Hurtigruten to continue its 'Northern...

News comes as Northern Lights scores top ranking in Skyhook's traveller bucket list again

The Northern Lights has topped travellers’ bucket lists once again, beating out Machu Pichu, the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica and African safaris.

According to a survey conducted by travel company Skyhook, in which 4,000 people from different countries around the world were asked to nominate their ultimate bucket list experiences, the Northern Lights came out at number one.

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.

The news comes as Hurtigruten prepares for another busy season at sea, its 10th year of offering cruisers its 'Northern Lights Promise'.

Hurtigruten CEO Hedda Felin said: "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."

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.

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.

Felin added: "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.

“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.”

Felin noted that the chances of viewing the Northern Lights from a ship are significantly better compared with on land, especially with minimal light pollution onboard.

Hurtigruten is currently offering 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.

For more information, visit www.hurtigruten.com. For travel trade enquires, visit www.connectingtravel.com/cruise-hub/hurtigruten, or contact Carla Hines, Head of Sales EMEA on +44 (0) 7826 912 426 or carla.hines@hurtigruten.com

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