Tromsø: Fjord and Islands Luxury Catamaran Cruise

Cold water, warm soup, big views. This three-hour cruise aboard the Arctic Princess gives you an easy way to see the fjords and islands around Tromsø without leaving the city for a full day. I like the comfortable catamaran, the small-group feel reported by several visitors, and the chance to fish from the boat. I also like that the trip includes thermal suits, coffee, tea, a snack, and fish soup rather than charging extra for every small comfort.

The main consideration is the weather. Tromsø’s water can be cold and wet, and one visitor found it hard to stay outside for long even with the thermal suit. You can watch much of the scenery from inside, but the best views come from the deck, so bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes.

Quick facts about the cruise

• A three-hour outing from central Tromsø: The meeting point is down the ladder to the Floating Jetty beside the Scandic Ishavshotel.
• A warm way to face Arctic weather: Thermal suits are supplied for every guest, with coffee, tea, and a snack onboard.
• Fishing is part of the fun: Gear is included, and several outings produced small catches that were used in the fish soup.
• The food is more than a token snack: The traditional fish soup served on the return journey is one of the strongest parts of the trip.
• A boat trip with local stories: Captains have shared area history, stories, photographs, and the location of the German destroyer Tirpitz.
• Good value for a short cruise: At about $208 per person, the price is high, but it covers three hours, guide service, warm gear, refreshments, fishing, and lunch-like soup.

Setting out from the Floating Jetty

The cruise begins in a very convenient part of Tromsø. You meet beside the Scandic Ishavshotel, then go down the ladder to the Floating Jetty. Hotel pickup is not included, so leave enough time to find the jetty and board without rushing.

The location works well if you are staying in central Tromsø or already exploring the waterfront. It also keeps the trip simple: there is no long bus ride before the boat ride begins. You arrive, board the Arctic Princess, and quickly trade city streets for open water.

The boat itself is one of the better reasons to choose this outing. It has a Panorama Saloon, indoor space, and deck seating with day beds. You can move between the heated interior and the outside deck as conditions allow. That flexibility matters in Tromsø, where the view may be clear one minute and rain swept the next.

The catamaran shape should also appeal if you prefer a modern boat with room to sit and move around. The exact group size can vary, but one particularly positive account described a relaxed voyage with only 10 people onboard. Another visitor received a smaller-boat upgrade when only two people had booked. That is not something to count on, but it shows the operator has sometimes kept a small departure running instead of canceling it.

The first hour: mountains, islands, and open water

Once the Arctic Princess leaves Tromsø, the city quickly becomes a small part of the view. The boat moves into the waters around the fjords and islands, with mountain regions rising around you. The appeal is not one single landmark. It is the changing combination of water, rock, distant slopes, and open sky.

I would treat this as a scenery cruise first. The route offers a broad look at the area rather than a tightly scripted set of stops. You are not being rushed from one photo point to another. Instead, you sit with the view, listen to the guide, and watch the shape of Tromsø’s coastline change from the water.

The captains add useful context. Per Larsen has been praised for combining boat handling, local stories, and cooking, while Paolo and Luka have also been singled out for friendly, engaging guiding. One captain pointed out the site where the German destroyer Tirpitz was sunk, adding a historical detail to an otherwise scenic stretch of water.

That mix gives the cruise more purpose than simply riding around. You see the mountains, but you also get a sense of how the water shaped local history and daily life. The guide speaks in English, and the tone appears to be informal rather than lecture-like. Several accounts describe the captains as entertaining and warm, which is valuable on a small boat where the guide is part of the experience.

The deck, the Panorama Saloon, and staying warm

The supplied thermal suit is not a minor extra. It is central to enjoying the cruise. You can sit on the day beds outside, take photographs, and watch the water without having to bring a full Arctic wardrobe of your own.

Still, do not treat the suit as a substitute for warm clothing. The instructions specifically ask you to bring warm clothes and comfortable shoes. That is good advice. Your hands, face, and feet may still feel the cold, especially if you spend much of the three hours outside.

Coffee and tea are available to help you warm up, along with a light snack. The Panorama Saloon gives you a pleasant fallback when rain or wind makes the deck uncomfortable. I like that you can choose your own rhythm: spend ten minutes outside taking pictures, then return indoors to warm up and watch through the windows.

One account from January described an extremely cold afternoon. The outside view was excellent, but remaining on deck for long was difficult. That is the honest tradeoff here. A sunny day can make the mountains look dramatic, while a wet or icy day can turn the cruise into a shorter outdoor experience with more time inside.

Smoking is not allowed. Fishing gear is included, but fishing is optional. If you would rather simply enjoy the scenery, you can stay comfortable in the saloon or watch from the deck while others try their luck.

Fishing from the catamaran

Fishing gives the cruise a hands-on element without taking over the whole outing. Gear is provided, and you can try from the boat during the journey. A visitor caught a tiny haddock, while another outing produced several fish. The catch may be modest, but that is part of the charm. This is not presented as a serious fishing expedition with guaranteed results.

The activity works well for couples and families with mixed interests. One person can fish while another takes pictures, listens to the guide, or enjoys a drink in the saloon. You do not have to participate to have a good time.

