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During summer the air temperature in the Antarctic Peninsula, Greenland and Spitsbergen are generally above freezing but can range from -4°C to +5°C / 24.8°F to 41°F. The water temperature in the polar regions is close to freezing and winds sweep off the glaciers, making paddling a chilling experience. Scotland, Iceland, Norwegian coasts are warmer with water temperatures of around 12 °C/ 53.6°F. Throughout the area there are ancient Thule archaeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and the cabins of present-day Inuit hunters.
The Aurora Borealis in Myths and History
A highlight is a visit to the Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated and northernmost permanent settlement in the region, with approximately 450 inhabitants. The community has an excellent museum, gift shop, an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs and provides the opportunity to meet the friendly locals. In true expedition style we encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you among the action to see and do as much as possible.
Northern Lights Cruise Regions
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. 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.
Viking Resident Historian

The vast expanse of Russia, with its storied history and awe-inspiring landscapes, offers a number of crucial ports for Northern Lights cruises. A cruise around this island offers more than just an aurora spectacle – it’s a deep dive into nature’s wonders and the heart of Viking legacy. The combination of nature’s most brilliant display with the luxury and mobility of a cruise ship ensures memories that last a lifetime. Choosing a cruise for your Northern Lights adventure is more than just about the lights; it’s about the holistic experience. No tall buildings, no cityscape to block your vision—just you, the dark canvas of the night sky, and the vibrant colors of the auroras. Thanks to the Polar Night parts of Norway don’t experience true daylight between November and February, getting at best a twilight glow every day before true night returns.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide - Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide.
Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Best Place to See Northern Lights in Norway
However, passengers who report symptoms of COVID-19 to the medical team during a voyage will be tested. Receive special offers, exciting new itineraries and fascinating articles delivered straight to your inbox. Book confidently with our Northern Lights Promise – get a free trip if the lights don't appear on select voyages (Ts&Cs apply). There’s more than one way to sail with us and discover the many wonders of the Norwegian coast.
Stay in our spacious cabins and enjoy a good night's sleep
It’s something of an artistic hub too, thanks to outdoor sculptures that form part of the Artscape Nordland project and a variety of modern art galleries. If you’ve got any time left, use it to admire Vesterålen’s blissful beaches, which look inviting in any season. Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada are visited by some expedition ships during northern lights season (but mostly early in the season in August and September) by such brands as Quark Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions. While it's difficult to book a northern lights Alaska cruise since cruises only sail during summer season, you may get lucky enough to see them if you take to the seas in September, which is the earliest you can expect the Aurora to appear. Another option might be to stay in Alaska after your cruise, at which point you can follow the instructions above and drive as far north as you can.
It’s spread across a series of islands, best seen from the city’s famous Fjellstua viewpoint. Alaska cruisetours are the ideal way to explore the state’s stunning interior and extend your Alaska cruise vacation.
A nostalgic voyage of the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago to experience a remote wilderness of fjords, glaciers, and polar wildlife. 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. Iceland is a sparsely populated country, so you don’t have to go far to get away from light pollution. By day, you’ll visit some of Norway’s most enchanting coastal towns, discovering the region’s rich culture and scenery. While at night the prospect of the Northern Lights is enough to tempt you from your stateroom into the crisp, still, darkness beyond. While seeing the Northern Lights isn’t guaranteed, cruises to Alaska and Iceland make for unforgettable vacations.
The Colors of the Night
There will be ample space on the 1,085-foot, 13-deck ship to find quiet areas to see the nighttime show. In genuine expeditionary style, we keep our itinerary flexible to allow for spontaneity. We plan to visit Hornstrandir peninsula, one of Iceland’s remotest and most pristine regions, which is filled with deep and dramatic fjords, towering bird cliffs, stunning natural beauty and opportunities for wildlife encounters. Enjoy the bountiful silence and magnificent landscapes seen by the few adventurers that make their way here. In Húsavik, we hope to have magical encounters with the many whales that visit this part of Iceland, known as the country’s whale-watching capital.
These are some of the cruises that offer you a solid chance of seeing the Northern Lights. If the weather changes during our outing we will head back to the ship and perhaps join a shore excursion. The ship’s captain, expedition leader and kayak guide always maintain close contact to ensure a safe paddling experience. The emphasis is on experiencing the destination rather than travelling long distances.
In Antarctica, we have many opportunities to encounter penguins, seals and whales, and occasionally we may even spot leopard seals or orcas. In the Arctic, we’ll paddle under nesting bird colonies, past massive glaciers and around large icebergs, however we maintain a safe distance from polar bears and walruses. Our guides carry rifles and flare guns in the Arctic to ensure your safety against polar bears. Crossing the Denmark Strait to Iceland, search for whale blows and photograph the many seabirds that trail our ship in the ever-present arctic winds.
The Aurora Borealis originates on the sun’s surface with a massive explosion of electromagnetic matter, which projects a stream of charged particles known as solar wind into space. More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities.Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change. To marvel at the ethereal beauty of the aurora borealis is, for many, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Dreaming about seeing the Northern Lights is easy; figuring out the logistics of viewing those shimmering colors in the nighttime sky aren’t so simple. A Northern Lights cruise takes the stress out of planning, lodging, and even transportation to destinations like Iceland, Alaska, and more.
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