A survey of 4,000 people from different countries around the globe has rated seeing the Northern Lights as the “ultimate bucket list experience”. Skyhook’s survey placed the Northern Lights ahead of Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica and African safaris.
The Gen Z respondents, born between 1997 and 2012, ranked the Northern Lights the highest of any other group, with around 60% having it at the top of their list.
One of the best ways to spot the Northern Lights is through Hurtigruten – the leader in Norwegian coastal cruise voyages. September marks the start of the official Aurora Borealis season, and the coming months will provide one of the best ever viewing opportunities as the sun heads towards solar maximum in 2024/25 – a peak in solar activity that only occurs every 11 years, resulting in an increased number of charged particles released into space.
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“While we have offered guests cruises to see the Northern Lights since 1893, this coming winter season will be one of the best ever to see this natural phenomenon due to the solar maximum,” said Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten.
“Hurtigruten really does offer one of the best possibilities in the world to see the Northern Lights as our ships travel through the large geographical hotspot for the Aurora Borealis – Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark in Northern Norway – for multiple days each sailing. Additionally, the chances of viewing the Northern Lights from a ship are significantly better compared with on land, especially with minimal light pollution onboard Hurtigruten’s ships.
“That’s why we confidently introduced our unique Northern Lights Promise 10 years ago, and in recent years have added astronomy-led itineraries, and as of this year, our very our Chief Aurora Chaser, offering guests a wide range of options to experience their bucket list wishes.”
Due to the extremely high visibility rate of the Northern Lights during its cruises, Hurtigruten pioneered the Northern Lights Promise 10 years ago. Earlier this year, the cruise liner introduced the world’s first Chief Aurora Chaser, astronomer Tom Kerss, the esteemed Northern Lights astronomer.
He is one of several astronomers partnering with Hurtigruten, and this upcoming 2024/25 winter season, Hurtigruten will offer nine astronomer-led itineraries following a strong response to the 2023/24 season’s astronomy voyages. Meanwhile, Hurtigruten offers 266 itineraries this upcoming winter season where guests can expect to see the Northern Lights.
The designated astronomer-hosted itineraries provide travellers with an onboard Northern Lights expert, offering invaluable insights into the Northern Lights phenomenon. Moreover, they elevate the guest experience by leading digital talks, webinars, and workshops, as well as organizing engaging and innovative guest-focused activities and events.
“Now we’re approaching solar maximum again, and all signs point to a superb season ahead, exceeding the performance of the last maximum in 2014,” said Hurtigruten’s Chief Aurora Chaser Tom Kerss. “There will be ample opportunities to witness dramatic, spellbinding displays of the Northern Lights as choppy space weather, churned up by the Sun, frequently arrives at Earth. With that in mind, it’s a perfect time to be planning your aurora-chasing adventure in Arctic Norway.
“Being always on the move, and with the expertise on board to give you a heads-up, the chances are you won’t just cross the Northern Lights off your bucket list, but also add several unique aurora experiences to the top of the list and cross them all off in a single voyage! Now’s your chance to experience the unmatched beauty of the Arctic sky, safe in the knowledge that with the Northern Lights Promise, you really can’t go wrong,” Kerss said.
Earlier this year, Hurtigruten also announced the extension of its Northern Lights Promise period to commence mid-September, rather than October.
Hurtigruten has long been synonymous with the best of Norway’s natural wonders, and its various initiatives underscore Hurtigruten’s unwavering commitment to providing unparalleled Northern Lights experiences. It also reaffirms Norway as the ultimate destination to witness this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon.
See hurtigruten.com.
