Almost every traveler I’ve come across has written “seeing the Northern Lights” at the top of their bucket list, and for good reason! Seeing the Northern Lights will leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired, in awe of nature, and will enrich your life by creating long-lasting memories. And the absolute best way to experience the famous Aurora Borealis? With Hurtigruten.
Hurtigruten ships have been sailing along the stunning Norwegian coastline for over 100 years, visiting charming towns and cities while discovering small villages and tucked away fjords. In other words, you will discover sites that are rarely seen by other cruise ships. Their 12-day journey offers not only a truly authentic opportunity to immerse yourself in Norwegian culture, but also one of the best deals you could possibly find: Hurtigruten is SO confident that the Northern Lights will make an appearance during your 12-day roundtrip cruise between October 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019, that they will make you a Northern Lights Promise—if the Northern Lights do not appear, Hurtigruten will offer you a 6- or 7-day coastal Norway cruise completely free of charge! (excludes airfare and extras).
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon which occur when the solar wind is stronger than usual, and electrically-charged particles from the sun hurl towards Earth. The particles, electrons, and protons form a magical light when they collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. Northern Norway is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, as it sits under the Auroral Oval, and winter is perhaps the most incredible time of year to catch their display in the sky—making Hurtigruten’s Northern Lights Guarantee all the more enticing.
As if seeing the Northern Lights wasn’t exciting enough, you will also have the opportunity to join many exciting excursions with Hurtigruten. This includes reindeer sledding, dog sledding, snowmobiling, Northern Lights safaris, and much more. I really love how they also offer a number of fascinating lectures on board; some are themed around nature or the science behind the Northern Lights, while others will be about Norway, wildlife, and the Arctic. All will be given by well-known authors and professors, and each lecture will help you learn and connect to all of the amazing places you’re experiencing.
When you’re not spending time on excursions, or out on deck taking photos of the incredible landscapes, the restaurants are there to tempt your appetite! Travelers can expect to enjoy Norwegian cuisine while on board, with local ingredients being used in most of the dishes being served every day. What better way to fully immerse yourself with the culture of Norway?!
A cruise with Hurtigruten lets you connect with your inner explorer in an incredible region of the world while enjoying local cuisine, comfortable accommodations, and expert service. So, what are you waiting for?! If you book their 12-day Roundtrip Cruise from January 1 – March 31, 2019, by September 30, 2018, you will even save $250 per person!
Disclaimer: This post was written by myself and sponsored by Hurtigruten. All opinions are my own.
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Cynthia
September 25, 2018 at 4:49 pmThis looks so wonderful. My husband and I recently booked a trip to Copenhagen (but we were deciding between Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen). Due to timing, finances and dates of travel, Copenhagen won out; but I am hoping we can still sneak in a trip! Northern Lights are a MUST.
Tami
September 25, 2018 at 5:05 pmIt’s definitely on our bucket list to see the Northern lights. I hadn’t even thought of going on a cruise to see them. Seems like this would actually be the best way!!
Laura Allen
September 25, 2018 at 5:06 pmOh my GOSH this is so so beautiful! I never would of thought to go on a cruise to see the Northern Lights, but I’ve ALWAYS wanted to go, it’s so so stunning! thank you for the tips!
Carolyn
September 25, 2018 at 5:40 pmThis really looks like a dream vacation! Thanks for sharing all about it!
ALyssa
September 25, 2018 at 6:16 pmVery beautiful. Looks like a once in a lifetime trip.
Candy
September 25, 2018 at 6:31 pmMy sister has seen the Northern Lights in Iceland and she said it was amazing. I have yet to see them and am so bummed I never got to see it when I was living in Norway for a few months. I would also love to try dog sledding!
Christina
September 25, 2018 at 6:35 pmWhat an amazing idea, to see the Northern Lights from a cruise. We used to live in Alaska and had some of the best light shows in the world, but it was usually late at night in negative 20 below weather!
Ro
September 25, 2018 at 6:41 pmThese are stunning pictures! I hope to be able to see the Northern Lights one day! Thank you for sharing!
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:26 pmI hope you can too, Ro! Thanks so much for reading.
Summer
September 25, 2018 at 6:45 pmThis is stunning!! Now I want to see them from a cruise, too. What an amazing experience.
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:26 pmAmazing is the perfect word to describe a cruise with Hurtigruten 🙂
Kiara Catanzaro
September 25, 2018 at 7:27 pmI feel like this would be an awesome idea to experience the Northern Lights while having the chance to experience multiple excursions. I have never been on a cruise before, but I have always heard wonderful things!
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:26 pmYes, you get so much for your money, especially with the Northern Lights Promise!
Beth
September 25, 2018 at 8:20 pmSeeing the Northern Lights in person would be amazing! The cruise sounds like a wonderful experience!
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:25 pmIt’s a dream trip, Beth!
Eric Gamble
September 25, 2018 at 10:30 pmThis is amazing Carmen! I have hunted the Northern Lights now 2x and apparently every time I have tried I brought clouds. Makes me feel like Eeyore! But with Hurtiguten’s Northern Lights Guarantee, I may have to consider another attempt real soon. I have often considered the Hurtigruten Norway Cruises not just because of the Norther Lights hunting, but also those extra activities like dog sledding and checking out the fjords of Norway look amazing. Plus those rooms on the boat are just decadent.
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:25 pmYes, there’s so many reasons why Hurtiguten is the best. I would seriously consider so you can see the Northern Lights once and for all, Eric 🙂
Stine Mari
September 26, 2018 at 4:45 amThe Norwegian coastline is beautiful (totally unbiased…), and Hurtigruten is great for people that’s short on time. I didn’t know they had a Northern Light Promise. That’s good for people that come from far away places.
