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One of the latest cruise lines to launch sailings to seek out the aurora is Ambassador. It’s the first British cruise line to do so in more than a decade and has convenient, value-for-money, round-trip voyages from Tilbury, Bristol, Newcastle and Dundee. These include a 14-night sailing on its recently launched second ship, the 1,200-passenger Ambition. Highlights include visits to former Viking strongholds Haugesund and Trondheim, and Arctic Circle calls in Alta, Narvik and Bodo.
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]
Norway’s Coastal Kitchen
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. 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. These expeditions take place in regions near the Arctic Circle, such as Norway or Iceland, where the Northern Lights are frequently visible.
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Choosing a cruise for your Northern Lights adventure is more than just about the lights; it’s about the holistic experience. This flexibility increases your chances of seeing the lights in all their glory multiple times during your voyage. If the Northern Lights are nature’s most spectacular theatre, then a cruise ship is undoubtedly the front row seat you’ve been dreaming of. As we continue our journey, we’ll delve deeper into why witnessing this phenomenon from a cruise offers an unparalleled experience.
Russia Cruises
Norwegian cruise line hires 'northern lights chaser' - The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Norwegian cruise line hires 'northern lights chaser'.
Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The auroral oval, a band that hugs the northernmost latitudes where auroral activity has the highest concentration, covers most of Alaska and Iceland, southern Greenland, and the northernmost parts of Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. They are calculated based on the days of voyage, ability to carry out the activity and exchange rates. Sea kayaking holidays in the humbling wilderness of Antarctica, the Arctic, and some of the world’s most biodiverse regions, are guaranteed to stir your soul. Paddle between brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes, absorbing the majestic scenery as it unfolds before you. We will attempt to enter Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, a remote and rarely visited fjord system with countless opportunities for exploration, located within the Northeast Greenland National Park. Cruising through Kong Oskar Fjord, we marvel at the geological beauty of the mountains.
Viking Inclusive Value

The line has a variety of options to sail part or all of the way along the classic route from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, with the round trip taking 11 nights. Observation lounges have glass roofs and reclining chairs to view the Arctic sky and you can push a button on the cabin telephone to be woken up in the night if the lights appear. It also has a northern lights promise — if the phenomenon doesn’t appear during a 12-day sailing, passengers get a free week-long voyage. Search for the northern lights in style aboard Cunard’s stylish Queen Anne, the line’s first new ship in 12 years. The 12-night, round-trip Southampton sailing includes several days at sea to explore the 3,000-passenger vessel and indulge in the signature afternoon tea served by white-gloved waiters. You’ll visit Narvik, one of the world’s most northerly towns, where a ride on the cable car is the best way to experience breathtaking views over the fjords and Arctic landscape.

Day by Day
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.
Additionally, shore tours seek out the best potential viewing spots based on meteorological forecasts. Havila Voyages is so sure that guests will see psychedelic coronas of light in the night sky that the Norwegian cruise line offers a “Northern Lights promise” on any of its 12-day Round Voyages, taking place from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. 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.
Being on a Northern Lights cruise often means several days at sea, and with each night comes a new opportunity to witness the lights. You don’t know when you book your excursions to see the Northern Lights – or to do dogsledding, snowmobiling or out sailing on a smaller boat – what the weather conditions will present. When most people think of winter cruises, they picture sunshine and pool drinks with little umbrellas in them.
The Colors of the Night
In fact, the world’s first Northern Lights observatory was built here in 1899 on Mount Haldde, 900m above sea level. 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.
There are also plenty of places near Reykjavík you can head to if you’re short on time, including Thingvellir National Park. Northern Canada is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Canada, in remote places with minimal light pollution. Nunavut in the heart of Canada’s High Arctic is a prime aurora borealis viewing country, with its close proximity to the North Pole and vast expanses of tundra. Consider visiting a remote traditional Inuit community for an unparalleled night of dazzling aurora displays. Every year, millions of tourists flock to the Arctic for a chance to witness the phenomenon of the Northern Lights. 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.
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. 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. Cunard’s Norway and Northern Lights cruise is a 12-day roundtrip along Norway’s coastline from Southampton, England on Queen Mary 2, or Queen Victoria ships. Guest speakers, astronomers and award-winning photographers are usually on board to join guests on deck to each evening to scan for and enjoy the northern lights show.
While Cunard’s 2,996-passenger Queen Anne will offer oodles of nightly performances once it launches in 2024, one of the most dazzling shows could be the one Mother Nature puts on. Want to book flights and accommodation with us or simply want some additional information? Click the button below and fill out the form, our expedition experts are more than happy to help. Add another layer to your once-in-a-lifetime holiday and make the most out of your time in some of the most remote places on earth.
Norway is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, so if you’re visiting during September to April (the prime time for sightings), don’t miss the opportunity to try to catch a glimpse. There are lots of areas with superb viewing potential, but those mentioned below are worth a standalone visit too, so you’re guaranteed an unforgettable trip regardless of whether the lights come out to shine or not. 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.
If you’ve got any time left, use it to admire Vesterålen’s blissful beaches, which look inviting in any season. 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. 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.
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