What Are the Best Luxury Cruises to See the Northern Lights?

It’s no secret that the most popular cruises in and around the Arctic Circle take place during the summer months. The waters are at their calmest, long days provide added time for excursions, and if you’re lucky, you might even be able to do a spot of sunbathing. 

However, when most people travel so far North, they want to see something else: the Northern Lights. And this can be a problem, because you can only see the Northern Lights during the Arctic Winter, and many popular luxury cruise lines do not sail during this time. 

But don’t be disheartened. There are a few lines, primarily expedition lines and those whom specialise in the region, who do sail in the Arctic during winter. Most importantly, they even offer full Northern Lights itineraries. 

Why You Can’t See the Northern Lights in Summer

The Northern Lights are visible only in dark, clear winter skies. In this part of the world, dark, clear skies don’t really exist in Summer. Instead, they experience 24-hour sunlight, which is its own marvel worth witnessing. 

Many large luxury ships do not operate during this period in Arctic waters, either due to ship restrictions or lack of demand. Cruisers on lines like Cunard, P&O, Celebrity or Oceania may visit Norway in autumn or spring, but winter sailings are rare. Those that do exist tend to be premium or expedition small ships rather than classic ultra‑luxury.

1. Hurtigruten – The O.G. in Norwegian Cruising

For over a century, Hurtigruten has been sailing the Norwegian coastline, delighting guests with jaw-dropping fjords, quaint villages, and dramatic mountainscapes. The famed Coastal Express route takes passengers along the country’s coastline in just 12 days, docking late in places like Tromsø, Alta, Svolvær and Lofoten all regions directly under the auroral zone.

Hurtigruten’s Northern Lights Promise guarantees a free repeat voyage if you sail 11+ days between October and March and don’t see the aurora from the ship.

You'll hear announcements when the lights appear, even during the night, so you can go on deck in time.

This line is not ultra‑luxury but offers solid comfort and expedition style. If you’re looking for phenomenal value and a near-guarantee of sighting the Northern Lights, you can’t go wrong with Hurtigruten. 

2. Viking Cruises – “In Search of the Northern Lights” 

One of the great things about Viking Cruises is that you don’t even need to board a plane in order to witness the magic of the Northern Lights. Some itineraries run from London and sail to Bergen via Narvik, Tromsø and Alta. The itinerary runs January through March, when long dark nights boost aurora likelihood.

Viking’s ships carry fewer than 930 guests and offer serene, Scandi‑inspired design. Every stateroom has a veranda so you don’t even need to leave your room in order to witness this marvellous natural wonder. 

If the lights appear, announcements and warm drinks are offered on deck to keep guests warm during the viewing.

3. Quark Expeditions – “Under the Northern Lights”

Now that we’ve covered Norway, let’s look west to Iceland, where Quark Expeditions promises to circumnavigate the Icelandic land mass whilst also crossing into the Arctic Circle. Sailings take place from late September to October and touch upon Eastern Greenland as well as Iceland’s dramatic Westfjords. 

These voyages run on small ships (less than 200 guests) and combine wildlife, expedition activities and aurora chasing under clear skies.

4. Ponant – Le Commandant Charcot, The Only Icebreaker In Luxury Cruising 

Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot is a Polar Class 2 icebreaker capable of extreme Arctic polar expeditions, including crossing the North Pole. Even if these ships above are being tested to their limits in wintery Polar conditions, Le Commandant Charcot never gets out of second gear. 

It sails robust polar itineraries year‑round. Whilst the Aurora Borealis are not necessarily the focus of Ponant itineraries, you will be able to see them on winter sailings along the Norwegian coastline.
 

Alternative: Southern Lights (Aurora Australis)

If Northern Lights cruises are limited by season, consider Southern Lights opportunities in Antarctica or near Tasmania. Luxury expedition lines like Silversea or Seabourn occasionally visit Southern latitudes in April and October. Though sightings are rarer, Antarctic voyages offer spectacular landscapes and wildlife alongside potential aurora viewing at night near Antarctic waters. These voyages require careful timing and expectations.