Can You See The Northern Lights From A Cruise Ship? The Best Cruises for Viewing the Northern Lights

Table Of Content

• How we help you to see the aurora
• Enjoy an unforgettable Northern Lights cruise in Norway!
• Wonderful experience
• Post: Bergen

Passengers can opt-in for overnight wake-up calls, so they can get some sleep without worrying about missing a Northern Lights sighting. Cunard is known for bringing aboard subject experts, astronomers, and night-sky photographers who add extra color and insights to the sky-transforming glory of the Northern Lights. There will be ample space on the 1,085-foot, 13-deck ship to find quiet areas to see the nighttime show. Because it’s often chilly in this part of the world (especially at night), each passenger is given a waterproof polar expedition jacket upon arrival. The sailings will take place on the expedition vessel Greg Mortimer, which can hold 132 passengers in 79 cabins (most have private balconies for auroral viewing). While it is possible to see the Northern Lights display toward the beginning and end of the cruise season, it’s unlikely and no ships specifically target Alaska’s aurora season.

How we help you to see the aurora

These are some of the cruises that offer you a solid chance of seeing the Northern Lights. See ancient rock carvings at the Alta Museum; learn about the science of the northern lights. In Oslo you can join a scheduled sightseeing trip or take a short cruise on the Oslofjord, see the landmark Holmenkollen Ski Jump, the Opera House, the Vigeland Sculpture Park.

Enjoy an unforgettable Northern Lights cruise in Norway!

During sightings, staff circulates trays of hot beverages, like cocoa and toddies, to help guests stay warm on deck. Viking runs the itinerary multiple times from January through March in 2025 and 2026. Guests also have the option to extend their trip with a few days in Reykjavík, where Northern Lights displays are common in the winter. Quark is running this itinerary once in 2024, from September 20 to October 1. Havila Voyages is so confident guests will see the Northern Lights on Nordic sailings between October and March, it offers a guarantee.

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Wonderful experience

Partake in a traditional kaffemik with welcoming Inuit locals in Greenland and be awe-struck by the majesty of Torngat Mountains National Park in Canada, where polar bears, falcons and caribou roam free. A Havila or Hurtigruten cruise calls at 34 ports of call on its route between Bergen and Kirkenes. So you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained during the daytime before prime northern lights viewing hours at night. With a cruise holiday along the fjord-studded Norwegian coast you can choose from numerous guided shore excursions, such as short husky safaris and fishing village tours.

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All the cabins and suites on our ships have an ‘Northern Lights alert’ which will tell you whenever we spot sightings of the aurora, so you can rush to your window or outside to catch them. Read below to see what our lovely guests have said about our Northern Lights cruises. Surrounded by stunning arctic landscapes, get closer to magnificent Humpback and Orca Whales, listening out for their otherwordly calls echoing around you. Under the Northern Light Promise, if the Northern Lights do not appear on a traveler's applicable Norway Expedition cruise, the expedition group will give travelers another Norway cruise free of charge. Glimpsing the Northern Lights in all their mystical and sky-transforming glory is one of those bucket-list life experiences that many world travelers often wait years to see.

Northern Lights at sea – Aurora cruises

This itinerary is only a guide and subject to change due to ice and weather conditions. Norway is often the first country that comes to mind when people think of the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights are a prominent feature of the night sky throughout the country and have even influenced folklore and indigenous culture. Because Norway is so long, the seasons change at different times, with summer lasting longer in the south and winter lasting longer in the north.

The northern part of the island is a great place to look for whales and dolphins, and contains impressive glaciers, some of which reach the sea. If the weather is friendly, we will try to land at Kvalrossbukta, a relatively sheltered bay on the island’s west coast. This is one of the landings used to supply the Norwegian weather station at Olonkinbyen, a settlement situated on the eastern side of the island. Enjoy the crossing to Jan Mayen, accompanied by seabirds as we search for whales.

Post: Bergen

Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities.Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change. We loved the structure and assurance of the itinerary while having the flexibility to explore on our own. Travelling in January, Nordic Visitor's emergency number gave us peace of mind in case of bad weather. The hotels were excellent and the locations were very convenient to public transportation and places we wanted to visit. These short breaks are ideal in addition to cruise tours, especially for travellers who wish to experience dogsledding, snowmobiling and other snow adventures. The region features attractive towns such as as Isafjordur, the famous Dynjandi waterfall, and spectacular fjords that are ideal for kayaking, hiking and birdwatching.

