Will I need a visa for a cruise holiday to the Northern Lights?

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.

Northern Lights cruise Holidays

Embark on a magical journey to witness the stunning Northern Lights. Experience the Aurora Borealis like never before with breathtaking landscapes, cosy onboard comforts, and the thrill of natures most spectacular light show. The Northern Lights are natural light displays across the Arctic sky, caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the Sun entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

View cruises

Discover Northern Lights cruise holidays

Discover our recommended Northern Lights cruise holidays

Reasons to see the Northern Lights on a Cruise Holiday

1. Experience the Northern Lights

It tops so many travellers’ wish lists: to experience the Northern Lights. Also, known as Aurora Borealis, a mesmerising Nordic light show. These mysterious dancing arcs, ripples and rays of light that cast an eerie glow across the Arctic sky are caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

Vivid and active aurora on a full moon night.

2. Chasing the lights

Seeing the Northern Lights is on many people’s bucket list. But as a natural phenomenon, they can be elusive, and catching sight of the mesmeric Nordic light show in all its glory can be down to luck as much as time of year, location and weather. Although solar activity occurs throughout the year, the light summer months render the northern lights invisible to the eye, so between September and April can be the best time to go.

Northern Lights appear in Alta, the biggest northernmost city of Norway.

3. Northern Lights cruises Shore Experiences

The Northern Lights are one of the most incredible – and elusive – natural wonders on earth. They’re most likely to make an appearance in a remote place at a high latitude in the depths of winter, and Alta's In Search of the Northern Lights shore experience fits that description perfectly.

View Shore Experiences

Our top Northern Lights cruise ports

Explore Northern Lights Shore Experiences

Frequently asked questions about the Northern Lights

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.

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.

Explore the latest on destinations