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Sailing to and from Southampton, P&O runs dedicated northern lights cruises on its adult-only ship Aurora. During these 12-night sailings you’ll sail along the dramatic coast of Norway to the fringes of the Arctic Circle and also visit the country’s beautiful fjords, including 550m-deep Romsdalsfjord. 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. 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.
Itinerary
Let us introduce you to the mysteries of the aurora borealis, the beautiful Lofoten Islands, and how our on board spa services take inspiration from the ocean itself. Home to over 100 nationalities, the city offers a wealth of eateries serving some of the best native cuisine in the Arctic. 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 cruisetours like these, you’ll traverse to towns like Seward, Anchorage, Denali, and tiny Talkeetna. Of course, sightings of the Northern Lights on your cruisetour depend entirely on natural circumstances, relying on weather, darkness, and a bit of magic. Discover the wonders of Iceland’s nature by hiking along snow-capped mountains, marveling at enormous waterfalls, and exploring gurgling fields of Icelandic lava.
Best Time to See Polar Bears in Svalbard – Wildlife Guide
They are calculated based on the days of voyage, ability to carry out the activity and exchange rates. You should be fit enough to paddle for up to three hours and climb between moving Zodiacs on the water. Regular exercise is recommended, because the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the experience.
Best Place to See Northern Lights in Norway
Aurora Borealis, as it’s officially known, can only be seen above the magnetic pole of the Northern Hemisphere. Your chances of seeing them increase the farther north you are, which in turn makes Iceland an ideal place to try your luck at Northern Lights gazing. Under the Northern Light Promise, if the Northern Lights do not appear on a traveler's applicable Norway Expedition cruise, the expedition group will give travelers another Norway cruise free of charge. 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. On an exclusive 24-hour you will journey to the heart of the Arctic to find the best Northern Lights viewing spots.
From the European north to the distant east, Russia’s vast coastline promises tales of the land and the magic of the Northern Lights. Russia’s ports, each resonating with its unique charm and history, invite travelers to embark on journeys that are as much about cultural exploration as they are about celestial wonder. Alaska’s cruise ports serve as more than just boarding points; they’re the threshold to the state’s raw beauty and the magical allure of the Northern Lights. Alaska, known as the Last Frontier, boasts a range of cruise ports that are gateways to pristine wilderness, glacial wonders, and, of course, the mesmerizing Alaska Northern Lights. These Canadian ports serve as gateways to prime aurora-viewing territories, combining local charm with the promise of celestial wonders.
Why travel with us?
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. 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.
Russia Cruises
Enhance your prospects of witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights or aurora borealis by embarking on a small ship expedition cruise that delves deep into the Arctic, venturing to iconic locales such as Greenland, Iceland and Norway. Hurtigruten is so sure you will see the lights on the October-through-March sailings of its year-round 11- and 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express itineraries that the company has a guarantee called the Northern Lights Promise. If the deck's officers don't announce to all on board that the northern lights are happening, you can get a six- or seven-day Norwegian Coastal cruise for free. 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. Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899.
Zodiac cruises allow you to get closer to some of the wildlife and landscapes you’ll see throughout your Northern Lights tour. If you have the necessary experience you should also consider adding sea kayaking to your Northern Lights itinerary. Increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights or aurora borealis on a small ship expedition cruise that takes you deep into the Arctic, to iconic destinations such as Greenland, Iceland and Norway. To get a proper view of the lights, you need to escape the light pollution and get away from the city. Chasing the lights at sea gives you the perfect opportunity to find a great viewing spot as our Tromso cruises sail straight through the Auroral Oval Zone.
Sea Kayaking in Scotland
In true expedition style, we encourage exploration and adventure on our Northern Lights tours. Aurora Expeditions’ Northern Lights cruises offer flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you amongst the action to see and do as much as possible. Our Northern Lights adventures will take you across the seas, seeking out the Northern Lights in multiple countries and landscapes. To increase your chances of seeing the lights we move to different locations around the Arctic Circle, ensuring all bases are covered. 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.
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.
Bridgett Quinn Weber, an advisor with Cruise Specialists who works with expedition cruises offered the advice below. Aurora Expeditions’ 22-day Northern Lights Explorer itinerary starts in Kirkenes, a small town in far northeastern Norway, stays close to the coastlines of the Arctic Circle, and skirts around the Norwegian and Greenland seas, and ends in Bergen. Spending the night at sea means you are able to reach the whale location before anyone else.
12 best northern lights cruises for a spectacular adventure - The Times
12 best northern lights cruises for a spectacular adventure.
Posted: Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
We paddle between 5 to 15 kilometres (2 to 4 hours) per outing, often taking a snack and a flask of hot chocolate to enjoy on our excursion. The region features attractive towns such as as Isafjordur, the famous Dynjandi waterfall, and spectacular fjords that are ideal for kayaking, hiking and birdwatching. Explore Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord system and a favourite hunting ground of the local Inuit. Massive glaciers flow into this fjord, the birthplace of hundreds of majestic Greenland icebergs.
