Best Time To Cruise Alaska To See The Northern Lights Cruise Tips, Reviews, & Articles

Table Of Content

• Alaska Cruises to See The Northern Lights
• Alaska Cruise in April: Fewer Rainy Days When You Visit Alaska in April
• Go to Fairbanks and the Auroral Oval
• FAQs on Alaska Northern Lights Cruises
• Do cruise tours improve my chances of witnessing the Northern Lights?
• What Are The Best Cruise Lines That Sail Northern Lights Itineraries?
• Alaska.org's Tips to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Aurora Borealis is the kind of scientific phenomenon that most people seem to either know everything about or nothing at all. I must admit – until I became interested in global cruising, I don’t think I’d ever heard of this natural wonder with the weirdest of names. The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. 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. Bridgett Quinn Weber, an advisor with Cruise Specialists who works with expedition cruises offered the advice below.

Alaska Cruises to See The Northern Lights

If you prefer milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, early fall and late spring can also provide opportunities to witness the Northern Lights in Alaska. September and April offer a balance between relatively mild weather conditions and darker nights, giving you a chance to catch a glimpse of the dancing lights. Planning your Alaskan cruise around the Northern Lights offers a unique way to explore the rugged beauty of the Last Frontier while chasing the ethereal glow that illuminates the night sky. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a photography enthusiast, or simply someone captivated by the beauty of celestial displays, an Alaska cruise will provide you with an unforgettable experience.

Alaska Cruise in April: Fewer Rainy Days When You Visit Alaska in April

While many travelers think they have to head to Canada or Scandinavia to see the northern lights, you can actually spot this phenomenon without leaving the United States. Northern Alaska is ideal for Americans wanting a chance to see the aurora borealis. It may be cold in winter (temperatures can drop to 30 degrees below zero), but the inland Alaskan Arctic — where skies tend to be clearer — is one of the best places in the world to see this famous light show. The northern lights, or aurora borealis, have enchanted humanity for millennia. Their ethereal dance across the night sky tells a tale as old as time, combining science, legends, and raw natural beauty. Viewing the Alaska northern lights takes the right timing, the right location and the right conditions.

Go to Fairbanks and the Auroral Oval

Finally, let’s conclude our exploration of Alaskan cruises with Northern Lights viewing. In the next section, we’ll explore the onboard activities and amenities that make Alaskan cruises with Northern Lights viewing even more memorable. 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. The most common colors of the Northern Lights are green and yellow, which are caused by collisions with oxygen molecules at lower altitudes. Reds, pinks, and purples can also be seen at higher altitudes when the charged particles interact with nitrogen atoms. The lights typically appear in curtains, arcs, or spirals, dancing across the sky in a mesmerizing display that can last from minutes to hours.

The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska - Cruise Blog

The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska.

Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

FAQs on Alaska Northern Lights Cruises

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. With proper planning, equipment, and a dash of luck, you can capture awe-inspiring images of the Northern Lights that will serve as a lasting reminder of this incredible natural spectacle. Many cruise ships are equipped to cater to passengers with mobility issues, offering accessible areas from which you can view the aurora.

Do cruise tours improve my chances of witnessing the Northern Lights?

As far as cruises go, Alaska cruises in September is a good pick because nights are long and dark. Starting in 2024, Uncruise Adventures will be offering a winter cruise, where winter sports and northern lights viewings are all part of the package! Running February through March, this is a great option for travelers looking to experience Alaska during the winter months. Remember that seeing these lights doesn't involve a cruise director flipping on a switch. Witnessing the northern lights in their prime requires clear and dark skies, sometimes late-night viewing hours, enough solar activity for the colors to appear and a big dose of luck. Keep that in mind before you place all your cruise vacation hopes on this one experience.

The best time to cruise Alaska - The Points Guy

The best time to cruise Alaska.

Posted: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The supernal shimmer of emerald and violet begins with a few streaks and then breaks out into a graceful ballet. 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.