The best part is what happens next. Fish caught during the outing have been used in the soup served on the return to Tromsø. That connection between the water and the meal gives the trip a local feel. You are not just being handed a standard bowl of soup from a catering kitchen. The captain may be preparing a dish connected to the day’s catch.

I would keep your expectations sensible. You may catch something, or you may not. The value of the fishing comes from trying it in a beautiful setting, not from bringing home a large haul.

The return journey and the fish soup

The fish soup arrives on the way back to Tromsø and is one of the most praised features of the cruise. Descriptions of it range from delicious to the best part of the afternoon. Per, in particular, has received repeated praise for his cooking.

This is traditional Norwegian comfort food, and it makes practical sense on a cold-water cruise. After standing outside or handling fishing gear, a hot meal feels far more satisfying than another small snack. Coffee and tea are useful, but the soup is what turns the final stretch into a shared onboard meal.

A vegetarian option has been accommodated on at least one outing, but you should confirm your own dietary needs before booking. The supplied information only specifically confirms that vegetarian food has been handled, not the full range of alternatives.

The soup also gives the return journey a clear finish. You have seen the fjords, tried the fishing, heard stories, and now sit down for something warm while Tromsø comes back into view. That three-hour length feels sensible for this format. It is long enough to reach scenic water and settle into the pace, but short enough that you are not committed to a full day at sea.

What the $208 price really buys

At around $208 per person, this is not a budget harbor ride. The value depends on how much you care about comfort, a small-group atmosphere, and having several elements combined in one outing.

Your fare includes:

• Three hours on the Arctic Princess
• An English-speaking live guide
• Thermal suits
• Coffee and tea
• A snack
• Fishing gear
• Fish soup on the return journey

That package is stronger than a simple sightseeing cruise. You are paying for the boat, guide, warm clothing, refreshments, fishing activity, and a substantial final meal. If you were only looking for a quick view of Tromsø from the water, the price may feel steep. If you want an easy half-day experience with food and an activity built in, it makes more sense.

The small-group feel also affects the value. A calm boat with room to sit, fish, talk, and take photographs feels very different from a crowded sightseeing vessel. Group size is not fixed in the information provided, so I would not book expecting a private tour. Still, the accounts of small departures and personal attention are encouraging.

The company also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those policies make it easier to fit the cruise around changing plans and Tromsø weather.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you enjoy scenery but want more than a passive boat ride. The fishing, stories, warm gear, and soup give the outing several layers.

It suits:

• Couples looking for a relaxed activity with good photo opportunities
• Families who want a short outing rather than a full-day excursion
• Solo visitors who appreciate a friendly guide and the chance to meet people onboard
• Food-minded visitors interested in a local fish dish
• Anyone who enjoys boats, mountain views, and changing weather
• Visitors who want a simple way to get out on the water from central Tromsø

It may not suit you if you strongly dislike cold weather, boat travel, or flexible outdoor plans. The cruise continues in rain, and the best scenery is not guaranteed to appear under clear skies. One visitor still had excellent views in rainy conditions, but weather will always shape the experience.

It is also not the right choice if your main goal is the Northern Lights. A visitor expressed interest in returning for a separate Northern Lights trip, but this cruise is a fjord, island, fishing, and food outing. Do not book it expecting an aurora search.

Practical advice before you board

Wear warm layers, even though thermal suits are supplied. Bring comfortable shoes with a secure grip, and keep your camera or phone protected from spray and rain.

Arrive at the Floating Jetty beside the Scandic Ishavshotel with time to spare. Since there is no hotel pickup, you are responsible for reaching the meeting point. The final boarding location is down a ladder, so keep your belongings manageable.

If you want deck views, claim some outdoor time early when the boat is moving through the most open scenery. Then use the saloon when the cold catches up with you. You do not need to remain outside for the entire three hours to enjoy the cruise.

Fishing is optional, so do not feel pressured if you are more interested in photographs or conversation. If you do fish, remember that the catch may be small, but it can become part of the soup later.

Finally, ask about dietary needs before departure. Vegetarian food has been accommodated, but the available information does not spell out every option.

Should you book the Arctic Princess cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want a comfortable, compact introduction to Tromsø’s fjords and islands, especially if you like the idea of combining scenery with fishing and a hot meal. The strongest points are the friendly captains, the flexible use of indoor and outdoor space, the supplied thermal suits, and the fish soup.

At $208, it is a treat rather than a bargain. You are paying for a polished three-hour experience with several inclusions, not just transport across the water. Book it when the weather looks workable, bring warm clothing, and choose it for the whole package: mountains, islands, stories, fishing, and soup.

FAQ

How long is the Tromsø fjord and islands cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from the Floating Jetty, down the ladder beside the Scandic Ishavshotel in Tromsø.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to the Floating Jetty meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes warm coffee, tea, a snack, fish soup on the return journey, thermal suits, and fishing gear.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The live tour guide speaks English.

Do I need to bring warm clothing?

Yes. Thermal suits are provided, but you should also bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes.

Can I cancel the booking?

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