Where to go on an Arctic cruise – best polar activities to do

Arctic cruises might well conjure up images of holidaymakers huddled up on deck in thick coats admiring icebergs floating by from a distance or searching crisp winter skies for the Northern Lights – but this just scratches the surface of voyaging in this spectacular polar region where the beauty of the never-setting midnight sun is to be seen to be believed.

Beyond the Arctic Circle, there is not only rich Viking history to explore but also a wealth of amazing activities to enjoy off your cruise ship.

From summer polar plunges and kayaking to wildlife watching, this neck of the woods is truly remarkable.

Ambassador Cruise Line is now offering Arctic cruises 2023 and is heading there next summer when the region basks in near-constant daylight.

The adults-only brand offers Arctic cruises from the UK, making heading north easy as cloudberry pie, so we’ve had a look at some of the awesome activities you can enjoy during your time in the Arctic. Maybe still bring a big coat.

Tromsø is the first stop on an Ambassador cruise beyond the Arctic Circle (having already sailed Geirangerfjord and stopped at Molde in Norway).

Arctic capital Tromsø is located 69° North and the midnight sun here reigns between May 19 and July 26 so visitors can benefit from oodles of time to pack in fun activities (just remember to go to sleep eventually!).

The city offers the best of both worlds – urban culture within the city and fabulous nature just outside it. To make the most of the former on your Arctic cruise, you can visit museums including the Polar Museum, the Arctic University Museum of Norway and the Perspektivet Museum, wander around the Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden or visit the Science Centre of Northern Norway.

Hungry? Be sure to visit the city’s restaurants and sample such local delicacies as cod, halibut, shrimps from Lyngen, North Norwegian traditional stockfish, Atlantic wolffish, reindeer, moose, kid, lamb and strawberries (much better than a punnet from your local Tesco thanks to all that sunshine). The nightlife is great in Tromsø as well, with bars and pubs to suit every taste and concerts regularly hosted.

If you want to explore the great outdoors on your Arctic cruises, this area is brilliant for hiking. City mountain Fløya is the closest and accessible via cable car from downtown Tromsø.

The north Norwegian fjords are also unmissable, so hop aboard a boat to admire the mountain peaks and turquoise water; you can even try your hand at fishing on your midnight sun cruise.

You’ll see wildlife wherever you go – the moose is a common sight and you might see reindeer, too. Birdwatchers will appreciate the puffins, European storm petrels and others, while on boat trips you’ll likely spot harbour seals, harbour porpoises or white-tailed eagles.

Tromsø also features on Ambassador northern lights itineraries to Norway should you prefer to travel in the winter months. Check them out here.

Longyearbyen – home to the world’s northernmost urban community – is found on Spitsbergen Island in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, situated 78˚ North. It marks the furthest point north on your Ambassador Arctic cruise from the UK.

The bright and mild polar summer here lasts from May 17 to September 3 (with temperatures reaching a toasty 10 ˚C maximum) and sees migrating wildlife return after the long winter. Birds descend in large numbers to nest; if you’re lucky on Arctic cruises you’ll see Brünnich’s guillemot chicks leaving their nests and jumping into the sea!

An abundance of walruses, seals and whales come for the plentiful supply of food in the nutritious waters surrounding the archipelago during the summer. Why not join a walrus safari to boost your chances of seeing the mighty mammal? Fun fact, they can weigh up to 1,700kg. Alternatively, take control and go forth in a kayak to paddle amongst the floating blue icebergs and past glacier fronts.

Meanwhile, on land, you can see the year-round residents – polar bears, polar foxes, Svalbard rock ptarmigan and Svalbard reindeer.

Another amazing activity here on a midnight sun cruise is glacier walking. Did you know, almost 60 percent of Svalbard is covered by majestic blue glaciers? The ice here is circa 4,000 years old and if you’re feeling brave you can jump in for a swim! We’ve got a feeling that pretty swimming cossie you bought for your summer travels just won’t cut it though…

Finally, dog-sledding is still an option at this time of year although in summer the traditional sleds are replaced by wagons on wheels. Impressively, there are more than 800 huskies around Longyearbyen and the locals regularly use them for transport.

Honningsvag, on the southern side of the Norwegian island of Magerøy, is a gateway for passengers on Arctic cruises heading to the North Cape, the northernmost point in Europe. In summer the sun doesn’t set for a whopping 75 days!

Home to just 2,800 inhabitants, Honningsvag boasts quaint shops, tasty Arctic dining experiences, local cultural centre Perleporten Kulturhus, an art gallery and an ice bar.

Look out for the white wooden church – it was the only thing left behind after Honningsvag was burned to the ground by the Nazis during World War II. The church is now a symbol of the total destruction of northern Norway during the war.

The most popular attraction is a trip to the North Cape. The sole land here between you and the North Pole is Svalbard and gazing out across the ocean on top of the 307-high cliff can very much feel like you are at the end of the world!

Be sure to visit Gjesværstappan, one of the biggest bird cliffs in Norway. Around one million puffins live on this northern outpost along with a plethora of kittiwakes, northern gannets, common guillemots, cormorants and northern fulmar. Best pack those binoculars!

Hiking is excellent here; natural arch Kirkeporten (the Church Door) offers an impressive window to the North Cape Plateau while those after a challenge might want to tackle the route to cape Knivskjellodden, from where you can see the seaside cliff face of the North Cape Plateau.

Fishing is fun too – you’ll head out on a RIB boat and can gorge on the fresh crab afterwards – or why not join a whale and nature safari around the North Cape? Skarsvåg is the northernmost fishing village in the world and its painted buildings provide delightful pops of colours amid the barren landscape.

Narvik is the final stop north of the Arctic circle on your Ambassador cruise before you head back down to Kristiansund and Bergen in Norway ahead of returning to the UK.

A brilliant way to soak up the midnight sun is to take a cable car up to the top of Mount Narvikfjellet for all the views and none of the legwork.

If you do want to challenge the muscles, though, the ski resort at Narvikfjellet offers some of the best alpine skiing in Norway and features Scandinavia’s largest drop heights. The resort is open all year round and suits skiers of all abilities, from beginner to experienced. Hiking is available throughout the year, too.

As with the other Arctic cruise destinations, hiking is a top pastime in Narvik. Try a hike to Verdenssvaet or climb to the top of Mount Stetinden with a guide. Mountain biking, eagle safaris and dog sledging are other excellent activities for those keen to stay active.

Rail lovers will enjoy the Ofoten Line (first built to transport iron from Lapland in Sweden to Narvik), which starts in Narvik. It’s one of Norway’s most beautiful train journeys and allows travellers to take in the stunning scenery in comfort.

As for sustenance, be sure to try a cloudberry dessert during your time here as well as the traditional Sami dish bidos, a stew with reindeer meat and vegetables.

OK, time to start shopping for that coat.