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With their top-notch amenities and exceptional service, Celebrity Cruises ensures a comfortable and remarkable voyage. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time cruiser, Celebrity Cruises offers a range of itineraries that cater to different preferences and budgets. While Alaska is a popular tourist destination during the summer months, it is not the best time to experience the Aurora Borealis. The main reason is the extended periods of daylight, which can hinder the visibility of the Northern Lights.
Arctic Circle Aurora Fly & Drive Adventures
It's best to forget the more southern destinations of Anchorage and Juneau, which see dramatically fewer displays. When it comes to capturing the stunning beauty of the Aurora Borealis on an Alaska cruise, stability is key. The dancing lights of the aurora can be quite mesmerizing, and you don’t want to risk blurry or shaky photos.
Alaska’s Top Shore Excursions
For the best odds of seeing the northern lights, we suggest the 12-day round-trip itinerary from Bergen up the coast of Norway and back. The most reliable opportunities to see Alaska’s northern lights (the aurora borealis) are in Fairbanks and above the Arctic Circle. The aurora belt in Alaska’s great Interior and Arctic regions is among the most active in the world, and there are few other places on earth so well suited for an aurora borealis vacation.
Northern Lights Viewing in Alaska - Travel Alaska
Northern Lights Viewing in Alaska.
Posted: Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:09:44 GMT [source]
Greenland
While the Northern Lights can be seen from late September to early April in Alaska, the equinox months – September and March – often have higher geomagnetic activity, which can lead to more vivid auroras. This might be a shipwide announcement, a special buzzer in the cabins, or even a wake-up call if you request it. Generally, the Northern Lights themselves do not affect electronic equipment.
In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland. The best place to start your aurora borealis journey is by booking your stay at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Visitors come to the Last Frontier for many reasons, but high on most lists is the chance to spot the famed northern lights. Yes, there are several apps and websites that provide real-time and forecast data on aurora activity. Some popular options include the Aurora Forecast, Space Weather Live, and the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. The aurora borealis is the Northern Lights, visible in the Northern Hemisphere.
of the Best Northern Lights Cruises
To unwind, onboard amenities include wellness facilities, dining featuring local cuisine and presentations from naturalists. These diverse activities create a holistic and enriching journey for travellers seeking the magic of the Northern Lights. Popular regions for Northern Lights cruises and expeditions with Aurora Expeditions include Arctic destinations like Norway, Iceland and the Canadian Arctic.
Coldfoot is 250 miles north of Fairbanks and 60 miles above the Arctic Circle. Displays of the northern lights tend to intensify around the equinox months of September and March because Earth's tilt in relation to the sun means that the magnetic field of Earth and the solar wind are in sync. Plus, there's a higher likelihood of clear skies in Alaska during spring, so the best time to maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights is in March. To make the most of your Alaska cruise, consider selecting an itinerary that includes multiple nights in areas known for their Aurora Borealis sightings. This will increase your chances of encountering this natural phenomenon and allow for multiple viewing opportunities.
Chena Hot Springs Aurora Viewing Package from Fairbanks
On many cruises, when passengers or crew spot northern lights, they make ship-wide announcements. Because the northern lights often appear late at night or very early in the morning, some ships offer opt-in wake up calls for this purpose. 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. Midsize and small cruise ship companies offer a variety of Arctic Circle sails during prime northern lights viewing months.
Princess Cruises
Zodiac cruises allow you to get closer to some of the wildlife and landscapes you’ll see throughout your Northern Lights tour. If you have the necessary experience you should also consider adding sea kayaking to your Northern Lights itinerary. There is no best place to witness an aurora which, in our opinion, only adds to the mystery and appeal surrounding them. This is why Aurora Expeditions’ Northern Lights tours don’t focus on one spot or location. The Northern Lights are most frequently visible in high-latitude regions in the Arctic, but most accessible between 10° and 20° of the North Pole in a band called the ‘auroral zone’. There are several websites that you can use to track aurora activity and will give you an idea as to your chances of seeing them.
Whether accommodating dietary restrictions, celebrating special occasions, or providing additional support during activities, the crew is dedicated to each adventurer’s needs. Add to that a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring Northern Lights in their full glory, and the adventure possibilities are as varied as Alaska’s magnificent landscapes. Alaska also boasts a stunning variety of wildlife—think seals, sea otters, eagles, mink, porpoises, and mountain goats, to name a few. Search for brown bears in Red Bluff Bay against a backdrop of towering red mountains and waterfalls or along the shores of Chichagof Island. Observe a sea lion haulout (when they gather on the banks to rest) and puffin rookery in the Marble Islands, or go whale watching in Fredericks Sound, Stephens Passage, or Chatham.
With the sun barely setting or not setting at all, the bright skies make it difficult to witness the full glory of the Aurora Borealis. 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. If the deck's officers don't announce to all on board that the northern lights are happening, you can get a six- or seven-day Norwegian Coastal cruise for free. Cunard Line and Hurtigruten are among the lines that visit northern Norway in the fall. Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899.
One potential idea would be to take a one-way cruise from Seattle or Vancouver to Anchorage. From there, you can take a ride on the Alaska Railroad train to Fairbanks, an 11-hour ride that also gives you a great chance to see Alaska’s beautiful Interior. If seeing the Northern Lights is your top priority, it might be best not to leave it to chance by hoping to see them on a cruise. There’s no way to guarantee an aurora sighting during your trip to Alaska, but there are ways to up your odds. Remember, while these FAQs provide a broad overview, each traveler’s experience is unique.
You’ll just want to book your cruise for the last week of August or any time in September. After you’ve seen the lights, you can return to Fairbanks and fly back to Seattle from Fairbanks International Airport. You’ll actually want to get a little bit out of the city center, as the lights in the city can interfere with seeing the Aurora.
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. While cruises offer a unique perspective, many land-based locations in Alaska, such as Fairbanks, offer excellent opportunities for aurora viewing, often paired with other activities like hot springs or dog sledding.
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