How to See the Northern Lights on a Cruise: When to Go, What to Book & What to Expect

A Northern Lights cruise had been on my bucket list for years, and I eventually booked one with the British cruiseline, Fred. Olsen.

I sailed from Newcastle in the North East of England, far away from my home near the south coast.

I saw the Northern Lights twice – so from that point of view, the trip absolutely delivered.

But I have to say that it was one of the roughest cruises I’ve ever taken!

I spent a couple of days in bed as we crossed the North Sea – feeling terribly seasick and basically surviving on a diet of plain bread rolls.

That bit wasn’t very enjoyable at all – but I’d still say it was worth it to see the Northern Lights.

In this article, we will cover when to cruise, where to go, which cruise lines offer these itineraries, what to book, and what nobody really tells you beforehand.

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights on a cruise?

Northern Lights need dark skies, so this definitely isn’t a summer Norwegian fjords cruise.

Northern Norway generally has an aurora-viewing season from roughly late September to late March/early April.

Aurora Borealis activity is statistically strongest in autumn and spring, including September/October and March/April.

There is never a guarantee of seeing the Northern Lights; you need solar activity, clear enough skies and darkness.

This does mean a bit of a trade-off – you will be seeing the ports mostly in darkness, and days are very short.

Fred. Olsen, who I sailed with, specifically markets March as a particularly favourable period for aurora cruises.

In October/November – there are dark nights but potentially some autumn storms.

In December/January – nights are very long, it is the proper Arctic winter, with limited daylight.

In February/March – there is still plenty of darkness, but generally a little more daylight for sightseeing.

Where should your cruise actually go?

Don’t just book “Norwegian Fjords” and assume you’ll see the Northern Lights.

Look for an itinerary specifically travelling well into Northern Norway / above the Arctic Circle.

Ports I would particularly look for:

• Tromsø
• Alta
• Narvik
• Harstad
• Sortland
• Kirkenes
• Lofoten/Vesterålen area

Ideally, choose a cruise with several nights in the auroral zone, rather than one quick northern port.

Overnight calls in places such as Tromsø or Alta are particularly useful because they allow proper nighttime aurora excursions ashore.

Fred. Olsen’s current Northern Lights itineraries go into Arctic Norway and include places such as Tromsø, Narvik, Sortland and Harstad, with some overnight stays.

This specifically gives passengers more opportunities to search for the Northern Lights.

Which cruise lines offer Northern Lights cruises?

Fred. Olsen

This is one I have personally used.

They offer a range of UK departure ports, which makes them particularly convenient. I sailed from Newcastle, as the trip fitted in with my work schedule. (They also sail from Southampton, which would be far more convenient for me.)

They sail dedicated “In Search of the Northern Lights” itineraries.

Their smaller ships have plenty of open deck space, and some sailings have astronomy experts onboard.

Other experts, such as David Nikel, give enrichment lectures about Northern Europe, the Baltic region, and the Norwegian fjords.

David taught me so much about Norway, and we remain friends to this day. I was able to see the Northern Lights twice, and I had a very memorable trip.

If you are considering a trip to Norway or to see the Northern Lights, I highly recommend you follow David here: @davidnikel

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten offer a very different style of trip.

Ships follow the Norwegian coast rather than functioning purely like a conventional cruise – they are more like Ferries stopping at up to 33 different ports. Some sailings include no meals, others are full board.

Interestingly, “Hurtigruten” actually means “the fast route” in Norwegian. It refers to the historic Coastal Express sea route operating along Norway’s coastline.

Hurtigruten sailings vary in length depending on the number of ports visited, but they’re typically around two weeks long if you travel the whole route.

They are a good option if the Northern Lights are the main reason you’re travelling. They offer aurora alerts onboard.

Hurtigruten currently has a Northern Lights Promise on qualifying voyages

There are plenty of terms and conditions to meet – you have to be taking a certain type of voyage within a certain time frame.

Northern Lights Promise
Valid until 31 March 2028
For those who have your heart set on witnessing the swirling glow of the aurora borealis, we make you a promise no one can match.
Sail the Norwegian coast with us during the auroral season between 20 September and 31 March on a voyage of 11 days or more.
If the Northern Lights are not officially sighted during your voyage, we offer you a complimentary 6- or 7-day Coastal Express Classic Voyage.

Hurtigruten

A Northern Lights occurrence is defined as a sighting from the ship which is recorded by the ship’s deck officers and which is announced to passengers on board.

Havila Voyages

Havila are the “new kids on the block” when it comes to Norwegian coastal cruising.

Havila has four ships – Havila Capella, Castor, Pollux and Polaris.

The ships are LNG and battery-powered, unlike the majority of conventional cruise ships.

They travel along the Norwegian coastline. They are more like a ferry – food isn’t automatically included in the fare, they stop for short times at many places, and they are used by local Norwegians and tourists alike.

