If you have always dreamt of seeing the Northern Lights, 2012 is probably the best opportunity you will ever get: NASA predicts the best Northern Lights experience in 50 years for next year.

Further good news is that a Hurtigruten ship will be in a perfect location when this happens. Passengers will get a chance to see this natural phenomenon from a better viewing platform than probably anyone on solid ground.

The intensity of the Northern Lights has been growing since 2007 and it will reach a peak in 2012. Such a peak only occurs once every 11 to 12 years.

NASA says their calculations show a breathtaking Northern Lights experience – better than at any other time during the past 50 years.

The Northern Lights are usually particularly active during late autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and they are at their brightest and occur most frequently at a distance of about 2,500 kilometres from the magnetic North Pole. A large part of the Norwegian coastline lies in an area that is perfect for viewing the Northern lights – particularly the high Arctic region above the Arctic Circle.

Hurtigruten will offer daily 6-day cruises departing for the area between the 1st November and the 31st December. These cruises will embark from Bergen to Kirkenes and offer passengers a choice of optional excursions, including sledging, snowmobiling and a visit to North Cape.

Prices of a 6-day cruise, including half board, start at £625 per person. Single travellers will appreciate the fact that no single supplements apply.