Table Of Content
The final port town on the itinerary is Stavanger, where the most popular attractions relate to the community’s maritime history. After departing London, guests spend a day in Amsterdam, where they can stroll along the canals, admiring the architecture and indulging in alfresco coffee and stroopwafel breaks. Then, after crossing the North Sea, the ship cruises the scenic Norwegian Inside Passage, a protected shipping lane that runs from the southern tip of Norway to Russia (though Viking guests will only go as far north as Tromsø).
Narvik, Norway
On Celebrity, cruises to Alaska and Iceland just might yield sightings of Aurora Borealis. That said, even if you don’t see the Northern Lights during your cruise, there’s plenty to fall in love with in these exciting destinations, from incredible dog-sledding competitions to hiking along stunning fjords. On the outside decks you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the night sky, while listening to the knowledgeable English-speaking guide tell you all you need to know about the Northern Lights. Cruise with us on our hybrid-electric boat and amplify your experience with unspoiled nature. Explore a fjord with a surprising remnant from the war and step ashore at an old fishing facility to learn about the industry that is the lifeline of many Norwegian coastal towns and has formed the culture of Northern Norway. This spring, we are excited to present nine new and sustainable excursions, each thoughtfully crafted to enrich your travel experience.
Sea Kayaking
Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by sharp ice-clad peaks soaring up to 2,000 metres (6,562 feet), and glaciers birthing gigantic icebergs that drift throughout the fjord system, combine to create breathtaking scenes. Crossing south of the Arctic Circle, we visit the Vega archipelago, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. 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.
Cruises
This spectacular natural phenomenon offers a surreal light display as vibrant hues of blue, green, pink and violet dance across the night sky. Places located near the Arctic Circle such as northern Norway, Iceland and Greenland, are some of the best places in the world to witness this stunning light show. Dedicated trips in search of the aurora borealis include a 13-night round-trip expedition cruise from Amsterdam on MS Maud. It features a day on Senja, one of the most ruggedly beautiful and lesser-visited Norwegian islands. The optimal time to witness the Northern Lights during Aurora Expeditions’ cruises and expeditions is typically during the winter months when the polar night prevails.
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.
See wildlife unobtrusively
Kayaks offer a unique opportunity to view marine and land mammals, coral reefs, tropical fish, sea birds and an astonishing range of rainforest birds. We will bring our snorkelling gear with us during our paddles and take advantage of any opportunities to view marine life up close. The northern waters are warmer than the polar regions but water temperatures of around 12 °C/ 53.6°F mean you may opt to wear your paddle jacket on a warm, sunny day or our dry suits on a cool day. Surf landings are not likely, but you must be capable of paddling in a small swell or wind chop, with winds up to 20 knots. With that being said, we will not paddle if wind conditions are too strong and there is no sheltered area for paddling.
Can You See The Northern Lights From A Cruise Ship? The Best Cruises for Viewing the Northern Lights
Hurtigruten Appoints the World's First 'Chief Aurora Chaser' for Northern Lights Cruises - TravelPulse
Hurtigruten Appoints the World's First 'Chief Aurora Chaser' for Northern Lights Cruises.
Posted: Mon, 25 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Embark on an epic sailing in 2024 aboard the 132-passenger Greg Mortimer, the first expedition cruise vessel to feature a striking inverted bow design for smoother sailing. Aurora Expedition’s 19-night Northern Lights Explorer sailing from Kirkenes to Reykjavik will hug coastlines in the Arctic Circle and explore far-flung islands and villages. Highlights include a visit to Unesco-listed Vega Island, a centre for the production of duck eiderdown, and a planned landing at Jan Mayen where the Beerenberg volcano is the world’s northernmost active volcano, last erupting in 1985. Yes, Aurora Expeditions’ Northern Lights cruises and expeditions are designed to accommodate participants of all ages and experience levels.
