We got a Valentines offer on the website for the 2nd person to go for £199 and ended up with a room on floor 3 with 2 portholes and twin beds. The cabin was cosy and a bit noisy at night when the ship stopped, but with earplugs in we got used to this quickly and it kind of added to the experience. We were very lucky with weather and it was sunny and warm with calm seas almost the entire time. The food was excellent with the best buffet I’ve ever seen each breakfast and lunch, and at night a posh gourmet meal made by the chef. The dinner was made of local produce and had stories about where it was from and the suppliers, and one night there was fully vegetarian (which anyone could request a meat version). The boat had one long stop per day, and we decided not to do any paid excursions, but we’re really happy to find you could get off for up to 6 hours each day and hike up a mountain to see an incredible view and explore small towns. We hopped of at even the shortest stops and it was cool to see what they all had to offer. Tromsø and Trondheim were particular favourites. The views from the boat were spectacular and big points of interest along the way we’re announced on loudspeaker or there was an activity/talk with the expedition team out on the deck so you could take it in. We loved standing out the front and watching the boat wind through narrow bits especially at night when it didn’t seem like the sun went down fully. We even got taken to the mouth of the Trollfjord one evening, which was expertly manoeuvred so we could take in this famous landscape. There were lots of comfy places to sit indoors to watch it all go by too, although the swivel chairs right at the front were hotly contested. Sometimes the best view was in the jacuzzi at the back. Even when it was absolutely freezing and the coldest, the jacuzzi was shielded enough to take in the views while bubbling away. You could even sit above the tub and it was refreshing. Before the journey I was worried that not opting for the excursions would mean our experience wouldn’t be so great, and that our cabin would be tiny and confining. However I absolutely loved every minute and was sad to get off! Word to the wise - don’t bother rushing on at Bergen early. Your cabin is already decided and upgrading you can ask about on the ship for a price. You might as well check in around 6pm and enjoy Bergen a little longer. Read Less

We have done a lot of cruises. We were aware that the Nordkapp is a working vessel and that it was going to be a lot less comfortable than a lot of other ships that is why we booked a attic superior cabin. When we arrived at the check in we had been downgraded to a polar outside. Because I am claustrophobic I jumped up and down to at least get a window. The cabin was the size of a railway compartment and the beds had to be folded into the walls so that we could get around the cabin during the day. Not good on a 12 days journey. The food was very ordinary. No choice for dinner. Only one option or vegetarian. Caters very much for European taste. Dried fish pickled vegetables etc. was sick twice in 12 days. The stops on the itinerary looked interesting but a lot o stops were only for 15 to 20 mins so could not get off. You have to pay for Tea and coffee other than meal times also for water and it is about $7 Aussie for each. The tours for a couple of hours range from $250 to $400 each and over for longer duration. We felt very ripped off and would suggest you look long and hard into this shipping line before choosing them. We did see the Northern Lights briefly and that is a plus. Also the scenery is magnificent and we did encounter VERY rough seas good luck fellow adventurer. Bev from Australia Read Less

I choose this cruise as it was apart of a bigger tour that I was on, the boat itself is pretty much as I expected from what I read and all the information I had received prior. I am not actually a cruise person I do not enjoy the big boats as I feel you never have enough time on land to experience the country you are in. This cruise however was more for the scenery hence why I decided to give it a go. I went in the winter which means it is dark a lot of the time, I still really enjoyed the scenery and after the sun went down it was nice to sit in your room with all the lights of and enjoy the views. I booked a Artic superior room and for the difference in money between the rooms with out and window I would say it was the best thing I have done! It’s well worth the extra money and the window was bigger than what I expected and level 6 was a perfect spot. If you are on level 5 then people are able to see in your room while walking around the balcony so if you would like more privacy I would try requesting level 6. The food is amazing I am actually a vegan and they had plenty of food options for myself and if you eat everything you will be in heaven! The wait staff and general staff on the ship all seemed very nice and polite. I would 100% recommend a cruise ship with an expedition team, they made my trip 10x better then what it would have been with out them. You do have some down time on the ship with not much to do I would advise bringing a book or some card games or something that you enjoy doing to relax. If your ship has a spa GET IN IT when it’s snowing or just in down time it was the BEST. I pre booked some tours as I thought that would be cheaper all so to guarantee spots on the tour but booking on the ship the prices where much the same if not $10 AUD cheaper which you would loose with the exchange rate anyway. We seen the northern lights! Not as much as I expected but I only went North bound and the ship where very informative of when they where out HOWEVER... if you want to guarantee your time of not missing out I would seriously advise having your room temperature set a little cooler and sleeping in most of your clothing meaning all layers you need on except for your outer layers eg. big water proof jacket, pants and shoes! You waste to much time getting dressed and undressed and you miss them possibly so just sleep in everything without the blanket! There is NO entertainment on this ship which was completely fine for me as I’m not into all that but if you cruise a lot this cruise is different and a working ship, I don’t know how many times I was told/read this before getting on the ship and STILL I heard people complaining! This is not a bad thing the cruise was still AMAZING but please don’t expect and circus show or cabaret with 10 martini’s and never actually learning anything about the country you are visiting! The Expedition team did have a few things on each day inregards to information and learning about Norway I would recommend going to all of there sessions because they are fun and happy people with some great stories. Read Less

