Which fjord cruise is right for you?
Three very different boats sail the same fjords. Your pick decides your price, your programme, your food — and whether you set foot ashore.
Every sightseeing cruise from Tromsø heads into the same Arctic scenery — the fjords around the island, typically Kaldfjord or Grøtsund, with sea eagles and seals as the likely company. What differs is the boat and the format: the classic sightseeing catamaran (Rødne, 3.5 hours), the silent hybrid-electric catamaran with a shore landing (Brim Explorer, 4 hours), or the luxury catamaran “Arctic Princess” (Arctic Cruise In Norway, 3 hours) at the top of the price range.
The short version
Side by side
| Rødne classic | Brim hybrid + landing | Luxury catamaran | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3.5 hours | 4 hours | 3 hours |
| Price | NOK 1,150 direct — live GYG price below | €139 on GYG (Sept 2026), NOK 1,490 direct — live price below | €186 on GYG (Sept 2026) — the priciest of the three, live price below |
| Food on board | Kiosk — snacks & drinks to buy, no lunch service | Local tasting included (at the shore landing) | Fish soup included — plus thermal suits & fishing gear |
| Shore landing | No | Yes — traditional fish-drying site, tasting included | — (being verified) |
| Boat character | Panorama sightseeing catamaran | Hybrid-electric — near-silent on electric power, Wi-Fi, underwater drone (weather permitting) | Catamaran “Arctic Princess” — premium format, fjords & islands |
| Season | Listed year-round on GetYourGuide | Feb–Apr & Sep–Oct (whale & aurora trips in winter) | — (being verified) |
| Rating | 4.7 ★ — the crowd favourite | 4.5 ★ across 2,614 reviews — and “in high demand” on GYG (Sept 2026) | 4.3 ★ from just 152 reviews — the lowest, on the thinnest review base |
The case for the Rødne classic
Rødne’s Arctic Fjord Cruise is the straightforward pick: 3.5 hours on a panorama catamaran out of Nerstrandkaia, through the fjord scenery, back to the city — no add-ons, no detours. It is the cheapest of the three (NOK 1,150 direct), the most-reviewed, and the only one listed year-round on GetYourGuide. Reviewers consistently praise the boat, the crew and the wildlife along the way.
…you want the fjords at the best price, a compact 3.5-hour window in your day, or you are travelling outside Brim’s fjord season. Know before you book: there is a kiosk on board, not a lunch service — the most common review criticism is value-for-money perception, not the scenery.
The case for the Brim hybrid with shore landing
Brim Explorer sails hybrid-electric catamarans, and the difference is audible: on electric power the boat is close to silent, which changes how the fjord feels — and how close wildlife lets you come. The 4-hour trip includes a shore landing with a local tasting, Wi-Fi on board, and — weather permitting — an underwater drone showing what happens below the surface. At our last check (September 2026) it was €139 on GetYourGuide, rated 4.5 across 2,614 reviews and flagged as “in high demand”; the direct adult fare is NOK 1,490.
…the shore landing is your main reason to book. It stops at a traditional fish-drying site — a cultural stop, not a highlight hike — and while many passengers enjoy it, some reviewers call it “pretty lame”. Book this cruise for the silent boat and the format; treat the landing as a bonus. Also mind the season: the fjord cruise runs February–April and September–October, not in the deep winter.
The case for the luxury catamaran
The Fjord & Islands Luxury Catamaran is the upsell: Arctic Cruise In Norway AS takes its catamaran “Arctic Princess” out to the fjords and islands for three hours, with fish soup served on board and thermal suits and fishing equipment included — the most complete on-board package of the three, at the highest price (€186 on GetYourGuide, September 2026). Two sober numbers before you pay the premium: its rating (4.3) currently sits below both standard cruises, and it rests on just 152 reviews — by far the thinnest review base of the set. Route details and season are still being verified; the live price and rating on the card below are the ones that count.
One thing no boat changes
The scenery is the same for everyone, and so is the wildlife maths: sea eagles and seals are the regulars of these fjords, sightings are common, and nobody honest guarantees them. Pick the boat for the experience on board — price, silence, going ashore — not for a promise about animals.
FAQ
Is the Brim cruise worth the extra money over Rødne?
If the silent hybrid-electric boat and the shore landing with tasting appeal to you: yes — that is what the extra NOK 340 (direct fares: 1,490 vs. 1,150) buys. If you mainly want the fjord scenery at the best price, Rødne delivers the same landscape for less, in half an hour less time.
What exactly is the shore landing on the Brim cruise?
The boat moors and you go ashore at a traditional fish-drying site, with a local tasting included. It is a cultural stop of the trip, not a hike — many passengers enjoy the break, some reviewers find it underwhelming. Manage your expectations and it lands well.
Which cruise has the best food?
None of them is a dining cruise. Rødne runs a kiosk selling snacks and drinks — no lunch service. Brim includes a local tasting as part of the shore landing. The luxury catamaran serves fish soup on board and includes thermal suits and fishing equipment — the most complete package of the three.
Why is the luxury catamaran rated lower than the cheaper cruises?
Its current rating (4.3) sits below Rødne's 4.7 and Brim's 4.5 — and it rests on just 152 reviews, by far the thinnest review base of the three. At the highest price of the set, expectations rise faster than the experience for some guests. That does not make it a bad trip, but it is worth knowing before you pay the premium. The live rating on this page updates automatically.
Can I do these cruises in winter?
The Rødne cruise is listed year-round on GetYourGuide — in the deep winter expect polar-night light and serious cold on deck. Brim's fjord cruise runs February–April and September–October; from late October to January its boats sail whale watching and northern-lights trips instead. In that window, a whale safari is usually the better day on the water.
Where do the cruises depart?
From the Tromsø city-centre harbour — Rødne departs from Nerstrandkaia. Your ticket names the exact quay; check it before you set off.
Picked your cruise?
Live prices for every option — the number here is the number at checkout.
See the comparison ↑