Christmas Expedition Cruise from Dover

Set sail for winter sights and Northern Lights 

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 views of the English Channel 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 as you head for your first stop in historic Harwich. Your adventure has begun. 

Spend two comfortable days at sea and experience Norwegian Christmas  

The holiday season – and your expedition cruise – is in full swing. Over the next two days at sea, you'll have time to ease into your journey. Start by enjoying onboard facilities like the hot tubs, sauna and indoor gym.  

Norwegians celebrate Christmas on 24 December and Lille Juleaften (Christmas Eve) on 23 December. There are many Christmas traditions and every family will have its own. This might include weaving julekurver – heart-shaped paper decorations – building gingerbread houses, decorating the tree or eating risengrynsgrøt – a warm rice porridge served with cinnamon, sugar and butter.  

Your Expedition Team will begin the first in their series of insightful lectures over at the Science Center. Each team member is an expert on different subjects and you'll learn all about the places, Christmas traditions, history, and natural phenomena you're likely to encounter on your expedition cruise.  

Soak up stunning mountain views in Loen 

The festive mood continues today as we sail into Norway's sixth longest fjord, Nordfjord. Norwegians normally open their gifts after dinner the night before Christmas morning, but you might have left yours to unwrap today. Share season's greetings with family and friends or head out on deck to admire the picturesque winter landscapes.  

Thanks to the smaller size of our ship, you'll get closer to the scenery and small communities Norway is famous for. One such place is Loen, a tiny fishing village dating back to pre-Viking times. In the shadow of the mighty Jostedalsbreen glacier, at the very heart of Nordfjord, Loen is the perfect place to explore the gorgeous surroundings. 

Along the Helgeland coast to Arctic Norway 

As we continue our cruise, we'll be travelling under the Auroral Zone, a prime area to see the 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. 

As we pass Helgeland county, watch for the silhouette of the Seven Sisters mountain range through the darkness. This impressive coastal range is home to the Torghatten mountain, with a distinct hole right through the middle. 

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

One of the world's most spectacular destinations 

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

With its iconic red fishing huts, or rorbuer, dotted against a backdrop of granite peaks, Reine is an idyllic place to visit and photograph. And if the weather conditions don't allow, there are plenty of other, equally memorable ports for us to explore.  

Go snowmobiling or learn about Sámi culture  

Lying 70º north of the Arctic Circle, Alta is the perfect destination for winter activities such as 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. 

Visit Alta's Northern Lights Cathedral, with its striking Aurora-inspired architecture, and learn more about the science in a fascinating interactive exhibition on Northern Lights research.  

Or why not visit a Sámi village and learn more about these indigenous and semi-nomadic reindeer herders. The Expedition Team may even give a lecture on Sámi culture. 

Join exciting winter activities in the Arctic capital 

Our Northern Lights cruise continues to the capital of the Arctic, Tromsø. Set in a majestic landscape and packed with culture and history, this small, cosmopolitan city has plenty of fascinating sights to discover.   

We'll visit the Polar Museum to learn about the city's Arctic and exploration heritage. See the Arctic Cathedral – with its huge stained-glass window, it's one of the most striking landmarks in Tromsø. 

You can also take the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of Mount Fløyfjellet for incredible views. From December to April, you'll have the chance to try exciting winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or dogsledding. 

Discover one of the world's most northerly towns 

We arrive at Narvik in the morning. Sitting 150 miles inside the Arctic Circle and surrounded by three fjords, the town enjoys a spectacular setting. Spend some time exploring the galleries, shops and restaurants specialising in local seafood and reindeer meat. 

An important port, Narvik was a strategic target for Germany during WWII. You'll visit the 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 hiking, snowshoeing or kayaking on the fjord. In the evening, we'll look out for the Northern Lights as we cross Vestfjord. 

Take time to connect and learn something new 

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. In true expedition style, we'll go ashore in our small expedition boats, giving you the chance to experience the exhilarating feeling that comes from exploring a wild and remote island or discovering a hidden fjord. 

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 captivating 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. 

Visit Bergen's UNESCO-listed Bryggen district 

Enjoy the unique charm of what was once Norway's capital, Bergen. Today, it remains 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 Bergen's cobbled streets and alleys on foot, stopping at fascinating museums, artisanal boutiques, cafés or a pub for a glass of local Hansa beer along the way. 

Then enjoy a ride 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. 

A beautiful town of wooden houses and ancient runes 

You'll love the cosy, small-town feel of Egersund, with its brightly coloured wooden houses. 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 a hike in the hills or enjoy exploring the town on your own. For panoramic views, hike to the viewpoint at Varberg, a short walk from the town centre. 

Relax at sea as we return to Dover 

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 cruise. Spend time in the Explorer Lounge & 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 tips on the photos you've taken on this cruise. If you have more questions about the Northern Lights and Norway, our Expedition Team will be on hand to fill in any gaps – head to the Science Center to discover more. 

Unforgettable memories of Norway in winter 

We pass the White Cliffs of Dover during the early morning. After breakfast, it's time to head ashore. 

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

As your expedition ends, you'll take with you wonderful memories of coastal Norway in winter, Norwegian culture and history, and with any luck, the Northern Lights. 

You might also like to visit Dover Castle, tipped to be the largest in England. There is a rare Roman lighthouse here, one of only three in the world and reputedly the UK's oldest building. You can also go on a tour of the underground hospital and secret WWII tunnels that run beneath the castle complex.    

Whatever's next for you, we wish you a safe onward journey and look forward to seeing you on your next adventure!