My mom and I very much enjoyed our Norwegian Coastal Voyage on Hurtigruten's MS Nordkapp during the winter months. The experience was relaxing and scenic - given the winter weather - the food was very good, and the staff was friendly. In writing this review, I'm mindful of shaping expectations for anyone interested in Hurtigruten's Norway Coastal Voyages, since I had a hard time finding the kind of reviews I was looking for. In the end, I would recommend it, and would even consider it again, but with some alterations, which I'll mention at the end. (Another disclaimer: this is only the second cruise I've taken. My first was in 1995 on Premier Cruise Lines Big Red Boat. I hated it. The ship wasn't all that nice, and I was bored. The food was amazing however.) We sailed from Bergen, which is a lovely if very rainy city. I would highly recomment a day exploring the Hanseatic Bryggen and the medieval fortress. You cannot board the ship until 4pm anyway, so you have plenty of time. You might also consider the fish market and a ride up the Floibannen (funicular). Unless you are travelling solo, you might be better off taking a taxi to the ship. Bergen is quite small, and you should be able to get a taxi for no more than 200 NOK, maybe less. The Hurtigruten shuttle, if not included in a hotel package, will cost 100 NOK per person, and you'll have to make multiple stops before reaching the terminal. Embarkation was quite easy. You check in your luggage and set up your cruise card with your personal credit card, then head upstairs and board at 4pm. There is a waiting area if you arrive before that time. Hurtigruten says you cannot access the cabins until 6:00pm, but I believe they made an announcement that they were available by 5:15pm or so. Most standard cabins are quite small. Remember: ferry line, not cruise line. They have two twin beds quite close to each other. The beds can be folded up against the wall during the day to provide seating. Superior cabins may have a double bed and a chair, and the mini-suites, which are twice as big as the other cabins, have a double bed plus a convertible sofa. Still, the rooms seem comfortable and functional. Hurtigruten is not a cruise line. It is a ferry line with a robust tourism business. That's an important distinction, because it shapes out Hurtigruten operates these voyages. While many cruise ships are often compared to floating resorts, Hurtigruten's ships are more like floating hotels, so they will lack the amenities and services found on larger cruise ships. Ferries with cruise ship-like amenities are pretty common in Northern Europe, but many people from other parts of the world may not be familiar with this kind of operation. For Hurtigruten, this means that the ships make many stops all along the Norwegian coast between Bergen in the southwest and Kirkenes in the northeast. While most of the passengers are tourists, many are Norwegians travelling from town to town, sometimes with cars and cargo. Some ports-of-call are only 15 minutes, but even the longest ones are only 3-4 hours rather than a full day. On the longer stops, you can choose from available excurisions, or simply walk about on your own (or sometimes visit a sister ship if it's in port with yours). We took several excursions, but on some stops of one hour we just took the chance to step off the ship and walk about the small towns. The Nordkapp is one of Hurtigruten's smaller ships, but most of the 11 ships that make the daily voyage up the coast are basically the same, differing only in size and a couple of amenities. For example, the Nordkapp takes max 590 passengers, while the MS Finnmarken can take 919. The Nordkapp has two jacuzzis, while the Finnmarken has a small pool (not so fun in the arctic winter). Only some ships have tailored activities for children. But generally, the common areas are more or less the same. The Nordkapp was renovated in 2016, and I found it to be quite nice and comfortable. The Nordkapp had a large lounge on the top deck in the forward part of the ship where passengers could sit and watch the scenery or read or chat in small groups. In the evening the bar opened and there was a lounge singer (not sure if every voyage has lounge entertainment). Also on the top deck midship was a cafe, designed in a "Norwegian coastal traditional style" that I really liked. We actually spent most time sitting here, since there was more light and the cafe sold coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and yummy ice cream (I did not try the dried fish ice cream, but the brunost - Norwegian brown cheese - ice cream was delish.) The restaurants are all on the 4th deck. The main dining restaurant was aft. Breakfast and lunch were buffet with a wide variety of foods, both hot and cold, while most dinners were a 3-course set menu. Hurtigruten will accommodate a wide array of dietary restrictions. Their cuisine approach is called Norway Coastal Kitchen, and they try to source local ingredients in the many ports of call as much as possible. The evening menu will always tell you where the local ingredients came from. This was a very nice touch.I thought the food was generally very high quality, even if I didn't personally like everything. Fish certainly appeared often, as did reindeer and lamb once or twice. The first evening is always a buffet, and since our first evening was Christmas Eve, we had a traditional Norwegian julebord, which was wonderful. There were also special 5-course menus for New Year's Eve and for the Hurtigruten 125th anniversary. There is also a fine-dining a la carte restaurant in Deck 4. Since our sailing over the Christmas holidays we had more buffets than most sailings, so we took advantage of this. The food was likewise very good and prepared to order. It