Best cruise lines for Northern Lights

[cruiser1085]

We are considering taking a cruise next January (2018) to the coast of Norway (or elsewhere) with the primary reason for our trip being to see the Northern Lights. We are nature lovers and adventurers more than high end luxury travelers. I would love suggestions on cruise lines that are geared towards viewing the Northern Lights and hear tips on making the most of the cruise.

Thank you in advance!

[Kamloops50]

We are considering taking a cruise next January (2018) to the coast of Norway (or elsewhere) with the primary reason for our trip being to see the Northern Lights. We are nature lovers and adventurers more than high end luxury travelers. I would love suggestions on cruise lines that are geared towards viewing the Northern Lights and hear tips on making the most of the cruise.

Thank you in advance!

There is only a ferry company that goes that far north in the winter .

[Desdichado62]

Like Kamloop says, there is only one ferry line that operates all year and that is Hurtigrutten.

There was a thread posted about it just a couple of days ago.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2474197

[GeezerCouple]

We are considering taking a cruise next January (2018) to the coast of Norway (or elsewhere) with the primary reason for our trip being to see the Northern Lights. We are nature lovers and adventurers more than high end luxury travelers. I would love suggestions on cruise lines that are geared towards viewing the Northern Lights and hear tips on making the most of the cruise.

Thank you in advance!

 

Like Kamloop says, there is only one ferry line that operates all year and that is Hurtigrutten.

There was a thread posted about it just a couple of days ago.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2474197

 

We started the thread mentioned above, and we've also asked questions on several others, so you might want to search for those. We've had a variety of very helpful responses. (Thanks again, all!)

 

We did book on the March sailing on Hurtigruten's Trollfjord, with the Astronomy package (although we still aren't 100% sure just what types of lectures there are, in addition to some sort of special event at a Planetarium).

 

I'm pretty sure there is an "Astronomy" sailing in January (and in February), too, and I'm not sure if there are others on other Hurtigruten ships.

 

Getting information from Hurtigruten hasn't been particularly easy, but after reading lots of reports and reviews, it looks to be just what we are looking for.

(We got a suite, so although it won't be nearly "luxe" like on other cruise lines, we'll have a bit of extra space and also a balcony. But the 2-story main observation lounge looks just wonderful for times one wants to stay indoors for warmth. If you get a smaller cabin, just be sure to check out photos, so you know how small they are, if you are accustomed to cabins on the larger cruise lines.)

 

P.S. Do look through the Hurtigruten sub-forum here on CC, too.

[tring]

Fred Olsen are very good going north and sail from the UK - they sail along the inside passage so there will be sightseeing on sea days and less exposure to rough seas, which are fairly common in the winter. P&O do the odd one or two cruises for the northern lights as well, but are bigger ships and will sail out to sea more during the journey. Northern lights cruises are often scheduled for March though,as it is more likely you will see the lights nearer to the equinox. Be aware Fred's ships (as well as some of the Hurtigruten Ferries) are older, so best not to choose a cabin low down and to the back of the ship as there can be quite a bit of noise and vibration.

 

You will get a better selection of departure dates on the Hurtigruten Ferries but another point is that they are very expensive and the cost of drinks will be very high as well - just like in Norway. We do not drink beer in Norway - far too expensive.

 

The most likely ports to see the Northern Lights are Alta or Tromso as the lights are present at that latitude.