• Search Please fill out this field.
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Sweepstakes

7 of the Best Northern Lights Cruises

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

p&o aurora norway cruise

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

RelaxFoto.de/Getty Images

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.

  • UK and Ireland

Northern Europe

  • Western Mediterranean and Atlantic
  • Eastern Mediterranean
  • North America
  • South America
  • Australasia
  • South Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Panama Canal
  • Adults-Only Cruises
  • All-inclusive Cruising
  • Boutique Cruising
  • Classic Cruising
  • Cruise from the UK
  • Expedition Cruising
  • Family Cruises
  • Fly Cruising
  • Luxury Cruising
  • Mini Cruises
  • Ocean Cruising
  • River Cruises
  • Small Ship and Yacht Cruising
  • Solo Cruising
  • Ultra-Luxury Cruising
  • World Cruises
  • Ambassador Cruise Line
  • Carnival Cruise Line
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Cunard Line
  • Emerald Cruises
  • Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
  • Holland America Line
  • HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
  • Marella Cruises
  • MSC Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Oceania Cruises

P&O Cruises

  • Princess Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean International
  • Saga Cruises
  • Silversea Cruises
  • Viking - Ocean Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages
  • Amadeus River Cruises
  • AmaWaterways
  • Avalon Waterways
  • CroisiEurope
  • Hurtigruten
  • Riviera Travel
  • TUI river cruises
  • Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
  • Top 10 Solo Cruise Deals
  • Top 10 Exclusive Cruise Deals
  • Top 10 Ocean Cruise Deals
  • Top 10 Luxury Cruise Deals
  • Top 10 River Cruise Deals
  • Top 20 Cruise Deals
  • Cruise Package Deals
  • Partner Deals & Offers
  • Offers & Deals
  • Competitions
  • Fashion and lifestyle
  • Culture and history

Entertainment

  • Recommendation
  • Ship Reviews
  • Food & Drink
  • River Cruising
  • First cruise advice
  • Heroes & Villains
  • Captain Profiles
  • Godmother Profiles
  • Our Opinion
  • Ship Visits
  • Ship Launches

Why cruise on this ship?

Exclusively for adults - Mid-sized Aurora is a world-class ship, bringing you the joys of classic cruise travel. In April 2019, she enjoyed a refit and started an exciting new chapter as a ship that caters exclusively for adults.

Find your perfect cruise!

Value for Money

Delivers unparalleled experiences without compromising on affordability

Understand why that Value For Money

P&O Cruises Logo

Welcome to the P&O cruise experience - where quality and value abide in perfect harmony.

P&O Cruises offer a distinctive style that appeals to both new and veteran travellers alike, with trademark sailings providing opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.

Cruises for those seeking an adult-only vibe are available, while those who prefer smaller ships can choose from more modest vessels.

p&o aurora norway cruise

Aurora, Northern Europe

P & O Aurora awful This is very hard to write, considering our last cruise to Norway on Iona I gave 5 Stars as it was an amazing experience. We both had such high hopes and were so happy to...

Our first cruise and everything was lovely. if I was being picky and looking what to improve then the App could include a ships layout diagram and also the daily activity sheet could be dist...

p&o aurora norway cruise

Fabulous short break cruise, everything was perfect

Ship Information

Accomodation

Ship Interior

Related Cruises

p&o aurora norway cruise

Western Europe

  • P&O Cruises, Aurora

p&o aurora norway cruise

  • Alta, Tromsø, Stavanger

p&o aurora norway cruise

Short Break

p&o aurora norway cruise

Norwegian Fjords

  • Trondheim, Åndalsnes, Nordfjordeid, Kristiansand

p&o aurora norway cruise

Southampton cruise icon

Cruises from Southampton, UK

The Port of Southampton – Cruise Capital of the UK

P&O Aurora, Norwegian Fjords from Southampton, March 12, 2025

12-day cruise to andalsnes, tromso, alta and stavanger with p&o cruises.

P&O Cruises, Northern Lights cruise from Southampton, 28 November 2018, R823 route

Embark on an exciting and scenic quest and search for the magnificent Norwegian Fjords with P&O Aurora

Cruising from southampton, uk.

Day 1 – At Sea cruising

There are plenty of daily activities on board Aurora to keep you busy. P&O Aurora has everything a discerning cruiser could want, bars, sports venues and shops.

Day 2 – At Sea cruising

Aboard Aurora you will experience the best dining, entertainment and amenities at sea against a backdrop of unrivaled natural beauty.

Cruising to Andalsnes, Norway

Experience the relaxed ambience onboard Aurora attentive service from a friendly staff that knows what hospitality means, you’ll find your Aurora ship truly is your home away from home.

Cruising to Tromso, Norway

Cruising to alta, norway.

Day 9 – At Sea cruising

Cruising aboard Aurora elevates fun at sea to an art form. Aurora demonstrates a true mastery of the craft with an onboard collage of fun entertainment for you to enjoy.

