Viewing Northern Lights on a P&O Northern Lights Cruise

Can I ask if people who have viewed the Northern Lights whilst on a P&O cruise have been more likely to see them when on the Northern Lights excursion, or have they been viewed well from the ship?

I am wondering if P&O turn the lights off on the top deck if the Northern Lights are visible, or is the experience hindered by light pollution from the ship's lights, or lights form the port if the ship is docked at the time.

We are on Oriana in late March and we have booked the excursion but am considering cancelling it for me although my husband will still go. I have been put off by reading about of 2 hour coach journeys each way and the coach being well heated which would be awful if in thick winter clothing. I am also wondering if there is a toilet on the coaches used, as a two hour journey would be difficult for me from that aspect, especially after a meal.

We went on Oriana in March of this year and booked the Northern Lights experience excursion and had a fantastic viewing of the Northern Lights but those that went on the second night in Alta didnt see anything due to weather conditions. On the night that we viewed the Northern Lights apparently they could be seen from the ship but if it was as good as our excursion nobody can say because you cannot be in both places at same time to compare. To my knowledge, if correct, the lights on deck of a cruise ship cannot be turned off when cruising for safety and security reasons. The time taken to travel by coach to where we went was 1hr each way but be aware that the local company use different areas depending on the weather conditions of the day to give you the best chance of seeing the lights so dont know how far other areas are from Alta. Finally the biggest effect on the lights after weather is light pollution so if you stay onboard you might not get the best effects due to light from ther ship and also the town of Alta. Finally dont forget whether you are on the ship or excursion there is never a guarantee because as we all know the Northern Lights are a natural occurence. With regards to the coach when we left the area by coach the temp was -21C so a warm coach was welcome.

Thank you majortom10 for your very detailed reply. I realised that my question could not really be answered and that there are many variables, including weather. If I was younger I would definately want to go on the excursion. I am only in my mid sixties but my body does not respond well these days if I restrict fluid intake and my temperature goes from too hot to too cold at the best of times!!

If I get a few responses it might give a better overview of what happens on the excursion vs onboard ship. Do you have to go back to the ship at a specific time, or can you go back earlier or later according to your wishes? I am assuming there will be quite a number of coaches for the excursion.

I have been on a transatlantic cruise when the lights were turned off on the top deck when an astronomer had a group up there, but he may have waited for us all to be up there before they were turned off. The sea was calm and it was not a P&O ship though - variables again.

There tends to be too much light pollution where the ship docks for a good viewing. we saw them in Tromso from Oriana in March but it was so much better when we travelled from Alta to Kautokeino where there was complete darkness. P&O did turn off all but essential lighting on the upper decks but it was still faint in comparison.

We opted for the 2200 - 2400hrs excursion but were told we could take any coach back if we wanted. Although it was very cold (-26C), it didn't feel that bad with proper clothing and because it was a dry cold.

Tromso https://plus.google.com/photos/114801993219771801790/albums/5996648015368581105/5996655271476379394?banner=pwa&pid=5996655271476379394&oid=114801993219771801790

Kautokeino https://plus.google.com/photos/114801993219771801790/albums/5996648015368581105/5996654715309557506?banner=pwa&pid=5996654715309557506&oid=114801993219771801790

Thanks for that Sharon and also for your excellent review and other things you have posted.

I have found Kautokeino on Google Earth and it seems to be a very long way from Alta (looks further than Masi, which I think is the venue for the the sami trip you did and which we are booked on). Do you know how long the coach journey took to get to Kautokeino and if there was a toilet on the coach?

I think Host Sharon did the same excursion as we did and the same times and the journey by coach was only an hour. We left Oriana in Alta at 9pm arrived at 10pm and then left at midnight and arrived back on the ship at 1am just in time for a late snack and drink of hot chocolate before buffet restaurant shut at 1-30am which surprised me because thought it stayed open all night but it didnt on that cruise.

I think Host Sharon did the same excursion as we did and the same times and the journey by coach was only an hour. We left Oriana in Alta at 9pm arrived at 10pm and then left at midnight and arrived back on the ship at 1am just in time for a late snack and drink of hot chocolate before buffet restaurant shut at 1-30am which surprised me because thought it stayed open all night but it didnt on that cruise.

We did indeed - and the journey alone was worth the trip - it was magical along the icy roads amidst snow covered mountains and forests. There wasn't a toilet on the coach but there was one when we got there, as well as a Sami Laavu to warm up round the fire and have a hot drink and the golf club house. You won't necessarily go to Kautokeino but I think that was the furthest away of all the sites. The specialist guides choose where they think there will be the best chance of seeing the borealis.

