North Pole

Fancy yourself a bit of a cruiser? Then the best way for you to see the Northern Lights is, without a doubt, aboard a fancy-pants expedition ship cruising the frigid Arctic waters in winter. No matter whence you hail, you’ll find a departure port nearby, be it in Norway, Iceland or Greenland. For this stellar option, my money’s on the wonderful island of Spitzbergen on the remote Svalbard archipelago, a slither of ice-covered gorgeousness that separates Norway from the North Pole. Administered by the former but eliciting dreams of the latter, Spitzbergen is polar bear central and Northern Lights capital, where winters are ruthless but unforgettable. Expedition cruises depart here all year long, with the winter schedule aimed at soaking up the lights which can actually be visible by lunchtime. Your options for cruising below the Northern Light are seriously limitless so check out this brilliant article on the Best Northern Lights Cruises for drool worthy inspiration.