northern lights viking cruise reviews

Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea

Witnessing the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky might cause you to gasp because it's actually that cool. The colorful ribbons of green look like something from outer space — and they are. Auroras appear when charged particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.

Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket-list experience for many travelers. Cruise ships can take you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved.

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Remember that seeing this phenomenon doesn't involve a cruise director flipping on a switch. Witnessing the northern lights requires clear and dark skies, late-night viewing hours, enough solar activity for the colors to appear and a big dose of luck. Keep that in mind before you invest all your cruise vacation hopes in this one experience.

Where can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland.

Just off the auroral ring is the rest of Alaska. If you are on a cruise in the Inside Passage before April 21 or after Aug. 21 and are willing to be awake in the middle of the night (the lights tend to appear in Alaska after midnight), there's a chance you'll see the aurora borealis.

Cruise lines operating in Alaska — including Holland America , Princess Cruises and UnCruise Adventures — have northern lights sign-up sheets so you don't have to stay up all night, every night, hoping to see the display. Put your name on the list, and you'll receive a wake-up call or knock on your cabin door if there's aurora action. Plan to put on your clothes or bathrobe quickly, as the lights might only appear for a few minutes. (They could also last considerably longer.)

Related: Peak solar activity is forecast for 2024: Here are the best places around the world to see the northern lights

If you're interested in where to see the northern lights outside Alaska, the Arctic city of Alta, Norway, calls itself "The City of Northern Lights."

Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899. A whole industry has sprung up around the lights, including such extravagant shore excursions as an overnight in a tent with viewing windows at a Sami dog-sledding camp. Alta is also home to the Northern Lights Cathedral, an architectural landmark.

Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres.

Cunard Line and Hurtigruten are among the lines that visit northern Norway in the fall. However, the peak viewing season is from November to March (see below). Viking also visits but in the winter.

Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada appear on many expedition ships' itineraries during northern lights season, mostly early in the season in August and September. Lines with ships there include Quark Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions.

When can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

Because of the late-setting and early rising midnight sun, it's way too light during the summer to see the northern lights in the destinations mentioned, but solar activity does take place year-round.

If you have a goal of seeing the aurora borealis in any of the destinations discussed here, you're best off booking as far into the fall as you can find a cruise. Norway is the only prime northern lights destination with winter cruises.

The lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. — in Alaska. An advantage in Norway is that it's dark enough to see them for a longer period during fall and winter.

Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?

Cruisetours in Alaska can improve your odds of seeing the aurora because they get you to Fairbanks and other inland destinations in Alaska that tend to have more cloud-free skies than in the Inside Passage, where cruise ships sail.

While you might see the lights from Denali National Park and Preserve during the viewing season, venturing to Fairbanks and points farther north will increase your odds.

Fairbanks tourism folks like to brag that if you visit for at least three nights between Aug. 21 and April 21, your chances of seeing the aurora borealis are more than 90%. (That assumes you are out actively looking during the late evening hours.)

Since your cruisetour might not visit for three nights, consider booking extra hotel nights before or after your cruise. Other things to do in this laid-back city (human population: about 100,000; moose population: 16,000) include riverboat tours, gold panning and yoga with reindeer.

You can also see the lights in Canada's Yukon Territory, including in the gold rush town of Dawson City, which is visited on some Holland America cruisetours.

Related: What's the best way to view the northern lights? We tried to see them by air, land and sea

Should I go on a cruise just to see the northern lights?

Yes, but remember that the phenomenon is dependent on the weather (clear skies required) and hard to predict, despite scientists' best efforts.

Viking has wintertime cruises to Norway from London specifically designed to track the lights in the Norwegian Sea during the peak viewing season — throughout the cruise but especially above the Arctic Circle in Tromso and Alta (where the sailings stop overnight). It's dark in these locales in winter, increasing your chances.

Hurtigruten is so invested in its northern lights experiences that it has hired famed northern lights astronomer Tom Kerss as its "chief aurora chaser." He will serve as an onboard expert, offering talks and workshops for passengers.

The line is so sure you will see the lights on the October-through-March sailings of its year-round 11- and 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express itineraries that the company has a guarantee called the Northern Lights Promise. If the deck's officers don't announce to all on board that the northern lights are happening, you can get a six- or seven-day Norwegian Coastal cruise for free.

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• Viking Ocean

Search for the Northern Lights on the Viking Venus Review with Lots of Photos and Menus

By MVPinBoynton , March 4, 2023 in Viking Ocean

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MVPinBoynton

I have just posted a review to my website with lots of photos of a recently completed Search for the Northern Lights on the Viking Venus.  I also have the menus from the restaurants, spa and lounges.

