Northern Lights Cruises
Our range of exciting short breaks, longer cruises and themed winter voyages along the Norway coast and across the Arctic Circle to the land of the Northern Lights, have been designed to experience the best of Arctic Norway in winter.
There is the option to cruise from the UK or fly and start your holiday in Bergen, renowned for its Hanseatic wharf, Kirkenes, close to the Russian border, or the Arctic capital of Tromso.
Cruise Collection
Astronomy Voyage
Special OfferSave up to 25%!
Learn about the night sky and stunning aurora borealis in the company of Astronomy experts on this 11-night voyage along the dramatic Norway coast from Bergen to Kirkenes and return. Includes direct flights from the UK
Bergen and back
The Coastal Express
Special OfferSave up to 25%!
Cruise the entire length of the dramatic Norway coast on this 11-night voyage with regular departures from Bergen to Kirkenes and return, calling at 34 ports. This cruise is available throughout the year, and on selected dates direct charter flights from regional airports are included
Bergen and back
The North Cape Line
Special OfferSave up to 15% on 2025 departures!
Experience this exciting new 13-night winter cruise, along the iconic Norwegian Coast, from Bergen up to Norway’s northernmost point, Honningsvag and back to Oslo, and look out for the aurora borealis
Bergen to Oslo
In Search of the Northern Lights
London Tilbury (UK) , Amsterdam , At Sea , Narvik , Tromso , Alta , At Sea , Bergen , Bergen - UK
Iceland's Land of the Northern Lights
Tilbury (UK) , Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Tórshavn (Faroe Islands) , Reykjavík (Iceland) , Invergordon (UK) , Tilbury, At Sea
Norway's Land of the Northern Lights
Tilbury (UK) , Ålesund (Norway) , Trondheim, Tromsø, Alta, Bodø, Bergen, Tilbury (UK) , At Sea
Winter Voyage North
Bergen (Norway), Alesund, Trondheim, Arctic Circle and Lofoten Islands, Tromsø, Honningsvåg, Kirkenes
Winter Voyage South
Kirkenes, Hammerfest - Tromsø, Vesteralen - Lofoten Islands, Arctic Circle - Seven Sisters, Trondheim, Bergen
Northern Lights Info
The highlight of winter voyages to Norway is the incredible Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.
Departing between October and March, our itineraries offer the best chance to experience the colourful, ghostly swirls of light in the dark sky. Although sightings of the extraordinary Aurora Borealis cannot be guaranteed, there are more occurrences in Arctic Norway than anywhere else in the world!
Ports visited on one of these once-in-a-lifetime voyages include the Art Nouveau town of Alesund, the former Norwegian capital of Trondheim with its impressive 14th-century cathedral, and the beautiful Lofoten Islands, dotted with traditional fishing villages.
Optional excursions are the perfect way to enhance your experience, from a thrilling husky dog sledge ride over frozen landscapes to a special midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral in Tromso. Honningsvag is the starting point for excursions to the dramatic North Cape, while Andalsnes is the gateway to the picturesque Romsdal Alps and winding Troll Path Road.
See the Northern Lights from your ship
The Northern Lights over Svolvaer
Tromso
Trondheim
About the Northern Lights
The extraordinary beauty of the Aurora Borealis, the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights, has mesmerised all who witness them.
‘The Northern Lights are caused when electrically-charged particles spiral down Earth’s magnetic field lines into our upper atmosphere at high speed and cause the rarefied gases there to glow with a green, red or purplish light. They are most commonly seen around the Arctic Circle in the autumn and winter months; hence the need to travel to North Norway at that time of year.’
Dr John Mason MBE, South Downs - Planetarium
For the best chance to see this beautiful light show, experts recommend spending as much time as possible above the Arctic Circle, far away from towns and other sources of artificial light.
From your Hurtigruten ship you will see houses on the shore glowing in the dark, becoming tiny harbours as you call to pick up passengers. The snow-clad mountains reflect the polar twilight, with shades of gold, pink and blue, and also the elusive dancing light of the Aurora Borealis itself.
You can never tell when the Northern Lights will appear and disappear but sailing with Hurtigruten above the Arctic Circle between November and March on our exciting range of Northern Lights voyages gives you a very good chance. Not only that, but if requested, passengers on board can be alerted should the Northern Lights appear at any time of day or night!
Early evening Northern Lights show
See the Northern Lights from your ship
Winter morning coastal view
Svolvaer in winter
Northern Lights approaching Trondheim
Snowmobile Safari
North Cape Excursion
Northern Lights above Tromso
December sunset
Ready for a dog sledge excursion
Customer Reviews
Magellan Cruise From Tilbury
by J.McquarrieMagellan cruise from Tillbury to the Northern Lights My friend and I recently spent two weeks cruising to Norway to see the northern lights and had a fantastic time .
Magellan ship - inside cabin excellent Food - excellent Staff - excellent Entertainment - excellent
Shopping was the only thing my friend thought could have been better. I dont shop so it wasnt a issue for me but she loves shopping.
Excursion excellent As you may have gathered we really enjoyed the holiday We booked through Blue Water and were very impressed with management.
Brilliant Break
by Jim and ChristineIf youre apprehensive about taking a cruise, dont be!
The ship was a great place to be, the atmosphere very informal, our fellow passengers were very friendly and the food was wonderful.
We took the 6 day cruise from Bergen to Kirkenes and booked the followingexcursions: a walking tour of Alusand; the dog sledging; and the North Cape. All well worth it.
Every day was a pleasure. A good breakfast (and lunch), magnificent views from the ship, a visit ashore, 3 course dinner and hunting the lights. The viewing gallery was a great place to be whilst at sea (take a good book too) and we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights.
A Taste Of The Arctic
by C.TibblesWe have just returned from a six day Taste of the Arctic cruise aboard Hurtigrutens MS Finnmarken.
What a superb holiday, it far exceeded our expectations! The Norwegian coastline is a delight and each day we were treated to amazing scenery, viewed alternately through snow storms, then brilliant blue arctic sunlight.
MS Finnmarken is a superb ship, staffed by a brilliant captain and crew. One night the ship glided effortlessly and silently into a dark, narrow fjord and then, above the black outline of steep mountains, the Aurora gave us a wonderful light show. What an experience!
Also worth a mention was our shore excursion to Bodo and Salstraumen. It was excellent, very well organised and informative.
So finally, our thanks to Hurtigruten and Finnmarken and last but not least to staff at Blue Water Holidays for arranging our Arctic Adventure.
Thanks again to all staff at Blue Water Holidays