North Sea Escapade | Imagine Cruising (2024)

FAQs

How rough is the North Sea on a cruise ship? ›

Sailing through the North Sea is often accompanied by rough waters and thick fogs, as it is susceptive to high winds and waves. If you're cruising to North Europe (i.e., Norway), the British Isles, or even Iceland, you'll likely have to voyage through the North Sea.

P&O Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation, also offers Northern Lights cruises that travel along the Norwegian coast and, like many of Norwegian-focused northern lights itineraries, forays “deep in the fjords and to the fringes of the Arctic Cricle in search of the aurora borealis.”

The UK-based cruise and stay specialist Imagine, which is 51% owned by dnata – part of the Emirates Group – began trading out of Brisbane, Australia, in 2016. It was founded in 2011 by chief executive Robin Deller and has offices in Cape Town and Dubai.

Summer months tend to have calmer seas. The west coast of France and north coast of Spain (Bay of Biscay), and the North Sea can be rough during winter months (November through March). River cruises usually operate from spring through fall, with special Christmas cruises added for the holiday.

The Norwegian cruise ship MS Maud suffered a power outage after a rogue wave shattered windows on the bridge while it sailed in the North Sea, causing the vessel to lose its ability to navigate, Danish authorities and the ship's owner said on Thursday.

Catching a glimpse of the northern lights means being in the right place at the right time. Trust us cruise dates matter! For those cruising to Alaska, you can experience cruises in April, August, and September. Here's a pro tip: opt for August or April cruises for the best chance of catching the northern lights.

Sway from the waves could result in the aurora looking out of focus or blurry. Tom therefore recommends bringing a compact tripod: “When shooting from a moving ship, your exposure times will be limited, but a tripod will still be useful for minimizing vibrations.”

Although not guaranteed, sightings of the lights during this cruise are common. The isolation of the country makes it ideal for light displays. Although September can be cloudy, you'll probably get some lovely clear nights in which to witness the bright lights dancing across the sky.

Northern Norway, in particular, is prime aurora-spotting territory. Journey to this secluded slither of land north of the Arctic Circle to look for the lights dancing in the skies above.

What is the best cruise line for Alaska cruise tours? ›

Holland America Line (HAL) — which recently snapped up a 2023 World's Best Award in the large-ship ocean cruise line category — has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years. HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line.

The aurora borealis can be seen when the sky is clear and dark. Peak time is between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Statistically, springtime (March/April) and autumn (September/October) has the highest level of aurora activity. However, you will see it in November, December, January and February as well.

About Virgin Voyages

Set Sail the Virgin Way with Virgin Voyages, the irresistible travel brand founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering epic vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021.

Imagine Cruising Limited is a member of the Emirates Group. The Emirates Group includes a number of related businesses, including: Emirates, whose principal office is at Emirates Group Headquarters, PO Box 686, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

MSC Cruises is privately owned by the Aponte family, making it one of the world's largest privately owned cruise lines. Although the company is technically owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, everything has remained family-owned and run since the very start.

The North Sea is one of the most dangerous seas in the world. It has wild storms and foggy winters. Because the sea is mostly shallow, the currents are strong and often pull in different directions. Even though the North Sea can be dangerous, it is important to trade.

North or northwest, 4 to 6, occasionally 7 until later. Moderate or rough. Rain, showers. Good occasionally poor.

Is the sea rough in the Norwegian fjords? This is one of the most common questions for anyone planning a boat trip or cruise in the fjords. The short answer is not usually, but rough seas are certainly possible.