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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. While the winter months offer the best opportunities for seeing the Northern Lights, it’s important to consider the extreme weather conditions and the limited daylight hours during this time. However, the magical display of the Aurora Borealis dancing across the night sky makes these challenges well worth it. During the winter season, Alaska experiences long nights and relatively clear skies, creating optimal conditions for Northern Lights sightings. The absence of daylight allows for darker skies, making it easier to spot the ethereal glow of the Aurora Borealis. The months of December to March are especially popular for viewing the Northern Lights, as the nights are longer, increasing your chances of witnessing this celestial spectacle.
Experience nature's best lightshow
As the ethereal dance of the Northern Lights illuminates the night sky, it’s clear why this natural spectacle has captivated the human imagination for centuries. Whether you’re nestled amid Alaska’s vast wilderness or sailing through Norway’s dramatic fjords, the experience of witnessing the aurora borealis from the deck of a cruise ship is nothing short of magical. In this guide, we will unravel the mysteries of the aurora and explore the ins and outs of Alaska’s northern lights cruises.
Anchorage Aurora Quest
If you’d rather cruise to Alaska in summer, don’t expect to see the northern lights, but do soak up that midnight sunshine. 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. Wondering how folks up here deal with Alaska’s long winter days? It’s easy when the inky night sky comes alive with an amazing light show like the aurora borealis.
Northern lights cruise: How to experience the aurora borealis at sea - The Points Guy
Northern lights cruise: How to experience the aurora borealis at sea.
Posted: Tue, 11 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruise To Hubbard Glacier
You’ll get an aurora forecast each day, so you can pick which 3 nights to chase the lights. You’ll head out of Anchorage (or Wasilla/Palmer) between 9 and 11 p.m., and for the next 7 or so hours, you’ll be on a hunt for the aurora. You may drive a little, stop, scout the skies, take some photos, and continue to hunt, driving up to 3 hours outside of town to find optimal locations. Since the lights will dictate your path, no two nights are the same. When planning to witness the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise, it's crucial to pick the right time.
Onboard Activities and Amenities for Northern Lights Cruises
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.
In the next section, we’ll explore the best time of year to enhance your chances of experiencing the Northern Lights in all their glory on an Alaskan cruise. However, it’s important to note that the Northern Lights are a natural occurrence and can be unpredictable. While there are peak times and locations for viewing, there are no guarantees. Patience, persistence, and a bit of luck are key when it comes to chasing the Northern Lights.
7 Best Northern Lights Cruises - Travel + Leisure
7 Best Northern Lights Cruises.
Posted: Sat, 04 Mar 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
experience alaska
More than 25 years ago, it was also the launching pad for UnCruise Adventures, which started with a single yacht in Alaska. Today, UnCruise’s Alaska expeditions are renowned for non-stop action, adventure, and exploration. Go back in time to the Klondike Gold Rush on cruises to Skagway, Alaska, once the primary gateway to the goldfields.
Get up close to beautiful, picturesque landscapes on an Iceland and Ireland cruise from Southampton, England, which offers 14 nights of pure bliss on Celebrity Silhouette. 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. Research the best times to visit each port and consult with experts to ensure you make the most of your journey.
Hike Glacier Bay National Park and more
No matter your itinerary, UnCruise helps guests witness incredible creatures in their natural habitats, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Even after all that time, perhaps nobody does Alaska better than UnCruise. Yet, the core mission remains unchanged—to provide transformative experiences and memorable adventures for guests. And this year is a peak chance to embark on an extraordinary journey with UnCruise with the Northern Lights promising to be more impressive than ever. An elegant and spacious Alaska cruise ship with fresh floral arrangements and garden-inspired décor.
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. Experimenting with different shutter speeds, ISO settings, and aperture values will enable you to find the optimal settings for your specific location and lighting conditions. Lastly, be patient and prepared to spend time outdoors during the night, as the Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon that can be unpredictable.
Watch northern wilderness views unfold from aboard our glass-domed train, the McKinley Explorer®. Stay up to 3 nights at the McKinley Chalet Resort near Denali National Park. Ever wanted to go on an Alaska glacier tour to experience hiking in its open nature? Here is your travel guide for planning the best adventure vacation.
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. The conditions must be just right, but it's highly likely to see this magical and sometimes elusive scientific phenomenon on a Northern Lights cruise sailing the Arctic Circle during the long, dark winter nights. The northern lights and aurora borealis are one and the same — most people call them northern lights, while the scientific name is aurora borealis. The northern lights happen when charged particles from the sun enter the atmosphere and collide with gas atoms in Earth's atmosphere.
The lodge’s huge picture windows make it easy to keep a lookout for the aurora from a warm, comfortable interior. Dedicate at least 3 nights to looking for the lights, so that you, too, will have a 90% chance of seeing them. It can work as a three- or four-day trip centered on a weekend, but then you will need to be more focused. Traveling with UnCruise also grants exclusive access to remote areas, as their ships, with capacities ranging from 22 to 86 guests, navigate areas where larger vessels can’t. UnCruise guests visiting Glacier Bay National Park get a rare opportunity to set foot on land and explore the “outback,” a privilege granted to less than one percent of total park visitors. Our cruisetours combine an ocean cruise with a land tour into Alaska’s interior.
While many guests head to the Great Land in hopes of seeing this cosmic treasure, conditions often get in the way. An unobstructed view is a rarity, but that’s what makes it all the more special if you do have a chance to see this phenomenon. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise.
Spectators gaze at the sky in awe, or snap photos well into the middle of the night. The northern lights, or aurora borealis, is a top-listed experience on many travelers’ bucket lists. But like most things in nature, they might not show, even if you visit Alaska at the best time.
Southeast Alaska's February and March feature 10 hours of daylight and average temperatures in the 30's F. Perfect for days of snow adventure and nights under the stars and, if we are lucky, the Northern Lights. Join Alaska Wildlife Guide in exploring one of Alaska’s most desired attractions, Chena Hot Springs Resort. You’ll start with a phone conversation about your goals and favorite activities, then work to build out a custom itinerary. You may start in Anchorage and work your way north toward Fairbanks, for example; each night, you’ll be strategically positioned in an area with the opportunity to see the northern lights.
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