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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. Known as the aurora season, the best time for taking a cruise holiday to see the Northern Lights is between September and April. However, the equinox months of September and March are the peak months for catching the aurora borealis as the magnetic fields of the Earth and the Sun’s solar wind are in sync then. And, luckily for you, we have a number of Northern Lights cruise holidays during these months to maximise your chances of spotting this mesmerising light show in all its glory. The best time to see the captivating Northern Lights is during the late autumn, winter, and early spring months, between October and March.
Winter Voyage South
Ideally, the best conditions to see the Northern Lights are when the sky is dark and clear of any clouds. But even if it is cloudy, the wind can change at any moment and let the rays of the aurora shine through. In fact, when this happens, you might be treated to a unique Northern Lights spectacle that only happens on cloudy nights. Unlike much of central Europe, where you can travel through many countries and only have to use the euro as currency, the Scandinavian countries within the Northern Lights region use their own version of the krone.
Why Join a Northern Lights Cruise with Aurora Expeditions?
To peruse eight port cities during a round trip of the Arctic Circle’s Norweigan aurora belt, Royal Caribbean’s 12-night Arctic Circle Cruise to Tromsø, Flam and Kristiansand provides the ideal glide through remote dark skies. A voyage on the 14-day The North Cape Express itinerary costs from £1,827pp, with multi-course dining, flights, port transfers and on-board activities – such as photography workshops – on MS Trollfjord included in the price. Hurtigruten promises an additional six- or seven-day Norway voyage free of charge if the Northern Lights don’t put on a show while you sail. With cruises bound for Norway, Iceland, Canada and Greenland chasing the cosmic whisps of purple and green, here’s our guide to the sailings primed for illuminated skies. Ribbons of brilliance, dazzling displays and ethereal stargazing – the Northern Lights are a lifetime highlight for those lucky enough to witness the intriguing spectacle. A nostalgic voyage of the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago to experience a remote wilderness of fjords, glaciers, and polar wildlife.
Fred. Olsen Announces 2024 Northern Lights Cruises - Cruise Industry News
Fred. Olsen Announces 2024 Northern Lights Cruises.
Posted: Sat, 16 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Viking Expeditions
Receive special offers, exciting new itineraries and fascinating articles delivered straight to your inbox. The mesmerising and otherworldly spectacle of the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, has captivated humanity for centuries. Enjoy sweeping views as you sail along Norway’s coast, one of the world’s longest shorelines. Let us introduce you to the mysteries of the aurora borealis, the beautiful Lofoten Islands, and how our on board spa services take inspiration from the ocean itself. Rebuilt after a fire in 1904, Alesund is uniquely art nouveau in style (something of a rarity in Norway).
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In fact, Hurtigruten is so confident you'll see the northern lights during the auroral season (Sept. 26 through March 31) that if they don't show up on a sailing of 11 days or more, the company will give you a free six- or seven-day cruise to try again. For the best odds of seeing the northern lights, we suggest the 12-day round-trip itinerary from Bergen up the coast of Norway and back. Over the course of 13 days, a luxurious Viking ocean ship transports guests from London to Amsterdam, then all the way up the coast of Norway and north of the Arctic Circle, before returning back south to the Norwegian city of Bergen. (Although some sailings operate in reverse.) The Norwegian fjords themselves are a sight to behold — and if they're paired with the northern lights, that's all the better! The sailings run from January to March when daylight is limited in the Arctic Circle, making for prime aurora opportunities. Rates start from $4,999 per person in 2023, and it should be noted that Viking is an adults-only cruise line.
Passengers will enjoy the magical display from the comfort of the ship, creating a truly extraordinary and unforgettable experience. Considering the cruise line is named after the atmospheric phenomenon, it should come as no surprise that it offers a northern lights itinerary. At 19 to 22 days long, depending on the departure, there is plenty of time to hope for a northern lights appearance — or two, or three, or more. The longer itinerary continues with a visit to the Faroe Islands and disembarkation in Bergen, Norway.
Featured Voyages
Nunavut in the heart of Canada’s High Arctic is a prime aurora borealis viewing country, with its close proximity to the North Pole and vast expanses of tundra. Consider visiting a remote traditional Inuit community for an unparalleled night of dazzling aurora displays. While Greenland is one of the best countries in the world for witnessing the Northern Lights, getting there can be challenging and often what holds people back.
