Guide to Northern Lights cruises from the UK + top adult-only deals

Northern Lights cruise holidays get you closer to a light show as you’ve never seen before – and the good news is, you don’t need to break the bank.

Ambassador Cruise Line offers amazing northern lights cruises to both Norway and Iceland in search of this colourful, magical display – and there are some amazing deals on offer to help the price light too.

Ambassador’s no-fly northern lights cruises from the UK stop at highlights of the Norwegian fjords en route to the aurora borealis on Norway cruise itineraries. Ports of call include such gems as Alesund (the gateway to Geirangerfjord, one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world), Trondheim (the former Viking capital), Tromsø (the perfect place for an Arctic adventure) and Bergen (the gateway to Sognefjord, the country’s longest and deepest fjord).

Meanwhile, Iceland cruises for the northern lights stop at the Orkney Isles as well as Torshavn (the capital city of the Faroe Islands) and Icelandic capital Reykjavik.

Intrigued by the incredible savings on offer for Ambassador northern lights cruises from the UK? We’ve rounded up some of the very best northern lights cruise deals you can nab in 2024 and 2025. Remember, these adult-only cruise fares include all food, accommodation and entertainment to ensure your getaway is also, as the youth say, lit.

We’ve also taken a deep dive into everything you need to know about viewing the celestial ballet, from when to see them to what to pack.

What are the Northern Lights?

The northern lights are created by the collision of electrically charged particles from the sun entering the earth’s atmosphere and transferring their energy to light.

These magnetic fields converge around the polar regions hence the phenomenon in the north taking place in the Arctic, usually between 60 and 75 degrees of latitude (there’s a southern equivalent too!)

The heavenly bonanza is also known as the aurora borealis which means light of dawn and was allegedly coined by Galileo Galilei, the father of modern science, in 1623.

That said, the lights actually only show at night when the sky is dark (and preferably clear), showcasing hues of green and blue, and occasionally pink and violet.

– READ MORE: We went eco-cruising in Arctic Norway – this is what happened –

Can I see the Northern Lights on a cruise?

Yes, Northern Lights cruises whisk travellers in comfort to some of the best spots to see the colourful spectacle.

Ambassador’s Iceland cruise for the northern lights stops at Reykjavik (after calls at the Faroe Islands and Orkney Islands en route). Did you know, the Icelandic city is one of just two capitals in the world where you can witness the aurora borealis thanks to its location at a latitude of approximately 64 degrees north?

There are a plethora of excursions away from Reykjavik (above) and the city’s lights to ensure holidaymakers get their aurora fix (although remember they are never guaranteed – nature is not a reliable beast!).

On the Ambassador Norway Northern Lights cruise from the UK, passengers call at Tromsø, one of the best places to see the vibrant show due to its position 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

Another stop on the Norwegian itinerary is Alta which has been nicknamed the “town of the Northern Lights”. Indeed the world’s first permanent Northern Lights observatory was opened in 1899 here.

What month is best to see the Northern Lights?

Any trip to see the northern lights will involve a fair bit of standing in the cold, we’ll warn you now. The aurora is a winter’s marvel when the Arctic sky is at its darkest.

The months the northern lights are most visible are March and September as there is greater aurora activity around the equinoxes (the two times a year when daylight and nighttime hours are of equal length).

Consequently, savvy Ambassador Cruise Line offers its northern lights cruises 2023 during the spring (or vernal) equinox, departing in early March.

Your best bet to see the lights is during your overnight stay in Alta. You definitely won’t get an early night, though, the top sightings often occur between 11pm and midnight although the strongest lights can appear from 9pm.

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Do Northern Lights happen every night?

No, the northern lights do not occur nightly and can never be guaranteed but being at the right place at the right time will increase your chances of witnessing the phenomenon.

Forecasts are available to help guide you, with The Kp Index generally considered the most accurate. Aurora forecasts are issued for a three-day period and are constantly updated.

So, how long can you expect the show to last? When they do appear, the northern lights may only show for a few minutes – although they may return shortly afterwards.

At best you can settle in for a display lasting a couple of hours or longer (you’d have to be very lucky!) but a good display is often between 15 and 30 minutes.

Can you see the Northern Lights on a cruise to Norway?

Northern Norway is one of the best places to take in the aurora borealis along with Iceland and the northern parts of Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada and Alaska as well as southern Greenland.

It’s not just the light spectacle you can enjoy in this neck of the woods, though. Skiing, winter fishing and dog sledding (above) are all fun activities available in Norway. Or why not join a whale or wildlife safari or experience the local Sami culture?

Hiking is an ideal pastime in Norway. When in Alta, Ambassador Cruise Line recommends checking out the Sautso-Alta canyon – Northern Europe’s largest canyon. It’s a beautiful spot and affords brilliant views of the Alta River. You’re bound to see some reindeer along the route too!

For some culture, there’s the UNESCO-listed Alta Museum (Northern Europe’s largest and richest rock carving site) and the modern Northern Lights Cathedral ((above) one of the architectural icons of the north – it’s at its best during the winter when the northern lights gleam behind it).

