World Sea Explorers · Central harbour, Tromsø
World Sea Explorers takes twelve guests at most into Balsfjorden on Stella Oceana, a 33-metre ice-class sailing yacht with a heated saloon and two outdoor decks. Book it for the space and the quiet, a bowl of homemade reindeer soup, and the hot tub on deck if you take the upgrade.
Most fjord boats from Tromsø carry dozens of people or more. Stella Oceana takes twelve. She's a 33-metre (100 ft) ice-class sailing yacht run by World Sea Explorers, moored in the central harbour, and the trip lasts about 4.5 hours. The captain chooses the course in Balsfjorden on the day, based on weather and wildlife, and the listing gives a chance of eagles, seals and dolphins.
On board you split your time between the heated saloon and two outdoor decks. Blankets, pillows, binoculars, books and games are lying around. Lunch is homemade reindeer soup with bread, with a vegetarian version if you ask in advance, and coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cookies are on all trip. The crew speaks English, Norwegian and Japanese.
The upgrade is the reason many people pick this boat: a hot tub on deck, a plunge into the sea, then a shower and a towel. It costs extra, and $282 is the base price. Two honest caveats. A sailing yacht has narrow stairs and decks, and the listing says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. And with twelve guests you'll talk to the crew and the others whether you planned to or not, which most people like and some don't.
Find the yacht in the central harbour and get the safety briefing.
The captain picks a course for the weather and for any wildlife reported that day.
Lunch with bread and hot drinks, and stories from the crew about life in the Arctic.
Soak on deck, jump into the sea, then shower and warm up.
Return to the same berth in the centre of Tromsø.
★★★★★We could feel the crew's passion for what they do!
★★★★★Fantastic way to spend half a day. Hosts were just delightful and made you feel welcome, safe
★★★★★The service was excellent, food was nice and the boat was comfortable.
★★★★★The sailing vessel is magnificent and the crew delightful. Was a wonderful day and the Arctic plunge was worth it!
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Twelve guests at most, according to the listing. That's the smallest group of any fjord cruise from Tromsø on this site.
Part of the upgrade: after time in the deck hot tub, you jump into the sea. A shower and a towel are included, and you warm up again in the tub or the heated saloon.
Homemade reindeer soup with bread, plus coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water and cookies. A vegetarian soup is available if you request it in advance.
No. The listing says it isn't, and the boat is a sailing yacht with stairs between decks. The Rødne catamaran has a larger cabin and crew who help with boarding.
Ready to book
A 33-metre sailing yacht for twelve guests, reindeer soup at lunch and a deck hot tub on the upgrade.
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