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Cruise lines operating in Alaska, such as Holland America, Princess Cruises and UnCruise Adventures, have northern lights sign-up sheets so you don't have to stay up all night, every night, hoping to see the phenomenon. Put your name on the list, and you'll get a wake-up call or knock on your cabin door should there be aurora action. Plan to put on your clothes or bathrobe quickly — the lights may only appear for a few minutes, or they could last considerably longer. Witnessing the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky may cause you to gasp because it's actually that cool. The colorful ribbons of green and other hues look like something from outer space — and they are. Tromsø Owing to its position in the middle of an area known as the auroral oval (where your chances of seeing the lights are much higher), Tromsø is widely regarded as one of Norway’s best Northern Lights locations.
Sea Kayaking in Canada
The Northern Lights, or the aurora borealis, are natural light displays across the Arctic sky, caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the Sun entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Experiencing these beautiful waves of light on a Northern Lights cruise holiday is at the top of many travellers’ wish lists and it’s easy to see why. This atmospheric phenomenon in which undulating waves of green, purple and red lights dance across the sky is truly breathtaking. Hurtigruten is so sure you will see the lights on the October-through-March sailings of its year-round 11- and 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express itineraries that the company has a guarantee called the Northern Lights Promise. If the deck's officers don't announce to all on board that the northern lights are happening, you can get a six- or seven-day Norwegian Coastal cruise for free. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres.
What Countries Do You Visit On a Northern Lights Cruise?
While aurora activity happens year-round, the best time to witness the Northern Lights is during the long winter months, when the windows for viewing them each night are longer. One of the benefits of sailing to Alaska later in the year is that it increases the chance of seeing the breathtaking Northern Lights, as these are much more likely to be witnessed during the fall and winter months. If you’re sailing on a 2021 cruise to Alaska, you might even have the chance to admire this natural phenomenon from the comfort of your private Veranda Stateroom or from one of the open-air decks on board. The best Iceland cruises cover the idyllic city of Akureyri, surrounded by large mountains and low air pollution. Being closer to the Artic circle, Lady Luck may be on your side as this remote location with clear skies promises a unique spectrum of auroras.
Where do Northern Lights cruises go?
To help you, we asked photography experts for their tried and trusted tips on everything from how to photograph the Northern Lights from a ship to shooting the aurora with a smartphone. Long before we understood the science behind the aurora, the Northern Lights were wrapped up in myths and legends that still fuel our imaginations today. Being at sea avoids the air pollution and the ambient light on land, both of which can dull the colors and vibrancy of a Northern Lights spectacle. The advantage of being at sea is that we can quickly sail clear of cloud cover that might be blocking your view of a Northern Lights display.
However, those in interior cabins can always run up on deck — which you should do anyway to witness the full grandeur of the atmospheric phenomenon. On the ten-night Nordic Discoveries & Traditions itinerary you’ll sail to and from Tromso on the elegant 184-passenger Le Bellot or Le Champlain. Yes, you can witness the Northern Lights from a cruise ship during dedicated Northern Lights cruises with Aurora Expeditions.
Sea Kayaking in Greenland
Hurtigruten keeps its Northern Lights Promise on a North Cape Express sailing - Travel Weekly
Hurtigruten keeps its Northern Lights Promise on a North Cape Express sailing.
Posted: Sat, 13 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Beyond the North Cape Express, the other auroral sailings (with the Northern Lights Promise) include the 12-day Original Coastal Express (the full scenic route that stops at all 34 ports twice, on the northbound and southbound route). The Norwegian-owned Havila Voyages operates four newer environmentally friendlier coastal cruise ships that carry both people and cargo between Bergen and Kirkenes, year-round. The hybrid ships run on liquified natural gas and, for up to four hours, on 86-ton battery packs, for emissions-free sailing (the packs can be charged in ports with clean electricity).
The water temperature in the polar regions is close to freezing and winds sweep off the glaciers, making paddling a chilling experience. Scotland, Iceland, Norwegian coasts are warmer with water temperatures of around 12 °C/ 53.6°F. Each small group of kayakers (up to 10 per guide) will have their own intimate exploration of the small hidden bays and coasts that are inaccessible to Zodiacs. Weather permitting, the sea kayaking activity is normally available anytime the other expeditioners go out.
The Northern Lights are a prominent feature of the night sky throughout the country and have even influenced folklore and indigenous culture. Because Norway is so long, the seasons change at different times, with summer lasting longer in the south and winter lasting longer in the north. As a rule of thumb, the further north you go, the longer your window is for seeing them.