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. 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. It’s also the site of Scoresbysund, the most extensive fjord system in the world, and the glaciers here are the birthplace of many of the icebergs you see in the Arctic. The Norwegian-owned Havila Voyages operates four newer environmentally friendlier coastal cruise ships that carry both people and cargo between Bergen and Kirkenes, year-round.
Best Way to Witness the Northern Lights
Depending on where you live, there are also convenient sailings with longer voyages from Southampton, Portsmouth and Newcastle. The Northern Lights, or the aurora borealis, are natural light displays across the Arctic sky, caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the Sun entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Experiencing these beautiful waves of light on a Northern Lights cruise holiday is at the top of many travellers’ wish lists and it’s easy to see why. This atmospheric phenomenon in which undulating waves of green, purple and red lights dance across the sky is truly breathtaking. In other cities, Viking offers late-night excursions that take passengers deeper into the countryside to darker spots with clearer skies to help increase the likelihood of spotting the elusive aurora. The following two days are at sea, taking in the beauty of the Norwegian coast as the vessel makes for its disembarkation city, Bergen.
Maximise your time with these gracious creatures, enjoy amazing up-close encounters and create memories that will last you a lifetime. Our ships are an experience in their own right, built to enhance your voyage and overall experience by focusing on sustainability, space and comfort at sea. 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.
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. We will then head south along the coast of Liverpool Land, with our passage dependent on ice conditions. This evening, get to know your fellow expeditioners, friendly expedition team and crew at the Welcome Dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure. After a leisurely breakfast, check-out of your room before commencing an excursion of Kirkenes and surrounds. Transfer to the pier for embarkation in the late afternoon, when you will have time to settle into your cabin before attending our mandatory safety briefings, and enjoy the thrill of departure as we ‘throw the lines’ and set sail.
The 12-Night Great National Parks Expedition Cruisetour (6A Northbound) is perfect for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts, and offers even more time in Alaska’s breathtaking national parks like Denali and Kenai Fjords. Get up close to beautiful, picturesque landscapes on an Iceland and Ireland cruise from Southampton, England, which offers 14 nights of pure bliss on Celebrity Silhouette. When the northern lights do appear, "more than likely the ship will turn off most of the exterior lights," Weber says. "But you can prepare as soon as you board the ship by scouting out the darkest spot outside, and up top on the ship." That may be away from the ship stairways and public rooms.
The best time for sightings is from September through to April in Norway, Greenland and Iceland. You can keep cosy in panoramic observation lounges before going out on deck if the lights make an appearance. Additionally, shore tours seek out the best potential viewing spots based on meteorological forecasts. 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. 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.
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. Some venture to the Svalbard Archipelago, where the Gulf Stream flows prevent the seas from freezing in winter. 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.
Next, guests will visit the Lofoten islands, considered one of the most visually stunning parts of Norway, before visiting Hardangerfjord, the second longest fjord in the country, to learn more about Viking history. The spectacular northern lights is a natural phenomenon that is most commonly seen in the sky above the Arctic Circle, between late autumn and early spring. As we are near North Cape in northern Norway, keep a close watch in hope of witnessing this dazzling spectacle in the night sky. The North Cape is located at a latitude of 71° 10´ 21 and is Europe’s northernmost point. Here we enjoy a short walk, visit the North Cape Hall and perhaps sample some local treats.
But why, amidst all the options available, is a cruise the premier choice to witness this astral dance? This display occurs due to the interaction between the solar wind (a stream of charged particles released from the sun) and the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. So grab a cruise planner and join us as we set sail beneath the stars, exploring the world of Northern Lights cruises. Oceanwide Expeditions is happy to provide a number of differently-themed cruises that will take you to experience the wonder of the Northern Lights. Havila Voyages and HX both offer a Northern Lights promise on cruises that depart from the scenic town of Bergen, Norway. However, most Northern Lights cruises visit just Norway, Iceland, and Greenland because those countries have open waterways that aren’t frozen over.
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