is an extra charge over and above the main restaurant if you've purchased full board. Next to the fine dining restaurant is a quick-service restuarant with sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. This is also an additional charge. If you're already researching Norway you will already know this: booze is expensive. Hurtigruen offers a wine package that you must purchase on the first evening. If you and your travelling companion will share a bottle with dinner each evening, this may be a good option. You receive one bottle each evening with dinner, and you'll save some kroner. Since my mom and I drink different kinds of wine, we did not use this option. However, if you buy a bottle and don't finish it, they will keep it for you until the next day. Excursion planning is one area where I think Hurtigruten can improve the experience. It was quite cumbersome to figure out which ports were long enough to leave the ship on which days, and which excursions were offered in those ports. Basically, they count the days starting in Bergen with Day 1, and then they're numbered going north and then south from there. So any excursion on the website that is numbered 6a, 6b, etc. is on the 6th day of the cruise from Bergen. I ended up making my own spreadsheet, which should not have been necessary. The advantage of using the Hurtigruten-arranged excursions is exactly that the ships only stop a few hours at most, so if you are on a bus excursion, the ship will probably not sail without you if there's a delay. However, I do wish I had done better research up front to possiblye do my own activities. There is a great opportunity for an enterprising Norwegian techie to create short, self-guided walking tours on an app for Hurtigruten passengers! (I did find some Trondheim walking tours in an app call GPSmycity.) There are also some other shore activities that we did not know about until we were on the ship. Unfortunately, we had already pre-booked excursions and there were no refunds. Here is my suggestion regarding the excurions for winter voyages: pre-book the most popular excursions like dog-sledding and snowmobiling. Other excursions, wait and see, and book either the first night or the next day. Only a couple of excursions other than the dog-sledding filled up. Our hands-down favorite experience was the dog-sledding in Kirkenes on the frozen fjord. It included a visit to the Snowhotel. If you want to do this, pre-book! Two walking excursions were a mixed bag, and it was all to do with the guide. My walking tour in Trondheim definitely gave me a good, close look at the center part of the city, but the tour guide was not knowledgable at all. Our polar history walking tour in Tromso was excellent, largely due to a terrific and well-humoured guide. The Viking Dinner was very rushed, and since it was dark the scenery was impossible to see. Likewise the Marble Mine was an ok experience, but the drive along the famous Atlantic Road was completely hidden in the darkness. If you're in Bodo and you like beer and you, like me, notice that the Hundholmen Bryggeri only opens at 3pm which is when your ship sails, then you might, like me, take the chance of sending them an email and asking if they'll open early for you. It was one of the highlights of my trip! You should plan to be self-entertained on your Hurtigruten Norway Coastal Voyage. There was a lounge singer in the evenings on my voyage, and every day there was a short presentation called Get to Know Norway. We went to almost all of these and found them quite good. (Did you know Norway is shaped like a guitar?) Beyond that, given the short port time, you will have a lot of time on the ship. Bring a coupe of good books, or download some movies. Or, just enjoy the scenery and get to know your fellow passengers. Passengers come largely from Germany and the U.K., but there are also quite a few Americans, and a few South Africans and Australians. We enjoyed striking up conversations with people we met. A brief note: this may seem obvious, but Hurtigruten can't control the weather, and there were several excursions cancelled at various times because of weather. If you sail in rough weather, as we did (I have a great video us us sailing in a gale!), the ship might not even be able to stop in some ports. (Which was terribly inconvenient for those passengers who were using the ferry and not just on a longer voyage.) Also, while we had taken this trip in hopes of seeing the Northern Lights, the weather worked against us. There's not much you can do about that, so just understand that everything depends on good weather. (I suspect our experience was more exceptional in this.) Disembarkation in Bergen was smooth, if prolonged. You must leave your cabin by 10am, althoug the ship does not dock until 2:30pm. The ship disembarks by deck, so if your cabin is on Deck 6 you can disembark first. There was a very short wait for luggage, and a short wait for a taxi. It was late afternoon by the time we reached our hotel, so there was not much time for sightseeing at the end of the voyage. So, would I recommend it? Yes! Would I do it again? Yes, but with some changes. First of all, I would recommend only taking the 7-day northbound voyage. While the southbound voyage mostly stopped in different ports, they were not, for me, as interesting and compelling as the northbound ports. (The drive to the Marble Mine on the Atlantic Road - this is a southbound excursion - may have been spectacular in summer, but not in winter.) Also, while it was nice to unpack our bags just once, I would take advantage of the ferry schedule, and disembark in a few places for a couple of nights. I would stop in Trondheim, the Lofoten, and Tromso, at least, and stay in Kirkenes another day or two. Read Less

