Northern Lights Cruise: Arctic Norway Vintage Ship Open Wheelhouse

Watch the Aurora from the deck of a working Arctic ferry

A Northern Lights cruise on the Arctic coast of Norway departs from a central location aboard the vintage MS Strønstad, a restored public ferry with an open-wheelhouse policy that lets you step outside to watch the sky. The tour includes a Northern Lights presentation at the Full Steam Museum before boarding, a live guide in English, and a four-hour voyage. You can add sauna or jacuzzi timeslots (with towel and bathrobe included) and order snacks and beverages from the onboard kiosk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northern Lights cruise experience

• Attend Northern Lights presentation
• Board vintage vessel MS Strønstad
• Enjoy family-friendly Northern Lights cruise
• Relax in sauna or jacuzzi (optional)
• Visit onboard bar for snacks and drinks

The experience

If you've just arrived on the Arctic coast or have a free evening, this cruise solves the main problem: you don't have to drive yourself into the dark to see the Northern Lights, and you don't have to guess where to stand. The tour starts at the Full Steam Museum with a presentation about the Aurora Borealis: the science behind it, the cultural stories, and what you're actually looking for in the sky. Then you board the MS Strønstad, a vintage vessel that spent decades as a working ferry carrying locals and cargo along the Norwegian coast. That history is the point: the ship knows these waters and the crew knows where the lights tend to show.

Once aboard, you have access to the open wheelhouse, which means you're not stuck behind glass or confined to a cabin. You can move to the deck, shift position as the sky changes, and feel the Arctic air while you wait. The guide stays with the group in English throughout the four hours, pointing out what's happening and answering questions as the evening unfolds. If the lights don't appear, you're still on a working ship in the Arctic, watching the coast and the winter sky. The bar serves snacks and drinks to keep you warm and occupied.

Before you book, decide whether you want to add sauna or jacuzzi time (each costs extra and runs at 8 p.m., with towel and bathrobe provided). These are optional timeslots you reserve at checkout, not automatic inclusions. You can also order food and drinks from the kiosk once you're aboard. Public transport gets you to the departure point, and the cruise suits all fitness levels, though the operator notes that infants shouldn't join the jacuzzi.

What’s included

• Northern Lights presentation at the Full Steam Museum.
• four-hour cruise aboard the vintage MS Strønstad with open-wheelhouse access.
• live English-speaking guide.
• onboard bar with snacks and beverages available for purchase.
• sauna or jacuzzi timeslots available as optional add-ons (towel, bathrobe and shower access included with those bookings).

Options for this experience

3 options

Northern Light CruiseGuide in English · Available from 3 Dec · 19:00Vintage vessel MS Strønstad: Sauna time slot at 10 PM

Crusie Inclusive JacuzziGuide in English · Available from 3 Dec · 19:00Jacuzzi time slot: An hour of indulgence in our outdoor hot tub aboard MS Strønstad, relaxing in warm water beneath the sky while watching the Northern Lights

Cruise Inclusive SaunaGuide in English · Available from 3 Dec · 19:00Sauna: An unwinding hour in our sauna aboard MS Strønstad, rounding off your Northern Lights experience with breathtaking Arctic scenery

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday and ThursdayDeparts at 19:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Full Steam

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want to hunt the Northern Lights without driving yourself into the dark or guessing where to stand. The ship knows the Arctic coast, the guide stays with you in English, and the open deck gives you room to move as the sky changes. Add the sauna or jacuzzi timeslot if you want a warm break during the four hours.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Northern Lights presentation at the museum before the cruise?

The Full Steam Museum hosts a captivating presentation about the Aurora Borealis that covers the science, cultural significance, and what to look for in the sky. It runs before you board the MS Strønstad, giving you context for what you're about to watch and how to spot it.

Can I stay inside the ship or do I have to be on deck to see the lights?

The open-wheelhouse policy means you can move freely between the deck and the ship's interior. You're not locked into a cabin or viewing area. You step outside when you want to watch and can retreat inside to warm up, then go back out as conditions change.

How long is the cruise and what time does it depart?

The cruise runs for four hours. The tour begins at the Full Steam Museum with the presentation, then continues aboard the MS Strønstad for the evening voyage along the Arctic coast.

What's included in the sauna and jacuzzi add-ons?

If you book the sauna or jacuzzi timeslot (each at 8 p.m. for 395 NOK), the price includes use of a towel, bathrobe, and access to a shower. These are optional extras you choose at checkout, not part of the standard cruise.

Is food and drink available on the ship?

The onboard bar and kiosk offer a selection of snacks and beverages that you can purchase during the cruise. You can also order wine and beer from the kiosk if you want to bring your own drinks aboard.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English throughout the four-hour cruise, providing commentary and answering questions as the evening unfolds.