Watching the “Northern Lights” is on the bucket list of many. And for people who love the seas, travelling via Alaska cruise northern lights is a delight. But many seem to doubt “Honestly can you see the northern lights in Alaska cruise?” In the article, we will discuss the best Alaska Northern Lights cruise for enthusiast travelers.

Highlights of Northern Lights Alaska Cruise

The highlights of Northern Lights Alaska Cruise are many, the key ones are listed below:

1. The breathtaking view of the magnificent Northern lights from the deck of the cruise ships
2. Enjoy the modern amenities filled cabins to relax onboard the Northern Lights Alaska cruise ships
3. Be entertained with multiple fun-filled activities like live shows, indoor games, and many more
4. Savor taste buds with foods from various cuisines and delicious drinks
5. You can view the mind-blowing Artic Circle and be mesmerized by the scenic beauty aboard the ships of the Alaska cruise Northern Lights.
6. You can opt for some shore excursions and enjoy the beauty of the marine life.
7. Enormous options for selecting the best among the Alaska cruises supporting your time and budget
8. Opportunity to cruise along 34 ports, a lifetime experience for travelers
9. There are opportunities for hiking along the shores if you are interested in adventure activities

Also read: Top 10 Alaska cruises from Anchorage

Best time to cruise Alaska to see northern lights

The best time to cruise Alaska to see Northern Lights is between August and April. Yet if you want to select the best months in this duration then it usually starts in December and ends in March. 

There are various reasons why these months are considered the best time to cruise Alaska for Northern Lights. The reason is that the Northern Lights are the result of the solar particles that enter the Earth’s magnetic field. The magnetic field and solar winds sync up depending on the tilt of the Earth. This phenomenon occurs during equinox which is between September and March. At that time the nights are long and dark with the skies clear. Hence the visibility of the Northern Lights is prominent in those months. Even the best time to cruise Alaska to see Northern Lights 2023 i.e. last year was also the same and can be referred to for this year.

Also read: 10 best Alaska cruises from Seattle

6 best Alaska cruise northern lights

Now that we have acquired sufficient information on the Alaska Cruise Northern Lights, let now focus on the 6 best Alaska Cruises that can be referred to while planning for your vacations and cruises. We will share the names of the cruises and the Alaska Northern Lights cruise prices with the ranges.

4 to 6 nights Alaska cruise to see northern lights

The 4 to 6 nights Alaska cruise to see Northern Lights are:

1. 4 nights Alaska Sampler: onboard Royal Princess, Discovery Princess, and Grand Princess. Price is between INR 32K and 28K per person. The route covers Vancouver, Ketchikan, and Seattle. 
2. 5 nights Alaska Sampler: onboard Caribbean Princess. The price is approximately INR 50K per person. The route covers Vancouver, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Seattle. 
3. 5 Night Experience cruise to Alaska to see Northern Lights: onboard Quantum of the Seas and Disney Wonder. The price is between INR 48K and 150K per person. Route covers Seattle, Vancouver, Sitka, and Ketchikan depending on the ships. 
4. Pacific Coast Alaska cruise with Northern Lights: 4 or 5 nights, onboard Disney Wonder. The price is near INR 90K per person. 

7 to 9 nights aurora borealis Alaska cruise northern lights

There are various Aurora Borealis Alaska cruise Northern Lights traversing through the journey of 7 or 9 nights. The ships depart mostly from Whitter, Vancouver in Canada, and Seattle in Washington. The price range of this Alaskan Northern Lights cruise varies between INR 49K and INR 67K per person. 

The best among the Alaska Cruise Northern Lights for a 7 or 9-night trip are:

1. Voyage of the Glaciers
2. Alaska Whitter 
3. Alaska Seattle
4. Alaska Adventure
5. Alaska Experience

Hence if you want to view Northern Lights on Alaska cruise ships then select from the list as per your budget and requirements. 

Also read: Top Alaska small ship cruises

10 to 13 nights Alaskan cruise northern lights

If you have substantial time to spend on vacation, opt for 10 to 13 nights Alaskan cruise Northern Lights. You can start from Seattle, San Francisco, or Vancouver. The price ranges for the ships which you can onboard for the cruise to see Northern Lights Alaska ranges between INR 68K and 140K per person. 

Here are some of the best ships to see Northern Lights in Alaska cruise:

1. Inside Passage
2. Alaska Seattle
3. Inside Passage and Glacier
4. Alaska Vancouver
5. On your Own

Some go through the Glacier Via National Park and some offer roundtrip San Francisco rides.

Fairbanks, Alaska Northern Lights cruise

To onboard from Fairbanks, Alaska Northern Lights cruise ships to avail are:

1. On your Own
2. Classic Denali
3. Denali Explorer
4. Alaska Interior express

The price ranges of the cruise to Alaska northern lights, starting from Fairbanks vary between INR 144K to 195K per person. 

The names of the Northern Lights from Alaska cruise ships from Fairbanks are Coral Princess, Noordam Holland America, Caribbean Princess, Sapphire Princess, Coral Princess, Nieuw Amsterdam Holland America, and Radiance of the Seas. You can opt for a journey between 9 to 13 nights depending on your vacation period and preference.

NCL Norwegian Alaska Cruise Northern Lights

NCL offers Norwegian Alaska Cruise Northern Lights for viewing the Aurora Borealis. NCL is Norwegian Cruise Line. The main port of the NCL Alaskan cruise to see the Northern Lights is Fairbanks which is said to be one of the best places for the amazing view. Many travelers prefer to visit Manley Hot Springs, another popular spot to view the Northern Lights from a cruise ship in Alaska operated by NCL.

NCL operates one of the best Alaska Cruise Northern Lights ships. It offers a 12-night round trip opportunity from Southampton to visit Tromso and Alta, the breathtaking spots for viewing the Northern Lights.

Also read: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise

Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Northern lights

There are several Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Northern Lights special ships. Some start from Seattle and some start from Vancouver. If you want to onboard the ships that traverse for the Alaska cruise to see Northern Lights then you can select from the journey route – some for 5 nights, some for 7 nights, and some even for 10 nights.

The main ships operating for Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise Northern Lights 2024 are:

1. Quantum of the Seas
2. Radiance of the Seas
3. Serenade of the Seas
4. Anthem of the Seas

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