Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska (2024)

Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska (1)

Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures

Alaska’s magnetic pull is undeniable, drawing adventurous travelers eager to explore its vast wilderness and rugged landscapes. More than 25 years ago, it was also the launching pad for UnCruise Adventures, which started with a single yacht in Alaska. Today, UnCruise’s Alaska expeditions are renowned for non-stop action, adventure, and exploration.

Even after all that time, perhaps nobody does Alaska better than UnCruise. Yet, the core mission remains unchanged—to provide transformative experiences and memorable adventures for guests. And this year is a peak chance to embark on an extraordinary journey with UnCruise with the Northern Lights promising to be more impressive than ever.

See the Northern Lights

For many travelers, catching a glimpse of the spectacular aurora borealis is the dream of a lifetime. Don’t miss out on the chance to see them this year as the sun’s cycle reaches solar maximum, ensuring the best viewing opportunities for the next 11 years, especially during the spring and fall. Plus, there’s no place better than Alaska for stargazing, where vast skies and minimal light pollution create the perfect setting for nature’s light show.

Whether you’re traveling from Alaska’s capital of Juneau to Ketchikan (known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”) or through the Inside Passage while heading from Seattle to Glacier Bay National Park, UnCruise offers excellent itineraries for experiencing the Northern Lights in 2024. Following a day packed with adventure, guests can relax with hot toddies on deck or join nighttime expeditions to remote vantage points, ensuring the best chances of witnessing the astonishing aurora.

Hike Glacier Bay National Park and more

Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska (2)

Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures

Traveling with UnCruise also grants exclusive access to remote areas, as their ships, with capacities ranging from 22 to 86 guests, navigate areas where larger vessels can’t. UnCruise guests visiting Glacier Bay National Park get a rare opportunity to set foot on land and explore the “outback,” a privilege granted to less than one percent of total park visitors. From navigating the isolated LeConte Glacier Wilderness Area to discovering hidden waterfalls, UnCruise’s small vessels sail through narrow channels and secluded coves to reveal hidden natural treasures and provide insights into Alaska’s fascinating ecosystems.

Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska (3)

Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures

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. No matter your itinerary, UnCruise helps guests witness incredible creatures in their natural habitats, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Enjoy an all-inclusive experience and unlimited adventures

Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska (4)

Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures

Unlike traditional cruises that often charge extra for excursions, UnCruise offers an all-inclusive experience designed to provide a seamless, hassle-free adventure, allowing guests to immerse themselves fully in the trip without worrying about extra costs.

Onboard dining is a highlight, with meals crafted from locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. Guests enjoy unlimited access to a variety of meals throughout the day, including early-riser breakfasts, lunches, dinners with multiple entrée options, and snacks in between. The beverage selection is also unlimited, featuring fine wines, craft beers, and signature co*cktails, ensuring guests can savor their favorite drinks or try something new without any additional charges.

Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska (5)

Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures

UnCruise also provides all the gear and instruction you need for exploring Alaska with ease, whether you’re snorkeling, scuba diving in chilly waters, kayaking or paddleboarding through the Tongass backcountry, or mountain biking in Hobart Bay. Expert guides double as concierges, tailoring a plan the day before based on your interests and preferences—and you’re free to join in on as many or as few activities as you please.

A commitment to personalized service is an integral part of UnCruise’s all-inclusive experience. 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.

Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska (2024)

FAQs

Is a cruise the best way to see northern lights? ›

While it's never a guarantee that the Northern Lights will be visible, one way to stack the deck in your favor is to be on a cruise ship that can move in search of the lights, typically in the Arctic.

Why is Alaska a good place to see the northern lights? ›

Alaska's geographic location directly under the auroral oval makes it the world's premier aurora-viewing destination.

Can you see the northern lights on a cruise in Alaska? ›

While the best time of year to see the Northern Lights in Alaska is in winter, you may still have the opportunity to see them on a late September cruise. While this spectacle can be seen from various ports of call, Princess offers the Aurora Borealis Viewing experience in Fairbanks for an unparalleled experience.

