Seeing the Northern Lights is on many a travel bucket list, but catching this incredible natural phenomenon can prove elusive. While you could travel to Iceland in hopes of glimpsing the Aurora Borealis, sightings are never guaranteed.

On a trip along the breathtaking Norwegian coast, however, the chances of seeing them during an 11-day cruise are so high that travel company Hurtigruten offers a ‘Northern Lights Promise’: a free cruise if you don’t see them during the season.

Picture this: you’re on a ship far out in the Norwegian Sea, surrounded by nothing but the twinkling glimmer of stars and the golden glow of the moon set against craggy fjords and snow-capped mountains. The sheer remoteness and lack of light pollution couldn’t set the scene better for a front-row view of the Lights, and while the weather can never be guaranteed, ​the ship always sails past cloud cover to reach clearer skies as quickly as possible.

Hurtigruten is an expert in exploring the Norwegian coastline, the second longest in the world, and has a handful of routes to choose from, each with the promise of spotting the Aurora Borealis. Having traversed the coast for more than 130 years, there’s nobody better to take you to explore this sliver of the world, especially if seeing the Lights is a must.

Traversing the fjords

Keep it classic with one of their Original Voyages, which explores the original Coastal Express route they founded in 1893 and one many describe as the world’s most beautiful voyage. It takes you to 34 ports and across 2,500 nautical miles, from the southern city of Bergen, across the Arctic Circle, up to Kirkenes, and back. It’s the ultimate way to get to know the rugged Helgeland Coast and sail between Norway’s famous fjords, of which there are over 1000, each dotted with traditional farms and quaint fishing villages.

Norway’s breathtaking archipelago is the stuff of dreams, and this age-old route bypasses the Lofoten and Vesterålen islands, boasting views you’re probably more used to seeing on your Instagram timeline. You’ll get to stop off at fairytale-esque Norwegian towns and villages and sail in search of glaciers alongside locals who have relied on these ships for many generations.

Northern Norway sits within the Auroral Oval, where the Northern Lights have been known to light up the entire sky. On the 12-day Coastal Express route, 22 of the 34 ports lie within the Arctic Circle, and guests spend six nights in the Auroral Zone, perfect for chasing Earth’s magnificent spectacle.

Enjoy a foodventure

If you’re partial to luxe-ing it up, a Signature Voyage might be more your style, offering front-row seats to Norway’s must-see sights and scenery and more time to explore each stop. The all-inclusive option is a foodie’s dream, allowing you to really make the most of the award-winning restaurants onboard. Each one is named after an aspect of the Norwegian coast and includes menus of dishes crafted with the best seasonal ingredients plucked from destinations all along the coastline.

Norway’s Coastal Kitchen is bountiful, and sourcing homegrown and harvested ingredients where you sail is at the heart of the food enjoyed onboard. They are hot on supporting local artisans, historic fishing communities, and multi-generation farming families, and one day, you might be tucking into traditional Norwegian fish soup from Bergen and the next on salted lamb from an age-old butchery in Hellesylt, each with its own story and reason for being featured on the menu.

You could enjoy a trip for the food alone, but if you’re cruising with the Northern Lights front of mind, plan a trip from late September to the end of March. The chances of spotting them are better than ever, and all cabins and suites feature a ‘Northern Lights alert,’ where guests will be notified whenever the Aurora is spotted. The crew will also announce sightings directly to cabins or suites, day or night, which you can activate or deactivate whenever you want.

There’s a whole selection of Northern Lights routes to choose from with Hurtigruten, each offering its own Norwegian adventure and the chance to witness one of Earth’s greatest wonders with snow-dusted mountains and glistening fjords as a stunning backdrop.

Book your Norwegian Northern Lights adventure for less, with up to 25 per cent on selected Original voyages and 15 per cent on selected Signature Voyages. For offers, routes and excursion info, visit Hurtigruten