Seen a lot and had great food. Never a bored moment. Nice meetings with the expedition team with interesting information and stories about Norway. Deck 6 Is a nice place for your cabin. On deck 5 you can walk around the hole ship and people can look into your cabin. No luxury cruise things like swimming pools, big shows and entertainment but just the way I like it. Nice and easy relaxed atmosphere. The short stops in harbor’s are long enough to get a taste of that town. For some excursions you leave the ship in one town and board it in another town again. I loved the excursion to the marble mine. Very interesting to see how they work over there and deal with the changing demand of marble. You don’t have to do all the excursions. Some walks you can do on your own. The Hurtigrutten Museum is interesting manly because of the first ship that you can see there. Easy to get in contact with other travelers. Read Less

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. The ship, the crew and the service they provided and food were ALL fantastic. Impossible to overstate the quality of the crew, in particular the hotel, catering and restaurant staff. Well done to Jan Erik and the head chef. Special dietary requirements were taken in the stride. All staff we met were fluent in English and apparently in German too. When I was told this is a 'working ship' running a local service along the Norwegian coast I expected a more basic standard of accommodation and overall experience; the long queue for check-in did not bode well, but I could not have been more wrong. The lounges were very comfortable and never too crowded. Already thinking about booking another voyage on Nordkapp. Cabin, not the most expensive by any means, was comfortable and perfectly satisfactory. The on-board presentations and briefings were very interesting and informative ... thanks to Eldrun and Marten; a few more on aspects of Norse culture, history and contemporary language would have been welcome. Or some short videos..? WiFi worked well enough. Sauna was fine; didn't use the jacuzzi or the fitness room. Only down-side was the on-board prices, e.g. drinks at the bar and cost of the shore excursions, probably reflecting the high cost of living in Norway generally. Choose the shore excursions carefully as many seemed to involve several hours on a coach/bus. More opportunities for self-guided trips would be good but it must be acknowledged that this would jeopardise the tight timetable of port calls. This was our first cruise holiday and it ticked all of the boxes; Northern Lights, sea eagles, huskies, reindeer and of course the dramatic scenery. What's not to like??? Read Less

A great trip for geographer - fjords, northern most point in mainland Europe, crossing the arctic circle and northern lights. Great ship, i was in one of the non-refurbished rooms but that wasn't an issue, they were all clean and well cared for. i liked being able to not have it cleaned and the money going to the Hurtigruten foundation for conservation work. Food was great, plenty of it and a wide variety to cater for all tastes. Breakfast and lunch were buffet style, the range and quality of food was amazing. A set evening dinner was lovely and sitting in the same seat was good as we got to know those at the next table and the waiting staff. Having an expedition team on board was great and well worthwhile, with updates on the trips the next day to getting to know Norway. There is no 'entertainment', and it was great, watching the world go by. Read Less

Like to see coast and fjords of Norway, North Cape and like to travel with a special type of cruiseship (more a ferryboat than a cruiseship). Organisation was perfect. Hurtigruten offers to skip cleaning the cabin, therefor 5 NOK will be payed to hurtigruten foundation - great idea. Dining concept is great: Breakfast and lunch as buffet, dinner served. Expedition team offers a lot of Information in form of activities on board and on land, as well in form of show/theater. Team for serving meals and fill the buffet, and the cook as well were excelent. While traveling the coast of Norway, weather can change quickly and you not allways have best conditions to take pictures or see all of the landscape, but this is very authentic for this area. The team is very good informed, we allways felt that they like the job and during the cruise one is gettzig closer to team members in the way, that passengers become something like a part of the crewfamily. Read Less

I thought I would see fjords and magnificent landscapes on board a ship with interesting things to do. What I got was endless rocks and low cliffs and certainly no fjords or anything interesting on the ship except really expensive a la carte items and beverages and outlandishly expensive excursions, none of which I took. With only rare exceptions all the other passengers were old people traveling as couples or in big French groups. It wasn't too long before I realized I didn't belong. My table mates at dinner even told me I didn't belong there ( I boarded at a port later in the cruise than they). The food was good and most of the staff was friendly. But you know how it is on cruises...one always has the feeling that nothing is genuine. I honestly couldn't tell. The interesting ports were timed particularly badly such that on arrival most tourist sites( churches, museums) were closed...and in smaller ports, you literally get no more than 30-45 minutes. A terrific waste of money! Read Less

Excellent trip, all staff were friendly, chatty and ready to answer any question anytime. The food was excellent with great variety. I am Coeliac and my needs were met excellently. The expedition team of Elizabeth and Marie definitely added to my enjoyment of trip. They were great always bubbly when dealing with guests. I opted for an upgrade on day one and felt I got good value there. Only downside of trip was the dirty windows in the Explorer bar as it was designed to take in the wonderful panorama of the fjords. Nobody wants photos with streaks of dirt. The captain announced when the Northern lights were visible this was great as it was in the night so guests could go out to see them. Overall I would highly recommend this trip to young and old and there were a variety of each on board. I hope to travel this same route again in a different season. Read Less

Northern Lights was on my bucket list. Went in January, Totally expected the trip to be quiet if not a bit boring but the time was filled with fun-filled educational presentations, story-telling and was fabulous. The crew were all helpful, efficient and knowledgeable, the cabin was roomier than expected although we did have a view of the lifeboat, however we were informed beforehand that this was a possibility. We had control of the cabin heat which was a boon in the Minus degrees. The Northern Lights we saw 6 times - but that is luck of the draw - apparently the last trip only saw them once but the weather cannot be controlled. All in all a fabulous experience that has travelled home with me when I see the night stars. There was lots of different choices on the buffets. The Chef coped perfectly with my husband's fussy eating once he was aware of it. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Read Less

