Table Of Content
There, guests spend their days scanning the dizzying cliff sides for puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, and their nights scanning the sky for signs of the aurora. The ship then crosses the Arctic Circle as it heads to Greenland, where it spends seven days patrolling the remote northeast coast. This wild tundra is home to reindeer, arctic hares, and 40 percent of the world’s musk ox population. Yes, you can witness the Northern Lights from a cruise ship during dedicated Northern Lights cruises with Aurora Expeditions. These cruises navigate to prime viewing locations near the Arctic Circle, offering passengers a unique vantage point to experience the dazzling spectacle of the Aurora Borealis.
Sea Kayaking in Canada
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. Seeing the Northern Lights is one of those magical experiences on nearly every traveler’s bucket list due to the surreal way light moves in waves of green color across the nighttime sky. Here are a few examples of 2022 and 2023 itineraries that offer northern lights-themed cruises. Seeing the northern lights on a cruise isn’t guaranteed (although at least one cruise line, Hurtigruten, does issue a guarantee for certain cruises. See below).
Extended Viewing Opportunities
Since the northern lights are generally only visible under very clear skies, keep in mind the time of year you visit, the time of day you set out and the weather. Here is some advice on planning your trip — and a whole lot of inspiration to catch these lights dancing through the sky. 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.
P&O Cruises
As for where in Iceland to see them, it really depends on how comfortable you are with winter driving. Drive slowly on icy roads, taking in the stunning scenery along the way, including Reykjavík, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon on Iceland's southern coast or Kirkjufellfoss waterfall on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in the northwestern part of the country. Alternatively, you can book organized tours from Reykjavík to the nearby "Golden Ring" — highlights of which include Gullfoss Waterfall and the Great Geysir. While the idea of chasing the Northern Lights cruises can seem daunting, a well-informed traveler can maximize the experience. Always remember to consult with your chosen cruise line for specific details and advice, ensuring your journey is as smooth and magical as the dancing lights themselves.
Look Up Into Norway's Night Sky
‘It is magical to swim surrounded by the Arctic winter in all its brutal glory’: an eco cruise in Norway’s far north - The Guardian
‘It is magical to swim surrounded by the Arctic winter in all its brutal glory’: an eco cruise in Norway’s far north.
Posted: Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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.
Day by Day
The ‘auroral zone’ starts in Northern Norway just above the Lofoten Islands and extends up the coast to the North Cape (Nordkapp) and beyond. You will observe the same light display from anywhere in this region, but from a different angle. Some of our favourite places in Northern Norway to witness the Northern Lights include Tromsø, Kirkenes, the Lofoten Islands, Bodø and the North Cape. Norway is often the first country that comes to mind when people think of the Northern Lights.
Roundtrip Voyage from Bergen Explore Norway’s Coastline
On some active excursions, outfitters provide weather appropriate gear, but you can’t always count on that. Onshore activities for cruisers might range from museum and science center visits to dogsledding with huskies, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice-fishing, and scenic helicopter rides. Some cruises offer guests opportunities to spend a night in a snow-ice hotel and visit wildlife sanctuaries where wolves, wolverines, musk oxen, elk, reindeer, and other Arctic mammals might be spotted. And in some ports, cruise guests may learn about and visit with some of Norway’s indigenous Sámi people who, under Norwegian law, are generally the only people in Norway who may own and herd reindeer.
The Food on a Hurtigruten Cruise Through Norway - Food & Wine
The Food on a Hurtigruten Cruise Through Norway.
Posted: Mon, 20 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Quark Expeditions’ Northern Lights–themed sailings begin and end in Iceland, where sightings of the dancing aurora borealis are common in winter. 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. Kayakers in wild temperate regions will have a unique wildlife experience, with possible encounters with seals and basking sharks. You will have the opportunity to view some of the largest sea bird colonies in the northern hemisphere. 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.
Why Join a Northern Lights Cruise?
Find out more about the observatory at the Alta Museum or gaze at the marvellous Northern Lights Cathedral, a striking architectural project that functions as Alta’s parish church. Visit the cathedral on a short excursion that also covers some of Alta’s other key sights along the way. 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. While there’s no guaranteed formula for the perfect viewing, these tips and tricks can certainly enhance your chances and overall experience. But to ensure you get the most out of your aurora cruise experience, here are some handy cruise tips and tricks.
If you need an extra layer when out on one of our tours, we can offer you a winter overall suit. This journey comes with a “Second Chance Guarantee” for those nights the lights don't appear. If you don’t see the Aurora, you will get a voucher for a free second chance on our next available Northern Lights cruise. In Norway the Northern Lights season lasts approximately from mid-September to mid-March.
North of Scoresbysund lie Kong Oskar and Kaiser Franz Josef fjords, two of the most significant fjord systems in Greenland, each one encompassing several smaller fjords and sounds. Thanks to the fertile volcanic soil and the surrounding mountains offering protection from strong winds, the area is rich in wildlife. You may spot everything from musk oxen and arctic foxes to mountain hares, and even reindeer, near the fjord. Look skyward and you could catch a glimpse of birds, including the glaucous gull, black-legged kittiwake, northern fulmar, common raven and common eider.
Our cruises are strategically timed to coincide with periods of high auroral activity. Passengers will embark on comfortable expedition vessels, equipped with expert guides, to explore remote and dark-sky locations. This extraordinary adventure combines celestial spectacle with Arctic landscapes, creating an unforgettable and magical journey. As well as the chance to view the northern lights, Viking’s sailings offer exciting excursions to experience local culture and traditions.
"Cruising is a nice way to see a lot of places, but in particular the Northern Lights," says Stephanie Goldberg-Glazer, owner of Live Well, Travel Often, a boutique travel agency. "Cruise ships are able to be out at sea where it is dark for optimal viewing," she says, and when in port, they can create opportunities for guests to access optimal viewing sites outside of cities and their lights. Norwegian Travel is a premium brand aiming to offer high-quality experience-based tourism in selected unique destinations in Norway. At our destinations you can explore amazing nature, good food and exciting activities all year round. When going on a winter or fall excursion above the Arctic circle, we always recommend dressing according to the season and in layers so you can adjust your clothing to the weather conditions.
As mentioned, the lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m. An advantage in Norway is that it's dark enough to see them for a longer period as you get into the fall and winter. Feel free to click around my site to discover more exciting destinations and itineraries. As with any natural spectacle, part of the magic lies in the anticipation and the journey itself. So, embark with an open heart, prepared mind, and let the dance of the lights leave an indelible mark on your soul.
No comments:
Post a Comment