I'd seen the photographs, watched the documentaries and heard countless stories from friends lucky enough to witness nature's most spectacular light show. So when the opportunity came to join a Northern Lights voyage with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, I didn't need much convincing.

What I hadn't expected was how much I would enjoy everything else along the way.

Setting sail from Southampton

Departing from Southampton onboard Borealis, there was something wonderfully relaxing about knowing the holiday had already begun the moment I stepped onboard. No airport queues, luggage restrictions or rushing between terminals. Instead, there was a gradual sense of anticipation as we left the shores of the UK, sailing north towards Norway. After all, everyone onboard was travelling for the same reason.

The funny thing about a Northern Lights cruise is that you do spend most of the voyage waiting. Waiting for the right conditions, for darkness and ultimately,waiting for that bridge announcement that sends everyone rushing onto deck.

That anticipation becomes part of the experience. In fact, by the middle of the voyage, everyone onboard had seemingly become an expert in cloud cover, solar activity and geomagnetic storms. I don’t think I’ve ever heard so many conversations about weather conditions had with such intensity (which for a brit, is something of an achievement).

Sea days and wildlife watching

Sea days, which I initially thought might be the least interesting part of the itinerary, quickly became some of my favourites. They offered the chance to slow down and enjoy the journey itself. Highlights included relaxing with a book, enjoying a leisurely meal, listening to live music, taking in a show or simply watching the sea roll by, there was always something to do. And one of the nicest touches was finding a pair of binoculars waiting in my cabin. It might seem like a small detail, but they quickly became one of my most-used items during the voyage. Incidentally, they proved invaluable for spotting wildlife. More than once, word spread quickly around the ship that whales had been sighted and suddenly passengers appeared from every direction hoping for a closer look.

Having the ORCA wildlife team onboard added another dimension to the experience, too. Their enthusiasm was infectious;there was always somebody on hand to help spot and identify the wildlife that calls these waters home.

Arriving in Ålesund

Our first stop was Ålesund, which felt like a proper introduction to Norway. Surrounded by mountains and water, the town's colourful buildings lined the shoreline whilst the surrounding peaks reflected perfectly in the still waters of the harbour. It was easy to see why Ålesund is so often described as one of Norway's most picturesque towns.

While the Northern Lights may have been the headline attraction, one of my favourite experiences came much earlier in the voyage. From Ålesund, I joined a boat excursion into the surrounding fjords. Towering mountains rose straight from the water, waterfalls cascaded down steep cliffs and tiny settlements appeared tucked away in places that seemed almost impossible to reach. Everywhere I looked felt like a postcard. The reflections on the water were so perfect at times it was difficult to tell where the mountains ended and the fjord began. I found myself taking photo after photo, convinced that the next bend in the fjord couldn't possibly be more impressive than the last. It usually was.

I'd seen countless photographs of Norway's fjords over the years, but experiencing them in person was something entirely different.

Sailing further north

As we continued north, the scenery only became more dramatic. We sailed past famous landmarks, including the Seven Sisters mountain range, crossed the Arctic Circle and ventured further into Northern Lights territory. Every day seemed to bring another incredible view, whether it was snow-dusted mountains, dramatic coastlines or vast open stretches of Arctic wilderness.

Narvik also delivered another of the voyage's highlights. A journey on the Arctic Train offered yet another perspective on Norway's spectacular landscapes, winding through snow-covered scenery that felt a world away from everyday life.

Crossing the Arctic Circle

Crossing the Arctic Circle felt like a genuine milestone. There was a noticeable buzz around the ship as guests gathered on deck and the captain made the announcement. And of course, no crossing would be complete without a little ceremony. As guests gathered on deck, we were introduced to Neptune himself and invited to take part in a longstanding maritime tradition. To officially join the ranks of Arctic explorers, we were required to kneel before the King of the Sea and receive his blessing.

What followed was less regal than I had imagined.

Whilst some guests received a modest splash of ice-cold water, Neptune clearly decided I needed the full experience. Before I knew it, an entire bucket of freezing water had been poured over my head, followed by an additional bucket of ice disappearing down the back of my shirt for good measure. I'm not sure whether it was the shock, the laughter from fellow passengers, or a combination of both, but it was impossible not to enjoy every second of it. It was one of those wonderfully silly travel moments that you'll probably never forget and, somehow, made crossing the Arctic Circle feel even more special.

An Arctic sauna and a very cold swim

As if being drenched by Neptune wasn't enough excitement for one day, another unforgettable experience came in the form of an Arctic sauna. Now, I should point out that voluntarily jumping into freezing Arctic waters wasn't something I'd ever imagined myself doing. Yet there I was. After warming up inside one of Norway's floating Arctic saunas, I found myself staring through the window at the freezing waters outside and wondering whether I had completely lost my mind. Moments later, having somehow convinced myself this was a good idea, I climbed out of the sauna and jumped into the freezing Arctic waters below. The shock of the cold is difficult to describe. Every nerve ending suddenly comes alive. It's exhilarating, slightly ridiculous and one of the most memorable travel experiences I've had in years.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely.In fact, given half the chance, I'd probably be first in the queue.

The night the sky finally changed

Of course, everyone was still waiting for one thing. Each evening, conversations seemed to end with the same question: "Do you think tonight will be the night?" Guests wrapped up warm and headed onto deck, checking the skies and hoping conditions would be in our favour. Every glimpse of a star-filled sky brought renewed optimism.

Then, finally, it happened.

At first it was subtle. A faint green glow stretching across the darkness. Then slowly the sky began to come alive. What happened next was almost as entertaining as the Northern Lights themselves. There were, of course, the serious photographers. The ones armed with impressive cameras and lenses who clearly knew exactly what they were doing. They adjusted settings with confidence as shutters clicked away around the deck.

Then there were the rest of us. Myself included.

I found myself desperately trying to locate the elusive night mode setting on my smartphone whilst simultaneously attempting not to miss the spectacle unfolding overhead.

Around me, dozens of passengers were doing exactly the same thing – pointing phones skywards, comparing photographs and wondering why the picture on somebody else's screen looked significantly better than theirs.

Yet despite all the technology, it was one of those moments that simply felt better experienced than photographed. Complete strangers stood together in the Arctic night, watching ribbons of green dance across the sky. For a few minutes nobody seemed concerned about getting the perfect shot. We were all simply enjoying the fact we were there.

It was one of those rare travel moments that genuinely exceeds expectations.

Stavanger and the journey home

By the time we reached Stavanger on our journey south, I found myself wishing there had been more time to explore. Its colourful streets and lively waterfront offered a different perspective on Norway from the dramatic Arctic landscapes we had experienced further north.

As we sailed back towards Southampton, I realised this trip had become about far more than ticking the Northern Lights off a bucket list.

When people ask me about this cruise, they naturally want to know whether I saw the Northern Lights.

The answer is yes.

And they were every bit as magical as I'd hoped.

But what I'll remember most isn't just what happened in the sky.

It's kneeling before Neptune and getting absolutely drenched crossing the Arctic Circle. Jumping into Arctic waters after a sauna. Travelling through Norway's incredible landscapes on the Arctic Train. Laughing with fellow passengers as we fumbled with camera settings in the dark. Spending time at sea. And experiencing the warmth and hospitality of a crew that genuinely sets the standard at sea.

The Northern Lights may have been the reason I booked the trip.

But they ended up being just one part of a much bigger adventure.