My Cruise to see the Northern lights.
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23404)
United Kingdom
June 10, 2022 7:59am CST
The last time l was here l was about to take a cruise from Southampton up to Norway & into the arctic circle.
We had a wonderful cruise all in all but the Northern lights were not playing fair with us this time. Although l did get to see them & it was more by chance than by good planning but at least l saw them albeit not quite what l had hoped for.
The previous night to me seeing them, the onboard expert predicted that tonight was the night they would be spectacular.
From 9 PM onwards armed with our cameras & go pro ready for the action we sat in chairs wrapped in four layers of clothes & wrapped in blankets. It was a pleasant but cold evening with lots of chatting & laughter but did the lights make an appearance? Did they heck!
We sat on the freezing deck drinking hot chocolate chatting & shivering. The time was pushed back to 11PM then Midnight then 1 AM after which time we were told it would be 5AM. I declared that it was time for bed & off we went. Some stayed the course of the night with no luck.
The following night we happened to go on the top deck for some fresh air. While we were there l said l am going around the corner just in case they are there & low & behold they appeared. Fortunately l had my phone with me a took a few photos. Although not brilliant by any means it was enough to satisfy me & at least l can now say l have at least seen them.
The Captain made an announcement & turned off the outside lights by time people appeared in their outside coats up on deck it was fading. As quick as it came it faded faster!
13 people like this
12 responses
@changjiangzhibin89 (16762)
• China
10 Jun 22
Glad to see you ! Lucky ,you saw the Northern lights ! Better than nothing.
3 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16762)
• China
11 Jun 22
@garymarsh6 Thank you ! I am fine !
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Jun 22
Yes my thoughts too. How are you? I hope you are keeping well?
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Jun 22
I was so lucky to visit St. Petersburg which is a beautiful city. I liked it very much although l guess that is out of the question for the foreseeable future which is such a shame as it will be the locals who are suffering too. This war is so wicked Anna & l hope you get the chance to go one day!
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471421)
• Switzerland
10 Jun 22
@garymarsh6 I am so sad and frightened by this war that makes no sense at all.
If only the politicians would sit and discuss instead of blowing on the fire.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun 22
It was lovely. The food was good, entertainment ok the weather variable but quite nice & the other passengers were really nice & interesting.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun 22
@rebelann We love it. Nothing to think about just do what you want when you want. The choice is yours the bonus too is seeing other countries & ports.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
11 Jun 22
At least your got to see them. It's this one of the pics from your camera. I don't think the color comes through here in Michigan but the sky is lit up.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun 22
It was on my phone which l had in my pocket. I would like to see them in Canada I bet they are spectacular!
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
12 Jun 22
@garymarsh6 possibly, I don't know. We could ask some of our Canadian friends here is they've ever seen them and what did they look like.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun 22
This would be so frustrating. We got up really early for quite a long car ride and then a walk to get to a point where we could see the sun rise on the Himilayas but there was so much cloud we saw nary a mountain. When Vince had been some years previously the sight was spectacular but not that year - at least, not on that day. I'm glad you got something for your efforts.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun 22
The previous week on another cruise the photos were amazing. I guess it is the luck of the draw. It is frustrating when nature does not oblige with the sunrise!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun 22
@garymarsh6 It's like going out to whale-watch. Either you see them or you don't! 
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun 22
It was a fluke that l saw them. Had l already been tucked up in bed l am not sure l would appreciate dragging myself up there to see it. So it satisfied me more than enough. I prefer the cool to the heat but when we went to the top of a mountain it was freeeeeeeeezing! But only on exposed skin. Otherwise cosy & warm as toast underneath all your layers of clothing. Brr. Lots of people fell in the snow on land though. It was impacted icy snow rather than freshly laid. I am amazed l did not fall but l had clampons on my boots which helped immensely.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
11 Jun 22
@garymarsh6 Glad you were all safe with the icy snow. Such special memories made for all.
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58472)
• Germany
10 Jun 22
It is nice to enjoy your day in a cruise. I`m sure you are enjoying it good with some friends 
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun 22
Yes generally you meet a lot of interesting people.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (82789)
• United States
10 Jun 22
That was a stroke of good luck you saw the Northern Lights on the second night after freezing your butt off waiting the first night. What a wonderful experience for you and something you can cross off your bucket list.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun 22
Thank you. I know they can be better but I was grateful just seeing this. It wasn't the best but they got a bit brighter for about 10 minutes then disappeared completely. Better than nothing at all.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun 22
The luck was with me thank heavens l just took a peep & shouted to others on the top deck over here. There were a lot of smiles l can say!
1 person likes this