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We choose this cruise due to its itinerary and it being a working ship. The experience is therefore different, there are several stops every day and it's an interesting way to get to know more about the local culture. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip, visiting so many different cities and seeing the Northern Lights on the last day. The crew was excellent, very professional and friendly. The food was outstanding, even very thoughtful for the evening meals. This was our first cruise and for that we have enjoyed it very much. Our cruise was one way from Bergen to Kirkenes. This included New Year's Eve on the boat, which again was thought well through to provide entertainment and the right atmosphere on boat. There are plenty of excursions to choose from, which we recommend that you do some of these, they are well planned and give a good insight. The Point of Interest Activities on the outside Deck are definitely worthwhile. The only word of warning is to choose your cabin wisely. We just booked a basic Polar Outside and were on Deck 3. Although it says the MS Nordkapp has been refurbished in 2016, so it's overall in excellent and modern conditions, the same doesn't apply for Deck 3. Our cabin was still old school. Read Less

To see the Northern Lights was top of my bucket list and what better way than from the deck of a ship travelling along the coast of Norway into the Arctic Circle . Hurtigruten is the excellent coastal shipping service offering this golden opportunity between November and March. This line is a working ferry-service which also offers `cruise accommodation' but don't expect non-stop entertainment ,the singing, dancing, magic shows and room service common to most cruises these days. We embarked in Bergen on a cold , sunny November afternoon. From the moment I stepped into the terminal , everything went like clockwork , with friendly and efficient service . The trip was everything I had hoped for and more. We saw the Northern lights on 6 of the 11 nights and the voyage was packed with so many other wonderful experiences , too many to list. We had an expedition team on board , four enthusiastic , energetic young people who kept us busy , interested and laughing. Every afternoon there is a ` gathering' where the expedition team give information on the next port of call , teach some Norwegian words and phrases , show some movie clips and play some music. I was travelling alone, but had no problem meeting people and making friends although there is no official plan to introduce `single travelers ' to each other as some cruise lines have. The cabins are not fancy , but comfortable and warm (there are individual temperature controls).I recommend an outside cabin because the scenery is spectacular all the time. My package included free Wi-Fi , a must if you want to keep in touch with home from your cabin. The food on board was plentiful and delicious with an amazing variety of fresh local produce , and healthy cooking styles. There are very many excursions on offer , however in most places it is possible to walk into the town or village , with a map ( provided) and explore without a guide , personal choice. There is the possibility to go ashore at every place the ship docks , even if it's just for 10 minutes walk or jog along the harbour , but don't miss the boat! Because the schedule is so tight , the ship WILL leave without you if you're late , no question. From experience , I would say that the excursions not to miss are The North Cape, the Midnight Concert ( Tromso Arctic Cathedral) , ` A taste of Vesterallen ' and The Hurtigruten Museum , and I was told that the horse riding ( Svolvaer) which in the winter is in the dark , was a wonderful experience. This voyage is an experience of a life time so whatever you do ` DON'T MISS THE BOAT' Read Less

I choose the cruise after watched Hurtigruten advertisement about the trip. Yes we have quite high expectation about the trip. The best about this trip that we are able to see a very beautiful aurora somewhere after Tromsø and still able to get some beautiful view of Norway. Before voyage I received all the information I needed and the booking of the trip worked well too. I'm not satisfied with the service on board because : 01 Excursion The Silent Whale Exploring (Tromso) Excursion Code H-TOS5K 16 November 2017 and paid each of us NOK 2198.99 (total NOK 4397.98 . One day before Expedition Manager personally informed to us that we may not be able to see the Humpback whale because the Herring fish not yet around but he assured us that we will be able to see some Orca (smaller whale). Surprisingly on the day of the excursion, once after we arrived on the boat, the guide told us that we won't see anything because it's not yet the season for Humpback whale nor Orca because the herring not yet arrived (Poor Herring everybody blamed "the Herrring"). I think this is very unprofessional and I felt being cheated. If it's not yet the Herring's season you can actually cancel the excursion. I'm very dissapointed. 02. Food Breakfast, lunch and dinner all almost similar for 7 days. More food variation needed as you have international passengers from different nations. 03. Unhappy staff Except one gentleman in the dining room (reception/waiters) who always greet us warmly, the rest always looked unhappy. I will definitely come back to Norway but my next trip won't be in the cruise anymore. Read Less

Ancestors came from Norway so it was good to reconnect with my heritage. The scenery was magnificent and the weather was very mild. We were surprised to have no snow during our whole trip in the beginning of November. Commentaries on shore excursions were very informative and pertinent to the location. The buses used for some of the shore excursions were very comfortable. We thoroughly enjoyed the midnight concert at the Cathedral in Tromso and the fashion show aboard the ship was very interesting. The daily house keeping service for our stateroom could not have been better. The table service for the evening meals was excellent because the waiters were very attentive to our needs. Sometimes the rooms were a bit on the chilly side. The stories that were read were extremely interesting. It was interesting to watch cargo being loaded on and off the ship and all the activity in the ports. Read Less

