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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. 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. The best northern lights cruises provide plenty of opportunities for passengers to learn about, celebrate and, of course, see the northern lights. But there will also be activities geared to exploring parts of the world filled with many other natural, cultural, and man-made wonders.
Best Time to See Polar Bears in Svalbard – Wildlife Guide
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. Expedition staff and guides offer support and guidance, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey for everyone. Activities and excursions cater to various interests, allowing participants to customize their experience. From informative lectures to adventurous shore landings, there’s something for everyone, making these expeditions inclusive and suitable for individuals, families and groups with diverse backgrounds and preferences. Northern Lights cruises and expeditions with Aurora Expeditions offer a range of captivating activities.
Canada Cruises
The hybrid ships run on liquified natural gas and, for up to four hours, on 86-ton battery packs, for emissions-free sailing (the packs can be charged in ports with clean electricity). Done up in decor inspired by Norwegian landscapes, the vessels carry up to 468 overnight cruise passengers. Because it’s often chilly in this part of the world (especially at night), each passenger is given a waterproof polar expedition jacket upon arrival.
Day by Day
This itinerary is only a guide and subject to change due to ice and weather conditions. Experience the true side of Greenland’s west coast with our partner Arctic Umiaq Line. Like us, they have a long history of serving local passengers and communities, and sail to places that most visitors to Greenland never see.
Late December and early January are best because they're the darkest times of the year, but the northern lights can appear as early as September or as late as March. From the vibrant cities of the west coast to the remote Arctic regions, Canada’s cruise ports offer a tapestry of experiences. As you embark from these ports, the promise of the dancing Northern Lights on the horizon adds to the allure of the Great White North’s vast and varied landscapes. As we continue our journey, we’ll delve deeper into why witnessing this phenomenon from a cruise offers an unparalleled experience. At its core, the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is a natural light display predominantly seen in the high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic. In the cold, clear nights of the polar regions, the sky often erupts in a spectral ballet of lights, dancing and weaving their magic.
Stay in our spacious cabins and enjoy a good night's sleep
Being on a Northern Lights cruise often means several days at sea, and with each night comes a new opportunity to witness the lights. After departing Southampton, the first stop on this cruise will be in Ålesund, Norway, to spend a day exploring its art nouveau architecture. After another day at sea, guests will reach Tromsø, a city 250 miles inside the Arctic Circle with famously consistent Northern Lights displays. Guests can stop by the Arctic Cathedral (which resembles a geometric glacier), visit the Polaria Arctic Center, or perhaps take a cable car to the top of Mount Storsteinen. Led by experienced guides, you and your small group of like-minded adventurers will paddle between ice floes, brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Paddling is one of the best ways to access and intimately explore the beautiful coastlines we visit and therefore make the most of your time in the wild and remote destinations we visit.
The Lofoten Islands
In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland. Popular destinations to see the southern lights include Cloudy Bay, Tasmania and Ushuaia,Argentina, the latter of which is a popular gateway for cruises to Argentina during the summer months. New Zealand's Mt. Cook (known to the indigenous Maori people as "Aoraki") also provides a stunning foreground for the aurora australis, as does the Church of the Good Shepherd in nearby Lake Tekapo. So, you’re ready to embark on a journey to chase the ethereal Northern Lights by sea. All-inclusive cruises offer a unique vantage point, as they can navigate to areas with minimal light pollution and often provide unrivaled panoramic views. Beyond the Northern Lights, cruises often sail to exotic polar destinations, offering a comprehensive experience.
Havila Voyages
Where, When And Why To Go On A Northern Lights Cruise In 2024 - Forbes
Where, When And Why To Go On A Northern Lights Cruise In 2024.
Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Enrichment is an important component of our expeditions – we hope that you will leave changed and become lifelong ambassadors for the natural world and the wild, important destinations we visit. Your world-class Expedition Team will be on hand to answer your questions about the aurora borealis and how it comes to appear in the night sky, Arctic wildlife, geological formations and the history of the places we visit. By night you will seek out the Northern Lights, but by day we will try to get you off the ship 2-3 times per day (depending on the weather and conditions) so you can get the most out of your time in the Arctic.
Our series of onboard lectures continue as sail towards the wild coast of East Greenland. 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. Enjoy informative talks from our team of experts, get to know your fellow expeditioners, stay active in the gym or treat yourself to a massage in the wellness centre. Remember to look to the skies at night and hope for sightings of the northern lights. This is why Aurora Expeditions’ Northern Lights tours don’t focus on one spot or location.
These cruise ports beckon travelers with both their regional charms and the celestial displays they promise. Let’s venture into some of the best Iceland cruise ports for witnessing the Northern Lights from the sea. Amidst this raw natural beauty, the Northern Lights often make their grand appearance, turning the night sky into a mesmerizing light show.
These ports not only introduce travelers to the rich tapestry of Russian culture but also act as starting points for voyages beneath the shimmering Arctic skies. The vastness of Canada offers not only diverse landscapes but also multiple ports of call from which to embark on a Northern Lights cruise. Whether you’re sailing past the charming villages of Lofoten or standing on the precipice of the North Cape, the auroras are sure to etch a memory that remains vivid for years to come. Norway, with its jagged coastlines, deep fjords, and proximity to the Arctic, is often hailed as one of the best places to witness the Northern Lights.
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. To increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, be prepared to venture into the heart of the Arctic, to destinations such as Greenland, Iceland, Northern Canada and Northern Norway. While aurora activity happens year-round, the best time to witness the Northern Lights is during the long winter months, when the windows for viewing them each night are longer.
The huge Beerenberg volcano is the world’s northernmost active volcano, last erupting in 1985. The northern part of the island is a great place to look for whales and dolphins, and contains impressive glaciers, some of which reach the sea. If the weather is friendly, we will try to land at Kvalrossbukta, a relatively sheltered bay on the island’s west coast.
This Cruise Line Just Appointed Its First-ever 'Chief Aurora Chaser' — and Has a Northern Lights Guarantee - Travel + Leisure
This Cruise Line Just Appointed Its First-ever 'Chief Aurora Chaser' — and Has a Northern Lights Guarantee.
Posted: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Their expertise can enhance the experience, making the celestial display even more memorable. You’re not just banking on a single night; you’re giving yourself multiple chances to see the spectacle. The absence of urban light pollution ensures that the colors of the Northern Lights appear more vibrant and clearer than they would in most terrestrial settings. Imagine a night where the sky transforms into a canvas painted with swirling hues of green, pink, and purple.
Since the ships sail this itinerary from October to November, the skies will be dark enough to see the northern lights, should they decide to appear. In 2023, the voyage will be undertaken by Queen Victoria, while next season, the Queen Mary 2 and the upcoming Queen Anne will take the reins. 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.
See The Northern Lights with Aurora Expeditions and our Expedition Team will take you on excursions unique to the High Arctic, fully included in the cost of your expedition. For those interested in a little extra excitement, there are optional activities designed to get you closer to the action. Our Northern Lights expeditions provide a mix of comfort and adventure; for those willing to explore the Arctic the memories will last a lifetime.
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