No photograph or television documentary can prepare you for seeing the northern lights in real life. They are one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena and cruises, which sail beneath the aurora oval, provide some of the best chances of spotting the aurora borealis in all their glory. The best time for sightings is from September through to April in Norway, Greenland and Iceland. You can keep cosy in panoramic observation lounges before going out on deck if the lights make an appearance.
Whether exploring her expansive sundecks, indulging in afternoon tea, taking your seat at the theatre or pampering yourself in the spa, you’ll find being on board as captivating as exploring the ports you call at. Join John Maclean, astronomer and award-winning astrophotographer, on an exploration of the sought-after sights of the mysterious aurora borealis. Home to over 100 nationalities, the city offers a wealth of eateries serving some of the best native cuisine in the Arctic. The mesmerising and otherworldly spectacle of the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, has captivated humanity for centuries. While we can’t guarantee you’ll see the Northern Lights on your cruisetour, we can promise you’ll walk away with a deep appreciation for Alaska’s rugged wilderness, flora, fauna, and rich history. The 10-Night Alaska Gold Rush Adventure Cruisetour (2A Northbound) will take you deep into the interior of Alaska, where you can explore Gold Rush history.
Join a Northern Lights safari for the best chance of seeing the magic, but even if you don’t, you won’t mind too much. Because Vesterålen is also a fantastic place to go whale watching at any time of year. It’s something of an artistic hub too, thanks to outdoor sculptures that form part of the Artscape Nordland project and a variety of modern art galleries.
Iceland, Greenland, and polar regions around the Northwest Passage promote some of their active, adventurous cruises around the equinoxes in September and March as northern lights viewing opportunities as well. Lines cruising in these regions include Hurtigruten, Silversea, Lindblad Expeditions, Viking Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Adventure Canada, and others. The conditions must be just right, but it's highly likely to see this magical and sometimes elusive scientific phenomenon on a Northern Lights cruise sailing the Arctic Circle during the long, dark winter nights. We think the best Northern Lights cruises offer so much more than an exciting search for the magical aurora borealis. That’s why, on a P&O Cruises Northern Lights holiday, you’ll have the chance to explore a host of breathtaking destinations, dive into adventures ashore and soak up a huge range of entertainment, dining and relaxation on board. One moment you might find yourself kayaking on a glistening fjord or gazing up at a thundering waterfall, and the next you could be watching a spectacular stage show or sinking into a soothing spa treatment.
Specializing in polar voyages, Quark Expeditions knows a thing or two about the northern lights, which is why the company offers aurora sailings each fall. These 14-day itineraries cruise from Iceland to Greenland and back from September into early October. As the majority of the voyage takes place above the Arctic Circle, the odds of seeing the northern lights are high, especially as solar activity tends to peak around the autumnal and vernal equinoxes in September and March, respectively. And if they don't show, well, you still get to explore Iceland's Westfjords and Greenland's eastern shores — and that's a worthwhile journey in itself. Hurtigruten is something of an outlier in this group because it doesn't offer specific northern lights itineraries. But the routes of this coastal ferry company in Norway just happen to traverse the perfect latitudes to see the aurora.
This stunning location allows visitors the chance to do just that, but there’s also a lot more on offer at the North Cape. Lofoten As well as being an excellent place for spotting the Northern Lights (Lofoten is situated just beneath the auroral oval), this archipelago off the north-west coast of Norway is known as one of the country’s most beautiful and captivating regions. The fjords here are awe-inspiring, and opportunities for outdoor activities are plentiful (hiking, skiing and even surfing are all popular here). Animal lovers will also be excited to spot local sea eagles and puffins on a cruise through nearby Trollfjord. From witnessing wildlife like polar bears and seals to visiting quaint Arctic towns, a Northern Lights cruise often transcends the lights themselves. Beyond the Northern Lights, cruises often sail to exotic polar destinations, offering a comprehensive experience.
Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899. A whole industry has sprung up around the lights, including such extravagant shore excursions as an overnight in a tent with viewing windows at a Sami dog-sledding camp. The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland.
Witnessing the northern lights in their prime requires clear and dark skies, sometimes late-night viewing hours, enough solar activity for the colors to appear and a big dose of luck. Keep that in mind before you place all your cruise vacation hopes on this one experience. Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket list experience for many travelers. And cruise ships can get you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved. Lines like Hurtigruten have long offered winter voyages up the rugged coast of Norway, but Viking has arguably popularized the Northern Lights sailing for many cruisers. Indeed, Viking has committed one ship per year to the run, sailing an adventuresome itinerary between Tilbury, England and Bergen, Norway from January to March of each year.
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