In Search of the Northern Lights at Christmas with Fred. Olsen and Go Stargazing

Name: In Search of the Northern Lights at Christmas with Fred. Olsen and Go Stargazing
Start: 2025-12-22T12:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-01-06T12:00:00+00:00
Location: Southampton Cruise Terminal

Monday 22nd December 2025 to Tuesday 6th January 2026

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Departing from Southampton Cruise Terminal
White Star Way, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3GG

Join astronomers from Go Stargazing and enhance the enchantment of the festive season on this cruise to Northern Norway, perfectly timed for Christmas and the opportunity to witness the natural wonder of the Northern Lights. Keep a keen eye out for the colorful light display, both at sea and ashore, particularly during extended stays in Narvik, Alta, and Tromsø.

Immerse yourself in the Arctic lifestyle with exhilarating activities such as snowshoe hiking and thrilling snowmobile and husky sledding rides through picturesque winter landscapes. Additionally, engage with the local Sámi community and indulge in their captivating stories within the warm embrace of a cozy tepee-style lavvu tent.

Uncover the enchanting secrets of the Aurora Borealis as you delve deeper into the cosmic wizardry that brings forth the vibrant displays in the night sky. Through this journey, unravel the mysteries behind this natural phenomenon, adding another layer of magic to your Northern Norway experience.

Our astronomers will help guide you around the night skies, explain all about the aurora and help you take photos while on deck!

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.

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Cruise darkness

The Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies in the night sky. Try to plan your stargazing when there is no bright Moon at night as this is when the skies will be at their darkest.

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.

Mon 22nd Dec

New Moon

3 % illuminated

Dark from 18:08 to 06:44

Dark for 12h 36m

Tue 23rd Dec

Waxing Crescent

8 % illuminated

Dark from 19:26 to 06:45

Dark for 11h 19m

Wed 24th Dec

Waxing Crescent

14 % illuminated

Dark from 20:43 to 06:45

Dark for 10h 2m

Thu 25th Dec

Waxing Crescent

22 % illuminated

Dark from 22:00 to 06:45

Dark for 8h 45m

Fri 26th Dec

First Quarter

31 % illuminated

Dark from 23:18 to 06:46

Dark for 7h 28m

Sat 27th Dec

First Quarter

42 % illuminated

Dark from 00:38 to 06:46

Dark for 6h 8m

Sun 28th Dec

First Quarter

52 % illuminated

Dark from 02:01 to 06:46

Dark for 4h 45m

Mon 29th Dec

First Quarter

63 % illuminated

Dark from 03:30 to 06:46

Dark for 3h 16m

Tue 30th Dec

Waxing Gibbous

74 % illuminated

Dark from 05:01 to 06:46

Dark for 1h 45m

Wed 31st Dec

Waxing Gibbous

84 % illuminated

Dark from 06:30 to 06:46

Dark for 0h 16m

Thu 1st Jan

Waxing Gibbous

92 % illuminated

NO DARKNESS

Fri 2nd Jan

Full Moon

97 % illuminated

NO DARKNESS

Sat 3rd Jan

Full Moon

100 % illuminated

NO DARKNESS

Sun 4th Jan

Full Moon

100 % illuminated

NO DARKNESS

Mon 5th Jan

Full Moon

97 % illuminated

Dark from 17:35 to 18:55

Dark for 1h 19m

Tue 6th Jan

Waning Gibbous

91 % illuminated

Dark from 17:36 to 20:19

Dark for 2h 42m

Sail on Balmoral

Although Balmoral is the smallest ship in Fred. Olsen's fleet, her smaller size is a huge asset when it comes to sailing off the beaten track into less visited ports. With six beautiful restaurants, seven bars and lounges, two pools, her wide open decks are perfect for stargazing at night.

On-board Astronomer

Nicole and Simon will join this cruise as your expert astronomer and stargazing guide.

Nicole and Simon are the heart and soul behind Astro Dog, an astronomy and astrophotography venture based in Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire. Together they host stargazing events, public outreach sessions, and educational workshops to share their deep passion for the cosmos.

Over the years their fascination with photographing meteors and auroras has evolved into a full-fledged project: they curate exhibitions of their night-sky imagery, run events under the dark skies of the North York Moors, and foster a welcoming, enthusiastic atmosphere for beginners and seasoned skywatchers alike.

Their friendly, hands-on style helps bridge the gap between everyday observers and the vast wonders overhead, making astronomy accessible, exciting, and community-oriented.

On-board Astronomer

Sarah Crick will join this cruise as your expert astronomer and stargazing guide.

Sarah is a passionate Astronomy Educator who delights in entertaining audiences of all ages and abilities with the treasures of the night sky. She developed a real love of astronomy during her undergraduate physics studies at Lancaster University while using their observatory for project work.

While at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, studying for her PhD, Sarah hosted weekly night sky tours and created and delivered Astronomy courses at the University and local colleges.

After her PhD, Sarah qualified as a teacher and began teaching Physics, Chemistry and Astronomy and worked for seven years perfecting the art of communicate science in a fun, relatable and understandable way.

Sarah left full time teaching in 2022 to her launch her own Education Company, Just Good Science Ltd, which has a thriving astronomy department called Mission Astro. Within her company, she creates and delivers online astronomy courses, in-person workshops and talks, hosts stargazing sessions and makes space education kits. She takes pride in providing out-of-this-world space experiences across the UK and beyond.

Departing from Southampton Cruise TerminalWhite Star Way, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3GG

Cruise organiser

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is organising this cruise

Cruise booking

Cruise darkness

Mon 22nd Dec

Tue 23rd Dec

Wed 24th Dec

Thu 25th Dec

Fri 26th Dec

Sat 27th Dec

Sun 28th Dec

Mon 29th Dec

Tue 30th Dec

Wed 31st Dec

Thu 1st Jan

Fri 2nd Jan

Sat 3rd Jan

Sun 4th Jan

Mon 5th Jan

Tue 6th Jan

Departing from Southampton Cruise Terminal
White Star Way, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3GG