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Such tours include Norwegian Cruise Line's 11-Day Fairbanks Denali Express, Celebrity Cruises' Alaska Gold Rush Adventure and Holland America's Yukon and Denali Land and Sea Journeys. Besides a down coat, warm hat, and gloves, be sure to pack wind and waterproof pants (i.e., ski pants or rain pans), thermal long underwear, wool socks, and winter boots for walking on snow and ice. 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. 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.
Alaska Northern Lights Cruises
Done up in decor inspired by Norwegian landscapes, the vessels carry up to 468 overnight cruise passengers. While it is possible to see the Northern Lights display toward the beginning and end of the cruise season, it’s unlikely and no ships specifically target Alaska’s aurora season. Additionally, most Alaska cruises are concentrated around the collection of islands in the state’s southeast region, which is a little too far south for good auroral displays (though they do happen occasionally). The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is as deep into winter as you can go. 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.
Oceanwide Expeditions: East Greenland Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis
The aurora australis, or Southern Lights, are the equivalent phenomenon in the Southern Hemisphere, visible in places like Antarctica, parts of Australia, and New Zealand. However, the aurora can appear in any direction, so the ship’s open decks, which offer broader views, are generally preferable. Many Alaskan cruises incorporate indigenous narratives and folklore about the aurora. Engaging with these stories enriches the experience, providing a cultural context to the natural marvel.
Alaska Northern Lights Viewing
The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. 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. Chase the lights on a private tour with Wild Alaska Journeys and you’ll be in the capable hands of local guides who know where to look and understand the science behind them. All trips are private, so bring your family or group and spend a night on the lookout for the aurora or make it part of a multi-day journey. Join Alaska Wildlife Guide in exploring one of Alaska’s most desired attractions, Chena Hot Springs Resort.
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. Since the northern lights are generally only visible under very clear skies, keep in mind the time of year you visit, the time of day you set out and the weather. Here is some advice on planning your trip — and a whole lot of inspiration to catch these lights dancing through the sky.
You Can See the Northern Lights From This Alaska Train - Travel + Leisure
You Can See the Northern Lights From This Alaska Train.
Posted: Sat, 21 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Once a gold mining settlement, this Alaskan Arctic destination is now little more than a truck stop at 67° N latitude on the famed Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. It's a prime northern lights observation location, largely because of the rustic Coldfoot Camp in the Brooks Mountain Range on the edge of the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, the northernmost national park in the U.S. Many aurora adventure tours take guests here, and to Wiseman about 15 miles north, for the high chances of a northern lights display. Coldfoot is 250 miles north of Fairbanks and 60 miles above the Arctic Circle.
Look Up Into Norway's Night Sky
"Cruise ships are able to be out at sea where it is dark for optimal viewing," she says, and when in port, they can create opportunities for guests to access optimal viewing sites outside of cities and their lights. Havila Voyages and HX both offer a Northern Lights promise on cruises that depart from the scenic town of Bergen, Norway. You’ll have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights while sailing Aurora Expeditions’ 132-passenger Greg Mortimer through Norway, Iceland, and Greenland. However, most Northern Lights cruises visit just Norway, Iceland, and Greenland because those countries have open waterways that aren’t frozen over. As for where in Iceland to see them, it really depends on how comfortable you are with winter driving. Alternatively, you can book organized tours from Reykjavík to the nearby "Golden Ring" — highlights of which include Gullfoss Waterfall and the Great Geysir.
What Kind of Things Do You Do on a Northern Lights Cruise?
Incidentally, this is also the time when you’ll find cost savings on your cruise since most families tend to vacation while school is out. The northern lights— known to science enthusiasts as the aurora borealis— are like a colorful dance party in the sky. Your best bet for catching these magical lights are in locations close to the Arctic Circle. This is because the magnetic fields of Earth’s North and South Poles are consistently weak enough for the sun’s charged particles to enter our atmosphere at high speed. If seeing the northern lights is a greater priority for you than taking a traditional summer cruise to Alaska, look into riding on the Alaska State Ferry. The ferry system covers 3,500 miles of Alaska's coastline, connecting over 30 communities between Bellingham, Washington and Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Chain year-round.
