Always been interested in seeing the Norwegian coast, especially in the north. We had both very positive and some negative experiences. The first excursion to North Cape was a disappointment. Slogging along on a long bus ride with a guide who was not engaged or interesting. We received very little information about organizing our time at the Cape and Museum. Consequently, when we did find out ...
We did enjoy our cruise, but we only had a slight glimmer of the Northern Lights on one evening & the cruise had to be curtailed because of exceptionally stormy weather, and a technical issue with the ship. Norway had floods, roads blocked by snow and truly difficult conditions to contend with. We were also unable to dock at some ports, because of the weather. The excursion to the North Cape had ...
The first thing to be noted is that a classic Hurtigruten voyage is not a cruise. The Hurtigruten concept is based on a combination of transporting freight as well as passengers along the Norwegian coast. During the full voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back 34 ports are entered, some of them even twice. In most of the ports the ship only stops 15-30 minutes to load and unload freight and ...
We hoped to see the Aurora and experience the stunning arctic scenery. We chose the 7-day Northbound cruise with flights back to the UK from Kirkenes.
The prices for the excursions were very high, nevertheless we chose the dog-sledding as an experience of a lifetime. It lived up to expectations. The 'Cathedral tour' at one town though, was priced at over £100pp - we decided to walk the half ...
I was in Norway to see the Northern lights and after 4 days in Svalbard I flew to Tromso for 3 nights and then was on the Trollfjord overnight to Honningsvag. I was sleeping in the lounge as it was only a short journey and the main reason for my visit was to see the Northern lights. We set off from Tromso and after sometime became embroiled in a storm with high winds and snow. I had settled myself ...
Cruised Norwegian fjords for my wife's 60th birthday.
Everything was most enjoyable except for the cabin quality. We booked together with another couple for a cabin, with porthole/outside view, but may be restricted.We all paid the same price. Hurtigruten would not provide cabin location/quality until we boarded.
Our cabin must have been the worst possible cabin, whilst our friends had a ...
We wished to see the Norweigan coast. Even though the price was high, it is a ferry. People without sleeping accommodations sleeping all over seating areas. Food quite diverse but very good. The buffet breakfast and lunch are like fish feeding frenzies . Ran out of popular items. Other than for two servers the meal service was horrible. Very short staffed. Also bad timing for one of the lunches, ...
Cabin/ship
I was very disappointed with the standard of this ship. I appreciate it is the oldest in the fleet but it look tired and our cabin was cramped and basic, especially the shower.
Having previously sailed on the Midnastol there is no comparison with the Lofoten but the price was the same without the facilities.
The public rooms appear tired and with a full ship there is very ...
Service in restaurant: Could be poor. Twice I sat down by a window. The table was empty. I cleared the crumbs as there was no one around. Great views of the scenery and that is why I came on the cruise. I got told off b two waiters that the table was not accessible because had not been cleared. This was not service to me. Cooked food did not look appetizing to me, not hot. I ...
Chose Cruise as norther lights guaranteed viewing at this time of year. Whispy clouds was our view of the lights, a lot of 100% cloud cover nights, obviously nature and not fault of Hurtigruten.
The ship it self is outdated and going in for a make over, it needs it. But the public areas were clean and plenty of seating.
THe coastline of Norway is spectacular at this time of year and ...