Cruising to Stavanger, Norway

Day 11 – At Sea cruising

Whether you like to indulge in food, sport, games or education, there are tons of cruise activities aboard every P&O Cruises ship.

Cruising back to Southampton

Sail away from Southampton above the Arctic Circle in search of the mystical natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights on board P&O Cruises, ship Aurora. Discover Andalsnes, Tromso, Alta and Stavanger with P&O Aurora. Aurora leaving Southampton, UK for 12 nights from March 12, 2025.

  • Fred. Olsen Cruise Line

Fred Olsen Borealis vs P&O Aurora for Norway

CruiseMark

By CruiseMark , March 29, 2023 in Fred. Olsen Cruise Line

Recommended Posts

Cool Cruiser

I’m considering a Norway Northern Lights cruise in December. Both Fred Olsen Borealis and P&O Aurora get good reviews and the itineraries are somewhat similar.   

I realize that this is a Fred Olsen forum and may lead to some biased responses, but does anyone have thoughts on the two ships? Any differences I should be aware of between either the ships or the cruise lines?  I’ve cruised extensively but never with either of these two lines.   

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

1160451

Hi. We have cruised with both lines.

We have cruised with FO to the Northern Lights 4 years ago.

We are booked again with them next year to the Northern Lights.

Not done Northern Lights with P&O.

I would be happy to cruise with P&O to the Northern Lights.

So the only difference I would say between the two lines is the spread of Passengers.

Fred Olsen has the “feel” of a Country House with Passengers more to the 60 plus age group.

P&O we have found to have a wider age range.

Depending with whom you have cruised with before may influence your choice.

If you are used to the large ship cruise lines you may find P&O more to your taste. But if you want a more smaller ship feel FO may be the one.

We have found food and service very much the same between the two lines.

Whichever Line you choose it will be a fantastic cruise. The Northern Lights are an experience never to be forgotten.

Like

6 hours ago, CruiseMark said: Hello,   I’m considering a Norway Northern Lights cruise in December. Both Fred Olsen Borealis and P&O Aurora get good reviews and the itineraries are somewhat similar.    I realize that this is a Fred Olsen forum and may lead to some biased responses, but does anyone have thoughts on the two ships? Any differences I should be aware of between either the ships or the cruise lines?  I’ve cruised extensively but never with either of these two lines.    Thanks.   Mark

The main thing that would make a difference to us is the itineraries.  Fred often go to less visited ports which can be more interesting, but if you have not been to any Norwegian ports before it will not make a difference.  I would also look at the length of the cruise, since spending a bit longer there may give you a bit more chance of seeing the lights, which can never be guaranteed and if you go to Alta with one line and not the other, you may have a greater chance of seeing the lights there as it is sheltered from some of the rain/cloud cover as behind mountains from the prevailing wind direction, yet Tromso, which is as far north as some itineraries go, can remain more cloudy, so lights not visible if they do show.  All chance though.  One other point is that if not visiting a port that day in Norway, Fred normally goes up the inside passage, so there will be scenic cruising and also you will be better protected from rough seas, whilst P&O sail out to sea between all the ports.

I agree with the previous answer in that P&O, on average, have a greater mix of ages, especially for Med cruises on their bigger ships, but for Aurora and Arcadia, which are smaller, child free ships we have not really found a big difference in clientelle, especially post covid.

As far as I know Fred still only has a choice of 6.15pm or 8.30pm sittings in the main dining room, when you will be allocated a table for the whole cruise, though you can choose table size (subject to availability).   On Aurora there is a third choice of freedom dining (subject to availability).  I have often found Fred to have better speakers with a knowledge of the area, if you enjoy talks on the cruise.  Both lines have self service restaurants that you can use at a time of your choice and a couple of pay for, speciality restaurants.

Enjoy whatever you choose.

On 3/29/2023 at 12:21 PM, CruiseMark said: Hello,   I’m considering a Norway Northern Lights cruise in December. Both Fred Olsen Borealis and P&O Aurora get good reviews and the itineraries are somewhat similar.    I realize that this is a Fred Olsen forum and may lead to some biased responses, but does anyone have thoughts on the two ships? Any differences I should be aware of between either the ships or the cruise lines?  I’ve cruised extensively but never with either of these two lines.    Thanks.   Mark

I was just looking at the Borealis itineraries for next December as she is sailing out of our local port, Liverpool.  I see she is not going to Norway next winter, but Balmoral seems to be doing all Fred's Norway cruises for winter this year.  If so be aware Balmoral is not an ex HAL ship, but is a smaller, older ship, though what has been said will still be applicable to that cruise.  Or you may be looking at December the following winter 24/25, when both Borealis and Aurora are scheduled to do those itineraries.

