The trip was not without its problems, even though they had planned well. “We realized one of our daughter’s boots wasn’t waterproof when she refused to walk any further—just sat down in the snow,” Claire says. “But Tromsø’s great for that kind of thing. We rented a pair of proper shoes in the town.”
The motto of the family was “Three layers always.” It stuck. Claire laughs. “The children still repeat it as if it were a chant.”
The challenges they faced
The trip was exciting even before the arrival. During a flight connection in Bergen, the plane was struck by lightning: “There was this loud flash and bang, and my daughter yelled, ‘I saw fireworks on the plane!'” Claire recalls. The cabin became silent. The crew was incredibly calm, but I remember sitting in the hotel that first night wondering, ‘Why did we sign up for this?'”
Still, the moment passed without issue, and the rest of the trip unfolded smoothly—aside from one weather-related change.
Claire says: “We had no choice but to cancel a trip to an Ice Hotel because of an avalanche that blocked the road.” We were disappointed, but also aware that we would rather be this side of an avalanche.
Claire Lynch
The unexpected highlight
Northern Lights cruise with the family was one of their most memorable experiences. Claire says, “There was hot tub on the deck.” “So we all got in—pitch dark, Arctic night, in swimsuits—and floated while everyone else sat bundled in coats.”
It was a bold move, but it worked out. It was a surreal cinematic experience that the children will never forget. We didn’t intend it to be a highlight. But that’s exactly what made it unique.
Claire asked her children to tell her what they remember most clearly.
She says that they talked about building snowmen taller than themselves, which tourists stopped to take pictures of. “They loved going sledding and linking their sleds to form a sort of snow train with other kids.”
What’s the standout feature? “The reindeer. The reindeer still know their names. “That experience really stuck.”
Claire remembers that, despite the snow and sights she saw, it was the ease with which they were able to travel together as a couple. She says, “There was no awkwardness. No side-eye. No explaining.” “We were treated just like any other family.” “Sometimes, the absence friction is more powerful than anything else.”
The general child-friendliness of Norway also had a major impact. “You don’t feel that you’re bothering parents with children. The whole system is designed with them in mind.
Claire Lynch
Next time, they would do things differently
With kids now a bit older, Claire says they’d structure the trip differently: “If we went again, I think we’d stay somewhere outside the city—more rural—where you can walk straight out into the wilderness,” she says. Then, we would just go to the city and eat or visit museums. The kids’ age also prevented them from going on more challenging hikes or wilderness trips. But, next time they might consider it.
Claire still says that she wouldn’t change the slow pace of life for anything. When you travel with small children, you’re forced stop and take in the moment. It’s impossible to rush by a beautiful patch of snow and not have a snowball battle. It’s kinda wonderful.”
Parents who are considering an Arctic getaway should read this advice
If you’re wondering whether a trip like this is too much for young kids, Claire’s message is clear: with the right planning, it’s absolutely doable—and more than worth it. To begin with, Claire recommends selecting accommodations that ease the burden of daily logistics. They didn’t worry about finding a place to eat when they returned from a day of snowmobiling because they stayed in a hotel that offered half-board. “Having dinner at the hotel waiting for us every night made our trip more relaxed,” says she. “Especially if everyone is tired or a bit cold.”
