Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad
Traveler rating
3.1/5
Based on 23 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad worth booking?
Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad is a 4-hour experience in Tromso, Norway, from $695 per person. It scores 46 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.1/5 rating across 23 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 46 / 100
- Rating
- 3.1/5 (23)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $695 per person
"Begin your Northern Lights adventure at Full Steam Museum, where the tour commences with a captivating Northern Lights presentation. Our family-friendly cruise offers comfort and convenience, starting from a central dep
What you get
- Tea and coffee
About this experience
"Begin your Northern Lights adventure at Full Steam Museum, where the tour commences with a captivating Northern Lights presentation. Our family-friendly cruise offers comfort and convenience, starting from a central departure location and featuring a manageable duration suitable for all ages. With an open-wheelhouse policy, guests can enjoy a personalized experience aboard the vintage vessel MS Strønstad, which has a rich history as a public ferry transporting local people and goods along the Arctic coast of Norway. Enhance your journey by booking exclusive sauna and jacuzzi timeslots for added relaxation. Onboard, our bar offers a selection of snacks and beverages to complement your experience under the Arctic sky. Join us for an unforgettable evening, immersed in the magic, science, and cultural allure of the Aurora Borealis."
What's included
Included
- Tea and coffee
Not included
- Snacks
- Alcoholic beverages
- 8 pm Sauna 395 Nok
- 8 Pm Jacuzzi 395 Nok
What you'll see and do
Full Steam Coastal Museum
Before the cruise the guides will give you a Northern light presentation and some information at the museum before entering the ship. If you meet earlier you can also book a delicious Northern light dinner before the cruise.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Tromso
Meet at the Full Steam museum entrance. Look for the MS Strønstad which is docked right in front of Full Steam Tromso. The guides will be waiting to welcome you at the museum entrance and check you in before you enter the ship.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet at the Full Steam museum entrance. Look for the MS Strønstad which is docked right in front of Full Steam Tromso. The guides will be waiting to welcome you at the museum entrance and check you in before you enter the ship.
Options you can book
Cruise Inclusive Sauna
Sauna: A relaxing hour in our sauna aboard MS Strønstad, complete your Northern Lights experience with stunning Arctic landscape.
Northern Light Cruise
Vintage vessel MS Strønstad: Sauna time slot 10 PM
Crusie Inclusive Jacuzzi
Jacuzzi time slot : An hour of luxury in our outdoor jacuzzi aboard MS Strønstad, soaking in warm water under the sky witnessing Northern Lights
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Full Steam
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- It is not advisable to bring infants together in the jacuzzi.
- Price for Sauna and Jacuzzi price includes the use of a towel, bathrobe, and access to a shower.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 23 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
23 verified traveler reviews for Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Avoid this tour horrible customer service!
We booked this tour in January payed and confirmed too. The day of the tour on February 8th we showed up at the meeting spot to find no one waiting for us. We walked into the restaurant that is located downstairs from the tour meeting spot. They were rude and barely wanted to help us. After a few minutes, we were told that the tour was canceled for us with no prior notice or email sent to us to notify us. Due to this we lost one day where we could have booked something else if they only told us earlier that the tour was canceled. To add to this frustration we emailed the company to get our money back and they are ignoring us and not refunding the money we paid for the tickets. Now we are forced to dispute the charges with our bank. Horrible customer service. Avoid this tour and this company.
via Tripadvisor
Fred. Olsen cruise ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’.
Two of us went on a 10 night cruise to hopefully see the Northern Lights. It was fabulous! We sailed from Portsmouth on Borealis, a mid sized ship, which wasn’t full. The meals were amazing, the workshops, demonstrations, talks and entertainment were all good. We stopped at Alesund which was a pretty town. We walked around one half in the morning then went back to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon we walked around the other half. We then went on to Narvik, past some wonderful Norwegian scenery. We purchased an extra ‘excursion’ called ‘chasing the Northern Lights’. It was a coach trip with an expert on board. She told us that she knew of two places where we could park and see them that night - in Sweden! The first place already had a coach parked so we went on to the next. Then we got out off the coach and held our phones to the sky and saw them! It was amazing! We’d just got back to the ship and were told to hurry as we had to leave Narvik early, because of the weather turning bad. We cruised through the night but couldn’t stop at Stavanger because of a storm. We were glad that the captain was so experienced. It did mean that we were on board for 8 of the 10 days but the crew put on extra things to do. Our stewardess was so helpful and our head waiter greeted us by name and offered us a glass of wine with lunch and dinner. It was our first time cruising and I would go again with Fred. Olsen.