My father had taken the cruise north to Kirkenes from Bergen with my mother and he wanted to share the experience with my adult sisters and me. We went as a family group and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We loved that the cruise is informal, and that the objective is getting to see and know Norway. Hurtigruten isn't going for a "cruise" experience of casino, entertainment, constant activities, etc. This is a cruise where the scenery (always visible because the ship travels up the coast), the towns, and your traveling companions get your attention. We took advantage of the longer stops in towns and enjoyed walking around and enjoying the sites on our own. We appreciated the Expedition crew talks, although we didn't participate in all of them. I loved the fresh food and Hurtigruten's efforts to use fresh, local products all along the route. Having only one dinner option (although allergies were extremely well-accommodated by the staff - my sister experienced this) was never a problem for me since the food was excellent! I shared a cabin on the 5th floor with two of my sisters. It was tight, but comfortable and adequate. We didn't spend a lot of time there anyhow. We (all 4 from 47 - 57 years old) are active and our father (83) is in great shape so we didn't rely on excursions to see the sites during stops at towns. We were among the youngest passengers on board. Excursions were available and we took two, one to the North Cape (couldn't have gone on our own) and the other, Sami Autumn, to learn more about the Sami culture. We were fortunate enough to have great weather and to see the Northern Lights. I hope that I have the opportunity, like another passenger taking the cruise for the 6th time, to experience the trip during other seasons of the year. Read Less

We arrived the day before our cruise and spent a little time in Kierkenes before getting on the ship the 13th of September. Embarkation and disembarkation went very smoothly and we were in our cabins within an hour of getting on board. The seas were rough the first day out, but once we got into the fjords, it was fine. The food was very good and they always had a wide variety to choose from for breakfast and lunch. Dinner was always a surprise, but excellent also. The staff in the kitchen and dining room were always friendly and informative. All in all, it was a great cruise; many shore excursions to choose from and we learned some of Norway's history along the way. I would highly recommend a Hurtigruten cruise to anyone who loves to cruise. I should mention, the boat size was not huge, but the MSNordkapp was just perfect for us. And, no kids! Read Less

We chose MS Nordkapp because of the many popular reviews and the ship size. We had an outer Polar berth and were worried that we wouldn't get a good view out, but the porthole was unobstructed and allowed us to see the coast whenever we were in the room. It was a wonderful trip with incredible food (a great introduction to Norwegian food--although we were not thrilled with the cod tongue which we understand is a favorite in Norway!). There was plenty of room to "spread out", with multiple areas of comfortable seating, but we found the "beach towel" phenomena to be alive and well for the favorite indoor lounge chairs at the front of the ship. Many were claimed early and throughout the day, there were multiple chairs "taken" by people at lunch, dinner, smoke break etc. That was something we had experienced at beach resorts, but were disappointed that the management didn't enforce the "rules". We found other areas to relax, particularly on the outdoor protected 7th deck which allowed us to get up and take photos frequently. Most of the wait staff were very friendly, but the excursion team of Toona, Elizabeth and Marie were outstanding, full of smiles and willingness to talk and answer questions. As photographers, we were eager to take photos of the different ports, even if the ship was only scheduled for 30 minutes. We naively thought the ship would come into port "right at the center of town with picturesque buildings" and that we would have great opportunities. In reality, they came into port in the industrial sections to unload goods, and it was sometimes a several block hike to get to good photographic opportunities. We learned to be in line to get off the boat quickly and to make the best use of our time. Before we left, we called Hurtigruten about whether we, as photographers, would find the trip most photogenic from Bergen to Kirkenes (pronounced Cheerkinknees) or from Kirkenes to Bergen. The young man we spoke with encouraged us to start at "the top" and go south because the most beautiful part of the trip in his opinion was Vesterlen and Loften, which were seen in the daytime on the southern journey. We were very thankful for that recommendation since other passengers on the round trip told us they didn't see the coast at that location because they passed through it during the night. We saw very few sunsets and sunrises, but the scenery is so beautiful, even in overcast conditions. And Northern Lights! We were hopeful that we would see them, and when the announcement came to the cabin, we pulled our clothes on and went up to the deck. At first they were faint, but then became shimmering green lights all over the sky. Gorgeous! Be sure and pick up an information pamphlet at the information desk about camera settings to get the best photos--and bring a tripod. All in all--we had a wonderful time, great food, great photo ops, and we were delighted to have taken the cruise. Be sure to bring plenty of warm layers and a windproof jacket for spending the time outside, looking at the scenery. Read Less

