Norway Cruise Reviews

I just wanted to let you know what a superb holiday my husband and I had on the Northern Cruise.

It far exceeded anything we could imagine.

All onboard the Nordkapp could not have been more helpful and friendly, especially as I have recently developed an allergy to certain foods and they certainly made sure I was not served any of the forbidden ones.  The cabins were kept immaculately clean, the staff were all polite and friendly.  Peter our Tour Manager was great and kept us all informed of anything going on and certainly gave us the time to make sure any excursions were right for us.  All talks on board were more educational about the area we were visiting and a pleasure to attend.

As we had not been on a cruise before it was difficult to know what to expect, but the relaxed atmosphere with plenty of time to unwind made it enjoyable.  Obviously for the fact we saw the Northern Lights on 3 nights made it for me and I can certainly say this was one of the most exciting holidays I have been on.

Thank you for allowing us to enjoy such a memorable trip.

Our cruise to the Arctic Circle with Hurtigruten aboard the Trollfjord was just FANTASTIC. The ship was beautifully appointed and spotlessly clean. Although we had the basic cabin it was very comfortable and in a good position on deck 6. The food far exceeded our expectations and one tempting delight after another helped us to gain a few lbs. The crew were a great bunch from "Tom the cabin boy" right up to the captain. We could see that the crew worked very well together as a team and some of the restaurant staff were very entertaining as well as polite and helpful. The excursions were interesting and punctual. Special praise to Magne and Hanne. Especially Hanne who gave us some assistance at the airport even though she was off duty.

The views were breathtaking and we enjoyed the opportunity to explore little villages on our various stops.

The flights worked out well too so thank you to staff at Bluewater for planning our holiday.

The trip on the Nordlys is our second trip on board, we went at the same time in 2010 and enjoyed it so we have come back for another classic round trip. We arrived at the Hurtigruten terminal before the Nordlys came in so it was nice to see her coming in a new experience for us, others walked into Bergen to have a look around. Then when it was time to board we got onto the Nordlys and got the cruise card sorted out while we waited to get into our cabin to get unpacked and sorted out. Then it was down for the first dinner which was a buffet and it was really good, then time for some much needed sleep so that was the first day over.

Got up late this morning after a good sleep but it was in time to get some breakfast, to the start the trip off on the right foot. The weather was really nice and sunny, the sunny weather lasted for 4 days then we got cloudy colder weather but it is mid winter so it is expected, we were in and out of ports as normal going on trips if you wanted to, then into Tromso where first passenger got off so good byes were said and addresses exchanged. More passengers got on so onward with the trip and no northern lights that night but we did on a other nights, then before we knew it we were in Kirknes the turn around point and half the trip over, but we had enjoyed it so far.

We started the trip homeward bound with some new passengers on board. We only had 6 days to go on board before we reached Bergen, but we still had plenty of days left to enjoy. We did hit some very windy days on the way down, the people getting off at Trondheim had to get off at Rorvik (we arrived at about 2030 pm) and travel overnight by coach overland to Trondheim leaving at 00.3Oam, they were given a packed meal to eat on the way, we sat out the storm in Rorvik till the winds dropped and we left about 04.OOam and then headed for Kristiansund to carry on the trip back to Bergen, we did see some more northern lights and I managed to take about 200 shots, but the night I took them it was very cold, (the crew said it was about -30 degrees in the wind) and it was very rough seas but you have to carry on with taking the photos, (I have got the bug) a lot of passenger looked out of windows or portholes to see the lights which brilliant, so I have a lot of memories of the northern lights this trip that will last me for ever.

We arrived back in Bergen on time after a really lovely trip that we will both remember for a long time, and we will also remember the crew that was really so kind and helpful all the time to us and other passengers, so they will be not forgotten. So it was back to the airport, and then home to Gatwick, then to home in Newark, Notts. and when we got home Chris the wife asked can we go again so I said I need to speak to the Bank Manager nicely. So till the next trip. I hope you all enjoy your trips on Hurtigruten. Till we meet again some day on the Nordlys happy sailing.

PS I took about 1800 photos on the trip this time. So plenty to look at on the not so good days. HA HA

I have longed to see the Northern Lights for many years, and having travelled with Hurtigruten during the Summer months a few years ago, I thought this trip represented an excellent opportunity to see the stunning Norwegian scenery in its Winter guise, as well as giving myself every chance to see the Aurora Borealis in one of the best locations on the planet for this incredible natural phenomenon.

Our ship the MS Trollfjord was very comfortable and spacious, despite being fully booked.

I was extremely satisfied with the accommodation and the food was also excellent - fresh and locally sourced wherever possible, with a strong emphasis on seafood.

It should be clearly understood that this is not a classical cruise. There is no dressing for dinner or onboard entertainment etc - No it's much better than that! There is always something to see and do, from the excellent excursions to the dozens of large and small ports visited. However I could also set my own pace to a large extent and take it easy in the spacious lounges whenever I liked.

I booked a number of excursions, including a Viking Feast in the Lofoten Islands, Snowmobiling near the North Cape and a visit to the Snow Hotel at Kirkenes. All of these excursions were informative, well organised and above all - great fun.

In terms of seeing the Northern Lights we had to wait until our 7^th night before the clouds finally cleared, but it was well worth the wait when they finally did appear. We were also very lucky with the weather - lots of snow, but also lots of sunshine and calm seas nearly all the time.

Here I would add that I gained a great deal of benefit from being part of an astronomy themed tour.

Standing on a freezing deck for hours at a time becomes much less of a chore when you are sharing the experience with others, and once the Lights did appear we were able to understand what was happening much better that I would have been able to on my own. Our guest astronomer also gave a number of lectures on a wide variety of topics, all of which were suitable for anyone with an interest in the night sky and space exploration - whether complete novices or enthusiastic amateurs like me.

