Destination Tromsø (via Arctic Resorts) · Tromsø, Prostneset terminal
MV Quest, a small expedition ship run by Destination Tromsø, leaves Tromsø in the evening, sails north through the night and wakes you in a quiet fjord already among the whales. Pick it for a once-in-a-trip splurge that combines the aurora, a cabin and more time with the whales than any day boat.
This is a 24-hour round trip on MV Quest, a small expedition vessel with private en-suite cabins, ocean-facing windows and a panorama lounge. You meet at 18:30 at the Destination Tromsø Booking Point in the Prostneset terminal, sail out over a three-course dinner and a talk on the northern lights, and watch for the aurora from the deck. If it shows while you sleep, the crew wakes you.
The point of sleeping on board is the morning. By first light the ship is already in the fjords where the whales feed, before the day boats from Tromsø arrive; the listing claims nearly twice the whale time of a day trip. Guests describe orcas around the ship, a dozen humpbacks and sometimes being the only boat there. Breakfast and lunch are included, and the crew takes photos you receive by email within 48 hours.
It costs: from $441 per person on GetYourGuide, and Visit Tromsø lists double cabins from NOK 12,998 (NOK 6,499 a head). The "99% success" in the listing title is the operator's claim; the real safety net is the guarantee: no whales, join the day whale tour free; no aurora, join an aurora tour free; neither, sail again. Capacity is 52, and one January guest shared the ship with only nine others. You may still pay for a hotel the night before and after, as one reviewer pointed out.
Meet at the Destination Tromsø Booking Point in the Prostneset terminal. Bring a passport or ID card.
Three-course dinner, an aurora talk, then the deck in full darkness. Ask to be woken if the lights appear.
Breakfast in a quiet fjord, then hours with the orcas and humpbacks before the day boats arrive.
Lunch on board as the ship sails back to Tromsø, 24 hours after leaving.
★★★★★I wasn't optimistic beforehand of seeing either whales or the Northern lights. However, in the morning in the fjord we saw 2 fin whales, about a dozen humpbacks and many dozen Orcas. Such fun- I was so excited. On our return to Tromso there was a magnificent display of the Northern lights.
★★★★★In the morning, we woke up in a dreamlike bay and then observed an infinite number of whales, sometimes very close to the boat. For a long time, we were the only ship with the whales.
★★★★★The cabin was super comfy, and the meals on board were top-notch. The whole crew goes out of their way to make your experience unforgettable, and for us, it was a success. The encounter with the orcas and whales was a magical moment.
★★★★★Absolutely phenomenal 24 hour trip. We have been so lucky with the whale watching with loads of Orcas and a couple of humpbacks! We have also seen loads of Northern Lights with helpful announcements on board when visible outside.
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About 24 hours. You board at 18:30 and return to Tromsø the next afternoon.
Your own en-suite cabin, a three-course dinner, breakfast and lunch, coffee, tea and snacks, guides, a northern lights wake-up call and photos sent within 48 hours.
No whales: join Destination Tromsø's day whale tour free. No aurora: join one of its aurora tours free. Neither: join another MV Quest departure free. All subject to space.
Yes, 7 years.
Ready to book
A night on board in your own cabin, three meals, a whale day and a northern lights wake-up call.
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