via Tripadvisor
Northern Lights Cruise – 13 to 27 November 2025, M.S. Balmoral (Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines)
We travelled on the M.S. Balmoral from 13–27 November 2025, journeying deep into the Arctic in search of the Northern Lights. We were pleasantly surprised to see them on several nights, often with excellent stargazing opportunities as well. This made the trip truly special, and we came home with many wonderful photos. The stopovers along the way were exceptional. Everything was beautifully snow-covered, and the hills and mountains created some of the most scenic views we’ve ever experienced. The Arctic Train excursion was a real highlight—exciting, informative and full of fascinating history. On board, the customer experience was excellent. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly throughout the journey, and the bar staff, in particular, were outstanding. Overall, the cruise far exceeded my expectations, and I was delighted with the experience. We travelled as a party of seven, and each of us purchased the additional drinks package (£349.86 per person) with the understanding that it would cover basic beverages. Particularly as half the group did not consume alcohol. It was therefore surprising to find that bottled water in the cabin was charged at £3.00 per bottle. If the aim is to reduce plastic use, it would make more sense to provide a refillable glass bottle or jug in each cabin, with multiple refill stations across the ship rather than just one on Deck 5. Additionally, tea and coffee ordered at the bar were chargeable, unless we walked to the back of the restaurant to use the self-serve machine. This felt inconsistent with what we expected from the package. Other extra costs also felt high, such as £120 per person for Wi-Fi, and an additional £5.00 per person per night for cabin cleaning, especially when the cruise itself cost just under £3,000. Despite these issues, the trip itself was fantastic, and I would still recommend it to anyone interested in seeing the Northern Lights or experiencing the Arctic.
via Tripadvisor
Wasnt possible to see...
Wasnt possible to see aurora due to weather conditions but overall is a nice evening activity Recommend
Response from the operator: "Thank you for your kind words! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the evening despite the weather not being on our side. The Northern Lights can be unpredictable, but we hope you still had a memorable experience with us. If you're ever back in Tromsø, we'd love to welcome you again for another chance to chase the aurora!"
via Viator
Avoid this trip at all cost
Complete waste of money; nothing like the description! You only have access to two tiny rooms on the boat, the rest is off limits. Staff ignored everyone on the trip, they disappeared into their own part of the boat for most of it. A bowl of digestive biscuits was dumped on each table. We spent most of the 3.5 hours in the downstairs "bar" where noone was serving as there weren't enough seats in the upstairs room. There was no information about the aurora on board, we just spent an hour or so going one direction, stopped for an hour then came back. Total waste of money
Response from the operator: Dear Richie, I am sorry to understand you had this experience. The product content is menat to be a Northern Light presentation and a safety brief. This is to give you a deepe understanding of the phenomen and how the tour wil be conducted. While cruising the guide will be available on deck to answer question and share knowlegde. The interiour og the boat is menat to give you shelter when you want to rest or warm up agian form the arcitc temperatures. The guide will also arrange visits to the brigde on request if there is a posibility for that. How ever i understand you are disapointed and to compensate for that im happy to invite you for a new tour or visit our museum for free. Please let me know if this is by interest.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $695 to $1595
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 46
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tromso.
How much does Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad cost?
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Prices start at $695 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tromso usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tromso is not rushed.
Is Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 46 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.1/5 across 23 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tromso, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad?
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Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tromso can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tromso and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Northern Light cruise on the vintage vessel MS Strønstad start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tromso within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tromso?
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On Outty we rank every Tromso experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Northern Lights Minibus Chase from Tromsø with Chasing Lights, Northern Lights Big Bus Chase with Chasing Lights, Tromsø Northern Lights Chase We Go Where The Lights Appear. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tromso?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tromso?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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