Last updated on December 15th, 2025
Join our second Northern Lights cruise to Norway
To provide adventurous women with a way to bring long-held travel dreams to life, JourneyWoman is offering a special excursion to Norway with small ship expedition company Hurtigurten in March 2026. The trip feature exclusive pricing for JourneyWoman readers, with special onboard gatherings and credits. There will also be at least two pre-trip zoom calls prior to the trip, as well as a private Facebook group and whatsapp group, so that you’ll meet your hosts and other JourneyWomen travellers.
“We had such an incredible response to our 30th Anniversary trip in November 2024 that we wanted to offer this experience again, knowing how many women have the Northern Lights on their bucket list,” says Carolyn Ray, CEO, JourneyWoman. “Having partnered with Hurtigruten previously, we know it they will offer the adventure of a lifetime at an affordable cost, whether women choose to travel solo or with a friend or family member.”
March 2026 – International Women’s Day Northern Lights Trip – Exclusive Pricing ends on December 31, 2025
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March 2 – 8 (7 days) on the Coastal Express North from Bergen to Kirkenes from March 2 – 9. Prices start at US$2020 per person, with a 20% single supplement on the first 10 cabins and a 300 NOK onboard credit (please note Hurtigruten provides pricing in USD)
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March 2 – 13 (14 days): Return-trip option back to Bergen with an exclusive discount starting at US$2806 per person with a special onboard credit of 600NOK.
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You must mention JourneyWoman Norway when booking to get this pricing. No groups or advisors please.
Meet our host, Kathy Buckworth
If you live in Canada, you might have seen Kathy, the “Go-to-Grandma” on Breakfast TV, CHCH or another show as the multi-generational travel expert talking about the world of grandparenting in the 2020s. She travels with her four children and four grandchildren, and shares her adventures on our website.
She hosted our Ancestry Travel webinar in 2025 and wrote our very popular article “Hello, I’m Right Here! Why Are Older Women Treated Like We’re Invisible?” Read more about Kathy here.
Kathy in Europe in 2025 / Credit Kathy Buckworth
LIMITED AVAILABILITY: Exclusive pricing for JourneyWoman. Accessible rooms are also available. These rooms will go quickly and availability may change quickly. Please note there is a 25% non-refundable deposit and full payment is due within 90 days of departure. Read Hurtigruten’s terms and conditions before you book. JourneyWoman is not involved in the booking process.
How to book
- This trip cannot be booked through travel advisors or agents.
- Email Hurtigruten Americas Reservations [email protected] directly to book
- Call Hurtigruten at 1-866-280-0642 – open 24 hours a day
- You must mention the JourneyWoman trip to Norway.
- Accessible rooms are also available
- Remember to purchase travel insurance. Check insurance rates here.
- We will have at least two zoom calls prior to each trip so that you can ask questions and meet each other.
- There will be special lectures on the ship and events for JourneyWoman guests.
March 2026 – International Women’s Day Northern Lights cruise: The Coastal Express North (Original line)
When: March 2, 2026 – March 8, 2026 (7 days)
Where: From Bergen to Kirkenes
Pricing: Starts at US$2020 per person, with a 20% single supplement on the first 10 cabins and a 300 NOK onboard credit (please note Hurtigruten provides pricing in USD)
Itinerary: Your voyage starts in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city and a gateway to the fjords. You’ll explore the finest cities on the Norwegian coast, such as Trondheim and Tromsø, and charming towns such as Ålesund and Bodø. The journey ends at Kirkenes, just a few miles from the edge of Norway’s territory. You’ll have traveled further east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul. See the full itinerary here.
Want to take the return voyage from March 2-13, 2026: Several women are booked to take the return voyage. You can also receive a special discount on the roundtrip voyage back to Bergen (March 2-13) with an exclusive discount starting at US$2806 with a special onboard credit of 600NOK. Please inquire when booking.
What’s included
March 2026 – Original (Coastal) Inclusions
- Choice of cabin grade and cabin number
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner on board in main restaurant Torget
- Choice of preferred dining time
- Tea and coffee
- Starlink Wi-Fi
- Ship facilities and activities
- Coastal Expedition Team
- Port Charges, Taxes & Fees
- Gratuities not expected
How to Get to Norway
Arriving: All of the major airlines offer flights to Norway but there may be connections through London or Frankfurt. Once there, you can hop on SAS to other destinations in Norway. Check for flights here!
Returning: From from Longyearbyen or Kirkenes, take a connecting flight back to a major city in Norway. We recommend SAS, KLM or a Nordic-based airline to ensure the frequency of flights in case of cancellation or changes. Check for flights here!
Northern Lights trip
Read our article here about what to pack, where to stay and more.
Where to stay: Want to extend your stay before or after the expedition? Click here to find a hotel in Bergen.
What to pack: Bring layers and essentials. Our recommendations: a Helly Hanson (Norwegian brand) puffy jacket, merino wool, arctic boots, wool socks, wool hat, gloves and liners and a turtleneck. Bring your own mini-binoculars. Don’t forget to bring medication, contact lenses, and any other health supplies that might be hard to get.
Gear to get started: Celestun 15 x 70 Astronomy binoculars, SkyView App, 2023 Night Sky Almanac: A Month-by-Month Guide to North America’s Skies from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s included in the cost of the voyage?
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the ship’s main restaurant, Torget
- Unlimited selection of tea and black filter coffee (1)
- Choice of dining time (1)
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship and in your cabin (1)
- Multi-lingual Coastal Experience Team
- Daily themed lectures
- Not included: optional seasonal excursions to enhance your coastal experience
2. Is there flexibility with pricing and cancellation?
We recommend you purchase travel insurance to cover any unexpected situations. Check insurance rates here.
3. Can I book a room with a friend/partner/spouse/family?
Yes, all are welcome. Please tell Hurtigruten when you book your place who you’d like to room with!
4. Are there pre and post trips offered?
We will be organizing a get together in Bergen the night before the trip. Please stay tuned for details.
5. Does the price include airfare?
No. The price does not include transportation to and from the arrival and departure city.
6. Can women with mobility issues, a walker or a wheelchair come on this ship?
Absolutely. Please inquire about accessible rooms when you book.
7. Will there be Wi-Fi?
Yes, there is free Wi-Fi available but it will be intermittent, and better on land.
More about Norway
Six Places to Stay Escape the Heat and Stay Cool This Summer: From Canada to Norway
We asked our well-travelled writers to share some of their favourite places to stay cool this summer, from Bergen to Newfoundland.
Oslo for Adventurous Women: Norway’s Warmth Shines Even in the Winter
Oslo offers plenty of activities to ignite your adventurous spirit, including fjord cruises, maritime museums and mouthwatering local food.
What to Do When Travel Plans Go Awry: Adventures in Norway
When an Arctic cruise doesn’t go exactly as planned, here’s how to shift your mindset and embrace the unexpected.
JourneyWoman Staff
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