If you are thinking about a yacht charter in Norway, or anywhere truly remote, this is the kind of trip that shows what expedition yachting is really about.
I recently spent several days onboard ARCTIC, the world's largest commercial explorer yacht available for charter, cruising through Norway's fjords. Ahoy Club has been appointed the Exclusive Central Agents for Charter of ARCTIC, which makes it especially exciting to be able to share what the experience is actually like from onboard.
This was not a curated brochure trip. It was immersive, practical, and full of moments that only happen when you are travelling on a yacht built to go anywhere. This is my insider's guide, real perspective, real advice, and the details that matter when you are considering a charter like this for yourself.
Meet ARCTIC: Built for True Exploration
At 88 metres, ARCTIC is the world's largest explorer yacht available for charter.
She began life as a North Sea tugboat, built to operate in some of the toughest conditions imaginable. After years of rescue work, she was converted by Kerry Packer into a private expedition yacht, and has since travelled extensively, including Antarctica, Alaska, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and now Norway and the wider Nordic region. That background matters. You feel it onboard, from the scale of the spaces to the confidence of how she moves through the water. This is a yacht designed for long range cruising, remote destinations, and guests who want to experience places properly, not just pass through them.
Insider tip: For Norway and other high latitude destinations, the yacht itself is just as important as the itinerary. ARCTIC's history, engineering, and ice class capability make her uniquely suited for Norway.
Arriving in Flåm & Boarding ARCTIC
Getting to the yacht was part of the experience in itself. After flying into Bergen, the train journey to Flåm winds through mountains and valleys that slowly transform into a snowy wonderland. It genuinely felt like the Harry Potter Express, one of those journeys where you keep looking out the window thinking it cannot possibly get better, and then it does.
We boarded ARCTIC in Flåm that evening, met Captain Paul and the crew, and settled straight into life onboard.
Day One: Fjords, History & Life Onboard
The first full day started with welcoming a small group of leading international yacht brokers onboard to experience ARCTIC firsthand. Lunch was served on deck, surrounded by the fjords, with heaters and blankets keeping things comfortable despite the winter temperatures.
Captain Paul then led a full tour of the yacht, from the engine room to the bridge. This was not a standard walkthrough. It was storytelling. Every detail came with context, history, and purpose. You could feel the soul of the yacht in a way that is rare, even for seasoned yacht goers.
The day ended with a cosy dinner, excellent wine, and long conversations, the kind that only happen when everyone feels genuinely at home.
Insider tip: Choose a yacht where the captain has longevity. A captain who truly knows the vessel elevates the entire charter experience. Local knowledge and familiarity with the vessel are invaluable.
Day Two: Adventure Onshore & Off
This was the most active day, and the one that best captures why Norway is so special by yacht.
My morning started early with coffee, emails, and a gym session before the rest of the boat was awake. One of the underrated aspects of chartering a yacht like ARCTIC is how easily daily routines still fit into even the most remote settings.
After breakfast, we headed ashore for a 6km walk through the fjords. At the end of the trail, we were met with a campfire, freshly baked Norwegian cheese croissants, and whiskey to warm up, a simple moment that felt very true to the region.
From there, we canoed through the fjords, finishing at a Viking village where we explored the settlement, visited the blacksmith's workshop, and sat down for a traditional Nordic feast. It was immersive without feeling staged, and gave real context to the history of the area.
Back onboard, we spent time in the jacuzzi with cocktails, followed by a presentation from a local guide in the cinema room, covering activities available in the region such as dog sledding, heli skiing, ice driving, orca swimming, and the best locations for Northern Lights viewing. As someone currently planning a client charter that includes all of these experiences, this level of firsthand knowledge was invaluable.
Insider tip: Norway charters are about balance: high energy adventure paired with warm, intimate moments onboard. ARCTIC delivers both effortlessly.
Day Three: Cold Water & Final Moments
The final day began with paddleboarding in completely calm conditions, surrounded by steep fjords rising straight out of the water. Then came the much anticipated polar plunge, an absolute must.
Yes, it is freezing. And yes, it is worth it. There is no better way to reset your body, wake your mind, or recover from the martinis the night before.
Afterwards, we made the most of the water toys, including jet skiing, while others explored the fjords by tender. With seven tenders onboard, ARCTIC makes it easy for everyone to be doing something different at the same time, whether that is cruising quietly through narrow inlets, heading ashore, or following the action from the water, all without ever feeling crowded or rushed. Later, we gathered on Monkey Island, the yacht's upper deck lookout, cruising through the fjords at sunset with Baileys hot chocolates. It was one of those quiet, shared moments that stayed with me long after the trip ended.
The final evening brought everyone together, guests, guides, and crew, for games, laughter, and conversation. By the end of the night, it felt like a group of people who had genuinely shared an experience, not just a trip.
Final Thoughts
I've been lucky enough to experience some incredible yachts, but none have quite left a mark like ARCTIC. She has soul, real history, and a warmth that is impossible to manufacture. She is brought to life by a crew who genuinely feel like family, and that energy shapes every moment onboard.
What makes ARCTIC particularly special is how well she adapts to where she is cruising. In Norway, her background as a working vessel, her scale, and her capability allow you to explore deeper into the fjords and stay comfortable no matter the conditions. The itinerary flows naturally, with space for adventure, quiet moments, and time spent simply taking in the surroundings.
At the same time, ARCTIC is not limited to expedition destinations. I have also experienced her in the Mediterranean during the summer, where she takes on a completely different personality. Long days at anchor, swimming and water sports, generous deck spaces for lunches and evenings, and a relaxed onboard rhythm make her just as well suited to warm weather cruising. It is rare to find a yacht that genuinely excels in both environments, but ARCTIC does.
As the Exclusive Central Agents for Charter, Ahoy Club is proud to represent ARCTIC globally. If you are considering a Norway yacht charter, an explorer yacht experience, or an expedition style luxury holiday, I recommend ARCTIC without hesitation.
ARCTIC will be cruising Norway again in 2027, making this an ideal time to begin planning ahead for a truly exceptional charter.
Move it straight to the top of your bucket list.