Thursday, April 11, 2024

Can You See The Northern Lights From A Cruise Ship? The Best Cruises for Viewing the Northern Lights

northern lights cruise alaska

We'll coordinate your roundtrip flights, and transportation between the airport and cruise port. This program is the perfect fit for train buffs seeking a Denali and Fairbanks experience, relaxing travel days and two segments on the rails of Alaska Railroad. A comprehensive Alaska Denali program in only six days, complete with riverboat and railroad experiences as well as a preview of Denali’s incredible wilderness. Havila Voyages and HX both offer a Northern Lights promise on cruises that depart from the scenic town of Bergen, Norway. You’ll have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights while sailing Aurora Expeditions’ 132-passenger Greg Mortimer through Norway, Iceland, and Greenland. However, most Northern Lights cruises visit just Norway, Iceland, and Greenland because those countries have open waterways that aren’t frozen over.

When Are the Best Cruise Dates to See the Aurora Borealis?

I’m not a cruiser, but Alaska changed everything - Escape

I’m not a cruiser, but Alaska changed everything.

Posted: Fri, 29 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Our most picturesque tour of Denali and the Alaska wilderness featuring rarely seen vistas, spectacular mountain passes and glaciers galore. This tour offers abundant marine wildlife viewing opportunities during the day boat cruise across Prince William Sound. Explore more on your Alaska cruise by both land and sea in one seamless Alaska trip; plan an authentic vacation that goes beyond the expected.

Norwegian Jewel11-Day Fairbanks Denali Express

You’ll also have the chance to take advan­tage of the camps many win­ter activ­i­ties like dogsled­ding, snow­ma­chin­ing, snow­shoe­ing, and fat-tire biking. Captain Mike set the tone of the trip and the staff implemented it. You guys expect a lot from the crew, 7 days, long days, and back at it again with new passengers. Cruise from Greenland to Iceland aboard 108-guest Plancius to experience ancient history and dazzling glaciers, and search for polar bears in aurora-lit southeast Greenland. You can also see the lights in Canada's Yukon, including in the gold rush town of Dawson City, which is visited on some Holland America cruisetours.

Best Time of Year to See the Lights in Alaska

Next, guests will visit the Lofoten islands, considered one of the most visually stunning parts of Norway, before visiting Hardangerfjord, the second longest fjord in the country, to learn more about Viking history. Because it’s often chilly in this part of the world (especially at night), each passenger is given a waterproof polar expedition jacket upon arrival. The sailings will take place on the expedition vessel Greg Mortimer, which can hold 132 passengers in 79 cabins (most have private balconies for auroral viewing). In other words, if the lights fail to appear, you won’t be at a loss. SolarHam gives a reliable three-day geomagnetic forecast that's often used by aurora hunters, while the Aurora Forecast app shows travelers the position of the auroral oval around the Arctic Circle. It also indicates the probability of seeing the northern lights where you are (green, not so much; red, and they're probably happening right above you).

With more darkness, it will give you more opportunities for the Northern Lights to aluminate the Alaskan sky. You need to be in the correct place at the correct time to witness them. It’s a sight for sore eyes, which is why so many people love taking an Alaska Northern Lights cruise. A commitment to personalized service is an integral part of UnCruise’s all-inclusive experience.

Enjoy an all-inclusive experience and unlimited adventures

northern lights cruise alaska

It is possible to be lucky enough to see both aurora borealis and polar bears in one trip to the Arctic, but never guaranteed. For a higher likelihood of this happening we would recommend taking a Svalbard cruise when there are more hours of darkness. Find the top northern lights cruises listed on this page, or read our advice about timing it right to see them on even more trips. If you have a goal of seeing the aurora borealis in any of the destinations mentioned here, you are best off booking as far into the fall as you can find a cruise.

Cruise for Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska - MSN

Cruise for Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska.

Posted: Fri, 12 Apr 2024 11:01:55 GMT [source]

It’s essential to discuss any requirements with the cruise line ahead of booking. Where you stand on the cruise ship can influence your aurora viewing experience. Denali National Park is another good option in early spring or fall, as it’s far enough north and free from light pollution. If the stars align and the conditions are ripe for the show, try to find a clear viewing path, free of buildings and forest and face north, as that’s where activity starts. Fairbanks is the best place to see northern lights in Alaska for visitors.

Day Alaska Round-Trip Seattle: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau

The next day will be in Narvik, a fishing village that can trace its history to the Stone Age but that has held township status only since the early 20th century. There travelers can ride the Ofoten Railway for a day trip to Sweden, hike to Frostisen Glacier, or ski at the Narvikfjellet ski resort. The final port town on the itinerary is Stavanger, where the most popular attractions relate to the community’s maritime history.

KayDee was remarkable for her flexibility and especially her willingness and ability to fit hikes to the widely varying needs of different individuals. Hiking with Kerstein was like attending a college class in the wilderness, and one taught by a charismatic and exciting teacher. She made even the most drab looking plant or dull rock interesting.

While it’s never a guarantee that the Northern Lights will be visible, one way to stack the deck in your favor is to be on a cruise ship that can move in search of the lights, typically in the Arctic. To see the Northern Lights, travelers need to be far north, away from light pollution, and have unobstructed views of the sky. The northern lights are best seen in Alaska between 65° N and 70° N latitude. Fairbanks is about 198 miles south of the Arctic Circle and enjoys sporadic northern lights. It's best to forget the more southern destinations of Anchorage and Juneau, which see dramatically fewer displays.

A high-quality camera is highly recommended to capture its beauty. If you have a tripod, this is the perfect time to break it out. To make your experience seamless, remember to bring replacement batteries and remote control.

The lodge’s huge pic­ture win­dows make it easy to keep a look­out for the auro­ra from a warm, com­fort­able interior. While you may see the lights from Denali National Park and Preserve during the viewing season, Fairbanks and points farther north are where you can increase your odds. 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. Who wouldn't love taking a Northern Lights cruise for 7 nights? However, collisions between gasses cause this whimsical beauty in the earth’s atmosphere.

The northern lights happen when charged particles from the sun enter the atmosphere and collide with gas atoms in Earth's atmosphere. They occur all year long but are only visible when the sky is dark and clear. Although you may not be guaranteed a sighting, it’s important to note that anytime is a great time to take a cruise to Alaska. June 21, for instance, is known for the Midnight Sun, not to mention warmer days for offshore excursions and exploration, especially through Denali National Park as part of the Alaska Cruisetours package. Embrace the experience, immerse yourself in onboard activities, and capture breathtaking photos that will forever remind you of this awe-inspiring adventure.

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