Northern Lights at Sea: NCL Prima Iceland & Norway Cruise
Last updated on November 29, 2025
Northern Lights at Sea: Our Norwegian Prima Iceland and Norway Cruise
TL;DR
• Best time to go: September for higher Northern Lights chances
• Who it’s for: Travelers who love dramatic landscapes, city icons, and days at sea
• Cost vibe: Moderate, especially for a longer sailing
• Where to stay pre-cruise: Millennium Gloucester for its easy Tube access
• Biggest win: Seeing the Northern Lights from the ship
• Biggest miss: Missing the Reykjavik land-based Northern Lights tour due to storms
Why we wrote this guide
We sailed with a group of 48 guests on a two-week Norwegian Prima Northern Europe cruise from London to Reykjavik and through the fjords of Norway. This wasn’t just about checking off ports. It became a moving story of weather, winds, waterfalls, and one unforgettable night under a glowing Arctic sky. If you’re dreaming of a Northern Lights cruise that brings together history, city life, and wild scenery, this guide shows what the experience actually feels like.
At a Glance
Best time to visit: September for weather + aurora potential
Currency: GBP in London and Belfast; ISK in Iceland; NOK in Norway
Plugs: UK two-prong in London hotels; plenty of US outlets on the ship
Language: English widely spoken everywhere
Safety: We felt safe across all ports using normal precautions
Transport: Tube in London (verify fares before you go); ship excursions and local buses elsewhere
Water: We filled our refillable bottles from the ship for port days
Our Story: Two Weeks Across Seas, Cities, and Northern Skies
We landed in London after a long Delta flight from Sarasota, settling into the Millennium Gloucester with its easy walk to restaurants and the Tube. Our first morning felt like a gift. London greeted us with clear blue skies and sunlight bouncing off the Thames. It almost felt like the city was apologizing for all the visits when it had drenched us with rain.
London: A day under rare blue skies
We walked to Big Ben while the morning was still soft and quiet. Its golden details sparkled in the early light. Later, we rode the Tube to Buckingham Palace, weaving between commuters. A quick transfer took us across the city again to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. That moment when the bridge’s blue paint trim popped against the sky is something we still picture.
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Pro tip for London: Download The Tube app. It turns the city into something easy and intuitive, though always verify fare caps before you go.
That evening we boarded the Norwegian Prima and sailed toward Belfast.
Belfast: Ancient stones and the scent of whiskey
Our arrival in Northern Ireland led us straight into the strange beauty of Giant’s Causeway. The hexagonal stones were slick from sea spray, and when the waves rolled in, the whole place echoed with a deep, rhythmic crash. At Old Bushmills Distillery, the air held a warm, sweet aroma that wrapped around us like a story unfolding. We didn’t rush the tasting. Good whiskey deserves time.
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Iceland: Waterfalls, wind, and our first glimpse of the Northern Lights
Reykjavik: Golden Circle energy
Our Golden Circle tour filled the day with color and movement. Thingvellir National Park spread out in shades of mossy green, cracked by ancient tectonic rifts. Geysir shot steaming columns into the air while everyone around us leaned in with cameras ready. And then Gullfoss. The mist carried tiny rainbows that shimmered above the falls. It felt like Iceland was offering a small bit of theater just for us.
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Isafjordur: A quiet, rainy pause
The next morning we woke to steady rain in Isafjordur, and the whole town glimmered under gray skies. We took a short walk, umbrellas bending in the wind, and somehow the moody weather made the fjord cliffs feel even taller.
Akureyri and Godafoss: A curtain of white
Godafoss roared as if winter lived inside it, even in September. The water fanned out in a perfect arc, and with every shift of the sun, the mist danced.
That night we sailed toward Norway, and the sky gave us one of the moments we had hoped for. A pale green haze unfurled across the darkness. It wasn’t the strongest aurora we’ve ever seen in photos, but seeing it from the open deck, with cold air against our faces and the ship slicing through black water, felt unforgettable.
Pro tip for Iceland: Chase the waterfalls. The light loves them and makes beautiful rainbows.
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Norway: High peaks, warm pastries, and fjords that whisper
Geiranger: Snow at the top
Our first stop in Norway brought us up to the summit of Mt. Dalsnibba, where fresh snow dusted the lookout. When we looked down, our ship appeared impossibly small, a white and blue miniature floating nearly 5,000 feet below us. The cold air thinned out every sound. It felt like standing at the edge of the world.
Note: Always verify road openings to Dalsnibba before you go because weather changes quickly.
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Bergen: The scent of cinnamon on Mt. Floyen
Bergen welcomed us with crooked streets, colorful wooden buildings, and the irresistible aroma of Kanelbollers. We took the funicular up to Mt. Floyen, where the city spread out like a painted landscape. That was our first cinnamon bun of the day. It wasn’t our last.
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Stavanger and Lysefjorden: Waterfalls thundering from above
Our final Norwegian stop took us deep into Lysefjorden. Standing on a boat looking up at waterfalls that crashed from cliffs hundreds of feet above gave us a sense of scale we rarely feel at home. Every turn revealed something new: smooth granite walls, tiny farms tucked into hillsides, moss glowing bright green after rain.
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Pro tip for Norway: Eat the Kanelbollers. Preferably at every port. We did. 😁
What We’d Skip or Change Next Time
Overrated: Fish and chips in London. We’ve had better in Seattle, and we’ll try something different next time.
Our regret: Missing the Reykjavik land-based Northern Lights tour because storms delayed our arrival. It’s a reason to return, and we will.
FAQs
Is September good for Northern Lights cruises?
Yes. It offers a higher chance of aurora sightings and relatively mild early-fall weather.
Do you need warm gear in Iceland?
Absolutely. Iceland is windy. Pack breathable, waterproof outer layers, a warm hat, and lightweight gloves.
Are the ports walkable?
Many are. Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Bergen, and Stavanger all offer easy access to town centers.
Is tap water safe?
We chose to refill our insulated bottles from the ship, and that worked perfectly, so we didn't test the waters, so to speak.
Is London easy to navigate before a cruise?
Yes. The Tube makes it simple, though always verify fare caps before you go.
Is Mt. Dalsnibba worth it?
Yes. Just check seasonal road access before going.
Save and Share
If this story inspires your own Northern Europe adventure, share it with someone who is dreaming of waterfalls, fjords, and Northern Lights. Let’s plan your next trip!
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