6 incredible experiences to have chasing the Northern Lights
Discover unforgettable sights and ethereal lights on a Northern Lights cruise the Arctic Circle.
| THIS ARTICLE WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH My Cruises |
Discover unforgettable sights and ethereal lights on a cruise up Norway’s coast into the Arctic Circle.
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, is surely our planet’s most captivating natural light show. For those fortunate enough to glimpse the iridescent wisps of this undisputed must-see spectacle, it plays on repeat in memories for years to come. Travellers can only better the experience by ensuring their journey to the site is just as unforgettable.
One way to do that is by joining the My Cruises Exclusive Northern Lights Discovery cruise. The large-format beauty of the Norwegian coastline unravels from Stavanger to Kristiansund as you travel toward and into the Arctic Circle, taking in dramatic fjords, charming towns and astonishingly beautiful scenery along the way.
What’s more, embarking in October 2025, the Northern Lights are expected to display the most vivid colours in 11 years thanks to solar maximum – it’s a good reason to brush up on your night photography skills before you go. Late-night port stops mean you have an even better chance of catching the magic.
With the cruise beginning and ending in London (which makes ending the 14-night trip with more European exploration a breeze), My Cruises will take you on an exclusive journey onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star.
Book an exclusive journey onboard the Norwegian Star.
Relish inclusive onboard dining and entertainment, as well as the exclusive NCL Free At Sea perks, embellishing your journey with a complimentary onboard beverage package of cocktails, spirits, wine, draft beer, juice and soft drinks, a wi-fi package and a specialty dining package. You’ll also receive a $350 shore excursion credit.
On at-sea days, when exploration takes a backseat, there are decks full of activity to entertain and revive you. Spend hours at the Mandara Spa, fitness centre and Oasis pool, have a hit at the onboard golf driving nets, try your luck at the casino, and visit incredible restaurants, which offer everything from casual fare to elevated dining.
There’s little need to convince adventuring hearts to set sail, but there are still plenty more highlights on the itinerary to stoke further excitement. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss.
1. Hunt the Northern Lights
Illuminating a darkened sky with charged particles from the sun that flash in a neon palette of greens, pinks, purples and dark reds, the Northern Lights play out in full colour across the arena of the Arctic Circle. While the solar cycle is in a period of intense activity at the moment, nature has her own agenda and there’s still a chance you may not see the show. To maximise your chances, the Exclusive Northern Lights Discovery cruise has built late-night port departures into the itinerary in the Arctic cities of Tromso and Alta. It’s a good idea to research your camera settings before you go, so you’ll be ready to capture the magnificence when it happens.
Get the best seats to the Northern Lights.
3. Admire Norway’s autumn colours
As the temperature descends, the vibrancy of Norway’s scenery fires up with autumnal leaves. With soaring cliffs reflected in glass-like waters and crisp light bathing villages in golden hues, this is an astonishingly beautiful season. The city of Haugesund is backdropped by the Folgefonna glacier and Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), making sightseeing on two wheels or two feet a must. Once home to the Viking kings, Haugesund is rife with history and bucolic scenery that offers glimpses into the past.
Enjoy the vibrancy of Norway’s autumnal leaves. (Image: Vlad Orlov)
4. Stroll historic Bergen
Shouldered protectively by seven fjords, Bergen is one of Europe’s oldest port cities; established in the 12th century, history understandably abounds at every turn in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s immediately recognisable by its wooden buildings perched prettily at the water’s edge, all painted in a spectrum of warm colours. Spend your day in this almost 1000-year-old city admiring the old town and visiting the fish markets for incredibly fresh seafood.
Admire the old town of Bergen.
5. Marvel at Hjemmeluft in Alta
The northernmost stop on the cruise itinerary and considered home of the Northern Lights, Alta sits within the Arctic Circle and is breathtakingly vast. Pull on your hiking boots for a day outdoors where nature and culture collide; you’ll want to take in the breath-snatching vistas from northern Europe’s largest canyon, Alta Canyon, but be sure to leave time to peruse the UNESCO-protected rock art of Hjemmeluft. Enjoy a late-night departure to give you the best chance of seeing nature’s best light show either on deck or from Alta’s famous Northern Lights Cathedral.
Viw the light show from Alta’s famous Northern Lights Cathedral. (Image: Sepp Friedhuber)
6. Walk in a fairytale landscape at Geirangerfjord
From silver cascades that thunder down rocky facades to lushly grassed pastures and snow-dusted mountain peaks, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geirangerfjord has a truly fantastical quality as if torn straight out of the pages of a fairytale. At a little more than two hours from the city of Alesund, it’s an exclamation point on the itinerary and will delight everyone from adventurers to romantics.
Wander through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geirangerfjord.
7. Cruise above the Arctic Circle
It’s a singular experience to travel so close to the North Pole. And while it may sound wildly intrepid, the Exclusive Northern Lights Discovery cruise will have you arriving in his beautifully remote part of the world in absolute style. Here, where the air is tinged with ice and the souls are hardy, you’ll have the greatest chance of catching the aurora borealis. You’ll also unearth the invigorating pleasure of being so far north and exploring a landscape of extremes, as well as the bright and colourful cities of the Arctic Circle, Tromso and Alta.
Discover the colourful towns of the Arctic Circle. (Image: Ben Wicks)
The details
Book your Northern Lights Discovery cruise exclusively through My Cruises, with prices starting at $5990 per person. Sailings depart in 2025.
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