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Independent/unescorted trip with escorted activities, starting & finishing in Oslo. Even if there’s an aurora, you won’t be able to see it if the skies are too cloudy. Ships can shift course slightly, which may give you better skywatching weather. 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.
Day 12
12 best northern lights cruises for a spectacular adventure - The Times
12 best northern lights cruises for a spectacular adventure.
Posted: Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
As we journey north, we reach the medieval city of Trondheim, a vibrant mix of historic civic architecture and a bustling student population. Nidaros Cathedral is considered one of the most sacred buildings in all of Norway and rightly nicknamed ‘Norway’s Notre Dame’. Whilst here, take the time to visit the Archbishop’s Palace to view Norway’s crown jewels. A sea voyage takes you far away from the ambient artificial light on land, increasing your chances of seeing the aurora in all its glory. At sea, far away from air and light pollution, the visibility and vibrancy of the lights improves, along with your odds of a sighting. Arrival to the beautifully located Arctic town of Bodo at noon, with time to visit the city before the ship continues across the Vest Fjord to the Lofoten Islands.
The North Cape
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 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.
Front-row seats
The best way to see the aurora borealis is undoubtedly on an outdoor excursion, and Tromsø offers many options. Along this stretch of coastline is where The Hurtigruten Coastal Express story began, in the coastal town of Stokmarknes in 1893. Don’t miss the Hurtigrutemuseet in Stokmarknes, a museum dedicated to The Coastal Express housed in the full-sized and fully restored ship MS Finnmarken from 1952. Havila Voyages calls at 34 ports most never visited by commercial cruise liners, the ships deliver freight, post and passengers to remote communities, some of which are home to just a few hundred people. That means longer exposures, so if you have a tripod or monopod, bring it to help you keep your camera stable.
The Northern Lights:
On the water and far away from light pollution, the polar lights can appear especially clear. The towns and settlements in Greenland have small environmental footprints and minimal light pollution, creating an environment conducive to viewing the Northern Lights. In winter, hues of green, purple and blue can be seen flickering above Greenland’s snow-capped terrain and towns. The Greenland Ice Sheet in Kangerlussuaq, the coastal town of Sisimiut, and Ilulissat in the north are some of the best locations to see the aurora borealis in Greenland.
Follow the Stradun, a marbled pedestrian way that gleams from hundreds of years of footsteps, to the Dominican Monastery, housing a fine collection of Renaissance paintings. The Viking 10-day Empires of the Mediterranean voyage sails from Athens to Venice via Santorini and Corfu, the fortified town of Kotor in Montenegro, and other stops in Croatia and Slovenia. Whether you prefer the action-packed ships of Royal Caribbean or MSC, or the smaller ships that can sail along narrower fjords, there will be a Norwegian fjords itinerary for you.
From 2021, Havila Voyages will sail the most environmentally friendly ships on the Norwegian coast between Bergen and Kirkenes. Havila Voyage´s ships are ultra-modern newbuilds, which leave behind the smallest environmental footprint it is possible to make with today’s technology. Across the North Sea from Norway, Iceland is another great destination for an aurora borealis cruise.
Day 10
Meet your guide and team of huskies who love to run through the wilderness, pulling a wheel-equipped sled across the snow. Take your seat and set off into the Advent Valley as your expert driver picks the best route. The epic 29-day Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Beyond voyage traverses the far northern seas to reach distant shores, where you will learn about Canadian Inuit traditions as you revel in the history of Viking exploration. The most popular baths can be found at Széchenyi, the largest spa complex in Europe, with a daffodil-yellow outdoor section. Mingle with the locals as they relax in these pool-like thermal baths and watch them play chess in the water.
