See the Northern Lights with Fred. Olsen Cruises and Go Stargazing
Saturday 7th December 2024 to Saturday 21st December 2024
Departing from Portsmouth International Port
Wharf Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8RU
Embark on an unforgettable two-week odyssey to the enchanting landscapes of Northern Norway, where every moment is an opportunity for discovery. This cruise is a symphony of experiences, designed to immerse you in the wonders of the Arctic realm.
This cruise is more than a journey; it’s an exploration of the Arctic’s heart and soul. Join us as we navigate these storied waters, where the Northern Lights grace the sky and the Arctic’s beauty unfolds before you. Let this voyage be a chapter in your own Arctic tale, a tapestry of memories that will forever warm your heart.
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!
- 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 the skies darken until it sets in the West around midnight. Binoculars may allow viewing some of the planet’s Moons and famous ring system.
- Jupiter will shine bright and can be observed as soon as darkness falls. See the Moons of Jupiter using binoculars and watch how they change position in relation to the giant planet during the cruise.
- Mars will be visible towards the East from mid-evening, its bright colour making it unmistakable. The planet’s proximity to the Beehive open star cluster should look resplendent in binoculars.
- There are lots to see in the winter skies, including the constellations of Cygnus, Pegasus, Cassiopeia, Perseus and Taurus, all well placed.
- Later in the night, the recognisable constellation of Orion will rise from the East, its famous nebulae being easily visible to the naked eye and even better through 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 and show your friends!
- Shooting stars or meteors are always a possibility if the sky is clear! The Geminids meteor shower, arguably the best of the year, peaks on the night of 13th December, although views may be spoiled a little by a bright, full Moon.
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.
Sat 7th Dec
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