The review is located on my website, which is linked to in my signature.  You can also just Google “Mike and Carol’s Cruise Reviews” to find a link to it.  I hope it is helpful for those of you that are planning to go on a Viking cruise or to see the Northern Lights.  If you are fortunate enough to have been on a Northern Lights cruise, I hope that it brings back some fond memories.

Below are photos of the Igloo Hotel in Alta Norway and the gorgeous terrain in Norway’s inside passage. 

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WOW! What a great review! And what an amazing website. There must be close to 50 or 60 cruise reviews on here with amazing photos. Can't wait to check them all out. Thanks for this. Sorry about your weather problems.

Excellent site! A few questions. How was the included wine? Do the have Sommeliers?   

i seeRack of  Lamb only in the specialty restaurant , right?

How was the Lobster? Can you order two entrees? Looks like the night of the Lobster is also Prime Rib.

 Whats the best entree on the cruise and what would you avoid?

is Manfredis worth it or would you stay in the dining room?

1 minute ago, oskidunker said: Excellent site! A few questions. How was the included wine? Do the have Sommeliers?    i seeRack of  Lamb only in the specialty restaurant , right?   How was the Lobster? Can you order two entrees? Looks like the night of the Lobster is also Prime Rib.    Whats the best entree on the cruise and what would you avoid?   is Manfredis worth it or would you stay in the dining room?

We had the Silver Spirits package. We had the included wine at times and it was good.   

Lobster was supposed to be farewell show.  Cathy liked her lobster.  I didn’t see anyone getting 2, but They assume you could if you asked.   

Since Manfredi’s is no extra cost, it’s worth going to. 

I noticed you did not mention the Planaterium. Did you go?

Thanks so much for posting here and alerting us to your fabulous review and website.  I just spent the loveliest hour reading through your Northern Lights review and looking at all those amazing pictures.

23 minutes ago, oskidunker said: I noticed you did not mention the Planaterium. Did you go?

We went to the show in the planetarium in Tromso.  That is all we did there. I was only able to put a photo of the room. 

Myrtle Ave. Mayhem

Lovely review & pictures! A Norway cruise is on the bucket list! I agree that the lack of variety of breads, cookies, & World Cafe menu is disappointing. 

• 2 months later...

When Northern Lights were visible, did the ship turn off any outdoor lighting to provide dark viewing areas?

41 minutes ago, toolworker said: When Northern Lights were visible, did the ship turn off any outdoor lighting to provide dark viewing areas?

They didn’t, but the lights kept people from tripping ver things and didn’t seem to affect the viewing. 

Thank you for the great review with so much useful info.

My sister and I are booked for Feb 2024 on this itinerary.  Was the mail pool heated so that passengers could swim in it?

9 minutes ago, LAKaye said: Thank you for the great review with so much useful info. My sister and I are booked for Feb 2024 on this itinerary.  Was the mail pool heated so that passengers could swim in it? Thank you~ LA

I’m sorry, I never checked out the water. I did see some people swimming. With the pool totally enclosed, the temp was fine to swim. 

Thank you very much---we will bring swimsuits!

Meander Ingwa

@LAKaye dont forget the sauna and spa pool.  I intend to use extensively.  I assume suits in the sauna rather than towels / nude

• 2 weeks later...

Thank you for the very very complete overview.  We are taking the same cruise in January-February 2024.  May I pose a few photography-related questions:

• My longest lens (Sony) is a 70-300 zoom.  I saw that you have two zooms - did you feel that you needed the extra reach of the 400, or was the shorter zoom sufficient when shooting the shoreline from the ship?
• During the shoulder hours of the morning and during the setting sun, what aperture did you frequently use and if you needed to boost the ISO, what level did you find acceptable?
• Did you bring a tripod, and if so, did you have much reason to use it (and when?).
• How did you keep your lenses from fogging up when you moved indoors (did you keep your gear in an enclosed bag until it warmed up?
• How about battery life?  

Apologies for the lengthy list of questions, but I enjoyed your photos and am looking for some helpful advice for our cruise.

1 hour ago, Shaporama said: Thank you for the very very complete overview.  We are taking the same cruise in January-February 2024.  May I pose a few photography-related questions: My longest lens (Sony) is a 70-300 zoom.  I saw that you have two zooms - did you feel that you needed the extra reach of the 400, or was the shorter zoom sufficient when shooting the shoreline from the ship? During the shoulder hours of the morning and during the setting sun, what aperture did you frequently use and if you needed to boost the ISO, what level did you find acceptable? Did you bring a tripod, and if so, did you have much reason to use it (and when?). How did you keep your lenses from fogging up when you moved indoors (did you keep your gear in an enclosed bag until it warmed up? How about battery life?   Apologies for the lengthy list of questions, but I enjoyed your photos and am looking for some helpful advice for our cruise.