What Are The Best Cruise Lines That Sail Northern Lights Itineraries?

Onboard experts, aurora alert systems, and photography workshops can further enhance the experience. The prime season for Northern Lights viewing in Alaska is between late September and early April. Remember, while all these destinations provide potential sightings of the Northern Lights, the natural phenomenon remains unpredictable. Still, the journey through these pristine, remote landscapes coupled with the anticipation of an aurora display makes for an unforgettable experience. The dance of colors in the sky isn’t just a natural phenomenon; it’s a testament to the universe’s beauty and wonder. Anchorage also witnesses tantalizing displays, just not as frequently as Fairbanks and Denali as it’s farther south.

Alaska.org's Tips to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

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. The northern lights occur because of solar activity, so during the early part of the solar cycle, known as solar minimum, there is a smaller chance of experiencing a full-on auroral storm. As we move toward solar maximum, which returns in 2025, the odds of seeing the northern lights will increase.

Com­bine your auro­ra view­ing trip with a few oth­er high­lights planned out by Salmon Berry Tours, and you’ll expe­ri­ence the best of win­ter in Alaska. This fam­i­ly-owned, fly-in lux­u­ry wilder­ness lodge is 200 miles north of Fair­banks and 60 miles above the Arc­tic Cir­cle. Stays are all-inclu­sive and exclu­sive — they only accept one group at a time.

If you do have a little more time, you can opt for the 13-day Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis itinerary, which embarks in the Svalbard archipelago before sailing to Greenland and down to Iceland. Both take place in the late summer into early fall, as darkness returns to the skies in the Arctic. Rates for the eight-day itinerary start from $4,600 per person for the 2023 sailings. Specializing in polar voyages, Quark Expeditions knows a thing or two about the northern lights, which is why the company offers aurora sailings each fall. These 14-day itineraries cruise from Iceland to Greenland and back from September into early October.

For your on-shore day excursions, be sure to pack layers of clothing and rain gear so that you can be comfortable. Proper footwear is also important and be sure to bring hiking shoes if you plan to enjoy outdoor activities. The 10-Night Alaska Gold Rush Adventure Cruisetour (2A Northbound) will take you deep into the interior of Alaska, where you can explore Gold Rush history. Aurora Borealis, as it’s officially known, can only be seen above the magnetic pole of the Northern Hemisphere.

Whether or not you’re lucky enough to witness the aurora borealis, your adventure to the Great Land will be just as enlightening and colorful as Alaska’s iconic skies. If you have a goal of seeing the aurora borealis in any of the destinations mentioned here, you are best off booking as far into the fall as you can find a cruise. And Norway and generally sail 10 to 15-night itineraries during the winter season. Some venture to the Svalbard Archipelago, where the Gulf Stream flows prevent the seas from freezing in winter.

It's best to forget the more southern destinations of Anchorage and Juneau, which see dramatically fewer displays. Remember, while these FAQs provide a broad overview, each traveler’s experience is unique. Personal research, consultation with cruise experts, and maintaining flexibility in expectations can ensure an enriching and memorable Northern Lights journey. Research, pack appropriately for cold weather, bring necessary photography equipment, familiarize yourself with the ship’s amenities, and remain flexible in your expectations given the unpredictable nature of the aurora. The Northern Lights can appear anywhere in the sky, so it’s not strictly about choosing a side. However, finding a spot with minimal light interference from the ship is crucial.

Venture on a cosmic voyage with a Stargazing specialist and uncover the secrets of the skies above. Although the full viewing season spans from March to September, you’ll have the greatest chance of witnessing the Borealis’ emergence in September, when skies are so much darker than during the summer cruise season. Incidentally, this is also the time when you’ll find cost savings on your cruise since most families tend to vacation while school is out. Because of the late-setting and early-rising midnight sun, it's way too light during the summer to see the northern lights in the destinations mentioned, though solar activity takes place year-round. Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing.