Tromsø: Fjord and Islands Luxury Catamaran Cruise

The best part of this Tromsø cruise is the chance to see the city from the water, where steep mountains, open fjords, and small islands replace traffic and buildings. You travel aboard the Arctic Princess, a comfortable catamaran with indoor seating, a Panorama Saloon, and deck day beds.

I like the small-group feel and the thoughtful thermal suits, which make it easier to enjoy the deck in cold weather. I also like that fishing gear is included, turning a scenic boat ride into something hands-on. The possible drawback is the cold: even with a suit, staying outside for three hours may be difficult in winter weather.

Key points to know before you book

• The cruise lasts three hours, a useful length for fitting into a busy Tromsø day without taking over your schedule.
• Thermal suits are provided for everyone, but you still need warm clothing and comfortable shoes.
• Fishing is part of the experience, with gear supplied and the chance to catch a small fish.
• Fish soup is served on the return to Tromsø, along with coffee, tea, and a light snack.
• Guides bring local stories to the ride, including accounts of the area and the wreck of the German destroyer Tirpitz.
• The meeting point is central, at the floating jetty beside Scandic Ishavshotel, but there is no hotel pickup.

Setting out from Tromsø’s floating jetty

You meet beside Scandic Ishavshotel and walk down the ladder to the floating jetty. This is a central departure point, but it is worth allowing a little extra time to find the correct access down to the water. Hotel pickup is not included, so you make your own way to the dock.

The Arctic Princess takes you away from Tromsø through the cold Norwegian waters. The trip is less about reaching one famous viewpoint and more about watching the scene change as the boat moves among fjords and islands. That makes it a good choice if you want a broad introduction to the area rather than a single short photo stop.

Your guide speaks English and gives information during the ride. Several guides have been praised for their warmth and storytelling, including Per, Paolo, Luka, Kurt, and Carter. The exact guide depends on the departure, but the style of the trip is clearly personal rather than purely scripted.

One useful detail is the boat’s size and layout. The catamaran offers indoor space, a Panorama Saloon, and deck day beds. You can move between the warmth inside and the open air outside, which matters in Tromsø, where the best view may also come with biting wind.

Fjords, islands, and mountain views

The main attraction is the view from the water. Mountains surround Tromsø, and the fjords give you changing angles that you cannot get from the city streets. The boat lets you look back toward Tromsø, out across the water, and toward the islands and mountain regions around the city.

I like this format because the boat itself becomes a viewing platform. You are not rushing from one lookout to another. You can sit with a coffee, step outside for photographs, then return indoors when the cold catches up.

Clear weather will make a major difference. In sunshine, the mountains and water can look dramatic and wide open. In rain, visibility may be less predictable, but the trip can still provide good views. One February outing had rain yet still offered excellent scenery, while another trip in late September benefited from clear skies.

The route also has room for local stories. A guide may point out places connected with the area’s wartime past, including the site where the German destroyer Tirpitz was sunk. This adds some meaning to the scenery without turning the cruise into a formal history lesson.

The trip does not promise a fixed list of named stops, so you should not expect a hop-on, hop-off outing. The appeal is the moving view, the guide’s commentary, and the quiet of the water between Tromsø and the surrounding islands.

Getting comfortable on the Arctic Princess

The boat is designed for comfort rather than roughing it. The Panorama Saloon gives you a sheltered place to sit, and coffee and tea help take the edge off the cold. A light snack is included as well.

Thermal suits are supplied for all passengers. This is one of the tour’s strongest practical features, especially outside the warmer summer months. The suit lets you spend more time on deck without needing to bring specialist Arctic clothing.

Still, do not treat the suit as a complete substitute for warm clothes. You are told to bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes, and that advice matters. Wear layers, keep your hands protected, and choose shoes that feel secure on a boat and at the jetty.

The deck day beds are a pleasant touch if the weather allows. You can settle in, watch the water, and take photographs without standing for the whole ride. On a very cold afternoon, though, even a thermal suit may not make long periods outside comfortable. The indoor area is important, not just a backup.

Smoking is not allowed. The tour is conducted in English, so you should be comfortable following spoken commentary in that language.

Fishing in the fjord

Fishing gear is included, giving the cruise a simple activity beyond sightseeing. You can try fishing from the boat while the guide explains what to do. It is not presented as a specialist fishing expedition, so the focus remains on having a go rather than bringing home a large catch.

That balance suits mixed groups. One person can fish while another stays warm inside, watches the mountains, or takes pictures. A small haddock was caught during one outing, and several fish were caught on another. The catch is not guaranteed, so book this for the chance to fish, not for a promised meal.

Fishing also helps break up the three-hour ride. A pure sightseeing cruise can feel passive, especially for children or anyone who needs more to do. Here, you can shift between scenery, conversation, fishing, and food.

The most appealing part comes later, when the catch may become part of the meal. The idea of eating fish caught during the trip gives the experience a local, practical feel. It also makes the soup more memorable than a standard snack served from a catering tray.

Fish soup on the return journey

On the way back to Tromsø, the guide serves traditional fish soup. This is one of the most praised parts of the outing, and it is easy to see why. A hot bowl after time in the cold gives the journey a satisfying finish.

