Northern Lights Cruises

Increase your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis by booking a Northern Lights cruise at the right time. 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. Steeped in myth and lore, the Northern Lights are a magical sight that capture the imagination of cruise passengers of all ages.

Glaciers and Ice Caves

Don’t let the shorter days stop you from exploring on land. Glistening ice caves and vast glaciers await eager explorers. In Iceland, your journey will start in a monster truck equipped to handle the ice and snow - and finish with you strapping on a pair of crampons to give you extra grip on the ice. The fresh blast of arctic air and mesmerising blues of the ice caves are worth braving the chilly temperatures for.

Whale Watching

Booking a Northern Lights cruise takes you to some of the best whale watching locations in the world. Join a whale watching tour in Iceland to spot orcas off the north coast, wrap up warm in the Arctic Circle to get a glimpse of humpbacks or tour the waters of Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Park to seek out grey and fin whales. Looking to stay warm? Take your binoculars up to the bar and keep an eye on the waves. Many cruisers spot whales while they’re having pre-dinner drinks or tucking into breakfast!

Christmas Markets

Make space in your Christmas calendar for a Northern lights cruise in 2023. Christmas markets pop up across the Arctic Circle from November onwards. Shop for decorations and gifts while you watch ice skaters in Reykjavik, sample some seasonal foodstuffs in Norway's official Christmas town - Tromso or pick up Alaskan arts and crafts in Anchorage. But remember to keep an eye on the skies as you browse the stalls. Seeing the Northern Lights dance above a Christmas market would be the perfect end to a day in port!

Alaska

Few sights can overshadow Alaska’s vast wilderness, but once night falls, your eyes will be firmly on the skies. Alaska’s long Northern Lights season means there’s a wide variety of Northern Lights cruises to choose from. By day, you can dig into the history of the gold rush, uncover Ketchikan native heritage or watch out for wildlife as you sail by tower glaciers and step ashore into snow sprinkled forests.

Iceland

Head to Iceland on Northern Lights cruises from the UK to see the land of fire and ice at its best. Glistening with a frosty shimmer of snow, the rugged wilderness of Iceland is a Northern Lights hotspot from September to March. Warm up in a hot spring, shop for the toastiest wool jumpers in Reykjavik and spend your nights with your eyes on the skies to see the lights dance behind Iceland’s volcanic peaks.

Norway

Seeing nature’s most beautiful spectacle on a Northern Lights cruise to Norway feels like winning life’s jackpot. Sailing through some of the world’s most magical fjords, while the skies sparkle with stars and the greens and purples of the Northern Lights is nothing short of magical. Add in Norway’s stylish port cities, nourishing Arctic menus and historic sights and it becomes a cruise to remember.

Want more? Read our article about six places to enjoy the Northern Lights.

Currency considerations

Major credit cards are accepted in Alaska and the Arctic Circle. But you may travel to remote spots in search of the Northern lights. 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.

Customs / traditions to be aware of 

In Alaska and the Arctic Circle, traditional hunting methods are still championed. Which may mean that restaurants, souvenir shops and bars may have some unsettling items to buy. It’s not unusual to see reindeer or whale meat for sale - as well as animal furs.

Making the most use of short durations in port

Before you sail, download an app to check the Northern Lights forecast. If you’re heading ashore - and there’s no chance of seeing the lights, you can use the time to soak up the local culture instead.

Transport

The wintery conditions that come with the Northern Lights season open up a few different travel options. Snow shoeing, sleigh rides and sledding are ideal ways to try out some more traditional winter travel methods. Though the thrilling speed of a skidoo ride gets you from A to B a little faster.

• Princess Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Fred Olsen Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Cunard cruises
• Silversea Cruises

• Alaska Cruises
• Iceland Cruises
• Norwegian Fjords Cruises
• Arctic Cruises

We have put together the following FAQs. We hope that you will be able to find an answer to your question below, but if you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team. 

• Can I see the Northern Lights from the ship on a cruise? 

Although viewing the Northern Lights on a cruise is not guaranteed, it is likely you may see them during the winter months of the longest hours of darkness while cruising along the Arctic Circle. To increase your chances of viewing the Northern Lights, we recommend cruising between December through March along the coastline of Norway.

• Can I see the Northern Lights on a Fjords cruise? 

Yes, you can see the Northern Lights on a Fjords cruises, however, it’s important to choose a cruise with itineraries cruising along the most northern parts of Norway, such as Narvik and Tromso, as the further North you travel, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights increase.  

• Which cruise lines offer Northern Lights cruises?  

There is a wide range of cruise lines that offer Northern Lights cruises, such as, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Fred Olsen, MSC Cruises and Ambassador.

• Which cruise destinations are best for seeing the Northern Lights? 

The best cruise destinations for seeing the Northern Lights include destinations along the Arctic Circle, such as, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Finland, Sweden, Alaska and Canada. 

• Can you see the Northern Lights on an Alaskan cruise?

Yes, you can see the Northern Lights on an Alaskan cruise. Though, you’ll need to sail at the right time of year. September is the peak of activity for Alaska’s Northern Lights.

• What time of year is best for a Norway Northern Lights cruise?

The best time of year for a Norway Northern Lights cruise is between September to March. The peak Northern Lights season for Norway, is November through until February.

• Will it be cold on a Northern Lights cruise?

​Yes, it will be cold on a Northern Lights cruise. Particularly if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors waiting for the lights to appear. For example, day time temperatures in Iceland during Iceland’s Northern Lights season rarely go above 0°C. At night, windchill can make it feel as low as -18°C.