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Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions (and the answers to those questions) posted by real cruisers. If you happen not to find what you’re looking for, you can even post a question of your own. Experience Alaska’s premier attractions glaciers and wildlife, from two very different vantage points, by land and by sea.... April and May are also the driest months in Alaska, so the chances of rain are slim.
American Spirit, Puget Sound & San Juan Islands from Seattle, September 28, 2024
Get up close to beautiful, picturesque landscapes on an Iceland and Ireland cruise from Southampton, England, which offers 14 nights of pure bliss on Celebrity Silhouette. Seeing the Northern Lights is one of those magical experiences on nearly every traveler’s bucket list due to the surreal way light moves in waves of green color across the nighttime sky. 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.
Holland America, Alaska Southbound Glaciers from Whittier, September 15, 2024
American Cruise Line offers cruises to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands from Seattle in March 2024. Get picked up at your Fairbanks hotel (or meet at the Hyatt Place Fairbanks) for this three-hour northern lights tour in a heated SUV. Guides take photos of tourgoers as well as their own photos of the night sky, which are later shared with the group. Recent travelers praise this tour, and appreciate that the guides are always determined to give them the best northern lights viewing experience. Alaska Wildlife Guide leads 5.5-hour northern lights tours to Murphy Dome, typically from late August to early April — you can check with the company for day-to-day tour availability. Excursion prices include round-trip transportation from Fairbanks, 360-degree views of the north-facing sky, hot beverages and bottled water — in addition to (hopefully) hours of memorable aurora viewing.
Royal Caribbean, Alaska Glacier Cruise from Seattle, September 16, 2024
This excursion includes two, three or four nights at this wilderness lodge about 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle. During the winter days, enjoy outdoor Arctic sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing or stay warm indoors chatting with other guests at the Aurora Lodge. In the evenings, you can bundle up and head outside at one of the best places in Alaska to see the spectacle in the sky. The winter solstice — which is the shortest day of the year, typically falling between Dec. 20 and 23 — is a particularly good time to be in Alaska for the northern lights. In parts of Alaska, the amount of daylight during the winter solstice can range from around six hours in Anchorage to less than four further north in Fairbanks. Up in remote Utqiagvik (formerly called Barrow), about 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, there are roughly 67 days of darkness from Nov. 18 to Jan. 23, resulting in even more opportunities to spot the northern lights.
Holland America offers a four-hour aurora borealis viewing tour outside the city in a yurt; it operates between the last week of August and mid-September. For an extended land tour to chase the aurora — and experience Alaska’s magical winter wonderland ? The company’s Alaska’s Winter Wonders tour is offered in February and March; it features up to seven nights of northern lights viewing, as well as adventure-filled days with skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Norwegian Cruise Line’s six-day pre-cruise adventure begins with overnights in Fairbanks, Denali and Anchorage, where you’ll have the best chances to view the northern lights. Other highlights for the first part of the trip include a deluxe dome car rail journey from Talkeetna to Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad and a private tour to an Iditarod sled dog musher’s kennel. Celebrity’s pre-cruise national parks adventure takes guests on a wildlife viewing quest to destinations in the north and the Interior where you can watch for the aurora.
Aurora Photography Tips
This location, once home to Murphy Dome Air Force Station with as many as 250 personnel stationed at the base, now houses a long-range radar station that detects military air threats from overseas. However, when wintertime rolls around — from September or October through April — it’s more difficult to access parts of the park, even though it’s open year-round. Keep in mind, too, that the lodges closest to the park are typically closed from mid-September to mid-May. Below are the top destinations to consider when deciding where to see the northern lights in Alaska.
John Hall's Alaska Releases 2024 Itineraries - Travel Agent Central
John Hall's Alaska Releases 2024 Itineraries.
Posted: Fri, 21 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Explore Alaska by Land and Sea
You’ll make stops in the coastal towns of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Anchorage (Whittier) before disembarking to depart for the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge via the line’s direct-to-the-wilderness rail service. 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. Where you stand on the cruise ship can influence your aurora viewing experience. In this guide, we will unravel the mysteries of the aurora and explore the ins and outs of Alaska’s northern lights cruises. So, print out one of our cruise planners, grab a warm drink, settle in, and let’s set sail on this celestial adventure.
She writes about the travel and culinary industries for a variety of major publications. Dog-sledding is one of the top winter activities in Alaska, and you can choose to do it by day or night. If you want to experience an Alaska dog-sledding adventure while chasing the aurora, then book a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Arctic Dog’s Aurora Overnight Tour. 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.
Norwegian Spirit, Alaska Southbound Cruise from Seward, September 18, 2024
There’s no other experience on Earth quite like witnessing the northern lights. Also known as the aurora borealis, this spellbinding phenomenon — when brilliant hues of green, yellow and purple dance across the night sky — is visible in Alaska from late August to late April. Clear, dark evenings away from the ambient light of cities provide prime viewing opportunities. On the Alaska Photo Treks website, you’ll find a list of recommended camera equipment to bring. If you’re using a smartphone, the tour group suggests downloading an aurora app and bringing a tripod.
If you prefer to stay close by, look north into the sky toward Denali from Talkeetna Riverfront Park. When planning a trip to Alaska, many travelers wonder if it's better to explore the state by land or by sea. Adventuring in Alaska is all about getting to know this state's stunning landscape. Sink into refreshed suites and a new lounge, plus dining and entertainment venues. Take in Alaska’s evergreen fjords and thunderous glaciers on this Vista-class Alaska cruise ship. Our cruisetours combine an ocean cruise with a land tour into Alaska’s interior.
The second day in town includes a Riverboat Discovery ride and a tour of the city, as part of the cruisetour. Holland America Line recommends booking a cruise or cruisetour (a combined sea and land package) during the autumnal equinox, or the official start of autumn, which falls around Sept. 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. Disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field are more likely around the autumn and spring equinoxes, which could increase your chances of seeing the aurora.
On the water, we rarely passed any other ships or boats, aside from fishermen out for their catches. During the tour, you’ll learn about the history of the pipeline and hear narratives around the other included stops. A snack and warm beverage are included; then, if conditions are just right, you’ll have the chance to see the brilliant light show dance across the dark, clear skies before you arrive back in Fairbanks at dawn. Choose from a variety of packages that include accommodations and activities like dog-sledding, UTV tours, helicopter sightseeing experiences and more. Please share your name and email address with us to receive news of special offers and events.
Of course, sightings of the Northern Lights on your cruisetour depend entirely on natural circumstances, relying on weather, darkness, and a bit of magic. 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. In Iceland, you’ll stop in Akureyri and overnight in the capital city, Reykjavik. Discover the wonders of Iceland’s nature by hiking along snow-capped mountains, marveling at enormous waterfalls, and exploring gurgling fields of Icelandic lava.
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. Southeast Alaska's February and March feature 10 hours of daylight and average temperatures in the 30's F. Perfect for days of snow adventure and nights under the stars and, if we are lucky, the Northern Lights. On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens.
The remote wilderness destination is ideal for aurora viewing since it sits directly under the auroral oval. It’s also the perfect locale for backcountry snowshoeing, wildlife viewing and dog mushing. Read on to learn more about the variety of options for viewing the northern lights in Alaska, as well as the best time to visit. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes. Ever wanted to go on an Alaska glacier tour to experience hiking in its open nature?
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