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Walking and bird-watching are popular activities as they offer a chance to witness the unique wildlife in the destinations you visit. On many cruises, when passengers or crew spot northern lights, they make ship-wide announcements. Because the northern lights often appear late at night or very early in the morning, some ships offer opt-in wake up calls for this purpose. Embark on an illuminating once-in-a-lifetime voyage in search of the elusive aurora borealis, or northern lights. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Arctic landscapes and rich traditions of the indigenous Sami people, who have a deep connection with the land. In 2021, our cruises to Alaska will be sailing later than usual, kicking off the season in late July and ending in early October.
See wildlife unobtrusively
Vega Island is fantastic for birdwatching and here eider ducks are the main attraction, where they are raised for their down, which at one point accounted for one third of the islanders’ income. The islanders still make houses for the birds to nest in and in return, the ducks provide valuable down when they and their chicks leave the nests to continue their lives at sea. The archipelago reflects a traditional way of life that has not changed for more than 1,500 years. On nearby Torget Island, we plan to land and hike to Torghatten, a fascinating rock formation with an equally interesting legend describing the hole in the mountain as having been created by a troll’s arrow. The mesmerising and otherworldly spectacle of the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, has captivated humanity for centuries.
Where do Northern Lights cruises go?
If you don't have two or three weeks to take off work to go northern lights watching, consider Oceanwide Expeditions' eight-day aurora borealis sailings from Iceland to Greenland and back. The adventure begins in Akureyri, the unofficial capital of north Iceland, before heading for Greenland's breathtaking Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord system in the world. If you do have a little more time, you can opt for the 13-day Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis itinerary, which embarks in the Svalbard archipelago before sailing to Greenland and down to Iceland. Both take place in the late summer into early fall, as darkness returns to the skies in the Arctic. Rates for the eight-day itinerary start from $4,600 per person for the 2023 sailings.
Sea Kayaking in the Arctic
Alternatively, consider a trip from Bergen to Kirkenes with either Hurtigruten or Havila Voyages. Both lines operate services on the Norwegian coastal ferry route, which is available as a roundtrip cruise-like experience. Days are filled with excursions to quaint Arctic towns, wildlife sightings, and cultural encounters that enrich your understanding of the delicate Arctic region.
Itinerary
By day, you’ll visit some of Norway’s most enchanting coastal towns, discovering the region’s rich culture and scenery. While at night the prospect of the Northern Lights is enough to tempt you from your stateroom into the crisp, still, darkness beyond. You’ll cross the Arctic Circle to hunt the Northern Lights in winter, with included land and sea excursions and expert lectures on board. Plus, their Northern Lights promise mean that if the aurora don’t appear on your cruise, they’ll give you a six or seven-day voyage completely free of charge.
Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska - AFAR Media
Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska.
Posted: Tue, 09 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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.
One of the most exhilarating ways to experience Antarctica, the Arctic and beyond.
The emphasis is on experiencing the destination rather than travelling long distances. See ancient rock carvings at the Alta Museum; learn about the science of the northern lights. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below. If you're interested in where to see the northern lights outside Alaska, the Arctic city of Alta, Norway, calls itself "The City of Northern Lights." Witnessing the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky may cause you to gasp because it's actually that cool. The colorful ribbons of green and other hues look like something from outer space — and they are.
Pick Your Itinerary
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. Receive special offers, exciting new itineraries and fascinating articles delivered straight to your inbox. Embark on a nostalgic summertime voyage along the Norwegian coast up to the Svalbard archipelago at the edge of the world. If you have a UK passport, you don’t need a visa to go on a cruise to see the Northern Lights in Norway (or anywhere else in Scandinavia). But please remember you must have a passport that’s valid for at least three months longer than the date you plan to leave this region.
Northern Lights Cruises
The adult-only line, which has its roots in Norway, has a reputation for creating curated and insightful tours. 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.
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. Midsize and small cruise ship companies offer a variety of Arctic Circle sails during prime northern lights viewing months.
Click the button below and fill out the form, our expedition experts are more than happy to help. Passengers are unable to share a kayaking place as we customise the kayaks and dry suits for each individual kayaker at the beginning of each voyage. In the unlikely event of a capsize, your experienced guide will assist by righting the kayak, stabilising it then pumping it out. With drysuits and warm clothing underneath you will be comfortable in cold water for up to half an hour.
You will learn about sea ice, glaciers, the unique geology found in East Greenland and daring tales of European exploration. We are also in the prime zone to view the northern lights, so glance up to the skies and you might just see more than shimmering stars. 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!
Look skyward and you could catch a glimpse of birds, including the glaucous gull, black-legged kittiwake, northern fulmar, common raven and common eider. In the coming days, a host of choices are available to us, and depending on ice and weather conditions, the east coast of Greenland is ours to explore. The members of our experienced Expedition Team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor our voyage to suit the day-to-day conditions. This allows us to make best use of the prevailing weather, ice conditions and any opportunities for wildlife encounters. We generally attempt up to two landings or Zodiac excursions per day, including cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales feeding near the surface. Our series of onboard lectures continue as sail towards the wild coast of East Greenland.
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