I’m glad you enjoyed the review.  Get ready for an amazing adventure.  For my Canon R7, I only brought 18-150 lens, which is a 240 mm equivalent. I normally just use P mode and didn’t need to adjust the ISO or expose comp.   

I don’t use a tripod when traveling and it wasn’t necessary.   

Over half of my photos were taken with my iPhone.  It’s HDR I makes a huge difference in many situations, as well as it’s low light performance.  It even worked much better for aurora photos.   

I didn’t have much of an issue with fogging.  I was kind of surprised it didn’t affect the iPhone at all.  I kept my R7 in a shoulder bag when I wasn’t using it outside.  The batteries held up great. 

Enjoy your cruise. 

BlairsvilleCruiseGirl

On 3/4/2023 at 11:41 AM, oskidunker said: Excellent site! A few questions. How was the included wine? Do the have Sommeliers?    i seeRack of  Lamb only in the specialty restaurant , right?   How was the Lobster? Can you order two entrees? Looks like the night of the Lobster is also Prime Rib.    Whats the best entree on the cruise and what would you avoid?   is Manfredis worth it or would you stay in the dining room?

Just got off the Viking Sea/Empires of the Med and towards the end of the cruise, the Restaurant had Lobster Thermador and Prime Rib on the menu.  However, the World Cafe had Lobster Vol au Vent on their menu, but ended up also grilling lobster tails and filet mignon al fresco (of course, they would do it inside if it was bad weather).  So be sure to check the Daily for both restaurants and maybe ask the chef in the World Cafe if they're going to be doing lobster tails too.  No limit - we saw one man get 4 tails!

I've just been reading through your fantastic review of the Northern Lights trip on your website. I thoroughly enjoyed it and almost feel like I was right there with you. I was particularly impressed with the wide-angle interiors of the ship and your photographs of the entertainment are outstanding. I would be interested to know what equipment you're using?

I don't know how often you update your website, but would like to suggest a small correction that you might like to make at some point? Folks reading your review of the Chef's table might be worried that they would not get the wine pairing unless they had purchased the beverage package. As you probably know that is not really the case and everyone gets a wine pairing, it is just upgraded for those with the package.

I hope you forgive me for that small criticism of what is otherwise a really excellent review of your trip - I will now be happily working my way through the rest of your website  😁

Thanks very much for providing the menus and beverage menu.  Just what we had been looking for!

Ray and Ann

3 hours ago, photopro2 said: I've just been reading through your fantastic review of the Northern Lights trip on your website. I thoroughly enjoyed it and almost feel like I was right there with you. I was particularly impressed with the wide-angle interiors of the ship and your photographs of the entertainment are outstanding. I would be interested to know what equipment you're using?   I don't know how often you update your website, but would like to suggest a small correction that you might like to make at some point? Folks reading your review of the Chef's table might be worried that they would not get the wine pairing unless they had purchased the beverage package. As you probably know that is not really the case and everyone gets a wine pairing, it is just upgraded for those with the package.   I hope you forgive me for that small criticism of what is otherwise a really excellent review of your trip - I will now be happily working my way through the rest of your website  😁

Thank you so much for your lovely comments.  I also appreciate knowing where I need to make a correction.  I’m currently in Switzerland and won’t be able to fix it until after I get home in 3 weeks.   

My camera equipment is listed at the bottom of every age of the review. 

40 minutes ago, MVPinBoynton said: My camera equipment is listed at the bottom of every age of the review. 

How did I miss that!!!! My only excuse is that I was reading on my phone, so the pages were a bit small  🔍 😉

I must say you are making very good use of those lenses, I've always been a Canon fan.

Of course, no hurry for the correction, enjoy your time in the land of chocolate and cheese  😁

Thank you for your review. We're taking this cruise in Feb., hoping for Northern Lts sightings since we missed them during our 10-day trip to Iceland last September. This is our first Ocean cruise with Viking, so I also appreciated the dining options information.

10 hours ago, LostFan#1 said: Thank you for your review. We're taking this cruise in Feb., hoping for Northern Lts sightings since we missed them during our 10-day trip to Iceland last September. This is our first Ocean cruise with Viking, so I also appreciated the dining options information.

Best of luck on your cruise with the lights.  Viking does a great job on their ocean ships. Enjoy!

Thank you, MV! We just finished an amazing Egypt river cruise with Viking and are excited to experience Viking Ocean. 