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:24 pmYou’re right, it’s especially great for people who travel a long way!
Carrie R
September 26, 2018 at 8:02 amThis cruise line sounds like the perfect way to see the Northern Lights! And what do you have to lose with their guarantee?? That is amazing, BTW.
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:24 pmI know, you have absolutely nothing to lose!
Kasey Ma
September 26, 2018 at 8:59 amOh wow this is so amazing! I want to go see the northern lights so bad. Looks like you have an awesome time!
Kasey Ma
thestylewright.com
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:23 pmIt’s a very memorable trip for sure!
Melody Pittman
September 26, 2018 at 11:19 amOMG, what a fantastic way to see Norway! I’m not familiar with this cruise line but it looks like a perfect partner for the Northern LIghts. Thanks for sharing. We seem to enjoy the same lap of luxury travels.
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:22 pmThey are a smaller company but very well known in Europe, especially in Norway!
Becky @ Disney in your Day
September 26, 2018 at 1:57 pmI’m going to send this to my husband because I think he would absolutely love doing something like this! It’s also really awesome that they have the Northern Lights promise too.
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:22 pmI know, it’s a pretty fantastic deal! Hope you and your husband decide to go 🙂
Yolanda & Keith Douglas
September 26, 2018 at 3:58 pmWe did a cruise on a Hurtigruten several years ago. So comfortable and relaxing. The shore excursions were well planned and fit our senior citizen pace if we wanted. Food was excellent. Very comfortable stateroom. AND the Northern Lights, what can I say.
Carmen Edelson
September 26, 2018 at 4:22 pmThat’s so great to hear, Yolanda! Thank you for sharing.
Erin
September 27, 2018 at 8:59 amSeeing the Northern Lights is definitely on my bucket list, and a cruise through Norway fjords sounds like a perfect way to see them. I really like that Hurtigruten offers a Northern Lights guarantee.
Carmen Edelson
September 30, 2018 at 3:44 pmYes, it’s such a great guarantee!
Mel Butler
September 27, 2018 at 10:09 amWhat an amazing experience to take to Norway. I have seen the Northern lights when I was in Sweden but I would love to see them in Norway especially on a cruise ship taking in the coastline line. Hurtigruten sounds like a great company to go with and definitely something I would consider doing. Wow to the photos
Carmen Edelson
September 30, 2018 at 3:44 pmWOW indeed! Such a stunning part of the world 🙂
Yukti
September 27, 2018 at 3:02 pmA cruise with Hurtigruten for the views of Northern Lights must be the most beautiful cruising trip. Rooms look cozy with full amenities. Thanks for sharing all the tips and details.
Carmen Edelson
September 30, 2018 at 3:44 pmDefinitely a bucket-list experience!
Anna
September 27, 2018 at 4:48 pmWOw wow wow! What an incredible trip and incredible guarantee too if you don’t see them! rooms looked lovely too, as well as the lights of course!
Carmen Edelson
September 30, 2018 at 3:45 pmYes, the rooms are very comfortable!
Melissa Rogers
September 27, 2018 at 11:30 pmOh my gosh! Carmen! That cruise looks absolutely stunning. Seeing the northern lights in person has always been a bucket list dream of mine, and now I know the best way to see them! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Carmen Edelson
September 30, 2018 at 3:45 pmSo glad to share this, Melissa! I really hope you get to see them.
Jess Pacheco
September 29, 2018 at 11:28 amFantastic! I saw the Northern Lights from Alaska one short fall – they have really short autumns; like just about 2 weeks or so. It was a magical experience. But! To see it from a historical ship and in luxurious style would be something else! ?
Carmen Edelson
September 30, 2018 at 3:46 pmYes, it would be epic! But how exciting that you got to see them Alaska.
Taufik Abdullah
September 30, 2018 at 10:18 amWow, wonderful place on another side from me, this isnt found it in my country…very exciting… How about the culture?
Carmen Edelson
September 30, 2018 at 3:46 pmNorway has fascinating history, great seafood, and very friendly locals 🙂 Love the Norwegian culture.
Kavleen Kaur
October 6, 2018 at 4:03 amgood blog… thanks for the nformation
7x Energy
August 8, 2019 at 11:36 amWow! I would love to explore northern lights with Hurtigruten!
Carmen Edelson
August 11, 2019 at 3:35 pmThey are an amazing company!
Simran Kaur
November 19, 2019 at 3:12 amWow, it looks so magical and beautiful..! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Visiting Northern Lights is one of my biggest wish.
Carmen Edelson
November 21, 2019 at 3:21 pmVery magical indeed 🙂
Shang and Keith
January 13, 2020 at 2:12 pmThe northern lights have been my family’s bucket list destination for years, but never considered a cruise. Now you’ve gotten us excited. Wonder if you know if it’s suitable for elderly? Still quite mobile though. Excellent article by the way!
Carmen Edelson
February 10, 2020 at 7:03 pmYes, it absolutely is suitable for the elderly!
John Spear
July 18, 2020 at 11:24 pmNorway is my favorite place to be, I just love their city life sound strange but yeah do 🙂
Carmen Edelson
July 21, 2020 at 3:17 amNot strange at all, Norway is a great country 🙂
Katelyn @ Uvraylights
March 30, 2021 at 3:59 pmI wanna see this twice before i die, great article btw
Carmen Edelson
April 6, 2021 at 6:25 pmI hope you can, Katelyn 🙂