Incidentally I am the world's worst for needing a loo but I was so entranced by the lights I didn't even think about it and was fine. You won't need to drink much as it is not like a hot climate. We ate a quick dinner about 7pm in the buffet and went to change in our cabin and were fine till we returned. I think you will be more disappointed if you don't go with your husband and miss such a beautiful sight (if of course they appear).

An hour does not sound too bad so I should be able to manage that, but thanks for your reply - I needed the reassurance. We are booked out at 8pm from the ship - there is nothing between then and 9.30pm for our cruise and we booked the excursions early. We are on the late March cruise and excursions were on sale before they changed the itinerary to include the solar eclipse, but they were cancelled off and had to be rebooked after the change as the cruise number had changed.

The, 'If the lights appear', is the thing that matters of course, but I will enjoy the cruise anyway as I love snowy scenery and we will get quite a bit of daylight on that cruise as well, which will be nice.

Remember that you will have lots of layers on so if you think you will need the loo you will have to anticipate it way in advance.

We were on the same cruise as Sharon but a later trip out at night - left at 22-00 hrs back at 02-30 and minus 26 when we got off the coach. As Sharon has said it didn't feel that cold and the need to 'go' just didn't seem to materialise.

David E

It did for me and by the time I had waited in the queue and then removed layers I really, really needed to go :eek:.

Mmmmmm queues - I should have realised that would be a problem!!

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Cheers,

Barbara

Mmmmmm queues - I should have realised that would be a problem!!

 

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

 

Cheers,

 

Barbara

I think the queues were purely because of the layers - be aware you do need a lot - I was wearing two pairs of thermal leggings (M&S), jeans, waterproof overtrousers, thermal socks and snow boots, thermal long-sleeved vest, thin cotton polo neck, arctic fleece, waterproof jacket, silk gloves, waterproof mittens and a thermal hood (bargain from Aldi).

It must be heavy snow in Alta just now - it is as black as night

http://www.portalta.borealiswebcam360.com

but quite interesting to see - at least the runway is clear

David E

Another interesting web site is:

http://www.virtualtromso.no

Lots about the Northern Lights

David E

It must be heavy snow in Alta just now - it is as black as night

 

www.portalta.borealiswebcam360.com

 

but quite interesting to see - at least the runway is clear

 

David E

Fabulous sunrise this morning! The runway is always clear - I watched them when we were there - heavy blizzard, snowplough, clear runway, blizzard, snowploughs, clear runway - it was amazing when you think an inch will close UK airports.

Couldn't agree more Sharon

Having been there it is quite fasinatung to watch he webcam and the changes in weather albeit 15 mins behind actual

David E

I see that the Boudica is in port this morning

Looks a lovely day

David E

It looks beautiful, but just found this - under three and a half hours daylight :eek::eek: -not for me :rolleyes:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/norway/alta

Another good site to look at for the northern lights is:

glod-alta.no

This company were the guides for us from P & O in March this year

David E

It looks beautiful, but just found this - under three and a half hours daylight :eek::eek: -not for me :rolleyes:

 

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/norway/alta

When we were there in March the day was nearly 12hours long - I would agree 3 and a half is a bit off putting but we were OK

Alta looks quite stunning at the moment on the webcam, with a red colouration were the sun is shinning on the mountains - first time I have caught it anything other then twilight.

Thanks for the link Silver Surfer.

We eventually used Hurtigruten to see the Northern Lights in Feb/March & only saw them twice in 11 nights, both occasions on the same night, at 9.00pm & 11.45pm and when at sea near Batsfjord. As we approached the town, the light pollution was too bad to get a clear view.

Friends of ours who had only done a short cruise in Northern Norway saw the lights 5 nights out of six (December), so it's really down to luck.

We were told that the best views and certainly best for photography are usually when you are well away from the coast.

Last year there were some very nice Aurora displays seen from Scotland in August and September, so travelling to Norway doesn't always guarantee a better display, although it does increase your chances of seeing something.

The Northern Lights are well worth seeing, but you may be a bit disappointed as when seen with the human eye they aren't nearly as vivid as when captured with a digital camera. However, no camera can quite capture the magic of curtains of silvery green and red twisting and turning across the sky above you. Words cannot adequately describe the moment.

The snow seems to have had quite a shift overnight as the airport runway is totally clear this morning.

Alta is the only port that the ships captain needs permission from air traffic control to dock because of the close proximity of the port to the airport.

David E