42 minutes ago, LostFan#1 said: Thank you, MV! We just finished an amazing Egypt river cruise with Viking and are excited to experience Viking Ocean. 

We are doing a Viking Egypt in Jan 2025 on the Osiris. It should be amazing.  

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Viking Sky - "the experience" Northern... - Viking Line Cruises

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I did the South America cruise that went from Buenos Aires to Santiago on the Viking Juniper. It... read more

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Viking Sky - "the experience" Northern Lights trip

Yes, I was in the infamous cruise that had problem in the coast of Norway. That's an experience apart from the rest of the trip, I will only say that the crew was extremely helpful and well trained, and that we had the captain leading the emergency procedures and taking decisions all the time. I never felt we were "lost". The good part of the travel: state of the art ship, roomy cabin and bathroom, high quality food and drinks, plenty of excursion when inland, educational and informational speeches while aboard, superb organization and management. What else? I am going again (this time with no helicopter rescue ride!)

I travelled from Stockholm Sweden to Helsinki Finland in Mariella ship of Viking line. Journey took 16 hours. Five star ship with all facilities. Over 800 cabins with attached bathrooms. Food was very tasty.

We took the overnight ferry to Stockholm on the Grace boat and returned to Turku on the Amorella. Just a great way to travel, as smooth as on the archipelago and you wake up in a different country! We were able to walk to the port from our accommodation, but we did note that the train from Helsinki meets the boat, so very convenient. The buffet dinners both ways were amazing! Such a variety of herrings, fish and roasts. The strawberries were enormous and so sweet. Couldn't recommend this enough! Worth noting that you can book the bus from the ferry terminal into the centre of Stockholm, which was very easy.

Loved the ship, service, food (especially the crab legs offered every night!) . Included shore excursions, not so good. Only complaint was that the travel agent on board sold us tickets to St. Peter's Basilica on a Sunday, and we found out that Sunday's are free!

Pik-Nik day cruise from Turku. This was very popular due to duty free shop on board, lots of people buying drinks etc to take home as much cheaper than shops ! Change boat at half-way, Viking Grace was excellent ship. The Dinner buffet is amazing value, but I recommend booking a cabin to rest afterwards ! public areas quite busy

Just right! For about $360 U. S., we got a top deck room with full dinner and breakfast, good wifi and TV.....AND we got to where we wanted to go. A definite win/win!

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7 of the Best Northern Lights Cruises

Set sail on these itineraries to try to spot the aurora borealis.

If seeing the northern lights , also known as the aurora borealis, is on your travel list, you've probably already looked into the best places to see them : northern destinations like Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland , and Scandinavia among them. But have you ever considered visiting those destinations by sea rather than land? Many cruise lines not only offer itineraries to those regions but also offer northern lights-specific sailings, too. Cruising is particularly appealing for northern lights seekers because the ships can access remote areas without light pollution, allowing guests to see the aurora in its full brilliance. So if you haven't yet seen the northern lights — or if you're looking to see them again — here are seven northern lights cruises to help you accomplish your goal.

Viking: In Search of the Northern Lights

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Over the course of 13 days, a luxurious Viking ocean ship transports guests from London to Amsterdam , then all the way up the coast of Norway and north of the Arctic Circle, before returning back south to the Norwegian city of Bergen. (Although some sailings operate in reverse.) The Norwegian fjords themselves are a sight to behold — and if they're paired with the northern lights, that's all the better! The sailings run from January to March when daylight is limited in the Arctic Circle, making for prime aurora opportunities. Rates start from $4,999 per person in 2023, and it should be noted that Viking is an adults-only cruise line.

Aurora Expeditions: Northern Lights Explorer

Considering the cruise line is named after the atmospheric phenomenon, it should come as no surprise that it offers a northern lights itinerary. At 19 to 22 days long, depending on the departure, there is plenty of time to hope for a northern lights appearance — or two, or three, or more. The sailings start in the northern Norwegian city of Kirkenes before sailing south along the coast, heading back north to the remote archipelago of Jan Mayen (a polar bear hotspot), over to the scenic fjords of East Greenland, and around the northern half of Iceland. The longer itinerary continues with a visit to the Faroe Islands and disembarkation in Bergen, Norway. Aurora offers just one of these sailings per year in September. Rates start from $19,705.50 per person in 2023.

Hurtigruten: The Classic Roundtrip Voyage

Hurtigruten is something of an outlier in this group because it doesn't offer specific northern lights itineraries. But the routes of this coastal ferry company in Norway just happen to traverse the perfect latitudes to see the aurora. In fact, Hurtigruten is so confident you'll see the northern lights during the auroral season (Sept. 26 through March 31) that if they don't show up on a sailing of 11 days or more, the company will give you a free six- or seven-day cruise to try again. For the best odds of seeing the northern lights, we suggest the 12-day round-trip itinerary from Bergen up the coast of Norway and back. Rates start from $2,309 per person in 2023.

