Hurtigruten Launches New Astronomy Voyages With A Chief Aurora Chaser

Hurtigruten, the undisputed authentic travel expert on Norway which has been sailing under the Northern Lights for more than 130 years, has launched new astronomy voyages on its premium, all-inclusive The North Cape Line featuring the world’s only Chief Aurora Chaser, Tom Kerss, as well a new itinerary including additional unique Northern Lights viewing experiences in Finland.

The new 15-day North Cape Line astronomy voyage with Tom Kerss will debut with two sailings in early 2026, departing on January 30 and February 13, with rates from $4,644 per person onboard the award-winning refurbished MS Trollfjord. This will be the first astronomy-led sailing on Hurtigruten’s Signature voyage. The cruise company will continue to offer the popular 12-day astronomer-led itineraries on its original Coastal Express sailings, with eight departures during the upcoming 2025/26 winter season.

The new 14-day Savor the Northern Lights itineraries combine the best of Norway onboard the North Cape Line with unique experiences in Finland such as overnights in both a Glass Igloo and a Glass Villa, both accommodations providing an unobstructed panoramic view of the sky day and night, as well as an icebreaker adventure, an optional dip in the frozen sea wearing a full-body waterproof suit, husky safari, snowmobiling, a train journey through Finland, and two nights in its capital, Helsinki. The company offers six departures from January through March of 2026, with rates starting at $7,052 per person.

Both new offerings fall under Hurtigruten’s unique 10-year old Northern Lights Promise, which means in the highly unlikely event guests would not experience the Northern Lights during their trip, they are entitled to a new cruise for free.

“Seeing the Northern Lights dance across the sky is an incredible experience that is on many people’s bucket list, so we’re making it easier for North Americans by now offering more premium options. These new itineraries spend several days in Arctic Norway, one of the best spots in the world to see the Aurora Borealis, and they are timed around the absolute best time to go. Our guests are in for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with these two new itineraries, whether they are joining our Chief Aurora Chaser Tom Kerss or combining our cruise with overnights in panoramic glass houses and so much more in Finland. They also get to enjoy the very best of Norway and Hurtigruten onboard our premium ship, MS Trollfjord, ensuring they also get to taste their way through our Norway’s Coastal Kitchen program, which sources almost all our food items from more than 50 local partners along the Norwegian coast, serving fjord-to-table,” said Carly Biggart, Head of Hurtigruten in the Americas.

“I’m excited to bring my astronomy voyages to Hurtigruten’s signature ship and the North Cape Line, providing Northern Lights chasers with an elevated experience onboard MS Trollfjord. We are currently in a solar maximum period, with all signs pointing to another superb season ahead, exceeding the performance of the last maximum in 2014," said Hurtigruten’s Chief Aurora Chaser Tom Kerss. "There will be ample opportunities to witness dramatic, spellbinding displays of the Northern Lights as choppy space weather, churned up by the Sun, frequently arrives at Earth.

"Now is the perfect time to plan your aurora-chasing adventure in Arctic Norway. Being always on the move, and with the expertise on board to give you a heads-up, the chances are you won't just cross the Northern Lights off your bucket list, but also add several unique aurora experiences to the top of the list and cross them all off in a single voyage," Kerss said.

"Now's your chance to experience the unmatched beauty of the Arctic sky, safe in the knowledge that with the Northern Lights Promise, you really can't go wrong.”