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In the Arctic, prepare to paddle under nesting bird colonies, past massive glaciers and around large iceberg. 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. Having made your way to Kirkenes, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Aside from volcanoes, glaciers and geysers, one of the main reasons people have Iceland on their travel bucket list is because they dream of seeing the Northern Lights on display.
The Ultimate Guide To The World’s Best Northern Lights Cruises
Considering the cruise line is named after the atmospheric phenomenon, it should come as no surprise that it offers a northern lights itinerary. At 19 to 22 days long, depending on the departure, there is plenty of time to hope for a northern lights appearance — or two, or three, or more. The longer itinerary continues with a visit to the Faroe Islands and disembarkation in Bergen, Norway. It’s never a guarantee that the Northern Lights will appear—it’s all dependent on the strength of geomagnetic storms on the sun and how clear the sky is where you are.
Northern Lights Circle Tour
Starting in North Cape, in the very north of the country, we make our way south, stopping in the Lofoten Islands and visiting mesmerising Mount Torghatten, famous for the hole through its centre. The ‘auroral zone’ starts in Northern Norway just above the Lofoten Islands and extends up the coast to the North Cape (Nordkapp) and beyond. You will observe the same light display from anywhere in this region, but from a different angle. Some of our favourite places in Northern Norway to witness the Northern Lights include Tromsø, Kirkenes, the Lofoten Islands, Bodø and the North Cape. While seeing the Northern Lights isn’t guaranteed, cruises to Alaska and Iceland make for unforgettable vacations. Whether you’re traversing the wild terrain of the Last Frontier or spending your days exploring cities like Bergen and Alesund, we have an ideal itinerary for you.
Find your voyage
Iceland is a sparsely populated country, so you don’t have to go far to get away from light pollution. Snow mobile Safari as below, then dinner & overnight in the exotic and unforgettable Snow hotel - a beautiful piece of architecture with ice sculptures, surrounded by live reindeers, as the Snow hotel is situated in the Reindeer Safari Park. While we can’t guarantee you’ll see the Northern Lights on your cruisetour, we can promise you’ll walk away with a deep appreciation for Alaska’s rugged wilderness, flora, fauna, and rich history.
Hand-crafted Arctic Cruises
Our cruises are strategically timed to coincide with periods of high auroral activity. Passengers will embark on comfortable expedition vessels, equipped with expert guides, to explore remote and dark-sky locations. This extraordinary adventure combines celestial spectacle with Arctic landscapes, creating an unforgettable and magical journey.
Cruise Lines sailing to the Northern Lights
Viking’s 13-day sailing has stops in England, the Netherlands, and Norway. 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.
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. Increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights or aurora borealis on a small ship expedition cruise that takes you deep into the Arctic, to iconic destinations such as Greenland, Iceland and Norway. Northern Lights Cruise package with 4 nights Northern Lights cruise, scenic train trip across the snow covered Dovre mountain, Dog sledding in Tromso and stays in Oslo & the historic town of Trondheim. You can add a stay at the amazing Snow hotel in Kirkenes & Snowmobile safari.
The best Northern Lights holidays in Norway - The Independent
The best Northern Lights holidays in Norway.
Posted: Tue, 19 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Can you see the Northern Lights on an Alaskan cruise?
All hotels had great breakfast buffets and were all centrally located in the areas we were visiting. We enjoyed our time wandering the streets of Bergen and learning about the history and what everyday life is like. Our airport transfer in Bergen was very easy and took a lot of stress off of us after a delayed flight. Northern Lights cruises and expeditions with Aurora Expeditions offer a range of captivating activities.
Guests will discover an Arctic landscape rich with majestic mountains, breathtaking fjords and quaint coastal towns. The journey starts in Bergen’s where guests may see Bryggen, a UNESCO-Heritage Site with wooden buildings more than 300 years old. Other highlights of the trip include Atlanterhavsparken, which is among Europe’s most fascinating aquariums, the Lofoten Wall and Tromsø, home to Ølhallen pub, where you can have a pint at the world’s northernmost brewery.
Yes - you can view the Northern Lights on one of our Norwegian cruises, however we can't guarantee their appearance! The aurora borealis is near impossible to predict, but sightings are more likely on clear nights between October and March, and odds increase the further north you travel. Cruises to Tromsø, the capital of the Arctic, should give you a decent chance. Here are a few examples of 2022 and 2023 itineraries that offer northern lights-themed cruises. More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour.
We have been in business for more than 20 years, offering tours based on our goal of sustainable tourism. Everything was perfectly planned, from the tours to the transfers to the hotels. The hotels were conveniently located in the city centre and close to transport links. As a trusted travel agency with experienced staff throughout the Nordic region, Nordic Visitor knows how to make the most of your time in Norway. This means we have the most up-to-date information regarding availability of cruises and cabin types. Kayakers in wild temperate regions will have a unique wildlife experience, with possible encounters with seals and basking sharks.
While it’s never a guarantee that the Northern Lights will be visible, one way to stack the deck in your favor is to be on a cruise ship that can move in search of the lights, typically in the Arctic. The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are an ethereal display of coloured lights shimmering across the night sky. Dònal Hill from University of Oxford explains us all about these magical lights occurring on the northern skies. Each small group of kayakers (up to 10 per guide) will have their own intimate exploration of the small hidden bays and coasts that are inaccessible to Zodiacs. Of course, we also make time for your own shore excursions and wildlife encounters.
Passengers can enjoy nightly Aurora photography sessions, guided by expert photographers, to capture the ethereal displays. Onboard, expect to learn all about our surroundings from our expert expedition team. Additionally, cultural interactions with local communities will enhance your Arctic experience.
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. Enjoy the exotic North Cape land excursion through Arctic winter scenery from the main port of Honningsvag, before the ship continues along Finnmark's barren coast. Independent/unescorted trip with escorted activities starting & finishing in Oslo. Cruisetours like the 13-Night Great Frontier Expedition (8A Northbound) and the 13-Night Grand Heartland Adventure (7A Northbound) show Alaska’s many majestic sides.
The maze of calm, interconnecting waterways in this area provides excellent opportunities for sea kayaking. We will see ring seals, perhaps catch a glimpse of the elusive narwhal, and maybe even a polar bear hunting on pack ice. Over the next few days we explore parts of Norway’s remarkable 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) coastline.
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