What is the best way to see the northern lights? ›

Get to the Arctic Circle

You're way better off heading straight for the Arctic Circle, where they most often occur around 65º to 70º North latitudes. That means Alaska, northern Canada, Iceland, Lapland (northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland) and northern Russia.

When's the best time to see the northern lights in Alaska on a cruise? ›

Winter, when nights are long, dark, and clear, is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska. That said, it is possible but not guaranteed to see them on an Alaska cruise. An Alaska cruise in early April, or late September, close to the fall equinox (September 21), will increase your chances.

What is a northern lights cruise like? ›

The Atmosphere Aboard Your Cruise Ship is Endlessly Cozy

In every port, Viking Venus shone like a beacon in the darkness. Crew put out electric lights to illuminate a path to the ship, creating what Scandinavians call “hygge” – a feeling of coziness – before passengers even step back aboard.

What city in Alaska do you see the northern lights? ›

Fairbanks and points north are the sweet spots to see the northern lights. This is because the main auroral band, the ring of geomagnetic particles around the Arctic Circle where the Northern Lights are most visible, crosses the state in an arc above the Alaska Range.

Can you see the northern lights every night in Alaska? ›

The frequency of seeing the northern lights in Alaska varies depending on several factors. The prime viewing time for the aurora borealis in Alaska is during the winter months, from September to April. However, it's important to note that even during this period, sightings are not guaranteed every night.

What is the best time and place to see the northern lights? ›

Northern lights displays are likeliest in the northern third of Canada: The Northwest Territory often sits directly under the auroral oval, as does part of the Yukon Territory. The absolute best time of year for the clearest and darkest skies is from the third week of January to the end of March.

What cruise line is best for Alaska? ›

  • #1. Celebrity Edge. Celebrity Cruises. ...
  • #2. Seven Seas Explorer. Regent Seven Seas Cruises. ...
  • #3. Viking Orion. Viking Ocean Cruises. ...
  • #4. Silver Muse. Silversea Cruises. ...
  • #4. Seabourn Odyssey. Seabourn Cruise Line. ...
  • #6. Regatta. Oceania Cruises. ...
  • #7. Celebrity Solstice. Celebrity Cruises. ...
  • #7. Koningsdam. Holland America Line.

Can you see northern lights from a cruise ship? ›

Many cruise lines not only offer itineraries to those regions but also offer northern lights-specific sailings, too. Cruising is particularly appealing for northern lights seekers because the ships can access remote areas without light pollution, allowing guests to see the aurora in its full brilliance.

How can I increase my chances of seeing the northern lights? ›

Maximize Your Chances to See the Northern Lights
  1. Tip #1: Head (and Look!) North. ...
  2. Tip #2: Plan a Trip Around an Equinox. ...
  3. Tip #3: Make the Aurora the Focus of Your Trip. ...
  4. Tip #4: Be Patient and Dress Warmly. ...
  5. Tip #5: Keep an Eye on the Forecast.

What time of year can you see the northern lights in Alaska? ›

The best time to see the aurora borealis in Alaska is from August 21 to April 21. We call it the Aurora Season. So yes, there are some very lucky cruise passengers who will see the northern lights in the Inside Passage late in the summer and fall, but don't bank on it.

What not to do at the northern lights? ›

The appearance of the Northern Lights was a bad omen. Thought to be the souls of the dead, the Sámi believed you shouldn't talk about the Northern Lights. It was also dangerous to tease them by waving, whistling, or singing under them, as this would alert the lights to your presence.

Where is the best chance to see the northern lights in the US? ›

“The best place in the U.S. to plan a trip to see the northern lights is always Alaska — because they are reliably spectacular that far north — especially Fairbanks,” MacDonald says. Fairbanks is located under the so-called Auroral Oval.

Can you photograph the northern lights from a cruise ship? ›

Camera settings for photographing northern lights from a ship. Eva: “You need to set the ISO to 12500 or above. On land you could probably get away with an ISO of around 1600 because you can set the exposure length to 20 seconds or so.

Are northern lights tours worth it? ›

So although you can save money by choosing to chase the lights yourself (although, to be honest, car rental prices often end up being more expensive than tour costs), going on a northern lights tour is an expense that's well worth it to guarantee you have the best experience and chance to see the Auroras.

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