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

Name: In Search of the Northern Lights with Fred. Olsen and Go Stargazing
Start: 2025-02-01T12:00:00+00:00
End: 2025-02-15T12:00:00+00:00
Location: Portsmouth International Port

Saturday 1st February 2025 to Saturday 15th February 2025

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Departing from Portsmouth International Port
Wharf Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8RU

Embark on a captivating two-week journey to Northern Norway, where the ethereal Aurora Borealis may grace the night sky during cruises and stays in Tromsø and Alta. Sail past Torghatten, experience the Arctic Circle tradition, and enjoy an overnight stay in vibrant Tromsø. Alta offers husky sledding and Sámi culture. Explore the rugged Vesterålen archipelago and Bergen’s hanseatic charm. Join us for a voyage where each day brings Arctic wonder and the chance to witness nature’s celestial masterpiece.

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.

Sail away from light pollution

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 website

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.

Sat 1st Feb

Waxing Crescent

8 % illuminated

Dark from 21:00 to 06:23

Dark for 9h 23m

Sun 2nd Feb

Waxing Crescent

15 % illuminated

Dark from 22:25 to 06:22

Dark for 7h 57m

Mon 3rd Feb

Waxing Crescent

24 % illuminated

Dark from 23:52 to 06:20

Dark for 6h 28m

Tue 4th Feb

First Quarter

35 % illuminated

Dark from 01:20 to 06:19

Dark for 4h 59m

Wed 5th Feb

First Quarter

46 % illuminated

Dark from 02:47 to 06:17

Dark for 3h 30m

Thu 6th Feb

First Quarter

58 % illuminated

Dark from 04:10 to 06:16

Dark for 2h 6m

Fri 7th Feb

First Quarter

68 % illuminated

Dark from 05:22 to 06:14

Dark for 0h 52m

Sat 8th Feb

Waxing Gibbous

78 % illuminated

NO DARKNESS

Sun 9th Feb

Waxing Gibbous

86 % illuminated

NO DARKNESS

Mon 10th Feb

Waxing Gibbous

93 % illuminated

NO DARKNESS

Tue 11th Feb

Full Moon

97 % illuminated

NO DARKNESS

Wed 12th Feb

Full Moon

100 % illuminated

NO DARKNESS

Thu 13th Feb

Full Moon

100 % illuminated

NO DARKNESS

Fri 14th Feb

Full Moon

98 % illuminated

Dark from 18:31 to 19:38

Dark for 1h 6m

Sat 15th Feb

Waning Gibbous

94 % illuminated

Dark from 18:33 to 20:48

Dark for 2h 14m

Sail on Borealis

Borealis, the sister ship to Fred. Olsen's flagship Bolette, became part of their fleet in 2020. Being their fastest ship, she's ideal for longer global voyages, incorporating breathtaking scenic discoveries into each itinerary. Borealis was beautifully redecorated and refurbished to meet the Olsen family's high standards, offering an array of lounges, bars, elegant restaurants, spacious deck areas, and 702 stunning cabins and suites.

On-board Astronomer

Jo and Pete Richardson will join this cruise as your expert astronomer and stargazing guide.

Jo and Pete Richardson are a dynamic husband-and-wife team who have dedicated themselves to space and astronomy education for over a decade. They operate from their home observatory in Somerset, UK, and also manage another observatory in North Devon.

Jo is a full-time professional space outreach education specialist and a respected Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. In 2010, she founded Space Detectives, a space education business aimed at bringing the wonders of space and astronomy to people of all backgrounds and abilities. Jo's expertise lies in delivering engaging events to the public, captivating audiences with her enthusiasm, drive, and creative use of props and demonstrations to explain complex astronomical concepts. Her work as an Astronomy Advisor for Exmoor National Park Dark Skies Reserve and other national organisations further highlights her commitment to promoting astronomy.

In 2015, Jo became one of the five current UK Space Ambassadors working on behalf of the European Space Education Office, which receives direct funding from the European Space Agency. Her dedication to outreach was recognised in 2018 when she and her colleagues were awarded the prestigious International Arthur C Clarke Award for Space and Astronomy Outreach.

Pete, on the other hand, is an award-winning astrophotographer who has been recognised as a finalist for the International Astrophotographer of the Year award twice. His remarkable images are captured exclusively from the UK using the observatory he designed and built from scratch. Alongside astrophotography, Pete is a skilled telescope maker and is currently working on constructing a 20-inch Dobsonian telescope, which he plans to use for his astrophotography projects. He also provides technical expertise and supports Space Detectives in their event work.

Together, Jo and Pete offer stargazing experiences complete with informative talks and telescopes. They take pride in representing Go Stargazing and collaborating with Fred Olsen Cruises, showcasing their passion for sharing the wonders of the night sky with others.

Departing from Portsmouth International PortWharf Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8RU

Cruise organiser

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is organising this cruise

Cruise booking

Cruise darkness

Sat 1st Feb

Sun 2nd Feb

Mon 3rd Feb

Tue 4th Feb

Wed 5th Feb

Thu 6th Feb

Fri 7th Feb

Sat 8th Feb

Sun 9th Feb

Mon 10th Feb

Tue 11th Feb

Wed 12th Feb

Thu 13th Feb

Fri 14th Feb

Sat 15th Feb

Departing from Portsmouth International Port
Wharf Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8RU