Best Cruises To See The Northern Lights Aurora Borealis

Table Of Content

• Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?
• best northern lights cruises for a spectacular adventure
• of the best Northern Lights cruises
• Norway And Northern Lights, 12 nights, Nov 1 2024
• Cruises
• Northern Lights Canada

Kakslauttanen Resort is a popular spot for watching the lights and is where travelers go to stay in glass igloos and watch the show in comfort. If Scotland’s on your cruise itinerary, you might have the chance to see the northern lights. As a general rule, you’ll want to head to remote spots on Scotland’s north coast to see the aurora. For example, Orkney is a group of remote islands located off the north coast and is one of the best areas to see the lights in the country. Imagine watching waves of iridescent colors, swaying, flashing and expanding over massive cliffs and glassy waterways. Norway is an excellent place to visit on a cruise to witness the northern lights and take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the country’s landscapes.

Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?

You’ll be joined by experts from the conservation charity Orca who will be out on deck to host seabird and wildlife spotting sessions. Every year, millions of tourists flock to the Arctic for a chance to witness the phenomenon of the Northern Lights. Take a polar plunge in the icy waters of the Arctic Circle, or stay above the water on a Zodiac cruise through the fields of icebergs. Zodiac cruises allow you to get closer to some of the wildlife and landscapes you’ll see throughout your Northern Lights tour. If you have the necessary experience you should also consider adding sea kayaking to your Northern Lights itinerary.

best northern lights cruises for a spectacular adventure

On a shore tour in Alta you’ll meet a northern lights expert who monitors the skies and aurora borealis forecast beforehand to help pick the best location for the day. There, guests spend their days scanning the dizzying cliff sides for puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, and their nights scanning the sky for signs of the aurora. The ship then crosses the Arctic Circle as it heads to Greenland, where it spends seven days patrolling the remote northeast coast.

of the best Northern Lights cruises

With popular Norwegian fjords cruises together with midnight sun and northern lights tours to the north of Norway also available, there is a lot of diversity in Scandinavian cruises. To see the northern lights within the contiguous 48 states, head to Minnesota, where dark skies and plenty of winter activities welcome you. Regardless of the country or continent, the best time to see the northern lights is winter.

In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland. To increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, be prepared to venture into the heart of the Arctic, to destinations such as Greenland, Iceland, Northern Canada and Northern Norway. While aurora activity happens year-round, the best time to witness the Northern Lights is during the long winter months, when the windows for viewing them each night are longer. Some may also include the highlights of the Baltic Sea region, including the Baltic countries and ports in the north of Germany and Poland. On a clear night during an intense event, you can see the northern lights as far south as Stockholm. However, your best bet for seeing the lights is to travel north to the Swedish Lapland region, which is closer to the Arctic Circle.

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Sailings from Southampton are also available on Cunard’s ocean liner and flagship Queen Mary 2. 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. So, if you’re yearning to combine a sea voyage with a luminous light show, here are some of the world’s best northern lights cruises. 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!

Alternatively, you can book organized tours from Reykjavík to the nearby "Golden Ring" — highlights of which include Gullfoss Waterfall and the Great Geysir. To peruse eight port cities during a round trip of the Arctic Circle’s Norweigan aurora belt, Royal Caribbean’s 12-night Arctic Circle Cruise to Tromsø, Flam and Kristiansand provides the ideal glide through remote dark skies. Forget shivering on city-side snowscapes you were ferried to by coach and float far from light pollution, gliding past giant ice cubes on luxury vessels beneath the dramatic backdrop of the aurora borealis. North Norway remains the most popular place to hunt for the shimmering patterns of coloured light across the night sky, technically known as the aurora borealis, but there are a few options to Iceland and Greenland too. If you sail with us during the Northern Lights season for more than 11 days and don’t see the aurora appear at least once, we promise you a free voyage to try again. By day, you’ll visit some of Norway’s most enchanting coastal towns, discovering the region’s rich culture and scenery.

Northern Lights Canada

Cruising through Kong Oskar Fjord, we marvel at the geological beauty of the mountains. We will then head south along the coast of Liverpool Land, with our passage dependent on ice conditions. Throughout the area there are ancient Thule archaeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and the cabins of present-day Inuit hunters. A highlight is a visit to the Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated and northernmost permanent settlement in the region, with approximately 450 inhabitants.

But you may want to narrow that window down further based on other things you want to do during your trip. Want to catch one of Edinburgh’s famous Christmas concerts before viewing the aurora borealis? Finland is another destination where you can see the aurora borealis just about anywhere as long as you’re away from city lights, and the further north you go, the better. For example, you can catch the aurora borealis just about every other night in Lapland – the country’s northernmost region.

Aside from volcanoes, glaciers and geysers, one of the main reasons people have Iceland on their travel bucket list is because they dream of seeing the Northern Lights on display. Iceland is a sparsely populated country, so you don’t have to go far to get away from light pollution. 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’.

