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They are calculated based on the days of voyage, ability to carry out the activity and exchange rates. The northern waters are warmer than the polar regions but water temperatures of around 12 °C/ 53.6°F mean you may opt to wear your paddle jacket on a warm, sunny day or our dry suits on a cool day. Surf landings are not likely, but you must be capable of paddling in a small swell or wind chop, with winds up to 20 knots. With that being said, we will not paddle if wind conditions are too strong and there is no sheltered area for paddling. Over the next few days we explore parts of Norway’s remarkable 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) coastline.
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Here we enjoy a short walk, visit the North Cape Hall and perhaps sample some local treats. A general rule is that the further north you go, the better your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Norway is perhaps the most popular country for a Northern Lights cruise, though Iceland is also a good choice. Cunard offers cruises within the Arctic Circle visiting the Norwegian city of Tromsø, which is a known place to view the aurora borealis.
Sea Kayaking
Hurtigruten is so sure you will see the lights on the October-through-March sailings of its year-round 11- and 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express itineraries that the company has a guarantee called the Northern Lights Promise. 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. 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.
Why Viking
Regular exercise is recommended, because the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the experience. During the early morning, we cruise into Reykjavik and disembark at approximately 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as you continue your onward journey. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by sharp ice-clad peaks soaring up to 2,000 metres (6,562 feet), and glaciers birthing gigantic icebergs that drift throughout the fjord system, combine to create breathtaking scenes. Officially certified proof of vaccination and booster will be required ahead of travel and we will require that it be emailed to Aurora no later than 15 days prior to departure.
After a leisurely breakfast, check-out of your room before commencing an excursion of Kirkenes and surrounds. Transfer to the pier for embarkation in the late afternoon, when you will have time to settle into your cabin before attending our mandatory safety briefings, and enjoy the thrill of departure as we ‘throw the lines’ and set sail. If you're interested in where to see the northern lights outside Alaska, the Arctic city of Alta, Norway, calls itself "The City of Northern Lights." Let us introduce you to the mysteries of the aurora borealis, the beautiful Lofoten Islands, and how our on board spa services take inspiration from the ocean itself. Aurora Expeditions’ 22-day Northern Lights Explorer itinerary starts in Kirkenes, a small town in far northeastern Norway, stays close to the coastlines of the Arctic Circle, and skirts around the Norwegian and Greenland seas, and ends in Bergen. At each port of call on your cruise, we carefully research and hand pick Shore Tour options for you, designed for you see as many of the world's best destinations as possible.
Having made your way to Kirkenes, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. You can also see the lights in Canada's Yukon, including in the gold rush town of Dawson City, which is visited on some Holland America cruisetours. As mentioned, the lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m.
Cabins & Prices
However, the equinox months of September and March are the peak months for catching the aurora borealis as the magnetic fields of the Earth and the Sun’s solar wind are in sync then. And, luckily for you, we have a number of Northern Lights cruise holidays during these months to maximise your chances of spotting this mesmerising light show in all its glory. All aboard the Island Princess with Princess Cruises to begin a bucket-list worthy voyage to find the northern lights. This round-trip journey from London (Southampton), England includes stops in Norway, as well as days spent cruising the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Arctic Ocean where you’ll cross the Arctic Circle. Guests will especially enjoy a visit to Alta, Norway, which is known as the "City of the Northern Lights." Be sure not to miss the UNESCO-protected rock carvings at the Alta Museum.
Northern Lights Cruises & Expeditions
On board Balmoral, you can take advantage of clear, dark skies with little light pollution as you wait in anticipation for the lights to appear. There’s a chance of seeing the Northern Lights anywhere within the auroral zone – a 1,500-mile radius of the magnetic north pole. Based right at the heart of this zone is the Norwegian city of Tromsø, which is widely regarded as the world’s best place to see the Northern Lights when the conditions are right.
Aurora Expeditions
Lines cruising in these regions include Hurtigruten, Silversea, Lindblad Expeditions, Viking Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Adventure Canada, and others. Both Hurtigruten Expeditions and the Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Express, offer a good number of itineraries that showcase the Northern Lights. The Coastal Express serves as both a passenger cruise line and a lifeline for Norwegian coastal residents and these working ships transport locals’ cars, fjord towns’ freight and up to 1,000 total passengers on any given day. It’s also the site of Scoresbysund, the most extensive fjord system in the world, and the glaciers here are the birthplace of many of the icebergs you see in the Arctic. In that case, the company will give you a free six-day southbound or seven-day northbound Original Coastal Express Class Voyage.
However, those in interior cabins can always run up on deck — which you should do anyway to witness the full grandeur of the atmospheric phenomenon. Hurtigruten’s spectacular 12-day voyage sets sail to hunt for the magical aurora, which tends to be plentiful in Norway during the winter. Even aside from the lights, this rugged coastline has much to offer intrepid travelers. Guests will discover an Arctic landscape rich with majestic mountains, breathtaking fjords and quaint coastal towns. The journey starts in Bergen’s where guests may see Bryggen, a UNESCO-Heritage Site with wooden buildings more than 300 years old. Other highlights of the trip include Atlanterhavsparken, which is among Europe’s most fascinating aquariums, the Lofoten Wall and Tromsø, home to Ølhallen pub, where you can have a pint at the world’s northernmost brewery.
Thanks to the fertile volcanic soil and the surrounding mountains offering protection from strong winds, the area is rich in wildlife. You may spot everything from musk oxen and arctic foxes to mountain hares, and even reindeer, near the fjord. Look skyward and you could catch a glimpse of birds, including the glaucous gull, black-legged kittiwake, northern fulmar, common raven and common eider.
That said, some towns in Alaska are better for Aurora Borealis viewing than others. If you’d rather cruise to Alaska in summer, don’t expect to see the northern lights, but do soak up that midnight sunshine. Unlike much of central Europe, where you can travel through many countries and only have to use the euro as currency, the Scandinavian countries within the Northern Lights region use their own version of the krone. If you’re travelling on a cruise holiday to see the Northern Lights in Norway, be sure to bring enough krone for the amount of time you’ll be there.
As night falls, we look skywards hoping to catch the magic of the northern lights. This spectacular natural phenomenon offers a surreal light display as vibrant hues of blue, green, pink and violet dance across the night sky. Places located near the Arctic Circle such as northern Norway, Iceland and Greenland, are some of the best places in the world to witness this stunning light show. The optimal time to witness the Northern Lights during Aurora Expeditions’ cruises and expeditions is typically during the winter months when the polar night prevails. This period, from late September to early April, offers extended darkness and clearer skies, enhancing the visibility of the Aurora Borealis.
If the weather changes during our outing we will head back to the ship and perhaps join a shore excursion. The ship’s captain, expedition leader and kayak guide always maintain close contact to ensure a safe paddling experience. The emphasis is on experiencing the destination rather than travelling long distances. Each small group of kayakers (up to 10 per guide) will have their own intimate exploration of the small hidden bays and coasts that are inaccessible to Zodiacs. Of course, we also make time for your own shore excursions and wildlife encounters.
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