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

Table Of Content

• of the Best Northern Lights Cruises
• What Countries Do You Visit On a Northern Lights Cruise?
• How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska
• When to visit
• Arctic Circle Fly, Drive and Overnight Adventures

Selecting the right cruise and route can significantly influence your Northern Lights experience. But no matter the choice, Alaska’s seas promise a journey of wonder, filled with nature’s best spectacles, both in the sky and on the horizon. While each cruise line may have its unique Alaska cruise itinerary, there are common routes that most Northern Lights cruises in Alaska follow. While there are several ways to chase the Northern Lights, a cruise offers distinct benefits. As we sail through this guide, remember that the Northern Lights are a blend of predictability and serendipity.

of the Best Northern Lights Cruises

Guests enjoy unlimited access to a variety of meals throughout the day, including early-riser breakfasts, lunches, dinners with multiple entrée options, and snacks in between. The beverage selection is also unlimited, featuring fine wines, craft beers, and signature cocktails, ensuring guests can savor their favorite drinks or try something new without any additional charges. Glimpsing the Northern Lights in all their mystical and sky-transforming glory is one of those bucket-list life experiences that many world travelers often wait years to see. If you see them (lucky duck), it’s a faux pas to wave, whistle, or call out—according to legend, that drives them away. While we can’t guarantee you’ll see the Northern Lights on your cruisetour, we can promise you’ll walk away with a deep appreciation for Alaska’s rugged wilderness, flora, fauna, and rich history. On Celebrity, cruises to Alaska and Iceland just might yield sightings of Aurora Borealis.

What Countries Do You Visit On a Northern Lights Cruise?

Whether you’re nestled amid Alaska’s vast wilderness or sailing through Norway’s dramatic fjords, the experience of witnessing the aurora borealis from the deck of a cruise ship is nothing short of magical. The northern lights, or aurora borealis, have enchanted humanity for millennia. Their ethereal dance across the night sky tells a tale as old as time, combining science, legends, and raw natural beauty. The most affordable option on this list, British cruise line P&O operates 12-day sailings to Norway year-round, but during the auroral season, there's a strong chance you'll see the northern lights while onboard. Guests embark in Southampton, England, before sailing north to Norway, traveling as far north as Tromsø, well north of the Arctic Circle. We recommend splurging on a room with windows for the best northern lights viewing options.

How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Cozy Winter Experiences in Alaska - Travel Alaska

Cozy Winter Experiences in Alaska.

Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:39:58 GMT [source]

The memories you’ll create and the photos you’ll take will be truly unforgettable. By packing the right warm clothing and layering options, as well as the necessary camera equipment and accessories, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your Aurora Borealis Alaska cruise. So, grab your camera and bundle up for an unforgettable adventure in the land of the Northern Lights. The Gulf of Alaska Route offers a different perspective of Alaska’s beauty, taking you along the rugged coastline and into the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska. This route is favored by those seeking a more adventurous and remote experience.

When to visit

Natives have believed the lights have a mystical force or even marked the appearance of spirits who have passed on. If you see the Northern Lights in Alaska (lucky duck), it’s a faux pas to wave, whistle, or call out—according to legend, that drives them away. The key to enjoying your Aurora Borealis Alaska cruise to the fullest is to be properly prepared with the right essentials. In this section, we will discuss the essential items you should pack to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience. From warm clothing and layering options to camera equipment and accessories, we’ve got you covered. Now that you have an understanding of the two main routes for an Aurora Borealis Alaska cruise, let’s delve into the essential packing list to ensure you’re prepared for this remarkable journey.

This is because these months offer longer stretches of darkness (especially in the winter), maximizing your time to spot the lights. In this guide, we will unravel the mysteries of the aurora and explore the ins and outs of Alaska’s northern lights cruises. So, print out one of our cruise planners, grab a warm drink, settle in, and let’s set sail on this celestial adventure.

I like to think that chasing the Borealis similar to the adrenaline rush of storm-chasers who follow tornadoes – except, you’re chasing a natural beauty, rather than a destructive force. 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.

Princess Cruises

Here are our best practices, tips and tricks for spotting the aurora borealis in Alaska. It’s essential to wear layers, including thermal underwear, a warm middle layer, a waterproof and windproof outer layer, insulated boots, gloves, a hat, and a scarf. Choosing the right cruise is akin to personalizing an adventure tailored to your preferences. With a bit of research and introspection, you can ensure that your voyage through Alaskan waters under the shimmering auroras becomes an indelible memory.

Remember, the Northern Lights are a natural occurrence and can be unpredictable, so patience and flexibility are key. By timing your visit to Alaska during the winter months with long nights, you increase your chances of witnessing the breathtaking display of the Aurora Borealis. The darkness provides the perfect canvas for the dancing lights, allowing you to fully appreciate their beauty.

The northern lights occur because of solar activity, so during the early part of the solar cycle, known as solar minimum, there is a smaller chance of experiencing a full-on auroral storm. As we move toward solar maximum, which returns in 2025, the odds of seeing the northern lights will increase. 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. The good news is that, once you’re there, you can see the Northern Lights from almost anywhere in the country – even in the heart of its capital city, Nuuk! This is because Greenland’s population is tiny and scattered across small, remote communities, so it has minimal light pollution.

Consider visiting a remote traditional Inuit community for an unparalleled night of dazzling aurora displays. 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. Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres. Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket list experience for many travelers. And cruise ships can get you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved.

The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter or early spring. As far as cruises go, Alaska cruises in September is a good pick because nights are long and dark. An aurora is a natural light display that can appear as brilliant green, yellow, red, blue and purple light patterns, spirals or dynamic flickers covering the night sky. The aurora borealis originates on the sun’s surface with a massive explosion of electromagnetic matter, which projects a stream of charged particles known as solar wind into space. When these particles approach Earth a few nights later, they distort our magnetic field. The excited, ionised atoms that enter our atmosphere through the poles emit light which, when emitted on a large scale, causes the phenomenon of the Southern and Northern Lights.

While science and planning enhance your chances, there’s always a touch of magic in every aurora sighting. While the Northern Lights are a year-round phenomenon, not all times are ideal for viewing. A commitment to personalized service is an integral part of UnCruise’s all-inclusive experience.

The expedition vessels are strategically positioned in areas with minimal light pollution, maximizing the chances of observing the vibrant colours and dancing lights of the Northern Lights against the Arctic night sky. Passengers will enjoy the magical display from the comfort of the ship, creating a truly extraordinary and unforgettable experience. These expeditions take place in regions near the Arctic Circle, such as Norway or Iceland, where the Northern Lights are frequently visible. 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.