One other thing to be aware of is that the seas can get quite rough up there in the winter, so be careful  choosing your cabin location.  There have been reports of a force 12 up there a week or two ago, though will not necessarily be that bad, all chance.

sleepingcat

just in case you are not aware, there is also the Norwegian Company Hurtigruten.  Its not a cruise as such, as their ships service the ports up the Norway coast.  but it is a good way to see the Northern Lights, and they guarantee you a further trip for free if you dont see the lights. My bro and Sis in Law went with them in November and had a wonderful trip including 2 nights of Northern Lights.

twotravellersLondon

twotravellersLondon

On 3/29/2023 at 12:21 PM, CruiseMark said: I’m considering a Norway Northern Lights cruise in December. Both Fred Olsen Borealis and P&O Aurora get good reviews and the itineraries are somewhat similar. 
3 hours ago, sleepingcat said: just in case you are not aware, there is also the Norwegian Company Hurtigruten.  Its not a cruise as such, as their ships service the ports up the Norway coast.  but it is a good way to see the Northern Lights, and they guarantee you a further trip for free if you dont see the lights. My bro and Sis in Law went with them in November and had a wonderful trip including 2 nights of Northern Lights.

It's good to compare what's on offer and in addition to  Hurtigruten, SAGA are also offering cruise as far North as the North Cape.

We've done the   Hurtigruten trip in winter and it was excellent. Local museums opened for us, very reasonably priced excursions were put on, the food was some of the freshest, healthiest and tastiest afloat... in our experience. We visited many places that cruise boats never touch... it was possible to go ashore night and day... at stops... even just for a bit of snowballing on the quay in the Arctic night  And for an "interesting itinerary" it's unbeatable. Just don't hope for a roomy cabin or cruise-style entertainment! We saw the Northern Lights in Ålesund   Harbour  from the deck! They covered the entire  sky!

However, we've just come back from a SAGA cruise where we saw the Northern Lights on five consecutive nights... and, unlike FOCLs these days, we     travelled as far as Honningsvåg, visited the North Cape, and sailed around the Cape itself! The cruise was all inclusive with door-to-door transfers, Wi-Fi, speciality restaurants, gratuities and excursions included. It also included premium drinks in the restaurants and bars.

The same cruise as we did a couple of weeks ago or so is available for next year from the company that we used at £3,000 less than FOCL's current price for a similar but less exciting itinerary based on a similar cabin. Interesting, we had three (included) dinners in the speciality restaurants with folks that we'd originally made friends with on FOCLs in the days that we all trusted "Fred" to show us a good time at value for money. Like us, these émigrés were enjoying better food, better entertainment, better accommodation and a far better itinerary than FOCLs are putting on now... and we were all saving a small fortune by not booking with FOCLs.

By the way... the ship we sailed in was smaller than anything that FOCLs can now offer but had a real theatre and large areas of public space over several decks. From day one... the staff in the restaurants, bars etc knew us by name but no-one presumed that we would choose the same "drink" each time. The staff were excellent, nothing was too much trouble. The ship was virtually full, there was bubbles and fruit in our room on arrival, the toiletries were in large bottles and what was left was complementary. All shuttle busses were free to all passengers to use and, unlike FOCLs, we didn't have to go through the painful security check every time that we returned to the ship... will FOCLs go to any length to prevent a passenger who's already paid the fare from taking a bottle of booze on board! Just such a pain.

After between 25 and 30 cruises with "Fred" & FOCLs as well as cruises with the likes of P&O, Princess & Cunard, we shopped around... and find that, in our opinion, on a like for like basis... FOCLs is now just so much more expensive for a less good offering... so we've found that it really helps to compare the market.  

These are some pics that we took just a week or two ago of the bits that FOCLs have recently missed out of their winter itineraries...

DSC_2530.thumb.jpeg.72275fb215734b949f2aba2ac44f1ef1.jpeg

And our trip to the North Cape was included... even a nice warm jacket for us to keep... delivered to our cabin at the start of the cruise. Even the coach journey to the North Cape was amazing.

DSC_2413.thumb.jpeg.5a08112928dfeb654b3af5db9c59a53e.jpeg

The scalloped snow shows the line of the road that we travelled on.

DSC_2426.thumb.jpeg.5e537d90d97bd73bfd9e3143e45b892d.jpeg

It was such a wonderful day... fresh snow, brilliant sunlight, calm seas and relatively balmy day for the northernmost point (almost) on the European continent... the North Pole is just 2,000 km or so over the horizon.

DSC_2269.thumb.jpeg.0a4d1ba7c16d7ce7a9775a5676bb39ed.jpeg

Forget about list of things to do before kicking the bucket... even our bus driver said... "Just enjoy!"

DSC_2232.thumb.jpeg.bb063cd081810cfc731fcd33df28bdde.jpeg

Other included trips were to the Arctic "Cathedral" in Tromso and the  Bryggen in Bergen.

