I am Norwegian by birth but 50 year US citizen (Seattle), educated in Norway and Denmark as Naval Architect and Marine Engineer. For years I have cruised in my own boats the entire Northwest Passage (Seattle to Sitka). Only two additional such long and naturally protected passages from the ocean swell excist on earth: the Norwegian Coast and Patagonia (Chile). The nature, weather and the people living there are very different between them. Next I wanted to see the Norwegian Coast. Hurtigruten's Classic Voyage looked to be perfect. They serve this Voyage with 11 ships, one each day for the 11 day round trip from Bergen (Norway) to Kirkenes (near the border to Russia) back to Bergen. It is the continuation of the 130 year old Norwegian Royal Mail route, now docking at 34 towns and communities with mail, cargo and passengers each way. Being passenger onboard you become aware of being part of and intimately witnessing the daily life along this incredible coastline. My ship, M/S Lofoten, is the old lady of the fleet and a real ship in my mind (we are of the same vintage, if you will). She is small, ship-like and filled with old fashion marine qualities and charm. Her Captain Eivind Sande, his officers and crew were skilled in making me feel at ease, at home and become part of their ship as the spectacular nature presented itself very close-by on the outside. Visually it is an intense and changing experience at the same time as it is peaceful and calming.

All 11 Hurtigruten ships offer the same large variety of optional excursions, but if the excursions are the main attraction for you, the larger vessels (about 500 beds versus Lofoten's 151) might be a better choice. For us, some excursions were cancelled for lack of participants, but most were completed and all of those were excellent.

I had high hope and expectations for this cruise, and as it unfolded my "M/S Lofoten experience" surpassed it all. A fantastic ship and ship experience in a spectacular nature very near by.