Can you see Northern Lights from Alaskan cruise?

The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland.



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The best time to see the aurora borealis in Alaska is from August 21 to April 21. We call it the Aurora Season.

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You can glimpse this incredible phenomenon in Juneau during the winter months on clear nights. You'll need to plan your travel for late August through late April if you want a good viewing chance. As the nights get longer, you'll increase your chances with March being the peak season for viewing the northern lights.

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Best Months to Travel to Alaska. Alaskan cruise season is May through September with July and August being the highest season attracting the most travelers. Convention holds that the best months to cruise Alaska are July and August when the temperatures are at their highest and the weather is generally sunnier.

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Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.

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Cruise lines drain their swimming pools at night to discourage guests from trying to enter the pool when it is closed. Draining the swimming pools each night also allows the cruise lines to replace the water with clean water and a drained swimming pool is safer if the weather is rough.

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You will most likely need cash while you're off the ship, especially in foreign ports. Not only can it save you money in foreign transaction fees that most credit card companies charge, but if you're traveling to certain parts of the world, you may encounter places where credit cards aren't accepted.

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Just to recap, you do not necessarily have to have a passport to cruise to Alaska. As long as you are a United States citizen and the cruise is making a close-loop sailing out of a U.S. port, you can cruise as long as you carry the proper alternate identification.

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If you're wondering if Iceland or Alaska is better for viewing the Northern Lights. The answer is that both offer incredible opportunities. The ideal position for viewing the Aurora Borealis is north of 65 degrees latitude. It will need to be a cloudless night and preferably away from city lights.

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