Over in Tromsø, don’t miss the Fjellheisen Cable Car up Mount Storsteinen – the views are breathtaking. You can also try your hand at reindeer sledding!

– READ MORE: This is what went down when we cruised to Norway –

Where to see the Northern Lights with Ambassador

Alta in Norway has been dubbed the “town of the Northern Lights” and nature’s colourful display here even inspired Alta’s modern architectural landmark, the Northern Lights Cathedral. What’s more, the world’s first permanent northern lights observatory was built in Alta in the 1800s! As for activities, give dog sledding or snowmobiling a go!

Tromsø is one of the best places to see the northern lights however; the town is almost 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Yup, better pack a few jumpers.

Traditional winter activities in Tromsø include dog and reindeer sledding (and, if you feel particularly bold, reindeer steak eating) while riding the Fjellheisen Cable Car up Mount Storsteinen affords breathtaking views. Simply cruising the fjords and enjoying the scenery from the comfort of your ship is also a well worthwhile experience, too (and can be done with a drink in hand!).

Leknes, in the Lofoten Islands, is also north of the Arctic Circle. In fact, it’s located just beneath the auroral oval, a belt of light that encircles the geomagnetic poles, making it one of the best places in the world to see the display.

Away from the lights, biking is a fab way to get around Leknes and if you fancy some culture, call at the Sund Museum where you can learn about local life and see blacksmiths at work. Sea kayaking, mountaineering and surfing are popular adventure activities in the area. Fun fact: the world’s largest deep coral reef can be found off nearby Røst.

If you fancy branching out, the wider Lofoten archipelago is home to Viking ancestry, majestic landscapes, soaring mountains and beautiful white-sand beaches. Indeed these remote shores are some of the best places to see the aurora borealis!

Another popular port of call on Norway northern lights cruises is Bodø, situated between the Arctic Circle and the Lofoten Islands. The town was established in 1816 but the first settlers came as early as almost 10,000 years ago, drawn in by the surprisingly abundant supplies of fish and seabirds at the Saltenfjord. Bodø’s position just above the Arctic Circle makes it a great place to spot the northern lights, too, although always remember patience is key!

Incredibly, Reykjavik is the only capital city besides Nuuk in Greenland where you can see the stunning light display. The aurora is usually visible above a latitude of 60 degrees north and Iceland sits at a latitude of approximately 64 degrees north – perfect!

Escaping out of the city on an excursion is still the best way to view the northern lights as getting away from the city glare will help you enjoy the show to its fullest. They can occur at any time so keep an eye out no matter what the time of day!

– READ MORE: 5 weird bucket-list experiences to try in Iceland –

Many folk might well forget about the Faroe Islands when it comes to the aurora borealis, but when the sky is clear and the temperatures around or below freezing, you can indeed spot the Norðlýsi (as the lights are called in Faroese) here as the archipelago is located on 62° N on the south edge of the Arctic Circle.

Tórshavn is also an appealing Nordic city in itself – it’s named after Thor, the hammer-wielding god of thunder (not just a Marvel character!). It boasts gloriously colourful houses, with some buildings dating back to the 16th century complete with turfed roofs, making the buzzing old town charming to wander around.

As for northern lights viewing on the Orkney islands, the archipelago is one of the best places in the UK to spot them thanks to unobstructed views and low levels of light pollution. Fun fact: in Orkney, the northern lights are known as the merry dancers!

The bustling town of Kirkwall also has Viking origins, with the name coming from the Norse ‘Kirkjuvagr’, meaning ‘Church on the bay’. St Magnus Cathedral is magnificent, the harbour is delightful and there are a plethora of restaurants, bars and cafes.

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What should I pack for a Northern Lights cruise?

For Northern Lights cruises, you’ll want all your usual cruising garb as well as key warm clothing and layers, lots of layers.

In March, the average daily Tromsø temperature is -2.8°C – and that’s without factoring in the wind chill factor which will lower this figure even further!

Here’s our guide for what to pack:

• Gloves (a thin pair of gloves and a thick pair of mittens best)
• Boots (proper winter boots if you plan to be outside for extended periods but otherwise standard hiking boots will suffice)
• Socks (make sure they’re wool not cotton and do pack a spare pair in your day bag)
• Jacket (invest in a well-insulated, windproof one, ideally waterproof if conditions are set to be wet)
• Outdoor trousers (insulated trousers or salopettes are good for cold and windy conditions – ski trousers will do the job well)
• Tops (opt for wool, silk or synthetic polypropylene items, not cotton, next to your skin plus two or three additional layers made of fleece or wool – Merino wool is the crème de la crème)
• Headwear (wool or fleece hat plus balaclava or equivalent recommended)
• Swimwear (in Iceland you’ll find amazing geothermal pools and spring baths!)
• Sun protection (polarised sunglasses plus SPF 50 sun cream sensible as the sun’s rays are very strong in winter and reflect off the snow potentially harming your eyes and skin)
• Lip balm (the northern air is very dry!)
• Camera equipment (a tripod and self-timer will help for stability when capturing the northern lights and waterproof cases will help protect your gear)

Ambassador Northern Lights cruises 2024