We bordered at Kirkenes and embarked at Bergen. Before driving on board the luggage was taken off the car and brought to the cabin by ship staff. It is not possible to go to the car after it has been left on the small car deck, approx 20 cars are accommodated. The cabins are small but sufficient. However, there is no minibar but the bars on board are very helpful and offer ice cubes. Wine and spirits are very expensive on board. Restaurants and other places on board are very nice. Staff is over all helpful and pleasant. At booking we were informed that the price included gratuities but in fact the staff expect tipping. Envelopes marked "tips" are available at several places and at the end of the trip several envelopes were discreetly passed to "favourites". Excursions are very well organized and if the weather is fine, good opportunities for sceneries. The guides speak excellent languages at least English,German and French and are in general very professional. The Norwegian coastline is very beautiful, probably the nicest in the world.The ship stops at 33 ports, very often for 15 minutes only. In other ports a little longer and it is possible to take a short walk.Hurtigruten is basically a passenger ferry and approx. 50% of the passengers are on board between a few ports only. Our journey took place at the end of July and in the middle of the summer. But the weather was unreliable, sometimes nice with warm sunbathing at sundeck but most of the time foggy and rainy. Finally, trip can be recommended.