Small ship cruises are the ultimate gateway to wilderness and dark skies. Aboard our selection of aurora borealis cruises you’ll not only get a chance to cruise for northern lights, but also much more: wildlife viewing, adventure activities and local culture abound on these fully guided expeditions.
The trips listed on this page are focused on northern lights viewing, but note that some of our many other small ship cruises also offer the chance to see them when the timing and conditions are right.
Here we share insights on all the options and how to maximize your chances. Jump to your destination of interest or read on to learn about the range:
- Greenland Northern Lights Cruises
- Iceland Northern Lights Cruises
- Svalbard & Canada Northern Lights
- Alaska Northern Lights Cruises
Why Take a Cruise to See Northern Lights?
Small ships allows access to remote anchorages with dark skies that mirror a midnight-blue sea. The route is flexible to take advantage of clear-sky weather opportunities and other microclimates common to Arctic regions and fjords. And you get a full-package experience with wildlife and off-vessel activities if the skies don’t cooperate.
Another bonus is that ships are mobile and able to reach the northernmost latitudes of the Earth. The aurora borealis typically occurs between 60 and 75 degrees latitude, which covers parts of Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway and Svalbard. But the auroral oval constantly shifts, so small ships can vary their route to take advantage of optimum viewing conditions.
Northern Lights Cruises 2026 – Why Go This Year
The sun is more active following the peak of its current 11-year solar cycle. According to NASA, the current cycle began in 2019 and peaked in July 2025. Surrounding this peak, geomagnetic storms are more likely to occur and be more intense.
After amazing auroras in the northern USA and Canada, there has been a huge spike in interest for cruises to see northern lights. Now is the time to book a 2026 northern lights cruise or plan ahead for a 2027 northern lights cruise.
Best Time to Take a Northern Lights Cruise
The best time to take a northern lights cruise in the northern hemisphere, with the maximum chance to view the aurora, is the fall months of late August, September and October. During this time expedition cruises are operating and night skies are dark enough to maximize aurora viewing.
It is possible to see Arctic northern lights during the spring months of April and May, but there are fewer cruises during this time. Cruises that specialize in aurora viewing all operate in the autumn months. Learn more about Arctic climate for travelers.
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Northern Lights Cruise Ship Experience
Travelers often ask us “what is it like to view the aurora borealis from a cruise ship?” Of course the experience is magical. But it does take some doing. Being prepared will help you make the most of your experience viewing the aurora from a cruise ship.
Since the lights occur after dark, and often late at night, cruises to see the northern lights typically offer a sign-up sheet for travelers who wish to be woken up if/when the lights occur. So have some warm clothes ready when you jump out of bed.
Naturalist guides are on deck ready to identify the direction to look and explain the science and history of the aurora. Many cruises have professional photographers to help you get the perfect shot. There may be presentations after dinner to illuminate more detail.
Some northern lights cruise ships may have indoor observatories with tall windows or skylights designed to view the lights in warmth. Two expedition ships, the National Geographic Resolution and National Geographic Endurance have on-deck “igloos” where guests can spend the night staring into the heavens. Be sure to sign up immediately upon embarkation; advanced reservations are not accepted. A third ship, the Douglas Mawson, has on-deck igloo lounges.
Photographing the northern lights from a cruise ship can be challenging. Long exposures from a moving ship can come out blurry. But with the right equipment and advice from onboard photographers you’ll have images and memories to last a lifetime.
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Greenland Aurora Borealis Cruises
The majority of cruises for northern lights are in Greenland. Here, the aurora borealis can be seen from the end of August to the beginning of April. Aboard Greenland expedition cruises, northern lights themed itineraries usually operate in August, September and October. These routes typically focus their exploration on East Greenland, namely in Scoresby Sund.
If you’re seeking Greenland northern lights, look to several focused trips in this region for your best bets to spot them. A bonus on some: with Reykjavík as an embarkation port, you can explore Iceland pre- or post-cruise for more opportunities.
The later your departure date in the year, the more chance you will have to see the aurora borealis. But you simply never know. AdventureSmith’s specialists witnessed the northern lights (pictured below) during an August North Pole expedition that stopped in Scoresby Sund.