Quark Expeditions: Under the Northern Lights

Specializing in polar voyages, Quark Expeditions knows a thing or two about the northern lights, which is why the company offers aurora sailings each fall. These 14-day itineraries cruise from Iceland to Greenland and back from September into early October. As the majority of the voyage takes place above the Arctic Circle, the odds of seeing the northern lights are high, especially as solar activity tends to peak around the autumnal and vernal equinoxes in September and March, respectively. And if they don't show, well, you still get to explore Iceland's Westfjords and Greenland's eastern shores — and that's a worthwhile journey in itself. Rates start from $8,501 per person in 2023.

Oceanwide Expeditions: East Greenland Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis

If you don't have two or three weeks to take off work to go northern lights watching, consider Oceanwide Expeditions' eight-day aurora borealis sailings from Iceland to Greenland and back. The adventure begins in Akureyri, the unofficial capital of north Iceland, before heading for Greenland's breathtaking Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord system in the world. If you do have a little more time, you can opt for the 13-day Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis itinerary, which embarks in the Svalbard archipelago before sailing to Greenland and down to Iceland. Both take place in the late summer into early fall, as darkness returns to the skies in the Arctic. Rates for the eight-day itinerary start from $4,600 per person for the 2023 sailings.

Cunard: Norway and Northern Lights

Each fall, one or two of the ships in Cunard's legendary fleet head north for Norway, where guests are treated to scenic cruising along the coast. The 12-day itineraries depart from Southampton, England, before traveling to Alesund, Tromsø, Narvik, and Haugesund, sailing through majestic fjords along the way. Since the ships sail this itinerary from October to November, the skies will be dark enough to see the northern lights, should they decide to appear. In 2023, the voyage will be undertaken by Queen Victoria , while next season, the Queen Mary 2 and the upcoming Queen Anne will take the reins. Rates start from $1,689 per person in 2023.

P&O: Norway

The most affordable option on this list, British cruise line P&O operates 12-day sailings to Norway year-round, but during the auroral season, there's a strong chance you'll see the northern lights while onboard. Guests embark in Southampton, England, before sailing north to Norway, traveling as far north as Tromsø, well north of the Arctic Circle. We recommend splurging on a room with windows for the best northern lights viewing options. However, those in interior cabins can always run up on deck — which you should do anyway to witness the full grandeur of the atmospheric phenomenon. Rates start from $1,385 per person in 2023.

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In Search of the Northern Lights

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Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

Steve Marks

Phenomenal experience.

We loved the cruise. The opportunity to see the Northern Lights was phenomenal. We received notifications in our cabin which were very helpful. We enjoyed the small vehicle Chase the Northern Lights excursion as well--when we returned, there was a late dinner for us, thank you for that! The crew and staff were all very nice. We will be cruising with Viking again.  

Lou and Jenifer Conkling

Outstanding experience.

This cruise was all and more than anticipated. It was our first Viking Ocean cruise and we loved the size of the ship and its design. The crew was fabulous, well, what can be said about seeing the Northern Lights, but WOW. Outstanding. Yes, it was cold, but heck, that's to be expected above the Arctic Circle. The additional excursions were plentiful and all wonderfully executed.

Satisfied Guest

The staff was friendly.

The highlight of the cruise was the dining. I especially enjoyed the specialty soups. I loved the heated floors. The staff was friendly. Loved the classical music. I liked the fact that the restaurants were included.

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Northern Lights

Embark on an illuminating once-in-a-lifetime voyage in search of the elusive aurora borealis, or northern lights. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Arctic landscapes and rich traditions of the indigenous Sami people, who have a deep connection with the land.

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The 9 best northern lights alaska cruises for 2024 & beyond.

Consider one of these trips for a chance to see this mesmerizing natural wonder.

The Best Northern Lights Alaska Cruises

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There's no other experience on Earth quite like witnessing the northern lights. Also known as the aurora borealis, this spellbinding phenomenon – when brilliant hues of green, yellow and purple dance across the night sky – is visible in Alaska from late August to late April. Clear, dark evenings away from the ambient light of cities provide prime viewing opportunities.

Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis – especially locations in the Interior and Arctic regions, such as Coldfoot, Wiseman, Utqiagvik (Barrow) and Nome. Fairbanks is regarded as a top location due to its position directly under the auroral oval, a ring-shaped area in the far north where aurora activity is generally concentrated. The Southcentral region of Alaska, where you'll find Anchorage, Talkeetna and the Mat-Su Valley, also offers basecamps for northern lights viewing.

