PONANT unveils Northern Lights Quest itineraries for 2025

Edited by Travel Weekly

PONANT has unveiled its exclusive Northern Lights Quest itineraries for 2025, offering a unique opportunity to witness the enchanting phenomenon.

The cruise line has designed its 2025 itineraries to maximise guests’ chances of witnessing the mesmerising Northern Lights. The season and location provide the perfect conditions to observe these ethereal, dancing lights that have captured human imagination since ancient times.

Aboard PONANT’s elegant ships, guests can enjoy the Northern Lights from the comfort of open-concept common areas and private staterooms, each featuring a balcony for an unparalleled, immersive experience. During shore excursions, local guides lead the quest for the lights, with authentic experiences like sipping coffee under a traditional lavvu on the snowy tundra. As evening falls, with a bit of luck, the sky comes alive with the magic of the aurora borealis.

The Northern Lights, A Natural Phenomenon Behind Many Legends

The Northern Lights occur when particles from powerful solar storms are propelled into space. Travelling across the vast expanse of 150 million kilometres that separates the Sun from the Earth, these particles take about four days to arrive.

As they approach the planet, many are drawn toward the Earth’s magnetic poles. Upon entering the atmosphere, these particles release tremendous energy, creating vibrant colours that dance across the polar night sky. The intensity and beauty of the Northern Lights evoke profound emotions in all fortunate enough to witness this enchanting display.

Long before science offered explanations, the Northern Lights inspired rich myths and legends among the peoples of the Far North, including the Inuit in Greenland and the Sami in Scandanavia. Onboard lectures led by naturalist guides, who are experts in these regions, delve into the spiritual beliefs and cultural significance of the Northern Lights, illuminating the profound connections indigenous peoples have with this spectacular phenomenon.

“Sami people are animists, they believe in spirits; for the elders, the Northern Lights represent the tail of the red fire fox running across the sky,” PONANT Expedition Experience, Jose Sarica, said.

Northern Lights viewing.

PONANT sailings

Nordic Discoveries & Traditions

PONANT invites guests to venture beyond the Arctic Circle in pursuit of the mesmerising Northern Lights. From the majestic Lofoten Islands to the iconic North Cape, PONANT’s destination experts have carefully curated a selection of ports and activities to ensure an experience that is as diverse as it is exhilarating.

Guests can immerse themselves in the rich traditions and customs of the Sami people, embark on thrilling dog sledding or snowshoeing adventures (weather permitting), explore charming local villages adorned with picturesque wooden houses and churches, or enjoy birdwatching opportunities to spot skuas, guillemots, puffins, and many other fascinating species. One excursion per guest per port of call is included.

Disko Bay: Meeting the Inuit & Discovering the Unknown

Guests can embark on a remarkable voyage to the heart of Greenland, journeying from Reykjavik to the enchanting Disko Bay. In the pristine landscapes of the Far North, snow-covered expanses yield to the surprising topography of Greenland during this season, where the largest icebergs in the northern hemisphere rest majestically in the frozen waters of Disko Bay.

Encounters with Inuit communities provide a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in their daily lives and traditions, adding a deeply human, authentic, and unforgettable dimension to this exceptional journey.

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