See the Northern Lights at sea with Ambassador Cruise Line

If you’ve never witnessed the Northern Lights first-hand, then Ambassador Cruise Line has a treat in store for you, with an appealing selection of itineraries that could well give you a front row seat at one of nature’s best shows.

At sea could well be the best vantage point for a magnificent display of the Northern Lights. Famously only visible from a limited region of the northern hemisphere, and especially impressive when viewed away from any interfering light pollution, these multi-coloured glowing swirls are an absolute treat to watch from the open deck of a ship.

And not only will you have the mysterious midnight spectacle to look forward to, you’ll also get your hands on free match-day tickets to Essex Cricket, and you’ll save yourself the cost of flights because Ambassador always departs from British homeports.

Two top tips for viewing the Northern Lights
To prepare yourself for a show to match (if not exceed) any new year fireworks display, you’ll want to pack something warm and snuggly because – let’s be real – it’s going to be pretty cold outside on deck in the middle of the night around the Arctic Circle, and – keeping it real – you’re going to want to stay out and watch for as long as the lights are performing.

The northern lights are mesmerising to watch directly, and are even better to photograph, so make sure you’ve got your camera charged and ready to go. If you get the call that the lights are out, you want to be out there too, not dilly dallying looking for your camera, or a replacement battery.

When’s the best time to go?
The best times of year to catch the Northern Lights in Norway are spring through autumn, with the most intense displays at the beginning and end of the window.

What better way to add some intrigue and excitement to the cooler months? Here are some sailings that have caught our eye:

1. Departing from Bristol on November 10, 2023, Ambition heads out on a 16-night voyage to witness the neon turquoise and glowing fuchsia of the Aurora Borealis. Enjoy visiting charming coastal towns, including Trondheim, on the way to the Arctic Circle in anticipation of that magic stardust.

Alta is a great spot from viewing the Northern Lights, so an overnight stay here is a great addition to the itinerary. If London is a more convenient departure port for you, then there’s an option to join Ambition on November 12, 2023 for a 14-night sailing – saving you a journey out to Bristol.

2. Ambition is going to be basking in the light of nature’s best light show in the early spring too. Departing from London on February 29, 2024 for a 15-night holiday, this is a phenomenal way to add some extra colour and light to the beginning of spring.

Stopping in Rotterdam for a fun day exploring before heading up the Norwegian coastline into the Arctic Circle, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the inspirationally-named Northern Lights Cathedral in Alta, with further stops in Bodo and Bergen on the return leg of the trip.

3. And for your best chance of catching the lights in all their intensity, for a hypnotic flirtation with the supernatural, Ambition’s 11-night sailing from London, departing on March 15, 2024 looks like an excellent choice. Unlike her earlier voyages, this time Ambition heads out west, via the Orkney Islands and Faroes, towards Iceland. With opportunities to catch the Northern Lights during your overnight stay in Reykjavik or while sailing, this is a cruise for the album. Your camera will thank you later.