Top tips for stargazing on a cruise
The night skies while you are out at sea make the perfect environment to experience the wonder of constellations.
Your cruise will give you the opportunity to see celestial sights that you will never see at home.
You will be surprised what incredible stars and planets you will be able to see with your naked eye, so follow these tips to take full advantage of the mesmerising experience.
1. Where you are on the ship matters
Move to the darkest area of the ship to start your stargazing experience. The area forward of the bridge is usually the darkest but on modern ships, these areas are often no longer available to the public Check with your ship and scout around during the day so you can find yourself a prime stargazing position.
2. When you travel makes a difference
The time of the year you cruise will determine what stars and constellations you will be able to see. The time of the month with also determine how much the moon brightens the sky. If you are planning to see the Northern Lights, book a North Atlantic, Alaskan or Scandinavian cruise after mid-August. Booking a cruise during a region’s dry season will usually mean you will have fewer clouds, giving you a better view to stargaze.
3. Research before your trip
Not all celestial events can be accurately predicted far in advance so it is worth researching before your cruise to see if something is expected to happen. You can refer to astronomy magazines and websites to find out about any upcoming notable astronomical events such as meteor showers and eclipses and which planets you might see.
4. Take advantage of apps
Believe it or not, technology has reached the point where apps can identify stars, planets and even satellites in the night’s sky just by simply pointing your device at the sky. Be sure to check that you can use the app without connecting to a mobile network so you don’t have to incur roaming rates that will cost you a fortune.
Have you ever stargazed on a cruise? Share your experience in the comments below.