But of course, the northern lights in Greenland can also be seen in many other places like Kangerlussuaq, Disko Bay and Nuuk (all in West Greenland). The top Greenland Northern lights cruises are listed below, but view all our Greenland cruises to see more available itineraries that offer you a chance if timed right.
Iceland Northern Light Cruises
The entire island of Iceland is located in the prime latitude for viewing the aurora borealis. But interestingly, many of our Iceland-only cruises don’t focus on the northern lights. That has a lot to do with the timing of cruises operating here, primarily in the middle-summer months. Instead, look for Iceland Northern lights found primarily on cruise itineraries that also sail north into Greenland.
Your greatest likelihood to spot the northern lights in Iceland is by booking early or late in the cruising season. Cruises here in April, September or October have the best chance for aurora viewing in Iceland. View & filter all Iceland cruises by date.
Polar Bears & Northern Lights – Cruising in Svalbard & Canada
Many travelers have expressed interest in trips that include both the northern lights and polar bears. It is possible to see both aurora borealis and polar bears in one trip to the Arctic, but never guaranteed. For a higher likelihood of this happening we would recommend taking a Svalbard cruise late in the season when there are more hours of darkness.
But the catch is that the Svalbard cruising season primarily occurs in the northern hemisphere’s summer, under the midnight sun, a time when the sun never sets in the Arctic. As such, it is not possible to view the northern lights during this time. Thus, the best time to view the northern lights here is at the end of the summer cruising season in late August and September. View & filter all Svalbard cruises by date.
Arctic Northern Lights Tours
Another great idea to combine both polar bears and the northern lights on an Arctic tour is the Tundra Lodge Adventure on the shores of Canada’s Hudson Bay. This lodge-based basecamp for viewing polar bears is offered later than cruises, into October and November, just when the nights become longer and allow for opportunities to see the aurora borealis as well. Our team can craft custom northern lights tours in Canada and the Arctic. Contact us for a personalized consultation
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Northern Lights Alaska Cruise Options
Because the aurora can be seen as low as 40 degrees latitude and Southeast Alaska is positioned between 55 and 60 degrees, you are well positioned to have see the northern lights from a cruise ship in Alaska. We’ve had many passengers and staff experience the northern lights on an Alaska cruise. Our experts have picked their favorite northern lights Alaska cruises and shared why each shines.
The Best Northern Lights Alaskan Cruises are:
- Prince William Sound Explorer – Southcentral Alaska is a hotspot for northern lights viewing and Prince William Sound offer exceptionally dark night skies. A trip extension to Fairbanks is easily coordinated and increases your chances to see the aurora.
- Northern Passages with Glacier Bay & Sitka – Staying father north in Alaska’s Inside Passage increases the likelihood of aurora. Glacier Bay National Park will shine, even if the northern lights don’t.
- National Geographic Alaska’s Inside Passage – Expert scientists and photographers from National Geographic will explain the science behind the aurora when the lights are seen.
- Alaska Yacht Charters – A custom charter with 4-36 people allows you to choose your dates and itinerary to view the northern lights from an Alaska cruise. Let our experts be your guide to planning the perfect northern lights Alaska cruise.
Best Time to Take an Alaska Northern Lights Cruise
The best time to see the northern lights from a cruise ship in Alaska is March, April, September and October. During this time night skies are dark enough to view the aurora.
For the best Aurora borealis Alaska cruise in Southeast Alaska on an Inside Passage small ship cruise, book your cruise as early or late in the cruising season as possible: typically March or late September or October for the best chances.
In Prince William Sound, look to late August and September departures of the Prince William Sound Discovery cruise that combo time on the ship with a guided group land tour up to Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay). Pre- or post-cruise, you’ll cross into the Arctic Circle, up to the famous “North Slope” region for an even better chance of viewing Alaska northern lights.
Since Alaska small ship cruises are among our top-selling worldwide, our offerings are continually being updated, so be sure to check back for occasional Alaska winter cruise options. Our travelers have enjoyed nights on deck watching for shooting stars and northern lights, with hot tubs on board many of the ships to ramp up the experience. View & filter all Alaska cruises by date.
Read the reviews and testimonials below to see our travelers spotting the northern lights on late-season Alaska cruises.
SEE THE ALASKA NORTHERN LIGHTS
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September & October for your best chance.
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