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Over the course of 13 days, a luxurious Viking ocean ship transports guests from London to Amsterdam, then all the way up the coast of Norway and north of the Arctic Circle, before returning back south to the Norwegian city of Bergen. (Although some sailings operate in reverse.) The Norwegian fjords themselves are a sight to behold — and if they're paired with the northern lights, that's all the better! The sailings run from January to March when daylight is limited in the Arctic Circle, making for prime aurora opportunities. Rates start from $4,999 per person in 2023, and it should be noted that Viking is an adults-only cruise line. Increase your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis by booking a Northern Lights cruise at the right time.

Carrying a small amount of local currency means you’ll always be able to buy a warming cuppa while you wait for the lights to appear. Havila Voyages calls at 34 ports most never visited by commercial cruise liners, the ships deliver freight, post and passengers to remote communities, some of which are home to just a few hundred people. To marvel at the ethereal beauty of the aurora borealis is, for many, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Let us introduce you to the mysteries of the aurora borealis, the beautiful Lofoten Islands, and how our on board spa services take inspiration from the ocean itself.

You’ll have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights while sailing Aurora Expeditions’ 132-passenger Greg Mortimer through Norway, Iceland, and Greenland. To see the Northern Lights, travelers need to be far north, away from light pollution, and have unobstructed views of the sky. Paddle by kayak and explore local alpine landscapes; enjoy Tromsø’s waterways by RIB. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below. Our trips are based on our goal of sustainable tourism with eco-friendly travel that leaves as small an environmental footprint on our nature as possible.

These 14-day itineraries cruise from Iceland to Greenland and back from September into early October. As the majority of the voyage takes place above the Arctic Circle, the odds of seeing the northern lights are high, especially as solar activity tends to peak around the autumnal and vernal equinoxes in September and March, respectively. And if they don't show, well, you still get to explore Iceland's Westfjords and Greenland's eastern shores — and that's a worthwhile journey in itself. Additionally, the chances of catching the starry show are much better out at sea than on land because you’re away from a city’s light pollution that can dim the display. While there’s never any guarantee that the aurora will appear, the extraordinary adventure of taking a northern cruise offers ample other rewards.

7 Best Northern Lights Cruises

Table Of Content

• Northern Lights at sea – Aurora cruises
• Request a customised booking
• Services included
• See wildlife unobtrusively
• Viking River Cruises
• Norwegian Christmas & Northern Lights Cruise
• Explore the Arctic Circle

Surf landings are not likely, but you must be capable of paddling in a small swell or wind chop, with winds up to 20 knots. With that being said, we will not paddle if wind conditions are too strong and there is no sheltered area for paddling. We stretch our legs on hikes across tundra in search of ancient graveyards and summer villages occupied 3,000 years ago by Inuit.

Northern Lights at sea – Aurora cruises

Travel to London and see Westminster Abbey; visit one of the city's many museums. We thank you for flawless instructions and all useful information which made our trip a convenient one as well. We are glad that we have chosen Nordic Visitor for this trip and surely will recommend to our friends and family.

Request a customised booking

There are 63 adventures, in as many as 8 different destinations, including Iceland and Kenya. And Norway and generally sail 10 to 15-night itineraries during the winter season. Some venture to the Svalbard Archipelago, where the Gulf Stream flows prevent the seas from freezing in winter. The psychedelic light show that paints the night sky with multicolored neon streams, scientifically known as the aurora borealis, is an experience worth chasing for many. For the best chance of seeing the swirling spectacle, travelers should head to the northernmost climes on a cloudless night between late August and mid-April.

Services included

For the Arctic Circle, book itineraries that sail between December and March. In Alaska, the Northern Lights season stretches all the way from August to April, but the chances to spot the lights increase between September and March. Once you’re on your cruise, be on the lookout for clear skies - and a great Northern Lights forecast. Just like the weather forecast, the light show can be reasonably well predicted on various phone apps. With voyages mainly taking place in winter, you’ll need to pack for weather that can struggle to get above 0°C, but the snowy landscapes, crisp frost air - and of course, the Northern Lights, are more than worth the extra layers in your suitcase.

See wildlife unobtrusively

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On cruisetours like these, you’ll traverse to towns like Seward, Anchorage, Denali, and tiny Talkeetna. Of course, sightings of the Northern Lights on your cruisetour depend entirely on natural circumstances, relying on weather, darkness, and a bit of magic. On Celebrity, cruises to Alaska and Iceland just might yield sightings of Aurora Borealis. That said, even if you don’t see the Northern Lights during your cruise, there’s plenty to fall in love with in these exciting destinations, from incredible dog-sledding competitions to hiking along stunning fjords. Dreaming about seeing the Northern Lights is easy; figuring out the logistics of viewing those shimmering colors in the nighttime sky aren’t so simple.

