There are few natural phenomena as awe-inspiring — or elusive — as the northern lights, a cosmic circus that sees a cavalcade of colors pirouette across the night sky each winter.
But for those keen on seeing the undulating ribbons of emerald, fuchsia and violet light known as the aurora borealis, the next few years will be stellar.
We’re currently in the midst of the solar maximum, the peak of an 11-year solar cycle when the sun's activity is at its highest. This, in turn, results in more frequent and vivid displays of the skyward show in the earth’s polar regions.
One unique (and practical) way to see the northern lights is on a cruise. The vessels can get to sparsely populated areas of coastal Norway, Iceland and Greenland, where the swirling opus doesn’t need to compete with light pollution and can dodge cloud cover in search of clear skies. Better yet, several cruise companies offer sailings specifically aimed at northern lights chasing (and some even have money-back guarantees in the unlikely event guests don't catch a solar show).
Here are some of the best cruise itineraries that offer travelers a front-row seat to one of nature’s most mesmerizing spectacles.
Hurtigruten’s MS Richard in Norway
Credit: 2025 HurtigrutenHurtigruten
Hurtigruten is so sure its guests will see Mother Nature’s kaleidoscopic display while on one of its cold-weather Coastal Express or North Cape Cruise sailings, it offers a "Northern Lights Promise.”
For any trip that is at least 11 days long, between Sept. 20 and March 31, where the lights don’t make an appearance at least once, cruisers will be invited to do another six-day southbound or seven-day northbound Coastal Express voyage, free of charge. Along the way, guests can get off the ship in any of the 34 ports between Bergen and Tromso to explore (perhaps via snowshoe, snowmobile or dog sled) the local communities. On the ship, sailors can participate in lectures with Hurtigruten’s Chief Aurora Chaser and toast successful sightings with Hurtigruten’s sea-aged sparkling wine, Havets Bobler.
Havila Voyages
Though this Norwegian coast-hugging cruise company has only been around since 2022, it’s already making waves for its after-dark adventures. Like Hurtigruten, Havila also offers a “Northern Lights Promise" on its 12-day Round Voyages (from Bergen to Kirkenes and back), taking place between Oct. 1 and March 31. By day, travelers can watch the coastal scenery from the deck, take advantage of shore excursions to Nordic towns and fjords, and immerse themselves in local culture through onboard activities and cuisine.
Aurora Expeditions
Given the company’s name, it should come as no surprise seeing the undulating ribbons of luminescence that is the aurora borealis is top of the agenda for this cruise brand during the winter. Unlike the ferry lines, which have set schedules they need to adhere to, Aurora Expeditions takes a more adventurous approach to aurora hunting.
This company blends the search for the Northern Lights with immersive daytime experiences such as Zodiac cruising through icy fjords and hiking in remote Arctic landscapes. Its small expedition vessels create an up-close connection to the environment, with expert guides and photographers on hand to ensure guests capture every moment, auroras included. Bonus: the 18-day Northern Lights Explorer itinerary visits Greenland, Iceland and Norway.
Viking
Though Viking’s aurora-hunting season is shorter (it only sails in search of the natural phenomena from January to March), it’s the obvious choice for travelers looking for a marriage of luxury and dazzling astronomical occurrences. Its 13-day "In Search of the Northern Lights" voyages typically depart from London and traverse Norway’s long, fjord-filled coastline to Alta, near the Russian border, before heading back to Bergen, Norway.
Each day, travelers can experience the snow-covered landscape by themselves or on group tours. And once they get back on the ship, there are a slew of onboard enrichment programs ranging from astronomy lectures to Nordic cooking demonstrations.
Quark Expeditions
Specializing in polar expeditions, Quark Expeditions combines aurora hunting with unparalleled access to the remote Arctic wilderness. On its 14-day Under the Northern Lights sailing, small, ice-strengthened ships ping-pong between rarely visited areas of Greenland and Iceland, offering guests opportunities to witness the aurora borealis far from any artificial light pollution.
Onboard, cruisers will find an informal yet comfortable atmosphere, while off-ship excursions such as Zodiac cruising, glacier hikes and snowshoeing allow for immersive Arctic exploration. Quark’s focus on adventure, education and sustainability makes it a standout option for those who want to experience the northern lights in the raw, untamed beauty of the polar regions.