If you're hoping to see the magic aboard an Alaska cruise in 2024 or 2025, then you just might be in luck. Experts predict the next few seasons will be particularly good for northern lights sightings, due to increased solar activity. While seeing the northern lights is never guaranteed, your best chance of seeing them is during these high-activity solar cycles, which occur about every 11 years.

Find your perfect cruise

When to take a cruise to view the northern lights

The Alaska cruise season falls between May and September, with a few cruise lines extending the season from April to October.

Holland America Line recommends booking a cruise or cruisetour (a combined sea and land package) during the autumnal equinox, or the official start of autumn, which falls around Sept. 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. Disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field are more likely around the autumn and spring equinoxes, which could increase your chances of seeing the aurora. For the best views, Holland America advises heading to higher ground in Anchorage , to vantage points like Glen Alps, the Knit River Valley and Point Woronzof.

Princess Cruises also suggests booking your vacation in the fall. September is an ideal month to watch for the spectacle in the sky as the nights start getting longer and darker. The elusive display is most likely to appear on crystal-clear evenings between midnight and 4 a.m. While you can see incredible light shows in Anchorage, consider an extended tour of Fairbanks or the Interior that takes you away from light pollution (such as to Denali National Park & Preserve).

U.S. News has compiled a list of the nine best cruises and cruisetours to give you the optimal chance of viewing these whimsical lights in the sky, with a focus on sailings around the autumnal equinox in 2024 and later dates in September 2025. We've also included an early sailing in April, before the end of the aurora season. (Keep in mind: Many of these trips and itineraries are also available on other dates during the season. Cruise fares were accurate at the time of publication.)

Holland America Line

Princess cruises, celebrity cruises, norwegian cruise line, royal caribbean international.

Thierry Guenez | Courtesy of Holland America Line

9-Day Denali: Tour D8l

This nine-day land and sea tour on Nieuw Amsterdam includes an opportunity to search for the northern lights in Fairbanks, one of the best places to see them in Alaska (and in the world). Holland America offers a four-hour aurora borealis viewing tour outside the city in a yurt; it operates between the last week of August and mid-September.

If you'd like more options, there's no shortage of tour operators in town that can take you on a northern lights adventure in Fairbanks. You can even fly into town early to stay in the wilderness in an igloo with clear views of the night sky at Borealis Basecamp, located less than 30 miles from Fairbanks. Be sure to notify your hotel that you'd like a wake-up call or a knock on the door if the northern lights are on display.

You'll have more opportunities to see the aurora when you head to Denali National Park & Preserve for a stay at Holland America 's exclusive 60-acre McKinley Chalet Resort, located near the entrance to the park. After a full day exploring the park by ATV or a bucket list flightseeing adventure over Denali, you'll have another chance to see the colorful light display in Alaska's wilderness after midnight. The rest of the cruisetour itinerary includes scenic cruising days, with one spent in beautiful Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. You'll also call on Juneau , Skagway and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver .

14-Day Denali: Tour D3c

This 14-day adventure includes scenic cruising of the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and College Fjord, with stops in the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Whittier and Seward. You'll then have nearly a week on land in Anchorage, Denali National Park & Preserve and Fairbanks to go aurora hunting. If you spend an extra night or two in Fairbanks at the end of the trip, you'll be in town for the autumnal equinox, maximizing your northern lights viewing opportunities.

With the extra time in town, plan to book the Arctic Circle Air Adventure with Northern Alaska Tour Company. This unforgettable journey takes you on a flight over the Yukon River and Brooks Range, just east of the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. You'll then land 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the community of Coldfoot and receive an Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate before your return flight to Fairbanks.

7-Day Glacier Discovery Northbound

If you're interested in a cruise-only option and would prefer to arrange the land portion independently, consider this seven-day voyage on Nieuw Amsterdam. The itinerary includes three scenic cruising days, with one day in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, and calls on the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway before disembarking in Whittier, which sits roughly 60 miles south of Anchorage.

From Whittier, there are many options to transfer to Anchorage (by rail or by road), including the iconic Glacier Discovery Train. Plan to stay a few evenings in Anchorage with a multiday guided aurora tour, or reserve a spot on an evening outing in search of the northern lights.

Read: The Most Affordable Alaska Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

11-Day Denali Explorer – Tour DA4

This 11-day cruisetour begins with a seven-night voyage embarking from Vancouver on Royal Princess or Sapphire Princess . The itinerary includes three sea days, two of which are dedicated to scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and College Fjord. You'll make stops in the coastal towns of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Anchorage (Whittier) before disembarking to depart for the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge via the line's direct-to-the-wilderness rail service.

