✨ March 2026: Chasing the Northern Lights with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

/ Travel blogs, Wendy's Wanderers / By

Wendy’s Wanderers cross the arctic circle

There’s something quite special about sailing with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines—and having cruised with them before, I already knew to expect fantastic service and consistently good food. But this time, there was something new…

I stepped aboard the Balmoral—one of their smaller, more traditional ships—for a truly magical journey from Newcastle to Alta, deep inside the Arctic Circle, all in the hope of witnessing the Northern Lights.

Sailing north through dramatic fjords and icy landscapes is an experience in itself—but the real highlight? The chance to see the Northern Lights dancing across the sky.

And we were lucky… we saw them on two separate occasions ✨

There’s even a handy alert system in your cabin, so you won’t miss the moment if they appear overnight—no need to sleep with one eye open!

One of the things Fred. Olsen does brilliantly is creating a friendly, engaging onboard atmosphere.

  • Guest speakers included astronomers and photographers
    → teaching us how to spot and photograph the Northern Lights
    → plus great tips for stargazing and improving holiday photos
  • Entertainment was varied and fun:
    → live singers and musicians
    → quizzes and dancing
    → craft sessions
    → and a brilliant crew show to finish the cruise

There’s no huge theatre onboard—instead, everything centres around the Neptune Lounge, a multi-use space that gives the ship a much more intimate feel.

And yes… the famous Arctic Crossing Ceremony took place—where first-timers are “christened” with iced water! ❄️ (brave souls only…)

🐾 Shore Excursions: Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences

The excursions on this itinerary were absolutely unforgettable:

  • Dog sledding through snowy landscapes
  • Reindeer sleigh rides and visiting a Sami village
  • Kayaking in the fjords
  • Ice hotel experiences
  • Scenic drives and city tours
  • Boat trips and even land train tours

This is the kind of trip where every day feels like a bucket-list moment.

🍽️ Food & Drink: Consistently Excellent

As expected, the food did not disappoint.

  • Main dining room: 5-course dinners every evening
  • Choice of first or second seating
  • Buffet restaurant plus two speciality restaurants
  • Drinks (soft drinks, beer or wine) included at lunch and dinner

And a little gem onboard—the Bookmark Café ☕
A lovely, relaxed spot for tea, coffee, chocolates and cake (highly recommended!).
Top tip: grab a prepaid card and you’ll get a free box of chocolates.

You can also enjoy complimentary breakfast in your cabin—perfect for slow Arctic mornings.

🛏️ Cabins: Comfortable & Thoughtful

I stayed in a solo inside cabin, which was surprisingly spacious, bright, and very comfortable.

A handy tip if you’re in an inside cabin:
👉 Put the TV on the deck cam—you’ll always know what’s happening outside!

  • Cabins are serviced in the morning
  • Evening turndown service included

💙 What I Loved Most

  • The smaller ship feel—much more personal
  • The crew somehow knowing your name (still not sure how they do that!)
  • Friendly, relaxed atmosphere
  • Excellent food throughout

I was also travelling on crutches following an accident, and I honestly couldn’t fault the crew—they went above and beyond:

  • Carrying my plate in the buffet
  • Helping with my crutches
  • Keeping an eye out for me throughout the cruise

🌊 A Practical Tip (Especially in Rough Seas!)

We had a couple of “lively” nights at sea 🌊

If you’re unsteady (or just cautious!), use the cabin corridors to move around—they have handrails the whole way, unlike some of the wider public lounges.

💆‍♀️ Spa & Onboard Extras

I treated myself to an Indian head massage with wash and blow dry—around £70 for an hour and well worth it.

Other options included:

  • Massages and facials
  • Manicures
  • Thermal suite
  • Skin analysis

There are also a few onboard shops for essentials, souvenirs, jewellery—and duty-free, which can be ordered and delivered to your cabin at the end of the cruise.

✨ Final Thoughts

This was a truly special cruise—combining stunning Arctic scenery, unforgettable experiences, and the warm, personal service Fred. Olsen is known for.

If you’re looking for something a little different…
something magical…
and something that ticks off a big bucket list moment…

👉 This is it.

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, I’d love to help you plan it—whether it’s your first cruise or your tenth 💙

Wendy x