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(You won’t see them during the summer months because of Alaska’s midnight sun.) Plan to look for the spectacular, multi-colored lights from 11 p.m. To 2 a.m., when the sky is at its darkest and the auroras are the most active. Many flock to Alaska every year for a chance to witness the aurora borealis.
Our Family Alaska Cruise: A Vacation We'll Never Forget Royal Caribbean Cruises
While each cruise line may have its unique Alaska cruise itinerary, there are common routes that most Northern Lights cruises in Alaska follow. While there are several ways to chase the Northern Lights, a cruise offers distinct benefits. While the Northern Lights are a year-round phenomenon, not all times are ideal for viewing. You’re also more likely to see them if you visit in colder months, as the most brilliant displays occur both in dark and cold environments.
Specialized Northern Lights Cruises vs. Regular Cruises
To capture the true essence of the Northern Lights magic, consider packing a high-quality camera. Many guests also bring a tripod, a remote control and replacement batteries for a seamless photography opportunity. As a part of our North to Alaska program, discover more tips and tricks on how to snap your own frameable Alaska photos from award-winning photographers. Aurora Borealis is more likely to be seen between September and March. Darkness is essential if you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights during your travels.
Booking an Alaska cruise? Know your cruise lines and best time to go - USA TODAY
Booking an Alaska cruise? Know your cruise lines and best time to go.
Posted: Sat, 27 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Alaska’s Autumn Highlights Tour
There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes. Plan your romantic Alaskan cruise with our adventurer’s guide to discovering the coziest vacation spots and most scenic restaurants for couples traveling in Alaska. Find the most Instagrammable places for your next vacation cruise to Alaska. Come discover the prettiest spots to take pictures with our travel photo guide.
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. Yes, several cruise lines offer itineraries specifically tailored for aurora viewing, often incorporating experts, lectures, and workshops related to the phenomenon. Where you stand on the cruise ship can influence your aurora viewing experience. It’s worth noting that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can be affected by various factors such as solar activity, weather conditions, and geomagnetic storms. Planning your trip during periods of high solar activity, when the sun is generating more charged particles, increases your chances of experiencing a more vibrant and active display of the Northern Lights.
This is Last Frontier pioneering with the cruise line voted Best Overall by Travel Weekly readers for 20 years running. Along the way, your guides will fill you with fascinating information and take photos of the stars and lights, including Insta-worthy portraits. These photos will be available to you around 24-hours after your trip. You’ll also enjoy reindeer sausage sticks, soup, apple cider, hot cocoa, and other treats. The optimal time to go on a cruise to see the Alaska Northern Lights is when the daylight slips away. It will seasonally become a time with the skies are covered with a soft, darkened blanket hovering over the city.
Alaska’s Top Shore Excursions
The sky may be nature’s theater, but there’s no set time for this show. Like other natural occurrences, the Aurora Borealis come out to play when they feel like it. That said, being in the right place at the right time of year increases the odds. If you see the Northern Lights in Alaska (lucky duck), it’s a faux pas to wave, whistle, or call out—according to legend, that drives them away. You’ll also have the chance to take advantage of the camps many winter activities like dogsledding, snowmachining, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking. The city has a variety of aurora-viewing venues, from a number of scenic drives and parks to cozy cabins and lodges.
The northern lights— known to science enthusiasts as the aurora borealis— are like a colorful dance party in the sky. Your best bet for catching these magical lights are in locations close to the Arctic Circle. This is because the magnetic fields of Earth’s North and South Poles are consistently weak enough for the sun’s charged particles to enter our atmosphere at high speed.
Alaska Northern Lights Tours
9 Best Alaska Cruise Lines - TravelAwaits
9 Best Alaska Cruise Lines.
Posted: Thu, 08 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Like everything else in Alaska, the Great Land’s national parks far exceed expectations. Read about Glacier Bay’s seven tidewater glaciers, Denali’s 6-million acres of undisturbed wilderness, Kenai Fjords' astonishing Exit Glacier and other national parks. Explore the dynamic glaciers, soaring peaks and captivating history of the 49th state on our award-winning itineraries.
Rates start from $4,999 per person in 2023, and it should be noted that Viking is an adults-only cruise line. In 2021, our cruises to Alaska will be sailing later than usual, kicking off the season in late July and ending in early October. These exciting seven-night itineraries stop in stunning Alaskan ports, such as Ketchikan and Juneau, and spend a day sailing close to the majestic Dawes Glacier, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travelers. An Alaskan cruise with the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights is an extraordinary adventure that combines the rugged beauty of Alaska’s wilderness with the ethereal display of the Aurora Borealis.
Because it’s a scientific phenomenon beyond the comprehension of modern science, you can only truly predict occurrences of the Northern Lights roughly two hours before they happen. 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. Alaska cruisetours are the ideal way to explore the state’s stunning interior and extend your Alaska cruise vacation. Aurora Borealis, as it’s officially known, can only be seen above the magnetic pole of the Northern Hemisphere. Your chances of seeing them increase the farther north you are, which in turn makes Iceland an ideal place to try your luck at Northern Lights gazing. Finally, let’s conclude our exploration of Alaskan cruises with Northern Lights viewing.
Each fall, one or two of the ships in Cunard's legendary fleet head north for Norway, where guests are treated to scenic cruising along the coast. The 12-day itineraries depart from Southampton, England, before traveling to Alesund, Tromsø, Narvik, and Haugesund, sailing through majestic fjords along the way. Since the ships sail this itinerary from October to November, the skies will be dark enough to see the northern lights, should they decide to appear. In 2023, the voyage will be undertaken by Queen Victoria, while next season, the Queen Mary 2 and the upcoming Queen Anne will take the reins. Hurtigruten is something of an outlier in this group because it doesn't offer specific northern lights itineraries. But the routes of this coastal ferry company in Norway just happen to traverse the perfect latitudes to see the aurora.
Some make the most of the expedition and travel to the small town of Manley Hot Springs to witness this amazing wonder from the view of a steamy spring-fed hot tub. The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are the iconic lights that whimsically paint Alaska’s skies seafoam green, fluorescent yellow and bright notes of fuchsia. While they appear transcendental, they are actually caused by collisions between gases in the earth’s atmosphere and those in the sun’s atmosphere. The solar winds that circle the globe create unique arrangements that can appear as rippling currents or dancing rays. While seeing the Northern Lights isn’t guaranteed, cruises to Alaska and Iceland make for unforgettable vacations.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are caused by electrically charged particles from the sun colliding with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere. This collision releases energy in the form of vibrant, dancing lights that can be seen in the polar regions. Alaska’s northern location makes it an ideal destination to witness this natural wonder. Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur to maximize your experience. A commitment to personalized service is an integral part of UnCruise’s all-inclusive experience.
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