You can nip to the supermarket in towns and bring food supplies and drinks back onboard if you want to!

Find out everything you need to know about Havila here:

havila voyages

I took a cruise on Havila Polaris and was very impressed by the ship and the company.

Have a look at that amazing trip here:

Their round-trip voyages run Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen. They sail all year round.

Like Hurtigruten, they also currently offer a Northern Lights Promise on qualifying round-trip voyages from October to March.

As ever, make sure you read their terms and conditions…

P&O

P&O offers a number of Northern Lights cruises throughout the winter months from Southampton.

Voyages tend to be 12 to 16 days long and start in the UK.

They often have overnight port stops (such as in Tromsø or Alta) to maximise nighttime viewing opportunities ashore away from the ship’s lights.

Voyages often feature a dedicated Northern Lights expert on board to provide forecasts, photography tips, and guidance.

Often the smaller P&O ships, Aurora and Arcadia, are used to visit Norway to see the Northern Lights.

This is great for visiting smaller port towns, but there might be a pay-off, since smaller, older ships may not be as stable in rough seas.

I took a short Northern Europe cruise on Aurora, and much to my surprise, really liked the ship’s traditional feel and styling. I particularly liked the teak decks and tiered aft – a feature no longer seen on more modern ships.

Ambassador

Ambassador Cruise Line offers dedicated, no-fly “Norway’s Land of the Northern Lights” itineraries from the UK.

They focus heavily on an authentic Arctic experience using their smaller ships, giving you excellent chances to catch the aurora borealis while enjoying a traditional British atmosphere on board.

Their ships are older and smaller, though, so if you hit rough seas on the journey across to Norway, you may feel quite a bit of movement onboard.

Ambassador are certainly at the more budget end of mainstream cruise lines, but if you are looking for an affordable cruise, they may well fit the bill.

They also sail from a number of regional ports in the UK. This makes it a convenient option for many.

Our no-fly Arctic adventures depart conveniently from the UK, letting you discover the beauty of Norway, Iceland and the Arctic Circle without the hassle of flying. You’ll enjoy authentic experiences, outstanding cuisine, amazing entertainment, and a true sense of community aboard our smaller, classic ships.

Ambassador Cruises

Viking

Viking offer a far more premium and traditional cruise experience.

Viking currently offers dedicated “In Search of Northern Lights” itineraries that visit places including Tromsø, Alta, Harstad, and Narvik.

Their cruise fares include flights (where needed), transfers, WiFi, gratuities, drinks with meals and an excursion in every port of call.

I absolutely love sailing with Viking, but their cruises aren’t cheap. If money were no object, I’d love to take a Northern Lights sailing with them.

Expedition cruises

There are expedition-style options too, including itineraries combining places such as Norway, Iceland and Greenland.

These tend to be considerably more adventurous and expensive than a conventional Northern Lights cruise.

Aurora Expeditions, for example, currently operates a Northern Lights Explorer itinerary in this region.

Should you cruise from the UK or fly to Norway first?

Both options have advantages and disadvantages.

Cruising from the UK

Cruising from the UK is easier for UK residents – unpack once – there is no flight or airport hassle.

It’s often also cheaper for UK travellers than factoring in the extra cost of flights.

Fred. Olsen, P&O, Ambassador and similar lines offer round trips from UK ports.

But remember, you will have to sail across the North Sea in winter. That was very rocky on my Northern Lights cruise.

This doesn’t mean every Northern Lights sailing will be rough, but winter conditions in the North Atlantic/Norwegian Sea can be very different from a calm summer Mediterranean cruise.

Have a look at that rocky sailing that made me feel so ill, here:

Flying to Norway

Trips with Hurtigruten/Havila can avoid some of the long outward/return sea days from Britain.

This might be worth considering for somebody particularly prone to seasickness.

The downside is you need to negotiate flights, luggage and potentially hotel stays.

You can, however, get some very reasonably priced flights to Bergen from the UK with the airline Norwegian. Other budget airlines fly there from the UK too…

Northern Lights cruises aren’t necessarily ideal first cruises

I wouldn’t personally choose this as somebody’s introduction to cruising.

There is no alternative but to sail in winter months, and the seas can be rough.

It’s cold. Days can be extremely short. You have to seriously think about the clothing you need to pack to protect you from the weather.

The itinerary focuses on the destination and viewing the natural phenomenon, not sunshine and sitting by the pool.

Aurora viewing can mean suddenly heading outside at 11 pm or 1 am. We had one aurora viewing in the middle of dinner service, and everyone just got up and left their dinner.

Ports or plans can potentially be affected by weather, so you need to expect the unexpected!

Experienced cruisers who know they cope reasonably well at sea may absolutely love it.