Arctic Circle (Cruising), Norway
An adventure cruise to Greenland and Labrador - The Boston Globe
An adventure cruise to Greenland and Labrador.
Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Don't forget to double up on socks, and pack gloves, hats, and a scarf or neck warmer. Mid-September to early November and early February to the end of March are generally considered the ‘best’ times for a northern lights sighting. There are fewer hours of darkness, but the higher chance of clearer skies more than compensates for that. Firstly, the ship is always moving, so even if there’s thick cloud overhead things might look very different in just half an hour.
Take a journey along Amsterdam’s network of canals or browse one of the city’s museums. Found well within the Arctic Circle, these Norwegian islands are home to soaring mountain peaks, charming fishing villages and exciting Viking history. Modern cameras are so much better at detecting light and especially color at night than the human eye. It can take many minutes for the human eye to adjust to ‘night vision’, and even then, color can be difficult for many people to distinguish. So finally, our thanks to Hurtigruten and Finnmarken and last but not least to staff at Blue Water Holidays for arranging our Arctic Adventure. We have just returned from a six day Taste of the Arctic cruise aboard Hurtigrutens MS Finnmarken.
And our curated programme of shore tours offer authentic Arctic experiences for the most avid travel enthusiast. It’s £1,478pp for an interior cabin including daring dining from sushi rolls to plates of steak and glasses of fine wine. Entertainment-wise, musical performances, rock climbing walls and mini golf fill days anticipating nature’s displays after dark. Increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights or aurora borealis on a small ship expedition cruise that takes you deep into the Arctic, to iconic destinations such as Greenland, Iceland and Norway. Nothing will ruin your northern lights cruise quicker than having inappropriate clothing. Pack plenty of layers to give yourself flexibility, including woollen base layers, thin fleeces, thick sweaters, and two coats—one waterproof and windproof, and another thick and warm.
To marvel at the ethereal beauty of the aurora borealis is, for many, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With mountains and fjords, as far as the eye can see, a trip on Narvik’s cable car offers stunning views, 650 metres above sea level. By day, you’ll visit some of Norway’s most enchanting coastal towns, discovering the region’s rich culture and scenery. While at night the prospect of the Northern Lights is enough to tempt you from your stateroom into the crisp, still, darkness beyond. Each Northern Lights cruise features a one-of-a-kind combination of thrilling activities and luxurious amenities, all of which are designed to make the most of every moment.
This 12-day cruise by Hurtigruten ($3,078 per person, Feb 2, Sept 28, Oct 27 and Nov 25, 2024) from Bergen, Norway, voyages along the Norwegian coast with lectures from an army of renowned astronomers (including aurora expert Tom Kerss). Expect to learn about the Arctic night sky, visit the Northern Lights Planetarium in Tromsø and see the Northern Lights. If you don’t, Hurtigruten will give you a free six or seven-day cruise for the next Northern Lights season. During the aurora season (September to April) our cruises travel along Norway’s dramatic coastline to the fringes of the Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights. Yes, Aurora Expeditions’ Northern Lights cruises and expeditions are designed to accommodate participants of all ages and experience levels.
Experience a land where dawn and twilight merge on the edges of the long Arctic night. Sailing far north during Norway’s winter, witness snow-covered landscapes dotted with rugged mountains and steep fjords, and seek out the brilliant aurora borealis dancing in the night sky. Delve into Sami legends and World War II history, and pilot a dog sled or snowmobile to further immerse yourself in the Norwegian Arctic as you join us on this illuminating voyage.
While aurora borealis activity happens year-round, the best time for a Northern Lights adventure is during the long winter months, when the windows for viewing them each night are longer and the skies darker. There’s a chance of seeing the Northern Lights anywhere within the auroral zone – a 1,500-mile radius of the magnetic north pole. Based right at the heart of this zone is the Norwegian city of Tromsø, which is widely regarded as the world’s best place to see the Northern Lights when the conditions are right. And with stops at this dramatic destination on a Northern Lights holiday with P&O Cruises, you can go in search of the aurora borealis as you sail along the stunning Norwegian coastline. There is nowhere better to take in this primaeval wonder of nature than from onboard one of our traditional or authentic cruises to the Northern Lights, and we will bring you the very best these northern lands have to offer.
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