Northern Lights Cruise Holidays

The Northern Lights, or the aurora borealis, are natural light displays across the Arctic sky, caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the Sun entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Experiencing these beautiful waves of light on a Northern Lights cruise holiday is at the top of many travellers’ wish lists and it’s easy to see why. This atmospheric phenomenon in which undulating waves of green, purple and red lights dance across the sky is truly breathtaking.

There’s a chance of seeing the Northern Lights anywhere within the auroral zone – a 1,500-mile radius of the magnetic north pole. Based right at the heart of this zone is the Norwegian city of Tromsø, which is widely regarded as the world’s best place to see the Northern Lights when the conditions are right. And with stops at this dramatic destination on a Northern Lights holiday with P&O Cruises, you can go in search of the aurora borealis as you sail along the stunning Norwegian coastline. 

Known as the aurora season, the best time for taking a cruise holiday to see the Northern Lights is between September and April. This is when the nights are at their longest in the auroral zone. However, the equinox months of September and March are the peak months for catching the aurora borealis as the magnetic fields of the Earth and the Sun’s solar wind are in sync then. And, luckily for you, we have a number of Northern Lights cruise holidays during these months to maximise your chances of spotting this mesmerising light show in all its glory. 

Unlike much of central Europe, where you can travel through many countries and only have to use the euro as currency, the Scandinavian countries within the Northern Lights region use their own version of the krone. Norway uses the Norwegian krone. If you’re travelling on a cruise holiday to see the Northern Lights in Norway, be sure to bring enough krone for the amount of time you’ll be there.

Ideally, the best conditions to see the Northern Lights are when the sky is dark and clear of any clouds. But even if it is cloudy, the wind can change at any moment and let the rays of the aurora shine through. In fact, when this happens, you might be treated to a unique Northern Lights spectacle that only happens on cloudy nights. 

You might be surprised to learn that the Northern Lights are happening all the time – yes, even right now. But, of course, that doesn’t mean you can see them all year long. While this phenomenon happens constantly, they’re only really visible mostly between September and April in the best places to see the Northern Lights. And this is especially true in the Nordic region when the nights are at their longest. 

The main thing you need to consider when you pack for your Northern Lights holiday is, of course, the weather. It’ll probably come as no surprise to learn that Norway can be quite chilly in the winter months when the Northern Lights are at their peak. To make sure you’re protected from the elements, pack lots of warm layers such as fleece jackets and woolly jumpers, which will shield you from the crisp and frosty temperatures. And don't forget to bring along gloves, hats, scarves and thermal socks so you can stay warm as you search for the Northern Lights under Norway’s dark skies.

We think the best Northern Lights cruises offer so much more than an exciting search for the magical aurora borealis. That’s why, on a P&O Cruises Northern Lights holiday, you’ll have the chance to explore a host of breathtaking destinations, dive into adventures ashore and soak up a huge range of entertainment, dining and relaxation on board. One moment you might find yourself kayaking on a glistening fjord or gazing up at a thundering waterfall, and the next you could be watching a spectacular stage show or sinking into a soothing spa treatment.

If you have a UK passport, you don’t need a visa to go on a cruise to see the Northern Lights in Norway (or anywhere else in Scandinavia). But please remember you must have a passport that’s valid for at least three months longer than the date you plan to leave this region.

During the aurora season (September to April) our cruises travel along Norway’s dramatic coastline to the fringes of the Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights. You’ll stop at the stunning location of Åndalsnes and the scenic Romsdalsfjord, where you’ll be greeted by deep blue fjords, crashing waterfalls and towering mountains before making your way to Norway’s most northerly city of Tromsø to catch the aurora borealis. As you return, you’ll stop at Alta, home to northern Europe’s largest canyon, and Haugesund, where you can walk in the footsteps of Vikings at the reconstructed 10th-century village on a tranquil forested island that was once the first royal seat of Norway.