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Embark on an illuminating once-in-a-lifetime voyage in search of the elusive aurora borealis, or northern lights. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Arctic landscapes and rich traditions of the indigenous Sami people, who have a deep connection with the land. Yes - you can view the Northern Lights on one of our Norwegian cruises, however we can't guarantee their appearance! The aurora borealis is near impossible to predict, but sightings are more likely on clear nights between October and March, and odds increase the further north you travel. On many cruises, when passengers or crew spot northern lights, they make ship-wide announcements. Because the northern lights often appear late at night or very early in the morning, some ships offer opt-in wake up calls for this purpose.
Åndalsnes, Norway
Whether you’re traversing the wild terrain of the Last Frontier or spending your days exploring cities like Bergen and Alesund, we have an ideal itinerary for you. You’re also more likely to see them if you visit in colder months, as the most brilliant displays occur both in dark and cold environments. Because it’s a scientific phenomenon beyond the comprehension of modern science, you can only truly predict occurrences of the Northern Lights roughly two hours before they happen.
Northern Lights Cruise Regions
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. If you are on a cruise in the Inside Passage before April 21 or after Aug. 21 and are willing to be awake in the middle of the night (the lights tend to appear in Alaska after midnight), there's a chance you'll see the aurora borealis. 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.
Explore Northern Lights Shore Experiences
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. 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. 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.
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. One of the latest cruise lines to launch sailings to seek out the aurora is Ambassador.
The main thing you need to consider when you pack for your Northern Lights holiday is, of course, the weather. It’ll probably come as no surprise to learn that Norway can be quite chilly in the winter months when the Northern Lights are at their peak. To make sure you’re protected from the elements, pack lots of warm layers such as fleece jackets and woolly jumpers, which will shield you from the crisp and frosty temperatures. And don't forget to bring along gloves, hats, scarves and thermal socks so you can stay warm as you search for the Northern Lights under Norway’s dark skies. 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.
Arctic
Enjoy sweeping views as you sail along Norway’s coast, one of the world’s longest shorelines. Paddle by kayak and explore local alpine landscapes; enjoy Tromsø’s waterways by RIB. Sail the North Sea, central to Europe’s history, from Viking voyages to oil drilling. Found well within the Arctic Circle, these Norwegian islands are home to soaring mountain peaks, charming fishing villages and exciting Viking history. Rebuilt after a fire in 1904, Alesund is uniquely art nouveau in style (something of a rarity in Norway).
See and Visit the Northern Lights in Alaska
The darkness over the ocean can provide a clearer and more vivid view of the Northern Lights, enhancing their colours and movements. There is no best place to witness an aurora which, in our opinion, only adds to the mystery and appeal surrounding them. The Northern Lights are most frequently visible in high-latitude regions in the Arctic, but most accessible between 10° and 20° of the North Pole in a band called the ‘auroral zone’.
Itinerary
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. In 2021, our cruises to Alaska will be sailing later than usual, kicking off the season in late July and ending in early October. These exciting seven-night itineraries stop in stunning Alaskan ports, such as Ketchikan and Juneau, and spend a day sailing close to the majestic Dawes Glacier, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travelers.
The geographical setting means that you might even see the Northern Lights in the daytime here during the “polar night” period in winter months, when there’s little or no daylight. There are boat trips to spot walruses and whales, ice caves to explore and even the world’s two most northern breweries to visit, where you can enjoy a well-deserved craft beer or two. In 2024 luxury line Ponant features its first-ever winter cruise holidays in Norway. 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.
In the coming days, a host of choices are available to us, and depending on ice and weather conditions, the east coast of Greenland is ours to explore. The members of our experienced Expedition Team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor our voyage to suit the day-to-day conditions. This allows us to make best use of the prevailing weather, ice conditions and any opportunities for wildlife encounters. We generally attempt up to two landings or Zodiac excursions per day, including cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales feeding near the surface. Take a polar plunge in the icy waters of the Arctic Circle, or stay above the water on a Zodiac cruise through the fields of icebergs.
See the northern lights on your cruise or get a free trip - USA TODAY
See the northern lights on your cruise or get a free trip.
Posted: Fri, 22 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
In Greenland legends hold that when you see the Northern Lights it means that the dead are playing football with the skull of a walrus. Like Norway, the best months to visit Greenland for the Aurora is from the September through April. During the summer months Greenland experiences Midnight Sun, the season when the sun never truly sets.
The alternative viewing spot is a longer trip to a camp site to look for Mother Nature’s marvel. From there, you’ll visit the Westfjords region of Iceland (the northwestern peninsula), with its colorful small towns, turbulent waterfalls, and fjords rich in bird-viewing opportunities. The final days before disembarkation in Bergen, Norway, will be spent in the Faroe Islands. There you’ll find traditional red-painted timber homes with grass roofs, lots of sheep and Faroese ponies, Viking history, and imposing sea cliffs. While it is possible to see the Northern Lights display toward the beginning and end of the cruise season, it’s unlikely and no ships specifically target Alaska’s aurora season. Additionally, most Alaska cruises are concentrated around the collection of islands in the state’s southeast region, which is a little too far south for good auroral displays (though they do happen occasionally).
It’s not easy to say exactly when the best month to see the lights are, but hopefully the overview below will give you some pointers. Explore the fjords and the midnight sun in the peak season along the Norwegian coast. 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. But, as its unofficial title of the ‘Arctic capital’ suggests, it’s also a vibrant and atmospheric hub of culture and cuisine, with tons of exemplary restaurants and cafés to sample.
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. The new kid on the block along the Norwegian coast is Havila Voyages, which has a fleet of four eco-friendly ships that launched in 2022.
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