We chose this trip because we wanted to travel on a smaller working ship and experience first hand what daily life is like for the people living along the northern coasts of Norway. As our tour leader said very correctly: "this is not a cruise but a sea voyage, the entertainment is outside". And he was right: the magnificent, awe inspiring landscapes, the small quaint towns and villages huddled on ...
BEWARE!!!!
My Wife and I went on the Vesteralen I'm not sure if spelling correct but it doesn't matter
it was the worst holiday we have had in our lives and couldn't wait to get of the boat
The officers on board were rude and not customer focused
The accommodation was two bunk beds in a room that could hardly fit two people in it
I had to sleep on the floor as the top bunk made me ...
My woman and I had an excellent cruise in summer 2017 with MS Midnatsol to Norway's fjords, so we wanted to make another cruise to see the northern lights in Norway. It was sometimes adventurous and challenging, because the weather was more stormy than in many years before. So the agenda of some days had again to be scheduled.
My compliments to our tourist guide and the hotel manager who ...
The staff were very friendly and helpful. Oddgard at the reception desk was especially helpful. Every time we had a question, he found an answer. We wanted to rent bikes in a town, but he suggested we rent the ship bikes. Having only a limited time ashore, renting aboard allowed us to maximize our time. He helped us extend our trip aboard the ship. When it was time for us to disembark, he had ...
Hurtigruten could be an interestingly different offer to typical cruise ships as they also provide ferry services along the Norwegian coast and you get to see some areas typical cruise ships would not visit. The itinerary is driven by the deliveries made at 34 ports during day and night - unfortunately that does not always cater well for cruising passengers. Some stops are much too short to ...
My main purpose for the cruise was to view the Northern Lights.
Unfortunately, due to the prevailing weather conditions, I was somewhat disappointed - less than what I was expecting.
However, the amicability and interaction between crew and travellers, and between travellers more than compensated for this.
An unanticipated side benefit was being able to connect with fellow passengers as ...
I chose this cruise in order to explore the Norwegian coast, its islands, its scenery, its ports and its people. As a boating enthusiast I was also interested in the navigation of this `inside passage`, and the essential functions of this ship in linking many remote communities, transporting people and freight between them.
I was not disappointed on any of these counts. The journey was ...
Great range of excursions. Concert in Arctic Cathedral in Tromso a special experience. The chance to see the sea eagles up close not to be missed. Food was excellent quality, variety, fresh and typical of the regions we were sailing through. Staff always helful. Take warm gear as it rained or was windy even though technically summer. Arctic gets 4 days of summer and we missed them. The sunny days ...
We are not interested in cruises with big luxury ships and thousands of people, also we do not want to have lots of days on the sea without landings. So we were looking forward to sort of an adventurous trip in an exotic world we did not know so far. We were not disappointed at all. Starting in the very north having deep temperatures and lots of snow and ice we wouldn't feel too cold, enjoyed the ...
A trip primarily to see the Northern Lights but thwarted by weather. Had some rock and rolling due to strong seas,[take seasick pills if you do go]
No entertainment on board. Three sittings for dinner and if the last (as we were) experienced 2 delayed sitting out of 4. Best evening meal was the buffet dinner on arrival.
In winter, Norway is very monochrome - the island etc are rock covered ...