4 hours ago, CruiseMark said: Thank you for the excellent insight. Could you please PM me the name of the company you used to get such a great price?  

We used SAGA. We booked at the beginning of the booking period and had a 35% discount. We have compared next seasons prices on the basis of a balcony cabin... the entry level on SAGA.

Also included in our price was visits to the speciality restaurants... one example...

IMG_9829.thumb.jpeg.defbdbc86aa48245b6c1c443faa5abd1.jpeg

Compared with the main dining room...

IMG_9069.thumb.jpeg.62280044b840db92d1181cbb673c41cf.jpeg

These are pics of other included visits...

Bryggen in Bergen...

DSC_0140.thumb.jpeg.c0e98402633da73fdffe7a30b1436d93.jpeg

Northern Light Cathedral in Alta by free shuttle bus...

DSC_1224.thumb.jpeg.75288f360549bcd2126c7645b59236ad.jpeg

Arctic "Cathedral" In Tromsø...

IMG_9375.thumb.jpeg.93f14a0bdeb46f3b78e60c88791a09a5.jpeg

After between 25 and 30 cruises with "Fred" & FOCLs as well as cruises with the likes of SAGA, P&O, Princess & Cunard, we shopped around... and find that on a like for like basis... FOCLs is now just so much more expensive for a less good offering... so we've found that it really helps to compare the market. 

We would always take a balcony cabin because probably by the time a cruise ship reached Alta and most certainly by the time it reached Honningsvåg it would be further North and closer to the Pole than any other cruise ship or expedition ship on earth. By the time that it rounded the North Cape it would be further North than even the Hurtigruten ferries. At that Latitude of well over 71˚ North the decks on cruise-ships may well be closed because it's too windy, too wet, too snowy or the sea's too high and so the only sheltered, safe, dark spot... to patiently look out for the Aurora is the balcony.

This is important because, the most likely place for the Northern Lights to be seen on a cruise is while the ship is travelling off shore. (That's because the sky is likely to be clearer, the ship often travels at night and the fact that he ships spend more time at sea than in port.) Often ships try to increase the chances of possible sightings by spending some time just off the Norwegian coast in sea areas such as Lopphavet, which is a stretch of open sea along the border of Troms og Finnmark. It's a fairly open area of sea off the entrance to the Altafjorden. P&O's Aurora is currently just leaving that area.

I was brought up in a seaside village in the North of Scotland where the Northern Lights were common in the dark of winter.  Over more than a quarter of a century we've successfully seen the Northern Lights dozens of times in Alaska, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the sea areas in between. They can last for seconds or for hours, be as faint as smoke trails or as bright as neon lights, vary from a light green haze to startling shafts of light and create the illusions of anthropogenic forms of the faces of animals, trolls and all manner of other things. While it's possible to see the effects of the northern lights during the day... the blue of the sky can change to a translucent turquoise... the one thing that's certain the human eye needs to be well adjusted to the darkness of the night sky to see and appreciate them in all of their glory... (these days it can take us up to 30 minutes in the dark if the lights are faint... young eyes can adjust quicker!) Anyone inside a ship or behind reflective glass is far less likely to see the light in their true intensity or colour.

The HD Northern Lights images that we see in the media have often been taken on highly sensitive cameras on solid tripods set on viewing positions with little extraneous light to allow for timed exposures of 15s or more. On many occasions the pictures have been digitally enhanced.

What passengers on a cruise ship are more likely to actually see with the naked eye is... something like these that we took a couple of weeks ago.

DSC_2710.thumb.jpeg.1f496e6727d3f2d38ce3de6aaa052f2b.jpeg

On a good night (Five solid hours) on Fred's Boudiccain 2015 while cruising  Lopphavet... this  is the  type of thing that we saw from the deck.

image.thumb.jpeg.5e9cbe05284fa2fc7bacbaef3a052475.jpeg

This "Troll" came out of nowhere almost frightened the living daylights  out of those of up on deck and, then vanished in an instant. You can see the goatee beard on the chin, the well define pointed nose, the deep hollow eyes, the Troll-like ears and the hair blowing away into the distance. Ten seconds of intensely exciting, awesome Primeval Fear... it left us all gasping!

DSC_0382.thumb.jpeg.5f5cc0d0d8272f2f5d729d8277389c1b.jpeg

The Friend in the red jacket was also with us on our last cruise!

DSC_0396.thumb.jpg.7d745817d6f1c3709e86ed78083513bb.jpg

And the Northern Lights excursion...

And the Northern Lights excursion... this is when we were on "Fred" at Alta in 2014... (Again on the Boudicca) almost knee deep in snow on a green on the local golf club. Five coaches went... the great majority were too cold to stay out and retreated back to the coaches or the club house where there was ample supplies to hot drinks and chockie cake. About a dozen of us braved the weather and we rewarded with this beautiful Aurora Bow rising majestically behind the clubhouse. It was awesome... and nobody in the light and warmth of the clubhouse had any idea that it had ever been there. However... folks who had stayed on board the Boudicca and looked out from the ship's decks saw it... despite the lights of the town.

