12-night Scandinavia cruise: Tromso, Norway to London (Tilbury) on Viking Astrea
The In Search of Northern Lights - Tromso to London (Tilbury) is a 12-night Scandinavia cruise aboard Viking Astrea, operated by Viking. Departing Tromso, Norway on January 22, 2028 and arriving in London (Tilbury) on February 3, 2028, the voyage visits 7 ports including Alta, Norway, Harstad, Norway, Narvik. Fares start from $6,299 per person.
Fixed editorial images from the places on this itinerary. They stay stable each time you return to this sailing.
Tromso, Norway
When vacationing in Norway on an MSC Cruise, you can visit the largest complex of wooden buildings north of Trondheim, just four kilometres from the port, in the centre of Tromsø.
One of the first attractions to visit during your MSC cruise of Northern Europe is Polaria. In this Arctic aquarium, you can watch the feeding, twice a day, of the sociable, peaceful bearded seals, and also admire the great variety of fish species that live in the Barents Sea and on the Svalbard.
The most handsome building in Tromsø is undoubtedly the Arctic Cathedral, built in 1965. Its triangular prism shape, with its glass mosaics, mirrors the landscape of this remote region of Norway. Another excursion during your MSC cruise of Northern Europe will take you to the top of the mountain above Storsteinen with the Fjellheisen funicular to enjoy the view, 420 metres above, of the city and the lovely surrounding landscape.
Here one also finds the northernmost botanical gardens in the world, where there are species of plants that, due to their climatic fragility, cannot grow at any other latitude, such as, for example, the Hymalayan blue poppy. Tromsø also hosts the northernmost university in the world, where you find a museum to give you an insight into northern Norway’s culture and environment, with particular attention to the Sami, to archeology, sacred art, geology and the phenomenon of the northern lights.
The polar museum instead shows visitors the harsh life of Arctic explorers. It is fitted in the dock of an old construction built in 1830. For those who like a good beer, there’s a pub like the Ølhallen, which has remained unchanged since 1928. A site not to miss is the Lyngen, an incredible wooden church in the village of Lyngseidet.
Alta, Norway
Think glorious white nights, expansive Scandinavian landscape and an extraordinary sense of adventure and you have Alta. This pretty town 375 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle is everything you expect from Norway. Despite Alta being located in Finnmark, Norway’s most northern region, the summer climate is very mild. This is largely thanks to its location on the inner part of the Alta fjord and the Gulf Stream. The fjord itself stretches for 38 kilometres in total and splits into two before pouring into the Norwegian Sea.
Alta is truly the epitome of Norway – forests, mountains and traditional red wooden huts to one side, fjords, coastal landscapes and abundant marine life to the other. However, there is more to Alta than just meets the eye. The village is home to some 6,000 plus year old rock carvings. These exceptional examples of rock art prove the existence of humans in the far north in the prehistoric era. The carvings are so important that they were granted in 1985, and remain the only prehistoric monument in the whole of Norway. Other sights in the village are the striking Northern Lights Cathedral, and the Alta Museum (and why not enjoy a deliciously fresh crab salad in the café while you are there, as the view is one of the most spectacular you are ever likely to see). The indigenous Sami people still thrive in the region, and a chance to spend the day trying traditional food and activities such as dog sledging will be a blessing those who like to immerse themselves in local cultures.
Harstad, Norway
The port of Harstad is situated on Norways largest coastal island, Hinnøya. The diverse region around Harstad offers stunning coastal mountains, sublime fjords, and the northernmost strawberry farming on the planet. Hiking, fishing and kayaking are all popular local pastimes and the port is a great place to witness both the midnight sun and the Northern Lights.There are historical and military secrets to be found in Hardstad. The 12th century Trondenes Church plus the awesome, German-built Adolfkanonen at Trondenes – one of the largest battleship cannons on land in Europe during WW2 – are both worth uncovering. The port is also the gateway to the Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands. The 70-mile-long mountainous archipelago of the Lofoten island chain is made up of some of the world's oldest rocks. Divided by fjords created during the Ice Age, its sheer cliffs rise from the sea to over 3,000 feet in some places.
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Follow the entire sailing from its first day to its last, with the route and schedule in one view.
Day 1·Jan 22, 2028
Tromso, Norway
When vacationing in Norway on an MSC Cruise, you can visit the largest complex of wooden buildings north of Trondheim, just four kilometres from the port, in the centre of Tromsø.
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