Spending three nights at the lodge – located just outside the entrance to the park – in mid-September will offer excellent opportunities for aurora viewing. Keep your fingers crossed for high solar activity and clear, dark skies. Throughout your trip, learn photography tips to capture the mesmerizing display through Princess' North to Alaska Program. After your stay in Denali, you'll take a motor coach to Anchorage and stay overnight in a hotel there to finish up your voyage.

10-Day On Your Own – Tour BBX

The 10-Day On Your Own cruisetour with Princess Cruises begins with three nights on land, including overnights in Fairbanks, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. While at the Mt. McKinley resort, be sure to check out the lodge's treehouse. Designed by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet's "Treehouse Masters," this vantage point offers impressive views of Denali – the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet above sea level.

Before heading off to bed, get an update on aurora activity from the tracker on your smartphone, especially if you have clear skies that night; the app My Aurora Forecast & Alerts has excellent reviews. Request a wake-up call to have the Princess lodge staff call your room if the dazzling bands of light begin to dance in the sky. The next day, after traveling to Whittier by motor coach, you'll embark on your cruise to Vancouver aboard Royal Princess or Sapphire Princess.

The voyage from Whittier includes three sea days for relaxing activities on board the ship, with two days of scenic cruising around Hubbard Glacier and in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. During your time in Glacier Bay, park rangers will board the ship to offer commentary about this captivating wilderness area's pristine glaciers and abundant wildlife. Younger cruisers and teens will also appreciate learning about this spectacular place through the Junior Ranger program, which features interactive games, activities and presentations. (All cruise ships visiting the park participate in this program with the National Park Service.) Ports of call for the rest of the journey include Icy Strait Point or Skagway (depending on the cruise), then Juneau and Ketchikan. The voyage ends in Vancouver.

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Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

The Great National Parks Expedition Cruisetour

Celebrity's pre-cruise national parks adventure takes guests on a wildlife viewing quest to destinations in the north and the Interior where you can watch for the aurora. The 12-night trip begins in Fairbanks with a free day to explore.

Consider a trip to the University of Alaska Museum of the North, which features exhibits on Arctic dinosaurs, diverse wildlife, Alaska Native cultures and 2,000 years of Alaska art. You could also visit the impressive collection of antique cars and clothing at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, or take a walk with the reindeer into the woods at Running Reindeer Ranch. The second day in town includes a Riverboat Discovery ride and a tour of the city, as part of the cruisetour.

On the third day, you'll board the Wilderness Express (a glass-domed railcar) for the ride to Denali. Then, you'll embark on the Tundra Wilderness Tour in search of the park's grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep and other wildlife. Be sure to put your name on the list before bedtime to get a wake-up call for aurora activity. You'll also have one evening in Anchorage, where you can arrange for a northern lights tour, and one night in Seward before setting sail on Celebrity Summit the next morning. Highlights of the voyage include cruising Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage as well as stopping in Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan. You'll disembark in Vancouver.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

13-Day Denali Explorer – Pre-Cruise Cruisetour

Norwegian Cruise Line's six-day pre-cruise adventure begins with overnights in Fairbanks, Denali and Anchorage, where you'll have the best chances to view the northern lights. Other highlights for the first part of the trip include a deluxe dome car rail journey from Talkeetna to Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad and a private tour to an Iditarod sled dog musher's kennel. You'll also have plenty of time in Denali National Park to book a flightseeing tour, go whitewater rafting, or take a hike with a park ranger to look for bears, moose, Dall sheep, wolves and other local wildlife before starting your cruise in Seattle .

Norwegian Encore will call on Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan (Ward Cove) in Alaska. The Mill at Ward Cove near Ketchikan is a newly built cruise ship port that serves as a jumping-off point for outdoor activities in the Tongass National Forest, from hiking and biking to kayaking and sea cycling. You can even pick up souvenirs, grab a bite to eat and sample a cold Alaska brew at the mill. The cruise itinerary also includes one day at sea and a stop in Victoria, British Columbia, before you disembark in Seattle.

7-Night Alaska: Dawes Glacier, Juneau & Ketchikan

Consider this seven-day cruise on Norwegian Bliss if you prefer to travel early in the spring and take your chances at catching the northern lights toward the end of aurora season, which falls around April 21. This round-trip itinerary from Seattle is one of the earliest sailings of the year to visit the Great Land and features two sea days, with one day of scenic cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. You'll also visit Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan (Ward Cove) and Victoria before disembarking in Seattle.

