Is an aurora cruise worth it? I joined Hurtigruten's Signature Voyage to find out

Northern lights appear as curtains of magenta and green stretching down from the sky.

I've been fortunate enough to catch several northern lights displays in just a few years, including from my own backyard in Nottingham, U.K. (thank you Gannon Storm 2024). As an aurora reporter, one of the most common questions I get asked is, "Where's the best place to see them?"

Here's what I tell everyone: For your best chance, you'll want to head above the Arctic Circle under the auroral oval. The important thing to keep in mind is that no matter what, make sure you pick somewhere you want to go, regardless of whether the northern lights make an appearance. Why? Well, that's because they don't always show up — and that's part of their charm (and frustration).