When Can You See The Northern Lights On An Alaskan Cruise

Table Of Content

• DAY 3 Glacier Bay National Park
• Greenland
• Alaska Northern Lights Cruises
• Denali National Park
• Seeing Greenland Northern Lights
• New to cruising
• Lodges & Overnight Tours

Alaska is one of the world’s best places to catch the northern lights, with scenic destinations, exhilarating tours, cruises and even hotels offering unique experiences for seeing the natural phenomenon. Even more rarely seen than the northern lights are the southern lights, best seen every 11 years in Antarctica. The southern lights are the most active and visible here during the months of March to September. Since the expedition cruise season winds down in March, it’s rare to find a trip with a focus on seeing the southern lights. But the conditions are lining up for southern lights cruises in 2025, and a special departure of the Polar Circle Cruise on March 21, 2025.

DAY 3 Glacier Bay National Park

The approximately six-hour guided tour with a professional photographer explains the science behind the northern lights and provides photo tips for budding aurora photographers in a small-group format. Tourgoers are picked up from their hotel by the guide at about 10 p.m. And return around 4 a.m., though that time can vary based on the aurora forecast.

Greenland

As we move toward solar maximum, which returns in 2025, the odds of seeing the northern lights will increase. Your chances of seeing the aurora display are excellent as the city sits where the activity of the polar lights is concentrated — under the ring-shaped zone known as the auroral oval. Local experts say that on clear evenings when the sky is very dark, you should be able to witness the skies light up on an average of four out of five nights in Fairbanks. According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, the best time to see the northern lights is from Aug. 21 to April 21, also known as the Aurora Season.

Alaska Northern Lights Cruises

The city is full of modern conveniences and there are many Fairbanks northern lights tours. There is also an Alaska igloo hotel 25 miles from Fairbanks, known as the Borealis Basecamp. Embrace the experience, immerse yourself in onboard activities, and capture breathtaking photos that will forever remind you of this awe-inspiring adventure. When planning your Alaskan cruise, consider the ports of call that align with your desired Northern Lights viewing experience. Research the best times to visit each destination and consult with your cruise operator for expert guidance on optimal viewing spots and excursion options. 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.

Here’s to clear skies, bright stars, and a horizon illuminated with colors beyond imagination. But to ensure you get the most out of your aurora cruise experience, here are some handy cruise tips and tricks. These ports not only introduce travelers to the rich tapestry of Russian culture but also act as starting points for voyages beneath the shimmering Arctic skies.

Learn about timing it right to see the aurora borealis in the regions we sail below. 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.

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. Aurora Borealis (also known as the Northern Lights) are magical bands of neon green light that spontaneously burst and dance in the sky. And there are only a few places on the globe where it can be viewed.

Lodges & Overnight Tours

Highlights of this two-day, one-night excursion — which starts in Fairbanks — are dog mushing your own sled team and glamping in a heated tent under an aurora-filled sky. Other features of the tour include cold weather gear, a photography lesson and Alaska-inspired meals. Wiseman is located in Alaska’s Brooks Range, about 15 miles north of Coldfoot Camp, 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 270 miles from Fairbanks. The community sits directly under the auroral oval, making it one of the best places in Alaska to view the northern lights. You can expect to see the spectacle in the sky in Wiseman about 250 nights a year, especially between late August and mid-April. Fairbanks, known as the Golden Heart of Alaska, sits at 65 degrees north latitude, making it an excellent choice for aurora hunters, especially first-timers.

This Cruise Line Guarantees You'll See The Northern Lights (Or You Get A Free Trip) - Forbes

This Cruise Line Guarantees You'll See The Northern Lights (Or You Get A Free Trip).

Posted: Tue, 07 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

All the guides were knowledgeable and personable--excellent in every respect--but two who stand out in our memories were KayDee in the Alaska Wildlands and Kerstein at the Kantishna Roadhouse. KayDee was remarkable for her flexibility and especially her willingness and ability to fit hikes to the widely varying needs of different individuals. Hiking with Kerstein was like attending a college class in the wilderness, and one taught by a charismatic and exciting teacher. She made even the most drab looking plant or dull rock interesting. The lodges in the Alaska Wildland part of the trip stand out in regard to meals.

Cunard’s Norway and Northern Lights cruise is a 12-day roundtrip along Norway’s coastline from Southampton, England on Queen Mary 2, or Queen Victoria ships. Guest speakers, astronomers and award-winning photographers are usually on board to join guests on deck to each evening to scan for and enjoy the northern lights show. Both Hurtigruten Expeditions and the Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Express, offer a good number of itineraries that showcase the Northern Lights. 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.

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.

Additional highlights include spending two evenings under the dancing night sky in one of the domed igloos at Borealis Basecamp, as well as aurora borealis photography lessons. 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. Iceland, Greenland, and polar regions around the Northwest Passage promote some of their active, adventurous cruises around the equinoxes in September and March as northern lights viewing opportunities as well.