Norway expedition January or November?

[peppajay]

We are looking at doing the new expidition cruise from Bergen to North Cape and return in winter as we have wanted to do the coastal cruise at that time since doing a summer voyage. There is unite a good special at the moment on the expedition cruise so thought we would take that instead. Having trouble deciding between mid November or late January. I know there is no guarantee for NL but would you recommend one of these times over the other and why? 

Thank you 

[clo]

We cruised in mid/late March this year and here are the pix we had at that time.

 

[SarniaLo]

Honestly very hard to advise. Length of days about the same. Northern Lights are always a gamble and so is weather. In theory you should have more quality snow in January for winter activities, but this year snow started falling at the end of October and passengers in November were able to do dog sledding. Statistically the weather is wetter in November, but again this year in November the weather seems pretty incredible.
On the whole I would say you have better odds for the real winter experience in January. If I had this choice that's what I would pick. But this can be completely not true on a given year.

[peppajay]

Great pics clo. Thank you SarniaLo I was hoping you would reply as I know you have been a few times. We are leaning toward January for the snow. I think this year the November travellers have been very lucky.

[hallasm]

Level of solar activity in November and January is pretty much the same - it might be more cloudy in November and for sure much more snow in January - I'll vote for January - Link to my review in January 2019

[peppajay]

Thank you hallasm. Great review. Definitely want to have the snow so looks like January is the way to go.

[grayjay]

Norway had lovely weather some of the days in November this year and I saw many photos of Northern lights posted. Unfortunately, though, this is no guarantee. Whereas "Clo" posted beautiful pictures from her trip in March we went in late March as well and didn't have a speck of Northern lights. (I think we'll try again in October next year...Or I might try December because of Christmas markets etc.))