DSC_8814.thumb.jpg.2a0ccc92957d64ab34f15670685811f1.jpg

You've probably guessed that we find the lights exciting and we're willing to wrap up very warm and have the patience to stay out in the cold for ages to watch and wonder.

Good luck in selecting your cruise. We hope that you will have a wonderful time, that you'll see the lights and that you'll have memories that will last a lifetime.

Thanks

On 4/1/2023 at 12:30 PM, twotravellersLondon said:   We used SAGA. We booked at the beginning of the booking period and had a 35% discount. We have compared next seasons prices on the basis of a balcony cabin... the entry level on SAGA.   Also included in our price was visits to the speciality restaurants... one example...     Compared with the main dining room...     These are pics of other included visits...   Bryggen in Bergen...     Northern Light Cathedral in Alta by free shuttle bus...     Arctic "Cathedral" In Tromsø...     After between 25 and 30 cruises with "Fred" & FOCLs as well as cruises with the likes of SAGA, P&O, Princess & Cunard, we shopped around... and find that on a like for like basis... FOCLs is now just so much more expensive for a less good offering... so we've found that it really helps to compare the market.    We would always take a balcony cabin because probably by the time a cruise ship reached Alta and most certainly by the time it reached Honningsvåg it would be further North and closer to the Pole than any other cruise ship or expedition ship on earth. By the time that it rounded the North Cape it would be further North than even the Hurtigruten ferries. At that Latitude of well over 71˚ North the decks on cruise-ships may well be closed because it's too windy, too wet, too snowy or the sea's too high and so the only sheltered, safe, dark spot... to patiently look out for the Aurora is the balcony.   This is important because, the most likely place for the Northern Lights to be seen on a cruise is while the ship is travelling off shore. (That's because the sky is likely to be clearer, the ship often travels at night and the fact that he ships spend more time at sea than in port.) Often ships try to increase the chances of possible sightings by spending some time just off the Norwegian coast in sea areas such as Lopphavet, which is a stretch of open sea along the border of Troms og Finnmark. It's a fairly open area of sea off the entrance to the Altafjorden. P&O's Aurora is currently just leaving that area.   I was brought up in a seaside village in the North of Scotland where the Northern Lights were common in the dark of winter.  Over more than a quarter of a century we've successfully seen the Northern Lights dozens of times in Alaska, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the sea areas in between. They can last for seconds or for hours, be as faint as smoke trails or as bright as neon lights, vary from a light green haze to startling shafts of light and create the illusions of anthropogenic forms of the faces of animals, trolls and all manner of other things. While it's possible to see the effects of the northern lights during the day... the blue of the sky can change to a translucent turquoise... the one thing that's certain the human eye needs to be well adjusted to the darkness of the night sky to see and appreciate them in all of their glory... (these days it can take us up to 30 minutes in the dark if the lights are faint... young eyes can adjust quicker!) Anyone inside a ship or behind reflective glass is far less likely to see the light in their true intensity or colour.   The HD Northern Lights images that we see in the media have often been taken on highly sensitive cameras on solid tripods set on viewing positions with little extraneous light to allow for timed exposures of 15s or more. On many occasions the pictures have been digitally enhanced.   What passengers on a cruise ship are more likely to actually see with the naked eye is... something like these that we took a couple of weeks ago.         On a good night (Five solid hours) on Fred's Boudiccain 2015 while cruising  Lopphavet... this  is the  type of thing that we saw from the deck.     This "Troll" came out of nowhere almost frightened the living daylights  out of those of up on deck and, then vanished in an instant. You can see the goatee beard on the chin, the well define pointed nose, the deep hollow eyes, the Troll-like ears and the hair blowing away into the distance. Ten seconds of intensely exciting, awesome Primeval Fear... it left us all gasping!     The Friend in the red jacket was also with us on our last cruise!     And the Northern Lights excursion...   And the Northern Lights excursion... this is when we were on "Fred" at Alta in 2014... (Again on the Boudicca) almost knee deep in snow on a green on the local golf club. Five coaches went... the great majority were too cold to stay out and retreated back to the coaches or the club house where there was ample supplies to hot drinks and chockie cake. About a dozen of us braved the weather and we rewarded with this beautiful Aurora Bow rising majestically behind the clubhouse. It was awesome... and nobody in the light and warmth of the clubhouse had any idea that it had ever been there. However... folks who had stayed on board the Boudicca and looked out from the ship's decks saw it... despite the lights of the town.         You've probably guessed that we find the lights exciting and we're willing to wrap up very warm and have the patience to stay out in the cold for ages to watch and wonder.     Good luck in selecting your cruise. We hope that you will have a wonderful time, that you'll see the lights and that you'll have memories that will last a lifetime.