One of the highlights is visiting the Inuit village Ittoqqortoormiit, the region’s most isolated and northernmost permanent settlement, with its gregarious locals and scores of Greenlandic sled dogs. Shorter days in the high latitudes means darkening evening skies, so on this voyage we stay close to the coastlines of the Arctic Circle, skirting around the Norwegian and Greenland seas, and exploring remote islands and villages of the region. As night falls, we look skywards hoping to catch the magic of the northern lights. This spectacular natural phenomenon offers a surreal light display as vibrant hues of blue, green, pink and violet dance across the night sky.

From informative lectures to adventurous shore landings, there’s something for everyone, making these expeditions inclusive and suitable for individuals, families and groups with diverse backgrounds and preferences. Popular regions for Northern Lights cruises and expeditions with Aurora Expeditions include Arctic destinations like Norway, Iceland and the Canadian Arctic. These Arctic regions, located near the magnetic poles, offer optimal conditions for observing the Northern Lights. Aurora Expeditions carefully plans itineraries to position their vessels in prime locations, away from light pollution, providing passengers with the best chances of witnessing the spectacular light display. Northern Lights cruises and expeditions with Aurora Expeditions offer a unique and enchanting experience, providing travellers with the opportunity to witness the mesmerizing natural phenomenon known as the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. These expeditions take place in regions near the Arctic Circle, such as Norway or Iceland, where the Northern Lights are frequently visible.

Norwegian Christmas & Northern Lights Cruise

The vessels are equipped with observation decks, ensuring optimal Northern Lights viewing. To unwind, onboard amenities include wellness facilities, dining featuring local cuisine and presentations from naturalists. These diverse activities create a holistic and enriching journey for travellers seeking the magic of the Northern Lights. Yes, you can witness the Northern Lights from a cruise ship during dedicated Northern Lights cruises with Aurora Expeditions. These cruises navigate to prime viewing locations near the Arctic Circle, offering passengers a unique vantage point to experience the dazzling spectacle of the Aurora Borealis.

Visit the Solovetsky archipelago, a UNESCO-listed set of islands in the White Sea that’s home to a historic monastery and explore the charming town of Honningsvåg in Norway, the northernmost village in Europe. I took my mum to Norway for her 60th birthday in the hopes of seeing the northern lights. We were glad of the days we got to spend exploring Tromsø and the excursions that were included allowed us to make some truly amazing memories.

Our ships act as floating, mobile observatories that move between areas where there is a lot of cloud cover to places where it’s clear skies and perfect conditions to see the aurora when it appears. Taking a cruise to the Northern Lights is a special experience, offering the chance to see the colourful Aurora Borealis in the skies above your smaller ship. Our Scenic Discoveries are designed to allow you to enjoy seeing the world from a unique perspective of our ship. When the northern lights do appear, "more than likely the ship will turn off most of the exterior lights," Weber says. "But you can prepare as soon as you board the ship by scouting out the darkest spot outside, and up top on the ship." That may be away from the ship stairways and public rooms.

Sea kayaking holidays in the humbling wilderness of Antarctica, the Arctic, and some of the world’s most biodiverse regions, are guaranteed to stir your soul. Paddle between brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes, absorbing the majestic scenery as it unfolds before you. Our Northern Lights cruise sticks to the aurora zone in the Arctic Circle, but seeing the lights dance is only one part of your Northern Lights adventure. Exploring the polar regions provides you with opportunities like no other. It is most frequently visible in high-latitude regions in the Arctic and Antarctica, but most accessible between 10° and 20° of the North Pole in a band called the ‘auroral zone’.

Havila Voyage´s ships are ultra-modern newbuilds, which leave behind the smallest environmental footprint it is possible to make with today’s technology. Our crew will announce occurrences of the aurora to your cabin or suite at any time of the day or night. Take a look at our gallery of fantastic photos taking on board our ships as we cruise to the Northern Lights. Looking to check multiple countries off your list and see the Northern Lights?

Alaska cruisetours are the ideal way to explore the state’s stunning interior and extend your Alaska cruise vacation. Aurora Borealis, as it’s officially known, can only be seen above the magnetic pole of the Northern Hemisphere. Your chances of seeing them increase the farther north you are, which in turn makes Iceland an ideal place to try your luck at Northern Lights gazing.