Even with the early arctic nights, the best time to spot the northern lights is very late at night, usually around 1 a.m. You can stay up late hoping to see the aurora, but some cruise lines offer a wake-up call service. Ask to be put on the list, and they’ll call your room to tell you an aurora’s been spotted. Some cruise lines also use intercom announcements to let you know the northern lights are visible. Onshore activities for cruisers might range from museum and science center visits to dogsledding with huskies, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice-fishing, and scenic helicopter rides. Some cruises offer guests opportunities to spend a night in a snow-ice hotel and visit wildlife sanctuaries where wolves, wolverines, musk oxen, elk, reindeer, and other Arctic mammals might be spotted.
Among the delights of Viking’s 16-day Malta, Morocco and the Mediterranean cruise is an underground expedition inside Spain’s Nerja Caves. Follow your guide around this archaeological marvel, where artefacts indicate human and animal habitation as far back as 25,000 BC. Examine enormous stalagmites and stalactites, the world’s widest column found in a cave, and a natural amphitheatre used as a concert venue. Sailing roundtrip from Barcelona, this 16-day voyage in seven countries also calls at Seville, Casablanca, Valetta (overnight), Corsica, Rome, Marseilles, Tunis and Algiers, with three non-consecutive days at sea.
This is one of many treasured activities on Viking’s 15-day Grand European Tour river voyage through four countries, with stops in riverside villages and cities including Cologne, Vienna and Amsterdam. The high levels of English comprehension across the region means booking your own activities and exploring ports independently is much easier than in many other parts of the world. Even so, look for independent tours that take place earlier in the day to reduce any time-related risk. Cruising in Northern Europe offers a fantastic variety of excursions and experiences, from historical city tours to adrenaline-filled outdoor adventures. British line P&O Cruises operates its relatively new megaship Iona in the fjords region for much of that period, with regular departures from Southampton on a popular 7-day itinerary. Following the recent rise in popularity of the region as a cruising destination, the fjords season has extended, with trips available as early as April and as late as September.
You can also see the lights in Canada's Yukon, including in the gold rush town of Dawson City, which is visited on some Holland America cruisetours. Rüdesheimer Weihnachtsmarkt has more than 120 vendor stalls representing the yuletide foods and traditions of 20 different countries. Enjoy the merry atmosphere of Marktplatz, which spreads through the Old Town’s cobblestone streets while seasonal music and the scents of regional delicacies fill the air. Try a mug of Rüdesheim’s favourite coffee made with locally distilled Asbach Uralt brandy, or shop for a festive memento to take home. Viking’s eight-day Christmas On The Rhine river voyage operates between Basel and Amsterdam. One of the world’s best preserved medieval cities, Dubrovnik, is surrounded by towering, historic walls.
Bordering British Columbia and Yukon in Canada, the non-contiguous US state of Alaska is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. Time a trip to this snow-covered state from August to April to maximise chances of seeing the aurora borealis, and head towards the interior and Arctic regions. Locations such as Coldfoot, Wiseman, Barrow and Deadhorse also get great displays.
From here, we continue across the Vestfjord and towards the Lofoten archipelago which greets you with the stunning sight of the 1,000 metre-high Lofoten Wall. The day-by-day programme will give you some ideas about what you can see during your voyage, but bear in mind that this itinerary is just an indication. After all, this is a sailing where the elements rule and weather conditions might vary. And Northern Norway’s pristine fjords and snow-dusted mountains aglow in the Polar Night are the ultimate backdrop to the light show above. Our ships are set up to give you the very best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Our crew are often the first to see signs of the aurora, and when they do they make sure everyone knows about them.
You can learn more about the phenomenon and even get tips for photographing it at Reykjavik’s Northern Lights Center. Guests also have the option to extend their trip with a few days in Reykjavík, where Northern Lights displays are common in the winter. Havila Voyages is so confident guests will see the Northern Lights on Nordic sailings between October and March, it offers a guarantee. Found well within the Arctic Circle, these Norwegian islands are home to soaring mountain peaks, charming fishing villages and exciting Viking history. Rebuilt after a fire in 1904, Alesund is uniquely art nouveau in style (something of a rarity in Norway).
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