My wife and I travelled with another couple on Viking's "In Search of the Northern Lights" cruise in Feb/March of 2020. It was the last cruise before COVID shutdowns. I looked up the websites of the tour providers we used and both appear to be up and running now.
In Tromso, we booked a northern Lights tour with Tromsø Friluftsenter, (info@tromso-friluftsenter.no). We were very fortunate to have a clear sky with lots of aurora activity. It was, however, bitterly cold. We met their bus by the hotel right outside where the ship was docked. They take a maximum of 16 people. Although they will drive all over to get a clear view of the sky, this night did not require that and we drove to their "base camp". Inside the lavvu (a round, native Sami shelter) we sat around the fire and roasted marshmallows waiting for the light to appear. They provided tripods for the photographers in the group, warm snowsuits to go over your clothes. An outhouse was available for those needing it. The location is along a small lake with a small community on the other side. It made for wonderful northern lights photographs, as I think having some foreground in the photo is preferable to just green lights up in the sky. Their web site provides an accurate description of the tour. They were very good to work with and I recommend them highly.
In Alta we had booked with Luuso Northern Lights Tours. Unfortunately, the lights did not cooperate. Here is my Trip Advisor review of the night:
We boarded the beautiful Lusso bus on a cold and overcast night. Per greeted us in his Sami costume. He said things did not look good. He showed us sky cams from all over the area and also the Aurora forecast. He volunteered to go, but told us we had a very slim chance of seeing any lights. We agreed that cancelling was the best choice (especially since the previous night in Tromso had been so wonderful).They have several 4 minute films about the northern lights and Sami reindeer herding, which he showed us on the bus. He answered questions and gave us a sample of reindeer jerky and then a small package of jerky to take home. Luuso is Per's family name and the reindeer film was shot by his uncle. After a very enjoyable 45 minutes on the bus in the parking lot, we got off and took a photo with Per.
You can read all about the tour inclusions, etc. on their website. I really wish we had been able to actually see lights that night.
Good luck with your Northern Lights chase!
