Six places to see the Northern Lights in Norway

Table Of Content

• Viking Resident Historian
• Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea
• Day by Day
• Quark Expeditions
• Unveiling Iceland’s Secret Treasures – Beyond the Golden Circle
• Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans
• Can You See The Northern Lights From A Cruise Ship? The Best Cruises for Viewing the Northern Lights

This adventure into the Arctic wilderness offers the chance to spot the awe-inspiring Northern Lights during the festive season. After celebrating Christmas Day on board with everything taken care of, experience the maritime tradition of crossing the Arctic Circle, making your Boxing Day even more special. Balmoral’s smaller size comes to the fore as we take you on a scenic shortcut through the Tjeldsundet Strait – out of reach to larger ships. Overnight stays in Tromsø and Alta will allow ample time to search for the lights, take a husky sledding ride, or connect with the local Sámi culture.

Viking Resident Historian

Kayaks offer a unique opportunity to view marine and land mammals, coral reefs, tropical fish, sea birds and an astonishing range of rainforest birds. We will bring our snorkelling gear with us during our paddles and take advantage of any opportunities to view marine life up close. Weather permitting, the sea kayaking activity is normally available anytime the other expeditioners go out.

Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea

How To Plan A Memorable Norway Northern Lights Cruise In 2024 - Forbes

How To Plan A Memorable Norway Northern Lights Cruise In 2024.

Posted: Mon, 01 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Visit the Solovetsky archipelago, a UNESCO-listed set of islands in the White Sea that’s home to a historic monastery and explore the charming town of Honningsvåg in Norway, the northernmost village in Europe. In other cities, Viking offers late-night excursions that take passengers deeper into the countryside to darker spots with clearer skies to help increase the likelihood of spotting the elusive aurora. The following two days are at sea, taking in the beauty of the Norwegian coast as the vessel makes for its disembarkation city, Bergen. Then it’s on to Tromsø, Norway’s northernmost city, for two days of Arctic adventures, before sailing to Atla, a town known for its bluebird days (ideal for Northern Lights viewing later) and ancient rock carvings for two days. In Antarctica, we have many opportunities to encounter penguins, seals and whales, and occasionally we may even spot leopard seals or orcas. In the Arctic, we’ll paddle under nesting bird colonies, past massive glaciers and around large icebergs, however we maintain a safe distance from polar bears and walruses.

Day by Day

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. Crystal Cruises’ luxury expedition aboard the Crystal Endeavor takes guests on a 29-night unforgettable journey from Anadyr, Russia to Tromsø, Norway. The trip features stops in several locations in Northern Europe and Russia that are within the Arctic circle, which is prime aurora territory. Explore the coasts of the High Arctic in all-suite, all-verandah comfort with no more than 200 guests hosted by attentive butlers, as well as a team of expedition and destination experts. On this elusive route, the Endeavor will navigate the fantastical realm of polar bears, reindeer, pacific walrus and rare bird species.

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]

With an overnight stay in Trondheim on New Year's Eve, join us on deck to experience the magnificent Fireworks display over the city. It consistently tops the list of places in Alaska and the world to catch the dazzling display and it’s not because the dancing green lights just happen to favor this gold rush boomtown. The city is full of modern conveniences and there are many Fairbanks northern lights tours.

Unveiling Iceland’s Secret Treasures – Beyond the Golden Circle

The arctic viewing season for northern lights cruises is from late September to late March/early April, though the best months are December through March, when there are the longest hours of darkness and many clear night skies. Generally, skies are clearest near the spring and fall equinoxes in later September and March. Some late September/early October Alaska cruises can include northern lights sightings as well. 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.

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. This 14-day northern lights odyssey offered by Quark Expeditions is a deep-dive into some of the world’s most hard-to-access and secluded regions. Glide alongside Iceland’s mountainous Vestfjords and Greenland’s untamed northeast coast, home to the largest fjord system on the planet. Witness Inuit culture firsthand at Ittoqqortoormiit, wander ancient Thule sites and gape at polar bears, muskoxen and whales at every turn.

Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans

Balmoral retains a warm, civilised atmosphere and features comfortable accommodation, stylish restaurants and plenty of open deck space. Elegant and thoughtfully designed, the warmth and appeal of our Cunard Queens is palpable the moment you step aboard. Whether exploring her expansive sundecks, indulging in afternoon tea, taking your seat at the theatre or pampering yourself in the spa, you’ll find being on board as captivating as exploring the ports you call at. Join John Maclean, astronomer and award-winning astrophotographer, on an exploration of the sought-after sights of the mysterious aurora borealis. Like other natural occurrences, the Aurora Borealis come out to play when they feel like it.

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

The Northern Lights, or the aurora borealis, are natural light displays across the Arctic sky, caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the Sun entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Experiencing these beautiful waves of light on a Northern Lights cruise holiday is at the top of many travellers’ wish lists and it’s easy to see why. This atmospheric phenomenon in which undulating waves of green, purple and red lights dance across the sky is truly breathtaking. 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.

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. No photograph or television documentary can prepare you for seeing the northern lights in real life. 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.

On the 12-night northern lights itinerary aboard Viking Venus from London Tilbury to Bergen, or in reverse, these include Polar Park, the world’s northernmost wildlife park. Other activities include a snowshoe hike above Bergen and learning the winter sport of curling. 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. Shorter days in the high latitudes means darkening evening skies, so on this voyage we stay close to the coastlines of the Arctic Circle, skirting around the Norwegian and Greenland seas, and exploring remote islands and villages of the region.

Cruising through Kong Oskar Fjord, we marvel at the geological beauty of the mountains. We will then head south along the coast of Liverpool Land, with our passage dependent on ice conditions. In true expedition style we encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you among the action to see and do as much as possible. This itinerary is only a guide and subject to change due to ice and weather conditions.

Remember that seeing these lights doesn't involve a cruise director flipping on a switch. 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. Yes, Aurora Expeditions’ Northern Lights cruises and expeditions are designed to accommodate participants of all ages and experience levels. The itineraries are crafted to provide a comfortable and enriching experience, whether you are a seasoned traveller or exploring the polar regions for the first time.

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. Beyond the rewards of seeing the northern lights, the bonuses of winter season Northern Lights cruises are the stunning contrasts of scenery and the variety of onshore activities. Ports vary greatly from industrial centers and fjord villages to picturesque coastal towns and remote outposts on barren, frozen coasts.

Fear not, while you’re transfixed by the sites, the highly experienced staff and crew are always on aurora alert and notify passengers of a sighting. From there, the ship will sail as far north as possible, to a few kilometers from the Russian border, before sailing back to Tromsø, then visiting the wild and rugged Lofoten Islands and the Trondheim fjord. Northern Lights cruises and expeditions with Aurora Expeditions offer a unique and enchanting experience, providing travellers with the opportunity to witness the mesmerizing natural phenomenon known as the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.