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Welcome to the enchanting world of the Northern Lights, where nature puts on a breathtaking light show like no other. If you’re seeking an unforgettable experience, look no further than an Alaskan cruise to witness the spectacle of the Aurora Borealis. Alaska, with its vast wilderness and clear skies, offers some of the best opportunities to catch a glimpse of this mesmerizing phenomenon. If you’re farther north in Talkeetna or Denali, Alaska’s Interior, your chances improve. And if you’re in Fairbanks or the Arctic, you have the best shot at witnessing the aurora. The region lies underneath the Auroral Oval, a ring-shaped zone where northern lights activity is concentrated.
Can You See The Northern Lights From A Cruise Ship? The Best Cruises for Viewing the Northern Lights
The old gold rush boomtown of Fairbanks is the undisputed capital of the northern lights hunt in Alaska. It's not the very best place for aurora viewing — it's just below the Arctic Circle — but auroras frequently occur here. If you're eager to capture the beauty of the Northern Lights, it's advisable to bring along a high-quality camera. Many guests find it beneficial to also have a tripod, a remote control, and extra batteries for a smooth photography experience. Utilizing a sturdy tripod will help stabilize your camera for long exposure shots, which are ideal for capturing the movement and colors of the Northern Lights.
Where to See Northern Lights: 8 Best Spots for Aurora Borealis Viewing - Reader's Digest
Where to See Northern Lights: 8 Best Spots for Aurora Borealis Viewing.
Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Arctic Circle Aurora Fly & Drive Adventures
But like most things in nature, they might not show, even if you visit Alaska at the best time. This is but one of the incredible experiences that may be had when visiting Alaska in the “secret season”—springtime. Not only are the flowers and plant life awakening from their wintertime slumber, so is its wildlife. Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket list experience for many travelers. And cruise ships can get you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved. 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.
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These are the captivating lights that gracefully color Alaska's skies with shades of seafoam green, fluorescent yellow, and vibrant fuchsia. While they may seem otherworldly, their origins are rooted in collisions between gases in our Earth's atmosphere and those in the Sun's atmosphere. Solar winds that encircle the planet create distinct patterns, which can manifest as rippling currents or dancing rays of light. Bright moonlight can diminish the contrast of the aurora against the night sky, making them less vivid. However, the Northern Lights can still be enjoyed during a full moon, especially if the activity level is high. Yes, there are several apps and websites that provide real-time and forecast data on aurora activity.
The lodge’s huge picture windows make it easy to keep a lookout for the aurora from a warm, comfortable interior. If you’re staying in town, many tours will pick you up at your hotel and take you out to better viewing spots with heated cabins where you can stay warm. You'll likely get to Coldfoot on an organized tour, and if you fly to Utqiaġvik, your accommodations will also act as a local tour guide. If you're going to be in Fairbanks, however, you have excursion choices to make.
Aurora Expeditions: Northern Lights Explorer
Both Hurtigruten Expeditions and the Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Express, offer a good number of itineraries that showcase the Northern Lights. The Coastal Express serves as both a passenger cruise line and a lifeline for Norwegian coastal residents and these working ships transport locals’ cars, fjord towns’ freight and up to 1,000 total passengers on any given day. Midsize and small cruise ship companies offer a variety of Arctic Circle sails during prime northern lights viewing months. While this list is not inclusive, lines to choose from include Hurtigruten, Viking, Cunard, Quark, P&O, Silversea, Fred.
No cruise can guarantee sightings as the aurora is a natural and unpredictable phenomenon. However, cruises specifically tailored for aurora viewing will optimize the chances by choosing routes and timings with historically higher success rates. While the aurora is a spectacle for all ages, consider the late-night hours and colder temperatures. Some cruise lines offer kid-friendly programs and activities to engage younger travelers during the trip.
P&O: Norway
The colorful ribbons of green and other hues look like something from outer space — and they are. 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. "Cruising is a nice way to see a lot of places, but in particular the Northern Lights," says Stephanie Goldberg-Glazer, owner of Live Well, Travel Often, a boutique travel agency.
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Here’s all you need to know to pick the best time to see northern lights in Alaska. Norwegian Cruise Line kicks off the 2024 Alaska cruise season when Norwegian Bliss sets sail on a weeklong, roundtrip itinerary from Seattle; she will be the only ship sailing in Alaska the first two weeks of spring. Balcony cabins are still available on the season’s inaugural sailing at a discounted fare of $1,029 per person.
Programs like Princess Cruises' Cruisetours take the stress out of planning on-shore excursions and curate incredible itineraries for extensive, luxurious travel across the state. Cruises are typically offered in three-night, seven-night, and even up to 28-night cruises. On average, a seven-night cruise ranges from $500 to $5,000, depending on the cruise line and state room of your choice. The price typically includes all on-board expenses such as food, room, and on-ship activities. When it comes to cruising in Alaska, you’ll be spoiled for choice as no other state has more coastline to explore. The best cruises in Alaska offer unparalleled experiences that will bring you up close to some of the most unique and awe-inspiring places in the world.
By choosing the right time of year, monitoring solar activity, and selecting an optimal cruise route, you can maximize your chances of experiencing this magical natural phenomenon. It’s worth noting that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can be affected by various factors such as solar activity, weather conditions, and geomagnetic storms. Planning your trip during periods of high solar activity, when the sun is generating more charged particles, increases your chances of experiencing a more vibrant and active display of the Northern Lights. If you’re planning an Alaskan cruise specifically to see the Northern Lights, it’s important to choose the right time of year. The prime months for Northern Lights viewing in Alaska are from September to April, with the peak season occurring in the winter months. From mid-November through March, you can check into a lodge or look for the lights each night as you try a different activity, like ice fishing or dogsledding.
You must time your visit to the right area to coincide with the Aurora Season and be in the right place at the right time. Keep reading for tips on finding the best time to cruise Alaska for Northern Lights. 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.
While each cruise line may have its unique Alaska cruise itinerary, there are common routes that most Northern Lights cruises in Alaska follow. As we sail through this guide, remember that the Northern Lights are a blend of predictability and serendipity. While science and planning enhance your chances, there’s always a touch of magic in every aurora sighting. Alaska, with its vast expanses of untouched landscapes and clear skies, stands as one of the world’s premier destinations for aurora chasers. 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. In fact, Fairbanks is often voted as one of the top ten places in the world to witness the brilliant green waves of light.
And if they don't show, well, you still get to explore Iceland's Westfjords and Greenland's eastern shores — and that's a worthwhile journey in itself. The Alaska cruise season is a little over six months long, but choosing the best time to cruise Alaska is surprisingly not that simple. In 2021, our cruises to Alaska will be sailing later than usual, kicking off the season in late July and ending in early October. These exciting seven-night itineraries stop in stunning Alaskan ports, such as Ketchikan and Juneau, and spend a day sailing close to the majestic Dawes Glacier, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travelers. The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is from late August to mid-April, when the nights are long and dark. (You won’t see them during the summer months because of Alaska’s midnight sun.) Plan to look for the spectacular, multi-colored lights from 11 p.m.
Your chances of seeing them increase the farther north you are, which in turn makes Iceland an ideal place to try your luck at Northern Lights gazing. That’s why you improve your chances of seeing the light show if you travel on a cruise like Holland America, which is well-equipped to oversee all your land-based travel logistics. Understanding the science behind the Northern Lights and the ideal viewing conditions will help you plan your trip accordingly. Whether you choose to sail through the Inside Passage, explore the Alaska Gulf Coast, or venture into the Arctic Circle, each route offers its own unique charm and potential for Northern Lights sightings.
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