Lots of great info there thank you and super photos.

One tiny point for clarification only - the two Saga ships are only very slightly smaller than Fred's two larger ships (around 3000/4000 tons) and they are actually bigger than Balmoral. They do however take around 300 fewer passengers.

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

  • Welcome to Cruise Critic
  • New Cruisers
  • Cruise Lines “A – O”
  • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
  • River Cruising
  • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
  • Special Interest Cruising
  • Cruise Discussion Topics
  • UK Cruising
  • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
  • Canadian Cruisers
  • North American Homeports
  • Ports of Call
  • Cruise Conversations

Announcements

  • New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

WAR_icy_SUPERstar777.jpg

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS

LauraS · Started 21 hours ago

LauraS · Started Thursday at 08:42 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 02:44 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 11:22 AM

LauraS · Started Tuesday at 02:51 PM

Viking French Toast on The Viking Mars at The Restaurant

  • Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
  • Find Your Roll Call
  • Meet & Mingle
  • Community Help Center
  • All Activity
  • Member Photo Albums
  • Meet & Mingle Photos
  • Favorite Cruise Memories
  • Cruise Food Photos
  • Cruise Ship Photos
  • Ports of Call Photos
  • Towel Animal Photos
  • Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
  • Write a Review
  • Live Cruise Reports
  • Member Cruise Reviews
  • Create New...

Cruisez®

Aurora P&O Cruises (R418) Norwegian Fjords Cruise 11th September 2024

Inroduction.

This cruise aboard P&O Aurora and operated by P&O Cruises, is a 12-night Norwegian Fjords No-Fly cruise from Southampton. The cruise departs on the 11th of September, 2024.

Ports of Call * (in no particular order!)

  • Alesund: Alesund is a Norwegian port town known for its Art Nouveau architecture and scenic views. Visitors can explore the Alesund Aquarium, the Jugendstilsenteret Museum, and the Aksla viewpoint.
  • Andalsnes: Andalsnes, a Norwegian port town in the Rauma region, is known for its scenic views and outdoor activities. Visitors can explore the Trollstigen Road, the Romsdal Museum, and the Raumabanen Railway.
  • Eidfjord: This Norwegian village is known for its natural beauty, including the Hardangervidda National Park and the Vøringfossen waterfall. Visitors can explore the Eidfjord Church, the Hardangervidda Nature Centre, and the Kjeåsen Mountain Farm.
  • Haugesund: Haugesund is a coastal town in southwestern Norway known for its Viking heritage, beautiful fjords, and stunning natural landscapes.
  • Nordfjordeid: Nordfjordeid is a small town located at the end of the Nordfjord in Norway and is a popular port of call for many cruise ships. Visitors can explore the town's historic sites, museums, and nearby natural attractions.
  • Skjolden: Skjolden is a village at the head of the Sognefjord, the largest fjord in Norway. The village is surrounded by mountains and glaciers, making it a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and fishing. Visitors can also take a scenic drive along the fjord or visit nearby attractions such as the Jostedalsbreen Glacier and the Urnes Stave Church.
  • Stavanger (Norway): Stavanger is a city in southwestern Norway known for its natural beauty, museums, and cultural attractions. The city is often a popular port of call for cruise ships travelling through the Norwegian fjords. Visitors can explore the old town, hike to the top of Pulpit Rock for panoramic views, or visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum to learn about the country's oil industry.
  • Trondheim: Trondheim is a city in central Norway located on the Trondheim Fjord. The city has a long and rich history, having been the capital of Norway during the Viking Age. Trondheim is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, including the iconic Nidaros Cathedral, and its modern cultural offerings, including festivals and music events.

About Aurora

Aurora is a mid-sized ship from P&O Cruises, exclusively for adults. Aurora is a world-class ship, bringing the joys of classic cruise travel to all. Aurora features a skydome over her inviting Crystal Pool, an award-winning wine bar, a cinema and theatre, and a range of fine dining options. Aurora sails to a variety of destinations, including the USA and Canada, the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Fjords and more. Book your Aurora cruise today and enjoy the intimate classic ship.

Fitness enthusiasts on Aurora, can take advantage of the ship’s well-equipped gymnasium, fitness classes, and personal training sessions, ensuring they can stay active during their cruise.

All of Aurora Cruises in 2024 can be found on the main Aurora page of Cruisez. For details about the ship, visit P&O Aurora .

Aurora Cruises this Month

Itinerary: Southampton – St. John’s (Newfoundland), Gaspe, Sept-Iles, Quebec City (overnight onboard), Saguenay, Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Halifax, Sydney (Nova Scotia) – Southampton

Similar Cruises

Itinerary: Southampton – Haugesund – Skjolden – Alesund – Trondheim – Andalsnes – Nordfjordeid – Bergen – Kristiansund – Southampton

Itinerary: Southampton – Haugesund, Skjolden, Alesund, Trondheim, Andalsnes, Nordfjordeid, Eidfjord, Stavanger (Norway) – Southampton

  • CruiseMapper
  • Cruise news
  • Cruise Industry
  • Hurtigruten extends Northern Lights Promise, offering guests...