Northern Lights sailings aren’t always rough. I was unlucky with the weather on my sailing, and Fred. Olsen’s Bolette is an older ship with retrofitted stabilisers.

More modern ships with better stabilisers may deal with rough weather better.

Find out everything you need to know about stabilisers here:

How Cruise Ship Stabilisers Actually Work (And Why They Are Important To Me!)

Is a balcony cabin worth it for the Northern Lights?

Don’t assume you need a balcony. Although it is nice to have one, balcony cabins on Northern Lights sailings tend to cost far, far more than inside cabins.

The best views may actually be from an open upper deck, where you can see a much larger area of sky anyway.

A balcony can still be fantastic if the lights happen to be on your side of the ship.

But you’re paying considerably more for something that doesn’t guarantee a better aurora view.

An inside cabin could actually work well on a dark winter cruise if budget is the main priority.

Bigger considerations might be:

• Consider the cabin location if you’re worried about movement.
• Pick a cabin that is reasonably close to an outside deck.
• Whether the cruiseline will be giving you announcements about aurora sightings inside your cabin.

Find out more about why cabin location is so important here:

What is The Best Cabin Location on a Cruise For Avoiding Seasickness? (I’ve Tried Them All!)

How do you know when the Northern Lights appear?

Dedicated Northern Lights voyages often have crew monitoring conditions.

Some ships make announcements when aurora activity is spotted.

Hurtigruten allows guests to request alerts in their cabins. Havila also uses a Northern Lights alert system.

Northern Lights can appear briefly and change rapidly.

I was very lucky to see the Northern Lights and take some great photos.

The images my camera captured of the green skies did look far more impressive than the views I was seeing with my naked eye, it has to be said!

Have a look at the amazing “In search of the Northern Lights” cruise I took here:

Should you book a Northern Lights excursion?

Seeing the Northern Lights from the ship is possible; I did – out in the dark sea, away from the light pollution of towns and cities.

An excursion could also increase your opportunities because guides can head away from cloud cover and light pollution.

This is particularly worthwhile during an overnight call in Tromsø or Alta.

Don’t assume paying for an excursion guarantees a sighting either.

You could potentially see them brilliantly from the ship one evening and nothing on your paid excursion the next.

What do the Northern Lights actually look like?

Be aware that photos can make the aurora look much brighter and more saturated than it appears to the naked eye.

Sometimes it begins as something resembling a faint grey/green cloud.

Strong displays can become unmistakably green and visibly move across the sky.

Phone cameras often pick up more colour than the naked eye.

What should you pack?

You won’t have much chance of seeing the Northern Lights without the proper clothing. You need to be comfortable standing or sitting on the top deck for hours.

The Northern Lights come and go so quickly, so you need to be outside as much as you can, so you don’t miss them if they do appear.

When packing for a Northern Lights or cold weather cruise in general, your clothing needs to be warm and comfortable.

The most important things I packed were waterproof walking boots with non-slip soles, a good quality jacket to keep me dry and warm, and my neck warmer.

Have a look at the full list of things I packed in the article below:

I Took a Northern Lights Cruise – Here’s What I Packed (Clothes, Accessories & More)

Prepare for seasickness

Northern Lights cruises can involve winter cruising through exposed seas.

If the ship’s movement worries you, I’d book a lower, midship cabin.

I am a very motion-sick person, so it was no surprise to me that I felt so ill during that sailing.

Have a look at my top seasickness tips here:

13 Actionable Tips to Prevent and Treat Seasickness on a Cruise

Is seeing the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No.

Cruise lines can optimise their itineraries and timings, but they can’t control cloud or solar activity.

This is why I’d strongly recommend booking a cruise whose itinerary you’d enjoy even if you never saw the aurora.

Hurtigruten and Havila have guarantees in place, but they essentially offer another chance to travel free of charge (if the T’s&C’s are met), not a guarantee that the lights will appear on the original cruise.

So, is a Northern Lights cruise worth it?

For me, yes, seeing the Northern Lights is a wonderful thing.

I saw the Northern Lights twice on my Fred. Olsen cruise – but we also sailed through some of the roughest seas I have ever experienced.

When I sailed with Havila, I didn’t see the Northern Lights at all, despite sailing at the right time of year.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a Northern Lights itinerary as somebody’s first cruise, because rough seas might put them off cruising for life!

If you book a cruise for Norway and the Arctic experience, treat seeing the Northern Lights as a spectacular bonus you’re hoping Mother Nature will give you.

Seeing the aurora borealis is something that no one can ever guarantee.

Before You Go

I have tried all sorts of seasickness remedies. Find out how i got on with seasickness wristbands here:

Do Seasickness Wristbands Actually Work? (Here’s My Honest Opinion)

One remedy I will never try again is seasickness patches! The cure was far worse than the complaint! Find out more here:

I Tried The Seasickness Patch: My Reaction Was Scary and I’ll Never Do It Again