The 10 best cruises for chasing the northern lights in Alaska, according to U.S. News

Seeing the northern lights is one of the most compelling travel experiences on Earth. The aurora borealis forms when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, producing waves of green, purple, and red light that move across the night sky. Alaska is one of the most popular places in the world to witness this phenomenon, particularly in interior regions such as Fairbanks, which lies directly under the auroral oval, the zone where activity is most concentrated. Clear, dark skies between late August and late April provide the best conditions, with peak visibility often occurring between midnight and 4 a.m., according to U.S. News & World Report.

Cruising offers a structured way to pursue the aurora, but itinerary design matters. Most Alaska sailings run from April through September, with September departures offering a strategic advantage. The autumnal equinox increases geomagnetic disturbances, which can improve aurora activity, while longer nights provide more viewing hours. Cruise lines such as Holland America Line and Princess Cruises recommend this period for the best chance.

Continue reading to see 10 of the best cruises to increase your chances of seeing the aurora.

Credit: Holland America

This nine-day cruisetour is built around one of Alaska's strongest aurora-viewing hubs: Fairbanks. Travelers $TRV participate in a dedicated four-hour northern lights excursion outside the city, where darker skies offer better visibility than in urban areas.

The itinerary runs from the last week of August through mid-September, aligning with longer nights and increased geomagnetic activity. Guests also stay near Denali National Park at a wilderness lodge, adding more late-night viewing opportunities in low-light conditions.

The cruise portion includes scenic highlights such as Hubbard Glacier and port calls including Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. This combination of inland nights and structured excursions increases the likelihood of sightings compared to standard coastal-only sailings.

Credit: Holland America

This cruise-only itinerary highlights Alaska’s coastal scenery, with three days of scenic cruising, including Glacier Bay National Park. Ports of call include Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan before ending in Whittier. While it does not include inland aurora viewing, travelers can extend their trip to Anchorage via rail or road and book independent northern lights excursions.

Credit: Princess Cruises

This 11-day cruisetour emphasizes extended stays in interior Alaska, where aurora visibility is typically stronger than along the coast. Spending these overnights in September provides optimal conditions, with longer, darker skies and increased aurora activity around the equinox.

The itinerary includes stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Whittier, but the inland portion is the key advantage. Spending three nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge provides multiple opportunities to see the aurora instead of relying on a single night or location.

Credit: Princess Cruises

This cruisetour begins with three nights on land, including stays in Fairbanks and near Denali, offering strong early opportunities to see the aurora. Guests can request wake-up calls if the lights appear overnight. After the land stay, guests take a motor coach to Whittier, where they board a cruise featuring views of Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, along with stops in Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

Credit: Celebrity Cruises

This 12-night cruisetour pairs classic coastal sailing with deeper access to interior Alaska, where aurora sightings are more likely. The voyage begins with a seven-night cruise through the Inside Passage, with stops including Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, and Icy Strait Point.

After disembarking in Seward, travelers head inland to Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks, one of the most reliable locations for viewing due to its position under the auroral oval. Overnight stays allow time to arrange aurora tours or receive alerts for nighttime activity.

Additional experiences, such as a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise and a rail journey, enhance the trip. The itinerary’s strength lies in combining multiple aurora-prone locations with enough time to take advantage of them.

Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line $NCLH

This 12-day itinerary is structured to front-load aurora viewing opportunities before the cruise begins. The pre-cruise land portion includes stays in Fairbanks, Denali, and Anchorage, three locations known for strong aurora visibility under clear skies.

Travelers $TRV have time to book guided excursions, explore Denali National Park, and take part in activities such as wildlife hikes or flightseeing tours. A scenic rail journey between Talkeetna and Anchorage adds another layer to the inland experience.

Afterward, the cruise includes glacier viewing at Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, along with stops such as Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan. Prioritizing interior Alaska early increases the likelihood of sightings before transitioning to coastal travel.

Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line $NCLH

This seven-day round-trip from Seattle includes one day in Glacier Bay National Park, followed by visits to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Guests can also choose shore excursions, such as kayaking and panning for gold. Northern lights sightings are possible, particularly in Juneau, depending on weather and timing. Guests can track forecasts and request alerts from onboard staff if conditions look promising.

Credit: Royal Caribbean $RCL

This 13-night cruisetour stands out for the number of overnight stays in prime aurora-viewing locations. After a seven-night cruise with stops such as Ketchikan, Sitka, and Skagway, travelers continue inland for extended stays.

The land portion includes Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks, offering progressively stronger viewing conditions. Fairbanks provides the highest probability due to its location beneath the auroral oval.

Daytime activities include the Tundra Wilderness Tour and cultural visits, while evenings are reserved for potential sightings. Multiple nights in optimal regions give travelers repeated chances to see the northern lights.

Credit: Royal Caribbean $RCL

This cruisetour begins with inland stays in Anchorage, Talkeetna and Denali, where darker skies improve aurora viewing potential. Guests travel in a glass-domed railcar and stay in remote lodges that offer nighttime viewing opportunities. After five days on land, guests board their boat on day six to continue their journey with a cruise featuring glacier sailing and stops such as Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay.

Credit: Regent Seven Seas

This seven-night cruise focuses on coastal Alaska, with scenic cruising through Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage. Ports of call include Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, offering a mix of outdoor excursions and cultural stops.

While the itinerary does not include inland overnights, guests can still watch for the aurora from the ship, particularly during late-night hours under clear skies. A later evening departure in Skagway also creates an additional window for potential sightings.

The cruise emphasizes flexibility, with included shore excursions and open evenings for aurora tracking. Success depends more on weather and solar activity than on inland itineraries, but the experience still offers a chance to see the northern lights at sea.