Embarking on a Northern Lights cruise is one of those bucket-list voyages we always dream of. If 2025 is the year you finally decide to tick that off your list and explore the stunning Norwegian coast, Hurtigruten offers some unbelievable cruises for travel addicts, astronomy buffs and culture lovers. And for a limited time, enjoy up to 25% off their Original Voyages departing between 1st January 2025 and 31st March 2026, and up to 15% off Signature Voyages departing by April 2026.
Known as the ‘spirit of Norway’, Hurtigruten has over 130 years of experience, knowledge and reliability when it comes to experiencing Norway like a local and they’ve been helping to sustain Norway’s coastal communities for generations. Avoid the huge crowds and get closer to the coast with small-ship sailing, and discover some of the most breathtaking scenery on the planet, feast on local award-winning cuisine sourced from where you sail in their onboard restaurants, and witness the beauty of the greatest light show on Earth with your own eyes.
Hurtigruten offers a wide variety of voyages to choose from, including short port-to-port cruises from 2-5 days, and longer voyages that’ll give you a taste of a traditional and authentic full-board cruise on an Original Voyage, or treat yourself to a luxurious and all-inclusive package on one of their Signature Voyages, some of which even venture up to the world’s northernmost town, Longyearbyen, in Svalbard to experience the midnight sun in the summer. There are various cruises dedicated to astronomy and the Northern Lights, but the two, in particular, we have our eyes on are the 12-day Astronomy Voyage and the 14-day Savour the Northern Lights tour — both perfect for aurora chasers.
Astronomy Voyage
The 12-day Astronomy Voyage is their Coastal Express cruise accompanied by an expert astronomer. With plenty of opportunities to see and photograph the Northern Lights, they’ll be on hand to share their knowledge of the Arctic Sky and host a variety of onboard astronomy lectures. You’ll set sail at Bergen and stop at a whopping 34 ports along the Norwegian coast, including the picturesque town of Ålesund as you venture into the Arctic Circle, and see fabulous street art in Bodø before arriving at the stunning Lofoten archipelago. On day 5 you’ll reach Tromsø, the Arctic exploration capital, where you’ll visit the Science Museum of Northern Norway and enjoy exclusive access to the Northern Lights Planetarium.
As you make your way back south from Kirkenes, all the ports you’d previously stopped in at night will now be seen in daylight, and wildlife lovers will get the chance to spot Orcas and Humpback Whales in the waters near Hammerfest — so make sure you pack your binoculars. You’ll marvel at the Seven Sisters mountain range and the Torghatten Mountain, and much, much more along the way, before heading back to Bergen. Plus, Hurtigruten’s Northern Lights Promise guarantees that if you don’t see the aurora on a voyage of 11 days or more between 20 September - 31st March, they’ll give you a free 6 or 7-day cruise the following season.
Savour the Northern Lights Voyage
The 14-day Savour the Northern Lights tour is a once-in-a-lifetime all-inclusive experience that includes adventures on both sea and land. You’ll spend the first 7 days on the North Cape Line, sailing along the extraordinary Norwegian coastline from the bustling capital of Oslo, making your way through the stunning fjords past Preikistolen (The Pulpit Rock), stopping at the colorful waterside city of Stavanger, then on to Ålesund and the cosy fishing port of Rørvik before crossing into the Arctic Circle overnight into Lofoten. You’ll disembark in the Arctic Capital of Tromsø, setting off on your land-based adventure through the Lyngen Alps, driving along one of Norway’s most breathtaking roads.
On Day 8, you’ll glide across frozen fjords on a snow sleigh or snowmobile, and visit the tranquil border between Norway, Sweden and Finland. The day concludes with a Northern Lights excursion before travelling on to the Northern Lights Village for two nights to cosy up in your private glass igloo to gaze at the stars and watch the dancing Northern Lights from the warmth and comfort of your own bed. Your stay here will also include a magical moonlit (and crucially, heated) snowmobile sleigh safari in search of the aurora and husky dog sledding through Lapland’s pristine forests. Thrillseekers can enjoy a refreshing dip in the icy waters (optional!) while aboard an icebreaker ship before travelling by train to the Finnish capital of Helsinki where your journey ends.
Their helpful customer service team is on hand to answer any questions about their range of voyages and help every step of the way with flights, hotels and packages to experience Norway your way. Call Hurtigruten on 0203 733 5191 or visit Hurtigruten.com.
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