What is noctourism?
A night market in Taiwan
Put simply, ‘noctourism’ refers to travelling specially to seek out immersive experiences that can only be had after dark.The term came into vogue at the tail end of 2024, when it began gaining traction among travel industry insiders who noted that nighttime adventures were on the rise. For example, a 2024 Booking.com survey found that 62 per cent of respondents across 33 countries were considering visiting dark sky destinations. Examples: chasing the Northern Lights in Norway; stargazing in Patagonia; exploring night markets in Taiwan; after-dark museum tours in Barcelona; wildlife safaris by night in Tanzania; experiencing bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico; or seeing fireflies in Florida.
What does this mean for cruise lines?
Typically, ocean ships cruise away from port by early evening | Credit: Shutterstock
Typically, ocean cruises involve exploring a port by day and setting sail by early evening to reach your next destination by the following morning. That means nights spent enjoying your ship’s restaurants and entertainment rather than experiencing the places you’ve travelled so far to see.However, cruise lines have noticed that travellers increasingly want to experience destinations after dark and are designing itineraries that put noctourism front and centre.Overnight stays and late-night departures give guests the chance to see the world in a different light, while on board, an emphasis on stargazing turns nights of sailing into some of the most memorable experiences of a voyage.
Seabourn’s approach to noctourism
A Baining fire dance in Papua New Guinea | Credit: Seabourn
The ultra-luxury and expedition line Seabourn has been at the cutting-edge of the noctourism trend thanks to its longstanding ethos of discovery.Mark Tamis, president of Seabourn, explained, “The night has always held a special allure, and our after-dark experiences invite guests to see the world in ways that are both rare and unforgettable. From stargazing in the most remote corners of the globe to exclusive evenings at world treasures like Ephesus, these are the kinds of moments our guests remember most and remind them why travel is so powerful.”Five standout after-dark experiences with Seabourn include…An Evening at Ephesus: In the illuminated ruins of an ancient Odeon theatre, guests sip wine under the stars and watch as one of the world’s great archaeological treasures becomes the venue of a private classical concert.Baining Fire Dance: On select expeditions to the South Pacific, guests can witness a sacred fire dance performed in the shadow of the Baining Mountains of Papua New Guinea.Stargazing in the Kimberley: Minimal light pollution in this remote region of Australia makes stargazing by ship a truly otherworldly experience, particularly when guided by expedition leaders with expert insights into constellations and celestial navigation.Nighttime snorkelling: On sailings that feature Kona, Hawai’i, guests can visit Manta Ray Village for a breathtaking nocturnal encounter with these majestic creatures.Hong Kong by night: Guests can embark on a nighttime tram ride through Hong Kong, taking in sweeping views of the illuminated city and harbour.
Three other cruise lines embracing noctourism
Seabourn may be leading the charge, but it isn’t alone. Here are three other cruise lines giving passengers opportunities for immersive after-dark experiences.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Go Stargazing hosts laser-guided tours of constellations | Credit: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
If you’re looking to experience noctourism at a fraction of the price of ultra-luxury lines, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a top choice. A significant number of its itineraries feature overnight stays in port, including Christmas market cruises that let you experience the festive lights of cities like Tallinn in all their glory.Many sailings also feature astronomers from Go Stargazing, who host on-deck sessions with laser-guided tours of constellations and tales of nautical folklore.
Quark Expeditions
Camping overnight in Greenland | Credit: Quark Expeditions
This expedition cruise line is dedicated exclusively to exploring the polar regions and has been taking intrepid travellers to remote destinations like Svalbard for decades.A major point of pride for the line is its emphasis on giving guests more time off ship to experience the extraordinary destinations to which they’ve sailed. That includes immersive overnight camping experiences in places like Antarctica and Greenland; in the latter, you can sleep beneath the Northern Lights.
Azamara Cruises
Overnights reveal cities like Palma in new lights | Credit: Shutterstock
Azamara Cruises has long been dedicated to delivering destination-focused sailings, with a large number of late nights and overnights in port. That includes double overnights, giving guests two consecutive evenings to immerse themselves in a destination.It also offers AzAmazing Evenings, which are complimentary, after-dark events that showcase local music, art and culinary traditions in remarkable settings. That could mean a performance of Kagura in Hiroshima, a brass band in an Art Deco theatre in Napier, or a night of flamenco in Seville.
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