In Search of the Northern Lights with Fred. Olsen Cruises and Go Stargazing
Sunday 20th October 2024 to Wednesday 30th October 2024
Departing from Newcastle Cruise Terminal
Port of Tyne, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, NE29 6EE
Embark on an extraordinary Arctic adventure, where the treasures of Norway’s wintertime landscapes and its native culture await your discovery. This cruise is a tapestry woven with the essence of the Arctic, offering you a symphony of experiences that will linger in your heart.
The beauty of Northern Norway unfurls before you, and your visit is perfectly timed to embrace the magic of the Northern Lights. These dancing lights, a spectacle woven by nature’s hand, become your companions both at sea and during an extended stay in Alta.
In every corner of this journey, the Arctic’s treasures come alive. The landscapes, the people, the moments that take your breath away – they all converge to create a mosaic of wonder and discovery. Join us on this voyage to Arctic Norway, where nature’s secrets are unveiled and the Arctic’s spirit beckons.
On this Northern Lights Cruise, you’ll be joined by an experienced astronomer from Go Stargazing for guided night sky tours under light pollution-free skies as part of Fred. Olsen’s Sky at Sea signature experience.
- Explore the night skies on deck with an astronomer from Go Stargazing.
- Learn how our ancestors interpreted the sky with a laser-guided tour of the constellations.
- Given the current high activity of the Sun (close to the ‘solar maximum’), it’s the best time to see the Northern Lights for several years. Displays may be intense and bright, especially if the skies are cloud-free!
- As this cruise encompasses a new Moon period, the skies will be at their darkest. It’s the best time for observing stars, the Milky Way, and of course the Aurora.
- We should notice that the stars in the northern part of the sky get higher up as we cruise north – by observing the famous pole star (which would be directly overhead at the north pole), we can work out our latitude!
- Saturn will be visible as soon as darkness falls and through the night. Binoculars may allow viewing some of the planet’s Moons and famous ring system.
- Mars and Jupiter will shine bright and can be observed rising from the East later in the evening. See the Moons of Jupiter using binoculars and watch how they change position in relation to the giant planet during the cruise.
- A pattern of stars called the Summer Triangle will be prominent throughout the cruise; our astronomer will gladly guide you around this patch of sky rich with deep sky objects observable using binoculars.
- View the most distant object that can be seen with just your eyes — the Andromeda Galaxy. Our astronomer will show you how to find it using binoculars, a trick you can take home!
- Shooting stars or meteors are always a possibility if the sky is clear!
The map plots the course of this cruise. As you travel away from light pollution, a breathtaking canvas of stars unfolds above. The sky becomes a sanctuary of twinkling constellations, captivating stargazers with its celestial wonders. Guided by a Go Stargazing astronomer, you'll learn to navigate the skies and immerse yourself in their beauty.
Cruise organiser
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is organising this cruise
Please contact Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines directly for more details regarding this cruise.
Email: [email protected]
Website: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Twitter: @FredOlsenCruise
Facebook: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Cruise booking
For full details on how to attend this cruise, including how to book, please see the cruise's official website.
Visit cruise websiteCruise darkness
The below chart shows if and when the skies will be at their darkest during this cruise. Moonlight is shown in light yellow and the Sun's twilight in light blue. Midnight on the date shown is shown as a white line with sunset to the left and sunrise the next morning to the right. A black background with stars shows the best times for stargazing.
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