Hurtigruten extends Northern Lights Promise, offering guests longer viewing opportunities

CruiseMapper logo

Hurtigruten has prolonged its distinct Northern Lights Promise until September, allowing travelers a lengthier opportunity to witness one of nature's most remarkable phenomena.

Renowned for showcasing the splendors of Norway's natural landscape, Hurtigruten is dedicated to maximizing guests' chances of encountering the Aurora Borealis. The extension of the Northern Lights Promise from mid-September onwards underscores the company's commitment to ensuring travelers can experience this awe-inspiring spectacle.

This policy expansion aims to instill confidence among numerous guests seeking to cross witnessing the Northern Lights off their bucket lists, reaffirming Norway as the premier destination for this captivating natural display.

With over a century of navigation along Norway's coastline, Hurtigruten's expertise in showcasing Norway's wonders is unparalleled. The extension of its acclaimed Northern Lights Promise, the first of its kind in the cruise industry, underscores Hurtigruten's dedication to providing exceptional experiences. This policy guarantees guests a second opportunity to witness the Northern Lights if they are not visible during an 11-day voyage or longer.

Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten, emphasized the company's conviction that Norway offers the optimal setting for experiencing the Northern Lights, particularly through its coastal cruises. Felin expressed enthusiasm for extending the Northern Lights Promise sailing period, asserting Hurtigruten's commitment to delivering extraordinary experiences to its guests.

In addition to prolonging the sailing period, Hurtigruten will continue to offer select astronomer-hosted voyages during the upcoming seasons. Introduced last year with success, these Astronomy Voyages provide guests with exclusive opportunities to sail alongside renowned astronomers, attend lectures, and partake in Northern Lights viewings onboard, enhancing the voyage's allure and creating unforgettable memories.

IMAGES

  1. Norway

    p&o aurora norway cruise

  2. P&O Aurora Norway cruise July 2016

    p&o aurora norway cruise

  3. P&O Aurora Cruise Ship 2024 / 2025

    p&o aurora norway cruise

  4. Aurora Cruise Ship

    p&o aurora norway cruise

  5. Aurora

    p&o aurora norway cruise

  6. Aurora

    p&o aurora norway cruise

VIDEO

  1. P&O Aurora meets Iona in Norwegian fjords #p&o #aurora #iona 3rd July 2023

  2. MS Aurora, P&O Cruies, Beyond the Sea

  3. P&O Cruises: Norwegian Fjords 2023

  4. aurora cruise ship #cruiseship #pocruises

  5. R714 P&O Aurora Norway Cruise 20th August 2017 to 27th August 2017

  6. P&O Arcadia Norwegian Fjords Cruise Ep6

COMMENTS

  1. Aurora, Cruise Ship Exclusively for Adults

    Stylish surroundings. Aurora's incredible atrium is the heart of the ship. Designed in a classic galleried style, it spans four decks and is home to a spectacular 35-foot sculpture by artist John Mills. For the best views on the ship, visit The Crow's Nest cocktail bar and watch the world float by.

  2. R403N

    Book your R403N Norway cruise from 12 Mar 24 on Aurora. Book online for your 2024 P&O Cruises trip and explore hidden gems in shores afar. Skip. Back. Norway, 16 Nights (R403N) 12 Mar 2024 - 28 Mar 2024. Close. Home. Login | Register. Search. 0. Previous. SHORE EXPERIENCES. HAIR & BEAUTY. SPA & WELLBEING.

  3. Aurora Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review

    The 2001-built P&O Aurora cruise ship is one of the older P&O UK liners. The drydock refit in 2014 made it the first in the fleet with the company's new hull livery - the Union Jack flag. ... Mediterranean, Iceland and Norway, as well as "mini-cruises" from the UK to Belgium. Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the ship Aurora was paused through ...

  4. P&O Aurora Norwegian Fjords Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Cruise

    P&O Aurora Norwegian Fjords Cruises: Read 11 P&O Aurora Norwegian Fjords cruise reviews. Find great deals, tips and tricks on Cruise Critic to help plan your cruise.

  5. P&O Aurora Cruise to Norway 2022

    This video covers the places we visited during our P&O Aurora cruise in July / August 2022 to Norway. Some sail aways are included, as well as views on some...

  6. Norway Cruise

    Day 14 - Alta, Norway. Arrive: Thu 15 August 2024 / Depart: Thu 15 August 2024. Home to the Cathedral of the Northern Lights, Alta is also the site of the world's first Northern Lights observatory, built in the late 1800s. This is one of the spots you're most likely to catch a glimpse of the unpredictable polar light show, earning Alta the ...