The route is very scenic, so well worth the trip. However, much of the interest of the trip is in the places you stop and what you see. The company's "excursions" are all extras and very expensive ones at that, some well over $100 for a few hours. With ingenuity and research you can do much better. You will get no help from the crew. Maps of upcoming destinations were kept locked away until the very day of the stop. If you asked for one ahead of time, a crew member would unlock the drawer and pull one, and only one, out, explaining that if they put them out ahead, people would get confused. That seemed unlikely to me. All of the maps they do put out are available from Norway's tourist Info offices. So I suggest you contact the Norway tourist info offices before your trip and ask for maps of the major ports where you will have time. When we tried ask questions that would help plan how to use our time off the ship, the crew at the reception/excursion/shop, particularly, the short woman with short reddish brown hai,r was not only unhelpful, but sometimes gave misinformation. An example, when asked about hikes at Urke, she said it was in the country so you could just get off and walk anywhere. I discovered that there were several marked hikes, some of which were short enough to do during the stop. But you needed to know which direction to go, depending on whether you wanted to walk up a steep slope for a good view or a more level walk along the river valley. There is an Info office there, but ideally you contact them ahead of time and ask about hikes in the area. Another example, one in our group did some research on line and found that for the North Cape (which is spectacularly beautiful), which you get to from Horingsvag, there is a regular bus that takes you there and back for about 1/3 the cost of the Hurtigruten "excursion." It goes and returns at exactly the time the ship is in the harbor, so you get back with plenty of time to board the ship. Check out bookfinnmark.com, look there for transportation, then North Cape. The bus leaves from the tourist info office, which is right next to the parking lot where Hurtigruten buses leave from. It's a very comfortable bus, very nice driver, beautiful ride, with reindeer along the way, and the spectacular cape at the end. The staff person selling excursions warned us that they would not be responsible if we got back late and that the bus might break down. Actually, it seemed to be as new a bus as those Hurtigruten used. Allesund is another stop where the most interesting thing is simply to go for a walk around the town, using the tourist info map marked routes that show off what is described as the art nouveau buildings. You don't need an expensive excursion that goes to the same area. As for the food, the dinners were often skimpy, although there is plenty of food at the serve yourself breakfasts and lunches. But I found the food incredibly salty. After a day or two, I asked for less salty food, which they accommodated for dinner. For other meals, you can choose to avoid the saltiest things, e.g., soups. Unlike the Hurtigruten cruise I took to Antarctica in 2005, everything is extra. On that earlier trip, they served coffee, lattes, etc. any time the bar was open, which was a good chunk of the day. Shakes, burgers, etc. were also available for no extra charge. Afternoon cookies and other goodies appeared everyday. Not so now, at least with the Nordkapp. They didn't even serve coffee with dinner, much less a cappuccino or latte. You had to go to the coffee shop to get coffee, but that did not include lattes. I wish I had brought some non-fat dried milk and instant coffee along. They did not serve reduced fat or notnfat milk in the lattes you had to buy. For breakfast, there is a self-service machine that makes pseudo lattes and cappuccinos, but they are minimally drinkable, lukewarm. I would have been better off with dried milk and instant espresso. All that said, I would still recommend the trip. The scenery is fantastic. Just come prepared so you can arrange your own excursions and have a passable latte. Read Less

SMOKING POLICY - everywhere on outside decks except in one small area. This is EXTREMELY disappointing. You step outside to get fresh air and to see the natural sights the ship is passing, only to be bombarded with smokers and the cigars and pipes were even worse. Hurtigruten is heads up for smokers and does not have a good policy. In such a well regulated and natural country this policy surprises me greatly. Half the ship smoking, half the ship nonsmoking would at least be fair, but to make all the decks smoking is really a bad policy. CABIN on Deck 3 are not renovated. My bathroom had a very moldly smell in the small bathroom. My bed was uncomfortable and hard. Staff put another mattress on top of the hard mattress for a softer sleep. Deck 5 and 6 have been renovated, so try to get a cabin up there and also on the starboard side away from the noise of the cargo doors which open and close at various ports all thru the nights. Restaurant - food is very good. Except - evening meal there is no choice. One set meal and that is it. Too bad if you don't like fish. Servings at dinner time are small and staff refuse to give seconds. Our wait staff rudely said there was not enough food on board for us to have a little extra desert. This was disappointing see the meal was fish and unfortunately my travel companion does not eat fish. STAFF - Tours are constantly pushed on the ship. When we asked for some info for independent travellers we were told to take a tour. The staff were not willing to give out info. Maps were available. Tours are very expensive. THE CRUISE - the scenery along the coast is beautiful. Stops in ports are very short therefore giving a very rushed feeling. Most ports only 15 or 30 mins. A few ports stop for 3 hours. Taxis are at the dock to wisk you off to some sight. NORTHERN LIGHTS - I was extremely lucky to see one night of fantastic Northern Lights. But then being out on deck watching the lights and having smokers stand next to me smoking. Many German travellers on board were smoking (did I mention cigar and pipe). Read Less

