Guide to Alaska Northern Lights Cruises: See Nature's Magic

The Northern Lights occur all year long, 24 hours a day. You need to be in the correct place at the correct time to witness them. It’s a sight for sore eyes, which is why so many people love taking an Alaska Northern Lights cruise.

It’s a thrill of a lifetime!

Have you ever dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights? 2023 is the year to live your dreams. Here is what you need to know when you are ready to visit the Northern Lights.

What Are the Northern Lights?

You also hear the term aurora borealis for the Northern Lights. They are iconic. The Northern Lights paint the skies of Alaska fluorescent yellow, seafoam green, and bright fuchsia.

Who wouldn't love taking a Northern Lights cruise for 7 nights? It’s an experience you find only on a trip to Alaska. They seem transcendental. However, collisions between gasses cause this whimsical beauty in the earth’s atmosphere.

Solar winds that carry across the world are unique arrangements. They can look like dancing rays and rippling currents.

Best Time to Cruise Alaska to See the Northern Lights

The optimal time to go on a cruise to see the Alaska Northern Lights is when the daylight slips away. It will seasonally become a time with the skies are covered with a soft, darkened blanket hovering over the city.

Many vacationers hope to see the Alaska Northern Lights from land. However, land can create obstructions in your view of it. To truly enjoy this famous and unique phenomenon, the best place to see it is from an Alaska Northern Lights Cruise from UnCruise Adventures.

When to See the Northern Lights

There is no guarantee that you will see the Alaska Northern Lights. There are, however, conditions that make it more probable. The best month is September.

You can still take an epic cruise during the winter months too. 

There is more darkness in September and less daylight. With more darkness, it will give you more opportunities for the Northern Lights to aluminate the Alaskan sky.

Further, there are peak hours too. Between 12:30am and 4:30am are the optimal hours to see this phenomenon. Not only are there better hours to see it but there is also weather that can play a vital role in seeing the Alaska Northern Lights.

Cloudless skies help. It clears the path to view it. Late September is a brilliant time to take an Alaska Northern Lights cruise.

Where to See the Northern Lights

The Northern Hemisphere is the best place to see the Northern Lights. Locations along the auroral oval are especially best for viewing. This is a ring zone that is located over the polar regions.

This makes northern Alaska, Arctic Canada, Iceland, Norway, and parts of Greenland prime locations for viewing—the odds of seeing the Northern Lights increase when you go on a cruise in Alaska. Cruise ships get you to inland destinations, including Fairbanks, which boasts cloud-free skies.

Cruising through Fairbanks and locations farther north give you excellent odds.

Taking Pictures

A high-quality camera is highly recommended to capture its beauty. If you have a tripod, this is the perfect time to break it out. To make your experience seamless, remember to bring replacement batteries and remote control.

How to Pack

When you visit Alaska to see the Northern Lights, it must be noted that Alaska varies significantly in temperature. The best way to pack is to choose clothing that can be easily layered. Bring clothes you can add for warmth and take away when it gets hot.

While you want to bring short and long sleeves, bring more long sleeves than short ones, especially if you visit Alaska in late September.

Pack a Puffer Vest

This little item will have a tremendous impact on your comfort. It is easy to include in your luggage and will be available to give you warmth when you need it. You can easily layer a puffer vest over a t-shirt.

Bring a Lightweight Jacket

On a trip to Alaska, you will notice that temperatures vary, ranging from 70 degrees to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why you should pack an insulated jacket for comfort on chiller days. Although, on a warmer day, you don’t need to sweat it either.

Do you have a lightweight, water-resistant jacket? This is perfect when you go see the Northern Lights in Alaska.

Windbreaker or Rain Jacket

The summer months in Alaska see a fair amount of rain. A windbreaker or rain jacket can save the day if you get caught in during a rain shower. When you travel far to see the Northern Lights, the last thing you want is to have anything “rain on your parade.”

Scarf

You may want to pack lightly. Still, bringing a scarf along will help you maximize comfort. On cool days, bring a scarf on your cruise.

When the cold breezes hit, a scarf covering your neck will help you relax and continue to enjoy your surroundings.

Alaska Northern Lights Cruises in 2023

You won't find an experience like Alaska Northern Lights cruises. You may find yourself so entranced with the Northern Lights phenomenon that you forget where you are. Not only that, but you may not want to leave.

It’s an experience, unlike anything on Earth.

Sailing since 1996, UnCruise Adventures travels to fewer spaces and open spaces. Alaska is their birthplace. If you want to take an epic cruise, Uncruise Adventures can take you there.

Book your amazing cruise for 2023 right now. Click here to let the experts at Uncruise Adventures take you there.