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At Reykjavik’s Northern Lights Center, you’ll also learn the science behind the spectacle and its cultural significance on a cruise that could yield a sighting of the unpredictable aurora. Spying whales in the water and dancing lights in the sky from the deck of a traditional schooner is what Wildfoot’s seven-night North Norway Sailing Ship Whale Safari with Northern Lights is all about. A round-trip from Tromsø, the itinerary concentrates on narrow channels and fjords patrolled by orcas and humpbacks, with shore hikes in remote spots. Advice and lectures from a Northern Lights expert form the basis of special Hurtigruten astronomy voyages – along with an included tour of the planetarium in Tromsø. The ships of Hurtigruten continually sail up and down the Norwegian coast, giving a great choice over departure dates.

These diverse activities create a holistic and enriching journey for travellers seeking the magic of the Northern Lights. Both Hurtigruten Expeditions and the Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Express, offer a good number of itineraries that showcase the Northern Lights. The Coastal Express serves as both a passenger cruise line and a lifeline for Norwegian coastal residents and these working ships transport locals’ cars, fjord towns’ freight and up to 1,000 total passengers on any given day. Once you decide where to see northern lights, you can narrow down the timing to boost your chances of clear night skies. So months that are prone to rain, storms and cloudy skies (which tend to be spring and fall, in many destinations) aren’t ideal.

The emphasis is on experiencing the destination rather than travelling long distances. They are calculated based on the days of voyage, ability to carry out the activity and exchange rates. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise through spectacular Trollfjord, a gorge flanked by steep mountains and so narrow that it can only be accessed by small ships. In the Lofoten Islands, voted by National Geographic as one the of the most beautiful destinations in the world, we stroll through picturesque villages dotted with red and white fishers’ huts, surrounded by soaring granite peaks. Visit the Lofoten Seafood Center and learn about the impressive cod fisheries and perhaps sample some local seafood. Guests also have the option to extend their trip with a few days in Reykjavík, where Northern Lights displays are common in the winter.

Ice crampons may come in handy, especially in ports where walkways may be icy or slick. On some active excursions, outfitters provide weather appropriate gear, but you can’t always count on that. And Norway and generally sail 10 to 15-night itineraries during the winter season.

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. Yes, Aurora Expeditions’ Northern Lights cruises and expeditions are designed to accommodate participants of all ages and experience levels. The itineraries are crafted to provide a comfortable and enriching experience, whether you are a seasoned traveller or exploring the polar regions for the first time. Expedition staff and guides offer support and guidance, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey for everyone. Activities and excursions cater to various interests, allowing participants to customize their experience. 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.

The 10 best Northern Lights cruises

Table Of Content

• Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?
• best northern lights cruises for a spectacular adventure
• Can You See The Northern Lights From A Cruise Ship? The Best Cruises for Viewing the Northern Lights
• Frequently asked questions about Northern Lights cruises

While at night the prospect of the Northern Lights is enough to tempt you from your stateroom into the crisp, still, darkness beyond. The superb wildlife-viewing opportunities are endless in the astonishingly biodiverse nature reserves we visit. Kayaks offer a unique opportunity to view marine and land mammals, coral reefs, tropical fish, sea birds and an astonishing range of rainforest birds. We will bring our snorkelling gear with us during our paddles and take advantage of any opportunities to view marine life up close.

Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?

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. 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. Some local initiatives protesting against cruise travel have also gathered momentum, so cruisers should be aware of these issues before setting foot ashore. It passes through remote parts of eight countries—the U.S. (Alaska), Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia—but it's frozen at 65 degrees north.

best northern lights cruises for a spectacular adventure

Essentially, the northern lights are caused by an interaction between solar wind and the earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. The northern lights, also called the aurora borealis, is the result of electrons colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere. The electrons transfer their energy to the molecules in the atmosphere, which eventually release the energy in the form of colorful light. Popular destinations to see the southern lights include Cloudy Bay, Tasmania and Ushuaia,Argentina, the latter of which is a popular gateway for cruises to Argentina during the summer months. New Zealand's Mt. Cook (known to the indigenous Maori people as "Aoraki") also provides a stunning foreground for the aurora australis, as does the Church of the Good Shepherd in nearby Lake Tekapo. As for where in Iceland to see them, it really depends on how comfortable you are with winter driving.

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

Rather than travelling large distances, our aim is to ensure you see as much as possible. We paddle between 5 to 15 kilometres (2 to 4 hours) per outing, often taking a snack and a flask of hot chocolate to enjoy on our excursion. Led by experienced guides, you and your small group of like-minded adventurers will paddle between ice floes, brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Paddling is one of the best ways to access and intimately explore the beautiful coastlines we visit and therefore make the most of your time in the wild and remote destinations we visit. We will attempt to enter Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, a remote and rarely visited fjord system with countless opportunities for exploration, located within the Northeast Greenland National Park.