Per is especially associated with making the soup, and several departures have featured guides who were both captains and cooks. The exact recipe may vary, but the meal is clearly treated as part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

The soup has been described as rich in flavor and especially welcome after cold weather. Vegetarian food has also been accommodated on at least one trip, but you should tell the provider about your dietary needs before booking or at the meeting point. The supplied details confirm vegetarian accommodation, but they do not list every possible dietary option.

Coffee, tea, and a light snack are included earlier in the cruise. The fish soup is served on the return journey, so the timing works well: warm drinks during the ride, then a more substantial local dish before docking.

If you are not interested in fish, the soup may be less of a draw. You can still enjoy the views, guide, boat, and fishing, but the food is a central part of the outing and should factor into your decision.

What the three-hour timing means

Three hours is a sensible length for this type of trip. It gives the boat enough time to leave the city, reach the surrounding fjords and islands, allow time for fishing, and return without turning the cruise into a full-day commitment.

I would place it on a day when you want a relaxed activity between other Tromsø plans. It is long enough to feel like a proper excursion, but short enough to leave room for museums, meals, or an evening activity.

The fixed duration also means you should plan around the departure time. Starting times vary, so check availability before booking. Since the meeting point is at the floating jetty, arrive ready for outdoor conditions rather than expecting a sheltered terminal.

Weather will shape the experience. Clear skies can make the mountain views superb, while rain or strong cold may push you indoors. The boat’s indoor seating helps, but you should choose this cruise because you are happy to spend time on the water in changing weather.

Is $208 a fair price?

At $208 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The value depends on what you want from the day.

You are paying for a three-hour cruise aboard a luxury catamaran, an English-speaking guide, thermal suits, coffee, tea, a snack, fishing equipment, and fish soup. The thermal clothing is particularly useful because renting or buying suitable Arctic gear separately can add cost and hassle.

The experience also combines several activities that are often sold separately: fjord sightseeing, local commentary, fishing, and a meal. If you would otherwise book a basic fjord cruise plus a separate food experience, the price becomes easier to justify.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick scenic ride or if you dislike cold weather and fish soup. A cheaper sightseeing option may suit you better if you plan to remain indoors and do not care about fishing.

Group size can affect the value too. Some departures have been intimate, with around 10 people, and very small bookings have sometimes continued rather than being cancelled or replaced. One pair even received a smaller boat when only two people had registered. That is not something you should count on, but it suggests the operator may try to keep the experience personal.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 144 ratings, with especially strong praise for the guides, scenery, boat comfort, and soup. That combination supports the price for someone seeking a polished, small-scale outing rather than the lowest-cost way to see Tromsø from the water.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy scenic boat rides but want more than a seat and a view. The fishing gives the outing some action, while the guide’s stories make the route easier to appreciate.

It also suits couples and families who want a gentle activity with choices. One person can fish, another can photograph the scenery, and everyone can meet inside for hot drinks and soup.

This is a good introduction to Tromsø if you have only a short stay. You get a sense of the fjords, islands, mountains, local maritime life, and weather in one compact outing.

It may be less suitable if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings, a fixed route, or a completely warm indoor activity. No wildlife promise is provided, and the changing weather can limit deck time. People with limited tolerance for cold should consider that carefully, even though thermal suits are available.

The cruise may also appeal to repeat visitors. One person who had already enjoyed the outing hoped to return for a Northern Lights trip, suggesting the company offers other water-based experiences. This particular cruise, however, is focused on daytime scenery, fishing, and soup rather than aurora viewing.

Practical details before you go

Book only after checking the available start times. The cruise lasts three hours, and you need to reach the floating jetty beside Scandic Ishavshotel on your own.

Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Layers are more useful than one bulky garment because you may move between the saloon and deck. Bring a camera, but keep it protected from spray and cold.

The booking offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tromsø schedule depends on weather or other activities.

The tour is operated by Arctic Cruise In Norway AS. English is the stated language, and smoking is not allowed onboard.

Should you book the Arctic Princess cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a comfortable, personal way to see Tromsø from the water, with fishing and a hot local meal added to the scenery. The strongest reasons are the helpful guides, flexible indoor and outdoor seating, supplied thermal suits, and fish soup made during the return journey.

Think twice if your main goal is a cheap sightseeing trip, guaranteed sunshine, or a fully indoor boat ride. Cold and weather are part of the deal.

For most visitors who enjoy mountains, water, local food, and a little hands-on activity, the three-hour format makes sense. At $208, it is a special outing rather than an everyday excursion, but the inclusions and small-group feel give it solid value.

FAQ

How long is the Tromsø fjord and islands cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours.

Where does the cruise depart from?

You meet at the floating jetty beside Scandic Ishavshotel in Tromsø. Access is down a ladder to the jetty.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the floating jetty.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Are thermal suits provided?

Yes. Thermal suits are included for all guests.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes.

Is fishing included?

Yes. Fishing gear is included, and you can try fishing from the boat during the cruise.

Is food included?

Coffee, tea, and a light snack are included. Traditional fish soup is served on the return journey to Tromsø.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.