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Embarking on a Northern Lights cruise in Alaska is a significant commitment, both in terms of time and resources. Making an informed decision ensures you get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime journey. While each cruise line may have its unique Alaska cruise itinerary, there are common routes that most Northern Lights cruises in Alaska follow. Set sail on an Alaskan cruise and let the magic of the Northern Lights illuminate your journey, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime. Aurora Borealis is more likely to be seen between September and March.
Alaska Northern Lights Cruises
I prefer to see and remember things thru my eyes not a lens, but when you see a miracle, you may need proof. I loved the show Maggy and Mark put together and REALLY loved that the photos were shared by guests and crew. Michael got a shot of the Northern Lights against the bow of the boat that is breathtaking. Maybe tell folks you will do that so they don’t waste time hiding behind a lens. Both she and Mark are great ambassadors for the Dream and for AK. I heard some whining from others.....Kake is not an easy place to visit....but I thought it was necessary.
Cruises
Ice crampons may come in handy, especially in ports where walkways may be icy or slick. On some active excursions, outfitters provide weather appropriate gear, but you can’t always count on that. And don’t forget your bathing suit for outdoor tub soaks and pool swims onboard. 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.
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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. 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.
8 Fabulous Perks Of Cruising Alaska In The Fall - TravelAwaits
8 Fabulous Perks Of Cruising Alaska In The Fall.
Posted: Thu, 07 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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. 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. However, those in interior cabins can always run up on deck — which you should do anyway to witness the full grandeur of the atmospheric phenomenon.
If you’re hoping to see the magic aboard an Alaska cruise in 2024 or 2025, then you just might be in luck. Experts predict the next few seasons will be particularly good for northern lights sightings, due to increased solar activity. While seeing the northern lights is never guaranteed, your best chance of seeing them is during these high-activity solar cycles, which occur about every 11 years.
It’s essential to discuss any requirements with the cruise line ahead of booking. Yes, several cruise lines offer itineraries specifically tailored for aurora viewing, often incorporating experts, lectures, and workshops related to the phenomenon. The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a natural light display predominantly seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic. They result from charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere, producing colorful displays of green, pink, purple, red, and blue lights.
The Ideal Time to Take an Alaskan Cruise Is Right Now - Thrillist
The Ideal Time to Take an Alaskan Cruise Is Right Now.
Posted: Mon, 31 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Within the United States, Alaska is definitely the best place to visit the northern lights due to how far north it is. Ideally, you start in Anchorage or Fairbanks and drive into Denali National Park. The dark skies in winter here make it ideal for seeing the lights. Be prepared to "aurora chase" in Alaska because of how fickle the lights can be. Reserve at least a few days to maximize your chances of seeing them. Other winter activities in Alaska, such as dogsled mushing and snowmobiling, will keep you busy and satisfied, even on days when you aren't lucky enough to get a glimpse of the lights.
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. The ‘auroral zone’ starts in Northern Norway just above the Lofoten Islands and extends up the coast to the North Cape (Nordkapp) and beyond. You will observe the same light display from anywhere in this region, but from a different angle. Some of our favourite places in Northern Norway to witness the Northern Lights include Tromsø, Kirkenes, the Lofoten Islands, Bodø and the North Cape.
Your greatest likelihood to spot the sky lighting up in Iceland is by booking as early or late into the sailing season as you can. Look to cruises here in April, September or October to have the best chance. Alaska’s northern lights viewing season stretches from late August through late April. The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter, or early spring.
This wild tundra is home to reindeer, arctic hares, and 40 percent of the world’s musk ox population. 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.
Keep that in mind before you place all your cruise vacation hopes on this one experience. Viewing the Alaska northern lights takes the right timing, the right location, and the right conditions. The supernal shimmer of emerald and violet begins with a few streaks, and then breaks out into a graceful ballet. Spectators gaze at the sky in awe, or snap photos well into the middle of the night. The northern lights, or aurora borealis, is a top-listed experience on many travelers’ bucket lists. But like most things in nature, they might not show, even if you visit Alaska at the best time.
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. And Norway and generally sail 10 to 15-night itineraries during the winter season. Many cruises hug the northern Norwegian coast above the Arctic Circle.
And there were at least 2 nights that people saw northern lights. In general, the best time to see northern lights in Alaska (on land) is said to be from late August to early April. The optimal time to go on a cruise to see the Alaska Northern Lights is when the daylight slips away. It will seasonally become a time with the skies are covered with a soft, darkened blanket hovering over the city.
All the guides were knowledgeable and personable--excellent in every respect--but two who stand out in our memories were KayDee in the Alaska Wildlands and Kerstein at the Kantishna Roadhouse. KayDee was remarkable for her flexibility and especially her willingness and ability to fit hikes to the widely varying needs of different individuals. Hiking with Kerstein was like attending a college class in the wilderness, and one taught by a charismatic and exciting teacher.
Celebrity’s pre-cruise national parks adventure takes guests on a wildlife viewing quest to destinations in the north and the Interior where you can watch for the aurora. The 12-night trip begins in Fairbanks with a free day to explore. Spending three nights at the lodge — located just outside the entrance to the park — in mid-September will offer excellent opportunities for aurora viewing. Keep your fingers crossed for high solar activity and clear, dark skies.
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