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Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres. Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899. A whole industry has sprung up around the lights, including such extravagant shore excursions as an overnight in a tent with viewing windows at a Sami dog-sledding camp. The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions.

Want to book flights and accommodation with us or simply want some additional information? Click the button below and fill out the form, our expedition experts are more than happy to help. Passengers are unable to share a kayaking place as we customise the kayaks and dry suits for each individual kayaker at the beginning of each voyage.

Frequently asked questions about Northern Lights cruises

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Passengers will enjoy the magical display from the comfort of the ship, creating a truly extraordinary and unforgettable experience. An aurora is a natural light display that can appear as brilliant green, yellow, red, blue and purple light patterns, spirals or dynamic flickers covering the night sky. The aurora borealis originates on the sun’s surface with a massive explosion of electromagnetic matter, which projects a stream of charged particles known as solar wind into space. When these particles approach Earth a few nights later, they distort our magnetic field. The excited, ionised atoms that enter our atmosphere through the poles emit light which, when emitted on a large scale, causes the phenomenon of the Southern and Northern Lights. Northern Lights experiences are best with a dark sky as the aurora is not strong enough to outshine the sunlight.

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See The Northern Lights with Aurora Expeditions and our Expedition Team will take you on excursions unique to the High Arctic, fully included in the cost of your expedition. For those interested in a little extra excitement, there are optional activities designed to get you closer to the action. Our Northern Lights expeditions provide a mix of comfort and adventure; for those willing to explore the Arctic the memories will last a lifetime.

Rates for the eight-day itinerary start from $4,600 per person for the 2023 sailings. For the best chance of viewing the northern lights, you’ll want to be somewhere with little to no light pollution, and there are few places darker than the middle of the ocean. The first time I ever saw the northern lights in all their glory was on an expedition cruise with Adventure Canada that was traveling from Greenland to Arctic Canada. Somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, cruise staff made an announcement over the loudspeakers that the northern lights were active outside. They encouraged passengers to head to the top deck (nearly all of us did!), and they provided binoculars and telescopes for anybody who wanted them.

Even so, look for independent tours that take place earlier in the day to reduce any time-related risk. Cruising in Northern Europe offers a fantastic variety of excursions and experiences, from historical city tours to adrenaline-filled outdoor adventures. British line P&O Cruises operates its relatively new megaship Iona in the fjords region for much of that period, with regular departures from Southampton on a popular 7-day itinerary. Whether you prefer the action-packed ships of Royal Caribbean or MSC, or the smaller ships that can sail along narrower fjords, there will be a Norwegian fjords itinerary for you. If you want to explore modern Scandinavia while gaining access to some of the region’s best museums, such an itinerary is a perfect choice.

However, most Northern Lights cruises visit just Norway, Iceland, and Greenland because those countries have open waterways that aren’t frozen over. As mentioned, the lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m. An advantage in Norway is that it's dark enough to see them for a longer period as you get into the fall and winter. The mesmerising and otherworldly spectacle of the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, has captivated humanity for centuries. While we can’t guarantee you’ll see the Northern Lights on your cruisetour, we can promise you’ll walk away with a deep appreciation for Alaska’s rugged wilderness, flora, fauna, and rich history. Aurora Borealis, as it’s officially known, can only be seen above the magnetic pole of the Northern Hemisphere.

The good news is that, once you’re there, you can see the Northern Lights from almost anywhere in the country – even in the heart of its capital city, Nuuk! This is because Greenland’s population is tiny and scattered across small, remote communities, so it has minimal light pollution. Not many Northern Lights tours go to Greenland but Aurora Expeditions Northern Lights cruises explore using a small expedition ship which makes it easy to visit the prime locations in Greenland to see the Northern Lights. Enrichment is an important component of our expeditions – we hope that you will leave changed and become lifelong ambassadors for the natural world and the wild, important destinations we visit.

Cunard Line and Hurtigruten are among the lines that visit northern Norway in the fall. If you are on a cruise in the Inside Passage before April 21 or after Aug. 21 and are willing to be awake in the middle of the night (the lights tend to appear in Alaska after midnight), there's a chance you'll see the aurora borealis. The ‘auroral zone’ starts in Northern Norway just above the Lofoten Islands and extends up the coast to the North Cape (Nordkapp) and beyond. You will observe the same light display from anywhere in this region, but from a different angle. Some of our favourite places in Northern Norway to witness the Northern Lights include Tromsø, Kirkenes, the Lofoten Islands, Bodø and the North Cape. 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.

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. Our cruises are strategically timed to coincide with periods of high auroral activity. Passengers will embark on comfortable expedition vessels, equipped with expert guides, to explore remote and dark-sky locations.