  7. 7 Best Northern Lights Cruises

    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. 04 of 07

  8. 4 P&O Cruises' Norwegian Fjords Voyages to Book Now

    P&O Cruises' "In Search of the Northern Lights" voyages (there are two yearly scheduled through 2026) departs in October and December on the home-away-from Aurora cruise ship. The 1,910-passenger ...

  9. P&O Aurora Cruise Ship Review & Information

    P&O Cruises offer a distinctive style that appeals to both new and veteran travellers alike, with trademark sailings providing opportunities for the whole family to enjoy. Cruises for those seeking an adult-only vibe are available, while those who prefer smaller ships can choose from more modest vessels. 1874. Passengers.

  10. Norway Cruise Holidays 2024, 2025 & 2026

    Explore hidden gems and wonderful experiences on our Norway cruise holidays with P&O Cruises. Book now for 2024, 2025 & 2026 adventures. ... Alta, Åndalsnes and Stavanger in search of the aurora borealis, this awe-inspiring show. The calm, clear waters of Norway's fjords are surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls, and the experience of ...

  11. P&O Aurora, Norwegian Fjords from Southampton, March 12, 2025

    Sail away from Southampton above the Arctic Circle in search of the mystical natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis - the Northern Lights on board P&O Cruises, ship Aurora. Discover Andalsnes, Tromso, Alta and Stavanger with P&O Aurora. Aurora leaving Southampton, UK for 12 nights from March 12, 2025. Port order and/or content may vary ...

  12. Norway & Iceland Cruise Holidays 2024, 2025 & 2026

    7 night Norway And Iceland May 24, 2024. School holidays See all. Set sail for an exciting family holiday (with lots of time to relax too). Gaze up at sky-high mountains, kayak on sparkling fjords, hear fearsome Viking tales and enjoy all the entertainment on board. View Cruise.

  13. P&O AURORA

    Well hello there!Join us for a 15 minute ship tour of the adult only P&O Cruises Aurora. Launched in 2000 she is the oldest and fastest ship in the P&O fleet...

  14. Fred Olsen Borealis vs P&O Aurora for Norway

    I'm considering a Norway Northern Lights cruise in December. Both Fred Olsen Borealis and P&O Aurora get good reviews and the itineraries are somewhat similar. ... I would be happy to cruise with P&O to the Northern Lights. So the only difference I would say between the two lines is the spread of Passengers. Fred Olsen has the "feel" of a ...

  15. P&O Aurora Norway Cruise 15th November 2023

    This cruise aboard P&O Aurora and operated by P&O Cruises, is a 12-night Norway No-Fly cruise from Southampton. The cruise departs on the 15th of November, 2023. Itinerary Itinerary: Southampton - Andalsnes, Tromsø (Norway), Alta (overnight onboard), Haugesund - Southampton

  16. P&O Aurora R424 Norway Cruise 9th December 2024

    This cruise aboard P&O Aurora and operated by P&O Cruises, is a 12-night Norway No-Fly cruise from Southampton. The cruise departs on the 9th of December, 2024. Itinerary Itinerary: Southampton - Andalsnes, Tromsø (Norway), Alta (overnight onboard), Stavanger (Norway) - Southampton

  17. Norway Cruise

    Norway Cruise. Departure Date Thu 17th Oct 2024. P&O Cruises Aurora. 12 Night Cruise From Southampton. Cruise Only From £1,829 pp. Get A Quote.

  18. P&O Aurora R418 Norwegian Fjords Cruise 11th September 2024

    Aurora is a world-class ship, bringing the joys of classic cruise travel to all. Aurora features a skydome over her inviting Crystal Pool, an award-winning wine bar, a cinema and theatre, and a range of fine dining options. Aurora sails to a variety of destinations, including the USA and Canada, the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Fjords and more.

  19. Norway Fjord Cruise

    Arrive: Sat 28 June 2025 / Depart: Sat 28 June 2025. Nestled peacefully at the end of one of Norway's most beautiful waterways, Nordfjordeid is a picturesque, hidden gem. Wander the old centre of town to find white-painted buildings brimming with cafés, restaurants, bakeries and shops, or discover unique architecture at the modern opera ...

  20. 5 reasons you'll LOVE the P&O Aurora Cruise Ship!

    Of all the cruise ships in the P&O Cruises fleet, Aurora is the only one that offers a one-off design. Aurora isn't part of a class of ships in the P&O or Ca...

  21. Hurtigruten extends Northern Lights Promise, offering guests longer

    Hurtigruten has prolonged its distinct Northern Lights Promise until September, allowing travelers a lengthier opportunity to witness one of nature's most remarkable phenomena.. Renowned for showcasing the splendors of Norway's natural landscape, Hurtigruten is dedicated to maximizing guests' chances of encountering the Aurora Borealis.