We were looking for a celebratory cruise experience for a first time cruising older couple and the Hurtigruten north Norway expedition cruise delivered big time. We were delighted to be part of a working ferry service in an incredibly interesting part of the world along the north Norway coast and fjords. Hurtigan combines the working ferry element with excellent cruise service including a great cabin, dining, including locally sourced and inspired fare, and service. The expedition team were informative, engaging, and fun. The working ferry element is fascinating with the ship maneuvering into often tiny and picturesque harbours to load and off load a variety of local passengers, cars, mail and freight. Some stops are just half an hour but you can still walk off to grab a few photos since the terminals are right in the middle of town. At least once per day the ship remains in harbour for several hours and allows for organized shore excursions or more detailed personal exploring -- we did the latter and had great fun. Crossing the Arctic Circle and the Lofoten Islands were the highlights. We embarked at Bergen, which is a terrific destination in itself and well worth an extra night or two, and disembarked at Kirkenes where we flew home with a seamless transition to the airport. Part of the adventure is meeting a variety of Norwegians who were themselves on holiday, or heading to their summer camps or cottages, or travelling to or from their homes on the north coast. You can join or leave the ship anywhere but the six day one way package is excellent for cruising. You can do it in either direction, or stay aboard for 12 days and do both ways. We recommend that prospective cruisers read the Hurtigruten website material carefully to ensure that the combination of a working ship with excellent adventure cruise experience is suitable to you. It worked for us big time as it did for other and much more experienced cruisers who we met. Many thanks Hurtigruten and MS Nordcapp! Read Less

We chose this cruise as part of a eight-day tour of Norway. We enjoyed every minute of the cruise. The ship was well maintained and had been recently updated. Our cabin on Deck 5 was larger than expected, and the staff was very helpful. The breakfasts were outstanding -- a large buffet each morning. Several dining options for lunch and dinner. The panoramic view from the upper deck was great for seeing the coastline. Plenty of opportunities to take photos. Enjoyed visiting Alesund along the way. Boarding was made efficient by excellent staff. Although we were told not to expect a typical cruise line since the Nordkapp is a working boat, we found it to be clean, comfortable and better organized that many cruise lines we have used in the past. Enjoyed meeting other couples visiting Norway for the first time. Very relaxing and stress free. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Norway. Read Less

Did the round cruise Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen. Weather disappointing as we left and arrived back in Bergen. Further up coast the scenery was magnificent with the snow. Ship very comfortable with good clean cabins. Plenty of room to empty your entire suitcase and put things away. Crew very friendly and helpful. Food was exceptional, in quality and variety. Breakfast and lunch was buffet, extremely plentiful. Downside was evening meal. It was set dinner and by the time it was served it was barely warm. Waiters were great keeping their balance when the boat was rocking badly! Beware, excursions!! They are extremely overpriced, especially the walking tours, which you can easily find yourself as ship docks in centre of towns and towns are small. One walking tour was £45 for 45 minutes. Main public area was the Kompas Explorer Bar, but even though staff kept saying that the best seats shouldn't be reserved, the Germans thought it didn't apply to them! Read Less

We loved every minute of the Hurtigruten Northern Lights cruise and would have done the full 11 day return trip had we known how fabulous it would be. With 2 kids aged 13 and 15 we overnighted at the Hotel Oleana in Bergen to have the whole next day to sight see before embarking between 4-6pm. They happily provided a late checkout and it is a 5 minute taxi ride to the Hurtigruten terminal. Boarding was very straightforward after arriving at 5pm and having a safety demo and luggage was transferred straight to rooms so we could explore and find dinner. We had 2 adjacent minisuites, 602 and 606, giving extras such as earlier room access, wine package, tea/coffee facilities, bathrobe/slippers to keep if you like, 2 large windows per room, excellent wifi and more space than we needed. Pack a nice bottle or two to enjoy in your cabin. Beds were extremely comfortable, temperature good and easily adjusted, heated bathroom floors helped dry out clothes, 606 is bigger with the addition of a sofa bed if you have a bigger family but both have room for a desk and sitting area and a heavy curtain room divider should you want to keep different hours! Dinner is staggered sittings, 6 and 6.30pm as the ship was not at capacity, buffet for breakfast, lunch and first dinner and set 3 course meal otherwise (all good experiences). The menu is out at breakfast so you can request options or choose to pay an upgrade fee and eat at the a la Carte area which was fabulous food, beautifully presented and definitely worth treating yourself to. The Nordkapp was revamped in 2016 and all spaces were elegant, spacious and inviting. Deck five is open right round for doing your laps and the gym looks near new. 2 hot tubs at the rear, a café to play games or listen to evening stories or music selections from Martin or some live music from the multitalented Johann, a viewing deck and bar, a second café, shop, lecture room with daily talks on aspects of the cruise (they could do with making these a little more substantial, we would have loved to have learnt a little more about the ship, the geography, culture etc). Excursions were fun, especially for the kids, (we did the dogsledding, snow mobiling and viking feast-the weakest) but all ports were close to the town centre and maps available on board made it easy to tour around by yourself. The greatest strength of this cruise lies in the breathtaking scenery passing by every window every minute of every day and the lovely snow kissed towns and villages along the way. We can't wait to come back and do it again in summer. Read Less