Table Of Content
- The Best Time to See the Northern Lights on an Alaska Cruise
- Alaska Cruise in September: Alaska Temperatures Start to Drop
- What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in April
- The Best Time to Cruise Alaska for Good Weather: Summer (mid-June through August)
- Lodges & Overnight Tours
- Alaska Cruisetours to See the Northern Lights
Alaska weather in October is manageable if you pack the right gear and protective clothing. Even if you're a seasoned fisherman, we recommend using a local guide to help find you the best fishing spot. On dry land, bears are more common in May, though not as frequently spotted as they are in peak summer. Temperatures are relatively mild, with daytime highs in the upper 40s and into the 50s depending on where you're visiting and cloud cover.
The Best Time to See the Northern Lights on an Alaska Cruise
Next, we’ll explore the Alaska cruise routes that offer the best chances of witnessing this awe-inspiring natural wonder. If you’re looking to get away from the summer crowds and enjoy an intimate cruise in remote Alaska, then we recommend booking an ocean view cabin on a smaller ship. Smaller boats have access to quieter coastlines, like the Wrangell Narrows, that larger cruise ships don’t have access to.
Alaska Cruise in September: Alaska Temperatures Start to Drop
The northern lights occur in all four seasons in a year, however, it may be difficult to see them under the midnight sun. The best time to get a glimpse of this beautiful phenomenon is between August and April. During this time, less daylight leads to darker skies, hence the lights can be seen distinctly. 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.
What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in April
At AAA, we offer a wide selection of cruise itineraries to those explorers who want to get up close and personal with Alaskan wildlife, landscape, and culture. 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. Alaska is by far the best place to see the northern lights in the U.S., though they have been reported as far south as Honolulu. That said, some towns in Alaska are better for Aurora Borealis viewing than others. Alaska’s magnetic pull is undeniable, drawing adventurous travelers eager to explore its vast wilderness and rugged landscapes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a Space Weather Prediction Center, which is a great resource for a short-term forecast of northern lights activity. Fairbanks also happens to be the headquarters of the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, which issues a nightly forecast on Aurora viewing alongside a 27-day forecast. The old gold rush boomtown of Fairbanks is the undisputed capital of the northern lights hunt in Alaska. It's not the very best place for aurora viewing — it's just below the Arctic Circle — but auroras frequently occur here.
They occur all year long but are only visible when the sky is dark and clear. If you prefer warmer temperatures, ranging from 50° to 70° Fahrenheit, and longer days with up to 22 hours of sunlight, a summer Alaskan cruise might be the perfect choice. For the most midnight sun, travel 3 weeks before or after June 21, the summer solstice. We’ve broken the seasons down for you, including the highlights of each, as well as the best cruise lines and cruise ships to consider so you can make your bucket list dreams come true. During the cruise season, popular cruise lines assist travelers in enjoying all of the unique sights, wildlife, excursions, events and food. To help you find the best time to cruise to Alaska, Cruise Critic is breaking down the Alaska cruise season month by month to help you plan your bucket-list trip.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska Month by Month - Cruise Critic
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska Month by Month.
Posted: Mon, 01 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The less-fun news is that there’s no guarantee you’ll see the lights— the show could easily be upstaged by a cloudy sky, a full moon, or even a weaker solar cycle. The fresh arctic air and the bright night sky alone will likely fill your cup. Even if you don’t catch a glimpse, you’ll still have every chance to kick back and experience everything that makes Alaska such a cruise-worthy destination. As the school season begins and fall approaches, cruise prices start to dip, affording the opportunity to snag a last-minute bargain for Alaska. We still recommend planning ahead though, as an increasing number of tourists have been booking cruises each year in September. This month brings cooler weather and more rain but fails to dampen the high spirits on cruise ships.
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. Alaska cruisetours are the ideal way to explore the state’s stunning interior and extend your Alaska cruise vacation. 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. Non-photographers are welcome to enjoy the show and have their photo taken. The city has a variety of aurora-viewing venues, from a number of scenic drives and parks to cozy cabins and lodges.
It's best to forget the more southern destinations of Anchorage and Juneau, which see dramatically fewer displays. If you can find dark and clear skies, be on alert from dusk onwards and you might get to see an aurora. According to the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the best time to see the aurora is around midnight, give or take an hour. Alaska is by far the best place to see the northern lights in the U.S., though they have been reported as far south as Honolulu. That said, some towns in Alaska are better for Aurora Borealis viewing than others.
Where to See Northern Lights: 8 Best Spots for Aurora Borealis Viewing - Reader's Digest
Where to See Northern Lights: 8 Best Spots for Aurora Borealis Viewing.
Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cozy up to the fire, sip on cocoa and coffee, and step outside when mother nature puts on a show. Although the center is a short distance from town, it is far enough away so that you won’t have to worry about light pollution interrupting your view as you stand gazing under the vast, starlit sky. SolarHam gives a reliable three-day geomagnetic forecast that's often used by aurora hunters, while the Aurora Forecast app shows travelers the position of the auroral oval around the Arctic Circle. It also indicates the probability of seeing the northern lights where you are (green, not so much; red, and they're probably happening right above you). Those wanting to maximize their chances should head for the more remote northern villages of Coldfoot in the Yukon Territory or to Prudhoe Bay and Utqiaġvik in the extreme north. A survey by the Discovery Channel noted that seeing Aurora Borealis made it to more “bucket lists” than any other travel adventure.
The darker months when there is less natural light get the best view of this phenomenon. 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.
While they may seem otherworldly, their origins are rooted in collisions between gases in our Earth's atmosphere and those in the Sun's atmosphere. Solar winds that encircle the planet create distinct patterns, which can manifest as rippling currents or dancing rays of light. The good news is that no matter which month you choose, your Alaskan cruise will reward you with incredible experiences and memories that last a lifetime. The best month to visit Alaska depends on what you hope to experience during your trip.
Guests embark in Southampton, England, before sailing north to Norway, traveling as far north as Tromsø, well north of the Arctic Circle. We recommend splurging on a room with windows for the best northern lights viewing options. 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. Considering the cruise line is named after the atmospheric phenomenon, it should come as no surprise that it offers a northern lights itinerary. At 19 to 22 days long, depending on the departure, there is plenty of time to hope for a northern lights appearance — or two, or three, or more. The longer itinerary continues with a visit to the Faroe Islands and disembarkation in Bergen, Norway.
This is but one of the incredible experiences that may be had when visiting Alaska in the “secret season”—springtime. Not only are the flowers and plant life awakening from their wintertime slumber, so is its wildlife. While this spectacle can be seen from various ports of call, Princess offers the Aurora Borealis Viewing experience in Fairbanks for an unparalleled experience. Step away from the city lights and into a cozy yurt where you can view the aerial performance from the comfort of your own space. Or, head outside, set up your camera and capture postcard-worthy photos to share with your loved ones.
Viewing the Alaska northern lights takes the right timing, the right location and the right conditions. 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. It’s worth noting that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can be affected by various factors such as solar activity, weather conditions, and geomagnetic storms.
Mt. Denali is another option for cruisers, but be sure to check on the Mt. Denali weather with your cruise line. Anchorage also witnesses tantalizing displays, just not as frequently as Fairbanks and Denali as it’s farther south. If you’re in Anchorage and the conditions are ideal, head to a higher elevation. Glen Alps, Point Woronzof, and the Knit River Valley offer decent vantage points—some face north with no pesky mountain peaks in the way. The Northern Lights and Aurora Borealis are one and the same — most people call them Northern Lights, while the scientific name is Aurora Borealis.
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