Finnmarken Dining
Cruise passengers enjoy all of their meals in the dining room, elegantly decorated in Art Nouveau style with indigo and pewter tones. Breakfast runs from 7 - 10 a.m., and lunch is from noon - 2:30 p.m. Both are served buffet style and are open seating. When passengers embark for the first time, they can choose from two different dinner seatings -- either 6:30 or 8:15 p.m.
The ship offers alternatives, too. On the same Deck 4, the Morestuen Bistro offers a selection of sandwiches, snacks and hot meals all day and evening for an additional fee. Many of the ferry passengers take meals here; for cruise travelers, it's a nice option if you either miss a meal or want a snack. During summer months, Babette's Cafe on Deck 7 is opens for snacks, ice cream and light fare.
There is no room service. If your shore excursion runs through lunch, lunch will be served before or after the excursion.
Editor's Note: Request a window table off the stern of the ship for the best views, or arrive early at breakfast and lunch to snag one.
The cuisine is traditional Norwegian fare, and you'll find plenty of fish, lamb, pork and potatoes; a lot of dairy in the form of cream soups, sauces and desserts; and perhaps some rather exotic meats (for a Western palette at least) such as venison, elk, ox or even reindeer.
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, and even picky eaters will find something to eat at the buffets.
On the other hand, dinner options are much more limited. There's just one set three-course menu, which you will find posted at the entrance to the dining room each morning. In general, the wait staff is very accommodating about making substitutions if you let them know during breakfast or lunch that you'd rather have something else. They will usually offer a chicken, fish or vegetarian entree alternative to choose from, or fruit for dessert. Some of the meals -- and the lack of choice at dinner -- were a bit disappointing, and this is an area that could be improved.
If you like to drink bottled water or wine with your meals, consider purchasing the water or wine plan at the beginning of your cruise. The water plan includes unlimited bottled (still or sparkling) water at all meals for 150 NOK. The wine plan costs a rather steep 3,180 NOK on the northbound cruise and includes one bottle of specially selected wine for each dinner, as well as unlimited bottled water for a savings of about 12 percent.