Juneau will offer one of the best opportunities during the cruise for seeing the northern lights, although chances are dependent on the weather and solar activity. There are several apps and websites with real-time updates for aurora tracking, including My Aurora Forecast & Alerts. If the skies are clear in the evening and the forecast looks promising, ask guest relations if there's a sign-up sheet to get a call or a knock on the door in the event of aurora activity.

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

12 Night Mountain Panorama Adventure Cruisetour 5B (Pre Tour)

This 12-night cruisetour with Royal Caribbean International begins with an overnight in Anchorage before boarding the Wilderness Express, where you'll have a glass-domed rail car for the journey to Talkeetna. The quirky community of Talkeetna is said to be the inspiration for the fictional Alaska town of Cicely in the 1990s show "Northern Exposure." It's also an excellent base for chasing the aurora – especially at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, where you'll be staying.

After an overnight at the lodge, your tour moves on to Denali, where you can search for wildlife by day and look for the aurora at night. Another evening on land at Hotel Alyeska in the remote town of Girdwood affords more opportunities to chase the finnicky lights before heading to Seward to board your ship, Radiance of the Seas .

Ports of call on this voyage include Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan. There are also two days of scenic cruising through Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage before disembarking in Vancouver. While there are plenty of activities, dining venues, bars and lounges on board to keep you entertained all night long, be sure to save up enough energy to wake up in the middle of the night should you get a call to see the magical natural wonder that is the northern lights.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is a U.S. News & World Report contributor and an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times both by land and sea to view wildlife and chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. She's even considered moving to The Great Land as a full-time resident. Pratesi used her deep knowledge of Alaska and the cruise industry to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Alaska Cruise Packing List: Must-Have Items
• How Much Does an Alaska Cruise Cost?
• The Best Luxury Alaska Cruises
• The Best Alaska Cruises for Families
• The Best Alaska Shore Excursions

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Alaska Vacations

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Ethics review finds probable cause that Rep. Troy Nehls misused campaign funds

The independent office that reviews allegations against House members has found probable cause that Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas converted campaign funds to personal use

WASHINGTON -- The independent office that reviews allegations against House members found probable cause that Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas converted campaign funds to personal use, triggering an investigation by the House Ethics Committee, a new disclosure revealed Friday.

The recommendation and the full report from the Office of Congressional Ethics were both released Friday, as required under the law. The leaders of the House Ethics Committee emphasized that the disclosure does not itself mean that a violation has occurred and stressed that the investigation into Nehls is ongoing. Nehls' lawyer told the committee the lawmaker did not profit from the arrangement that had raised red flags with the ethics office.

Nehls, a second-term Republican lawmaker, was a county sheriff for eight years before serving in the House. He’s a staunch Donald Trump supporter who attended this year’s State of the Union address wearing a T-shirt decorated with Trump’s mugshot.

The Office of Congressional Ethics recommended the committee investigation in December by a vote of 6-0.

The office sought to determine whether Nehls' campaign paid a company registered to the congressman for reasons other than legitimate campaign purposes.

The ethics office said Nehls’ campaign committee made more than $25,000 in rental payments since late 2019 to an entity known as Liberty 1776, LLC, and that a review of state records shows that he was the registered agent for the company.

The report notes that campaigns cannot spend money for “personal use,” and that prohibition includes the purchase or lease of services from the member himself. The office said Nehls declined to cooperate with its investigation and due to that lack of cooperation, no witnesses could confirm that the payments made to Liberty 1776 were for legitimate campaign purposes.

The report also stated that Nehls did not disclose any income derived from Liberty 1776 on his financial disclosure forms required for members and candidates.

An attorney representing Nehls disputed the lack of cooperation with the Office of Congressional Ethics. Rather, counsel objected to ambiguously worded requests for information. And the Office of Congressional Ethics never responded to clarify the review's scope, he said.

Further, the attorney, Jared Najvar, said that Nehls and several other candidates agreed they should pursue a particular property in Richmond, Texas, as a location for a campaign headquarters and associated activities. He said there was an oral contract in which Liberty 1776 would pay rent and make certain improvements to the property. He said Liberty 1776 took in about $52,872 and expended that amount on the property.

“The various rent payments by Nehls for Congress to Liberty 1776 from 2019 through 2022 were, therefore, legitimate rent payments for campaign office use,” Najvar wrote to the Ethics Committee in a January letter.

The attorney also said Nehls' financial disclosure form would be amended to include his affiliation with Liberty 1776 and that failure to include it was an oversight brought to the congressman's attention by the OCE's referral.

The Office of Congressional Ethics is often the first to review alleged violations of the law or House rules, but it's the 10 lawmakers on the House Ethics Committee that make a final determination of whether violations occurred. Nehls has said he will cooperate with the House panel's investigation.

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