Virtuoso
50 Degrees North is a Virtuoso Preferred Global Tour Operator and proud member of Virtuoso's Adventure, Ultraluxe, and Sustainability Communities. This page covers how we work, what you can expect from us, and the practical details you need to start booking.
Your dedicated Virtuoso contact: virtuoso@fiftydegreesnorth.com
US/Canada & International: +1 888 880 0286
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Why work with 50 Degrees North
We are a Nordic travel specialist headquartered in Øyer, Norway, with offices in Minneapolis, Vancouver, and Melbourne. Founded in 2010 and a Virtuoso Preferred Supplier since 2016, we have spent more than a decade building genuine expertise in a region most operators only visit.
Our team is made up of Nordic natives and destination specialists with deep, first-hand experience of the region across every season. That knowledge shapes every routing decision, every property choice, and every experience we build into an itinerary.
- We cover Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Svalbard, and the Baltic States.
- We design journeys across four tour standards, from destination-focused Classic tours to fully private Luxury and Bespoke itineraries
- We work with a carefully selected network of local suppliers, boutique properties, and independent guides
- We give honest advice. We will not recommend a product we do not believe is right for your client
- Our staff travels regularly to our destinations and keeps current on local conditions, seasonal considerations, and new product
- We are a Certified B Corporation and Travelife Partner, recognised in 2024 as Virtuoso's Tour Partner with Highest Annual Growth (Australia and New Zealand)
- Our emergency team in Europe provides 24/7 in-destination emergency support for your clients throughout their journey
How we work with Virtuoso advisors
50 Degrees North is a Virtuoso Preferred Global Tour Operator under the Virtuoso Destinations & Experiences program. In practice, we operate as a combination of a tour operator and an on-site specialist. We design and manage all itineraries directly, drawing on our own supplier relationships and on-the-ground knowledge, while also maintaining the pricing, commission, and support structure of a tour operator.
We design tailor-made independent journeys, small group tours, and fully private bespoke experiences. All pricing is quoted gross, inclusive of your Virtuoso commission. We are contractually unable to break down costs, as our supplier rates are confidential net tour operator rates that must be packaged.
On-site vs. tour operator: what’s the difference?
Advisors sometimes ask where we sit in the Virtuoso programme. The short answer: both. Here is how Virtuoso defines each, and where 50 Degrees North fits.
On-site
- Based in-country; provides destination expertise and ground support
- Offers individual customisation based on client interests
- Prices mainly on a net basis in local currency
- Sells a specific country or geographic area
Tour operator
- Provides tours, packages, groups, and FIT (Foreign Independent Travel)
- Has offices in North America, Australia, and on-site in Norway
- Charges in USD/AUD/EUR and provides commission on gross
- Sub-contracts local drivers, guides, and services
50 Degrees North operates as both: we are headquartered in Norway with local teams on the ground, and we provide the pricing, commission, and logistics infrastructure of a full tour operator.
Your benefits
- Virtuoso commission on all bookings
- Priority handling for Virtuoso advisor enquiries
- Early check-in and late check-out at a selection of our partner properties, subject to availability
- Access to private bespoke itineraries and experiences that are not available through conventional channels
- Ready-to-use marketing assets, destination guides, training videos, and social media tiles via our Travel Advisor Hub
- 24/7 support across all time zones through our offices in Øyer (Norway), Minneapolis (USA), Vancouver (CA) and Melbourne (AU)
Virtuoso hotels and amenities
As a tour operator, we hold our own negotiated rates at partner properties, including some Virtuoso hotels. Virtuoso hotels are not contractually required to pass their Virtuoso amenities through to tour operators, so we cannot guarantee access to these for your clients.
If amenities are important, we recommend contacting the hotel directly and advising them your client is coming. Virtuoso’s own guidance notes that advisors can still earn more commission on hotels booked through a tour operator, and request the amenity separately.
Quotations and pricing
We provide each quote at a gross price inclusive of your Virtuoso commission. We are contractually unable to break down costs, as our supplier rates are confidential net tour operator rates that must be included as part of a package and may never be shown separately.
Payments and deposits
Preferred payment is by bank transfer or credit card (Visa or Mastercard). Bank details are provided on invoices when payment falls due. We can also charge your client's Visa or Mastercard directly, with commission refunded to you after travel is completed. Please ensure your full banking details, including SWIFT code, are on file.
- Standard deposit: 20% of the total booking value.
- High season and Christmas departures: 25–30%.
- Arctic expedition voyages: 25–30%, with final payment due 90 days before departure.
- All other bookings: final payment due 70 days before departure.
Supplier verification
50 Degrees North maintains TFS Verified Supplier status, renewed consecutively through independent review. Verification covers legal ownership, office locations, professional licensing, industry awards, commercial liability insurance, sustainability practices, and financial stability.
