright greens, pinks and purples swirling across the sky – it really feels unbelievable. You just want to stand and stare. It feels so special and makes all the cost and effort of the trip worthwhile. Seeing it from a luxury cruise, with, in other words, everything that that entails, really is just the cherry on top of an awesome experience.

What Makes this Cruise “Luxury”?

When you think about this trip, what could be seen as the luxurious aspects really seem to add so much to the whole thing. You are, like your average traveler, pretty much paying for the comfort, the fancy meals, and stuff, the very good service, and the hot tub thing. But it also includes advantages, like, having expert guides who can tell you loads about the aurora, and their skill at getting the ship to prime viewing locations.

You feel taken care of, honestly. And also that what can be an, arguably, challenging experience, in terms of how cold it gets or how long you sometimes have to wait, actually becomes, without a doubt, a relaxing treat. Is that clear? That’s what paying for “luxury” brings to your trip.

Is the Luxury Northern Lights Cruise Worth It?

Spending out on a luxury Northern Lights cruise like this is arguably not cheap. However, should you go ahead? So, if what you are hoping for is a unique way to see the Northern Lights, something a bit special, this option does seem worth the investment, for instance. I mean, the experience includes seeing the lights. It also involves enjoying fine dining, chilling in a hot tub, and having very knowledgeable guides helping you out. That’s what you pay for.

On the other hand, if, as a matter of fact, you are more on a tight budget and you really only care about seeing the lights and don’t worry too much about comfort or fancy meals, you are, maybe, just better off opting for one of the less expensive tours. Is that what people do? At the end of the day, the “best” option is just the one that meets your personal expectations.

Essential Tips for an Amazing Experience

• Dress warmly: You should be bringing lots of warm layers with you to wear on the cruise, and, anyway, make your overall time up in Tromso pleasant. Thermal underwear, and also hats and gloves are what you should have.
• Bring a camera: Want to photograph the lights? Bring a proper camera and a tripod, to capture sharp and bright pictures of the aurora. Just using your phone probably won’t cut it, let’s face it.
• Check the forecast: Do look at the aurora forecast, and also the local weather, so that you can have a rough sense of what your viewing chances could be like. It can change very quickly.
• Be patient: Nature really doesn’t run to our schedules, does it? Just remember that the lights might decide to show up later. Be patient and keep looking skyward.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)