The Northern Lights

colmil

I have always wanted to see them(or at least to try!) but my partner says it will be far too cold for her. I, too, do not like the cold, but I am willing to try.

Can anyone let me know how they found things(I'm thinking of cruising there), do the cruise ships provide any special clothing etc.? I am thinking of Hurtigruten, but I have heard that their drinks prices etc are astronomical, I appreciate that this is Scandinavia, but there are limits!

Any comments very welcome,
Thanks very much.

Bob_the_Saver

colmil wrote: »

I have always wanted to see them(or at least to try!) but my partner says it will be far too cold for her. I, too, do not like the cold, but I am willing to try.
Any comments very welcome,
Thanks very much.

Yes Blackpool can be very cold.

daveyjp

Try Iceland, it doesn't get as cold as mainland Scandanavia.

Hurtigruten is more of a ferry than a cruise. If you want a little more luxury, with cheaper drinks, some cruise companies do Northern Lights trips ex UK.

poe.tuesday

go to lapland, go in jan or feb and out of the school holidays - go as far north as possible and look at companies like inghams and go for a week - there are no assurances that you will see them - I have been 5 times (5 single weeks) and only seen them on one night and trust me, I was looking

yes it will be cold but if you are prepared you will be fine, no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing

Shimrod

daveyjp wrote: »

Try Iceland, it doesn't get as cold as mainland Scandanavia.

+ 1 for Iceland. If you don't mind basic, pick a hotel like this where you can see the Northern lights from the room window.
http://www.hotellaxnes.is/northern-lights/

Miró

colmil wrote: »

I have always wanted to see them(or at least to try!) but my partner says it will be far too cold for her. I, too, do not like the cold, but I am willing to try.

Can anyone let me know how they found things(I'm thinking of cruising there), do the cruise ships provide any special clothing etc.? I am thinking of Hurtigruten, but I have heard that their drinks prices etc are astronomical, I appreciate that this is Scandinavia, but there are limits!

Any comments very welcome,
Thanks very much.

daveyjp wrote: »

Hurtigruten is more of a ferry than a cruise. If you want a little more luxury, with cheaper drinks, some cruise companies do Northern Lights trips ex UK.

We went with Hurtigruten in February this year, (Bergen to Tromso on the Nordkapp), and can heartily recommend them. Yes, technically they are ferries but they are quite luxurious notheless! Cabins are small but have everything you need and you dont spend much time in them. The public areas are very comfortable and spacious. Food is good and plentiful. Drinks and coffees are expensive so we took a travel kettle and some duty-free alcohol on board. You get regular 'shout-outs' over the loudspeaker system if the lights are spotted. You can view them from your cabin if you have a window or from the viewing lounge....but nothing beats going out on deck....! We saw one spectacular display one night and a couple of other smaller ones. We also did a 'Chase the Lights' tour by minibus from Tromso where, again, we saw a spectacular display. Yes, it is cold but if you have the right clothing, (take your own), thermals, down jackets, lots of layers etc it really isn't a problem. We got the impression that Hurtigruten caters for the rather more serious 'Lights Hunters'. Have a look on Trip Advisor for more info....:)

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g190455-d1674388-r162595492-Northern_Lights-Norway.html#REVIEWS

cubegame

Iceland is good and we saw the lights in April.

However, you have to put the hours in (we sat for around 10 hours in total in a cold car with outside temperatures of -5 to -15) and you might not see them.

Also be aware they look better in photos than real life.