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You can book a nine-night sailing on Balmoral out of Newcastle — a shorter than typical trip due to the closer proximity of the departure point to Norway. Depending on where you live, there are also convenient sailings with longer voyages from Southampton, Portsmouth and Newcastle. From there, it’s onward to Rørvik, an ancient fishing town, and then Lødingen, a village known for its place amongst the fjords. There, guests can take an excursion to visit a Sámi village and learn about the Indigenous and semi-nomadic reindeer herders. Then it’s back down to Tromsø, where guests can visit the Polar Museum, go snowshoeing, or try one of the world’s northernmost breweries, Mack Bryggeri. 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.
Day Norwegian Voyage: Northbound Bergen to Kirkenes
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. Additionally, shore tours seek out the best potential viewing spots based on meteorological forecasts. Known as the aurora season, the best time for taking a cruise holiday to see the Northern Lights is between September and April.
Admire The Aurora Borealis Amid Alaska's Wilds
Here are a few examples of 2022 and 2023 itineraries that offer northern lights-themed cruises. Cruisetours in Alaska can improve your odds of seeing the aurora because they get you to Fairbanks and other inland destinations in Alaska that tend to have more cloud-free skies than in the Inside Passage, where cruise ships sail. Because of the late-setting and early-rising midnight sun, it's way too light during the summer to see the northern lights in the destinations mentioned, though solar activity takes place year-round.
Roundtrip Voyage from Bergen Explore Norway’s Coastline
Hurtigruten Extends its Northern Lights Promise for 2024-25 Season - Cruise Industry News
Hurtigruten Extends its Northern Lights Promise for 2024-25 Season.
Posted: Thu, 21 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
To unwind, onboard amenities include wellness facilities, dining featuring local cuisine and presentations from naturalists. These diverse activities create a holistic and enriching journey for travellers seeking the magic of the Northern Lights. 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. As you return, you’ll stop at Alta, home to northern Europe’s largest canyon, and Haugesund, where you can walk in the footsteps of Vikings at the reconstructed 10th-century village on a tranquil forested island that was once the first royal seat of Norway. With longer hours with dark skies and clear night skies, the Westfjords and North Iceland are the best regions to head to if you want to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. There are many fantastic remote locations in South Iceland where you can witness the aurora, including the popular Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Northern Lights Cruises
Viking runs the itinerary multiple times from January through March in 2025 and 2026. During summer the air temperature in the Antarctic Peninsula, Greenland and Spitsbergen are generally above freezing but can range from -4°C to +5°C / 24.8°F to 41°F. 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. Weather permitting, the sea kayaking activity is normally available anytime the other expeditioners go out. Rather than travelling large distances, our aim is to ensure you see as much as possible.
On a shore tour in Alta you’ll meet a northern lights expert who monitors the skies and aurora borealis forecast beforehand to help pick the best location for the day. The optimal time to witness the Northern Lights during Aurora Expeditions’ cruises and expeditions is typically during the winter months when the polar night prevails. This period, from late September to early April, offers extended darkness and clearer skies, enhancing the visibility of the Aurora Borealis. The absence of sunlight allows passengers to fully immerse themselves in the captivating light displays against the Arctic or sub-Arctic landscapes. Aurora Expeditions carefully schedules these voyages to coincide with peak Northern Lights activity, ensuring passengers have the best chances of experiencing this celestial spectacle in its full splendour.
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. Don't forget to double up on socks, and pack gloves, hats, and a scarf or neck warmer. Given the importance of dark skies, choosing a cruise in December or January might seem ideal due to Northern Norway's long hours of darkness. However, that time of year also brings poorer weather, which increases the chances of cloud cover. This means that to experience the aurora at its best, you’ll need to be prepared to wrap up warm and spend a long time outside in the dark.
Sea Kayaking in Scotland
When it came time for a ride, we sat on slender wooden sleds and were pulled by six energetic Alaskan Husky Dogs! It was a very peaceful ride and along the way, the Husky Driver explained about the training and lives of the dogs. It was pretty neat to see the dogs speed up and slow down or go left and right depending on the driver’s commands.
Sea Kayaking in the Arctic
Sailings from Southampton are also available on Cunard’s ocean liner and flagship Queen Mary 2. It’s never a guarantee that the Northern Lights will appear—it’s all dependent on the strength of geomagnetic storms on the sun and how clear the sky is where you are. One of the highlights is visiting the Inuit village Ittoqqortoormiit, the region’s most isolated and northernmost permanent settlement, with its gregarious locals and scores of Greenlandic sled dogs. Hurtigruten is something of an outlier in this group because it doesn't offer specific northern lights itineraries.
This atmospheric phenomenon in which undulating waves of green, purple and red lights dance across the sky is truly breathtaking. Enjoy the crossing to Jan Mayen, accompanied by seabirds as we search for whales. Enjoy informative talks from our team of experts, get to know your fellow expeditioners, stay active in the gym or treat yourself to a massage in the wellness centre. Remember to look to the skies at night and hope for sightings of the northern lights. Northern Canada is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Canada, in remote places with minimal light pollution.
This is because Greenland’s population is tiny and scattered across small, remote communities, so it has minimal light pollution. Not many Northern Lights tours go to Greenland but Aurora Expeditions Northern Lights cruises explore using a small expedition ship which makes it easy to visit the prime locations in Greenland to see the Northern Lights. Besides a down coat, warm hat, and gloves, be sure to pack wind and waterproof pants (i.e., ski pants or rain pans), thermal long underwear, wool socks, and winter boots for walking on snow and ice. Ice crampons may come in handy, especially in ports where walkways may be icy or slick. On some active excursions, outfitters provide weather appropriate gear, but you can’t always count on that. Cunard’s Norway and Northern Lights cruise is a 12-day roundtrip along Norway’s coastline from Southampton, England on Queen Mary 2, or Queen Victoria ships.
After departing London, guests spend a day in Amsterdam, where they can stroll along the canals, admiring the architecture and indulging in alfresco coffee and stroopwafel breaks. Then, after crossing the North Sea, the ship cruises the scenic Norwegian Inside Passage, a protected shipping lane that runs from the southern tip of Norway to Russia (though Viking guests will only go as far north as Tromsø). Guests also have the option to extend their trip with a few days in Reykjavík, where Northern Lights displays are common in the winter. Havila Voyages is so confident guests will see the Northern Lights on Nordic sailings between October and March, it offers a guarantee. They are calculated based on the days of voyage, ability to carry out the activity and exchange rates.
Northern Lights cruises and expeditions with Aurora Expeditions offer a range of captivating activities. Passengers can enjoy nightly Aurora photography sessions, guided by expert photographers, to capture the ethereal displays. Onboard, expect to learn all about our surroundings from our expert expedition team. Additionally, cultural interactions with local communities will enhance your Arctic experience. The vessels are equipped with observation decks, ensuring optimal Northern Lights viewing.
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