Capturing the Aurora Borealis on Camera
Cruisetours in Alaska can improve your odds of seeing the aurora because they get you to Fairbanks and other inland destinations in Alaska that tend to have more cloud-free skies than in the Inside Passage, where cruise ships sail. Just a short 15-minute drive from downtown Fairbanks, wait for the northern lights to appear in a warm, inviting space. Cozy up to the fire, sip on cocoa and coffee, and step outside when mother nature puts on a show. Although the center is a short distance from town, it is far enough away so that you won’t have to worry about light pollution interrupting your view as you stand gazing under the vast, starlit sky.
The solar winds that circle the globe create unique arrangements that can appear as rippling currents or dancing rays. 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. Seeing the Northern Lights is one of those magical experiences on nearly every traveler’s bucket list due to the surreal way light moves in waves of green color across the nighttime sky. Passengers can opt-in for overnight wake-up calls, so they can get some sleep without worrying about missing a Northern Lights sighting.
These onboard activities and amenities enhance the overall Northern Lights experience, making your Alaskan cruise a truly memorable journey. They provide opportunities to learn, relax, and connect with other passengers who share your passion for witnessing the ethereal beauty of the Aurora Borealis. If you see them (lucky duck), it’s a faux pas to wave, whistle, or call out—according to legend, that drives them away. One of the best viewing locations is Fairbanks, Alaska, which is why this landmark is one of the central highlights of a Norwegian Cruise Line tour.
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, have enchanted humanity for millennia. Their ethereal dance across the night sky tells a tale as old as time, combining science, legends, and raw natural beauty. Book a tour offered by a photography expert if you’re interested in capturing these magical moments on film or even your phone. Or if you’re a multi-tasker, arrange an overnight dog mushing or snowmobiling trip, a late-night ice fishing session or a trip to the Arctic Circle that all offer a chance to see the northern lights in addition to the main event.
Alaska's northern lights season is between late August and late April, peaking in March. However, the season is defined more by its long, dark nights than by solar activity. While many travelers think they have to head to Canada or Scandinavia to see the northern lights, you can actually spot this phenomenon without leaving the United States. Northern Alaska is ideal for Americans wanting a chance to see the aurora borealis. It may be cold in winter (temperatures can drop to 30 degrees below zero), but the inland Alaskan Arctic — where skies tend to be clearer — is one of the best places in the world to see this famous light show.
Keep in mind that some smaller cruise lines, such as Uncruise Adventures, start their Alaska cruises in April. Additional benefits to cruising during the shoulder season are lower prices and smaller crowds. If your dream Alaska vacation involves both cruising along the state's dramatically beautiful coastline and catching a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of the northern lights, get ready to do some research and make some difficult decisions.
It can work as a three- or four-day trip centered on a weekend, but then you will need to be more focused. SolarHam gives a reliable three-day geomagnetic forecast that's often used by aurora hunters, while the Aurora Forecast app shows travelers the position of the auroral oval around the Arctic Circle. It also indicates the probability of seeing the northern lights where you are (green, not so much; red, and they're probably happening right above you). Its popularity among northern lights seekers has a lot to do with its accessibility. Good vantage points in the vicinity include Cleary Summit, about 20 miles from Fairbanks, which is easy to get to and offers parking and a solid view of the horizon. Those wanting to maximize their chances should head for the more remote northern villages of Coldfoot in the Yukon Territory or to Prudhoe Bay and Utqiaġvik in the extreme north.
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). From there, it’s onward to Rørvik, an ancient fishing town, and then Lødingen, a village known for its place amongst the fjords. There, guests can take an excursion to visit a Sámi village and learn about the Indigenous and semi-nomadic reindeer herders. Then it’s back down to Tromsø, where guests can visit the Polar Museum, go snowshoeing, or try one of the world’s northernmost breweries, Mack Bryggeri.
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