My partner and I have just returned from the Venture into the Arctic Cruise 14th - 19th Feb 2011 on board the Hurtigruten MS Nordkapp and it was nothing short of fantastic! We had an excellent time.

From the booking with Blue Water Holidays in November 2010 to the flights, transfers and the cruise everything went smoothly.

The team at Blue Water Holidays were always helpful and prompt at answering any queries we had and were truly professional in their approach.

Once in Bergen after the short flight from Gatwick we were transferred by coach to the quay and our check-in was handled efficiently by the Hurtigruten Team. We had some time to explore Bergen before we boarded the MS Nordkapp then had a couple of hours wait until our room was ready but this gave us time to familiarise ourselves with our home for the next few days.

That evening before setting sail we had a safety briefing and were given details of the ships facilities. We were reminded by the crew that we were actually on a ferry which was providing a service to the Norwegian ports along the coast but it still felt more like a cruise.

Our cabin was far better than we had expected. We chose an outside one which was in our minds the best choice. The cabin itself was spotlessly clean and very comfy and there was adequate storage space for the next few days. One of the beds was a sofa which folded down and the other bed was also folded down to make for extra room. Very comfortable night's sleep. We brought our own tea making and drinks for consuming in the room (which is allowed) as the prices on board as in Norway were very expensive. We did have some drinks in the bar area on board but at £7 a glass we would have been bankrupt by the end of the holiday! Our room also had as did the other rooms an en-suite toilet and shower which were clean and compact.

All the ships areas followed in the high level of cleanliness and very pleasing décor. There was plenty of comfortable seating areas on board for you to take in the beautiful scenery. The restaurant provided a buffet breakfast every morning which catered for all you could wish for. The first night of the cruise our dinner was also buffet and for the rest of the trip there were two different sittings at set times and a set menu. The food was excellent and well presented. Dress was casual.

As cleanliness to prevent bugs is of high importance you are encouraged to clean your hands regularly when entering and leaving the restaurant/ship with the dispensers that are provided around the ship.

The ship calls at many ports during the cruise day and night. Some short (around half an hour) and some longer. Each day though there is a major stop for a few hours. We could have booked on sightseeing excursions for these but we chose to do our own touring of the ports. Beware of getting back on time, they won't wait and it could turn out to be an expensive stop for you trying to catch the ship at the next port!

The crew on board were well presented, courteous and helpful and there were regular announcements of forthcoming attractions to view either from inside or outside on deck 5 where you could stroll around in adequate warm clothing.

We tried out the Jacuzzi on deck 6 one afternoon which was fantastic. We spent an hour out there but it was probably because we were afraid of getting out into the sub-zero temperatures afterwards! Brrrr.

Our aim was to see the Northern Lights but unfortunately they didn't appear for us but we still had an excellent time. Before we went we had pre booked the snowmobile trip in Tromso for the last night in the hope of seeing the lights where we were kitted out in a full set of warm clothing from gloves, boots, socks, jumper, suit, balaclava and helmet. As we didn't have the lights to see, our guide gave us time to play on the snowmobile on a frozen lake in the mountains miles away from any civilisation. Real fun! On return we had Reindeer soup in a Sami tent. Our guide told us that he had seen the best show of the lights he had ever seen a couple of nights before. Hopefully you will have better luck!

A truly wonderful trip and we would recommend it.

Chris and Paula

Brilliant! We took the full 11 day cruise - the most relaxing holiday ever.

Saw the Northern Lights, whales 20 yds from the ship and even an emergency sea rescue by our crew. The weather was superb - clear blue sky and sunshine, full moon and loads of stars. The Tromso dog sledding is magnificent especially by moonlight when all the lights of Tromso can be seen in the distance and the midnight concert in the Arctic cathedral is an experience not to be missed - the accoustics are very good.

Excellent food and service by everyone.

We have just returned from Norway on the Arctic Highlights 5 day cruise package (6-11th Nov) and wanted to quickly write in to state how fantastic it was! We were lucky enough to witness the northern lights 3 out of 4 nights but the excursions and scenery alone would still have made for a great trip.

Our excursions were the trip to the North Cape and also to the Russian border from Kirkenes. On both trips the weather held and the scenery was breathtaking. Our tour guides Anya(sp?) and Frank were also informative and entertaining and I would definitely recommend these excursions.

On board (the MS Nordlys) our room on deck 3 was clean and comfortable (as was the rest of the ship) and the crew were helpful and welcoming. The food was good (especially as myself and my partner are both vegetarian) and the views throughout, as mentioned, were spectacular.

I think the 5 day trip was just right for us and would encourage anyone thinking of booking this trip to do so if at all possible. Attached are a few photos from the trip.

Thank you CruisingHolidays.co.uk and Hurtigruten

Glenn and Lucy 

Our holiday was truly memorable, a fantastic experience. The travel arrangements were like clockwork and the accommodation both aboard ship and in the hotel in Tromso was very good, as was the food (although the cost of alcohol was eye-wateringly expensive!) November was a brilliant time to go to the Arctic Circle, because although the sun was only above the horizon for a couple of hours around midday, the morning and evening twilights lasted for several hours & the sunrises & sunsets were achingly beautiful.

The star constellations were phenomenal- we couldn't believe how many stars we could see. One of the many highlights was sailing into the Trollfjord at night with the ship's searchlight illuminating the sheer cliffs & then seeing the Northern Lights when we were out on open sea again. Only the freezing temperatures reminded us that it was reality, not a dream!

When we docked on the Lofoten Islands we visited the magical ice-sculpture exhibition on the quayside. Another surreal experience. We were fortunate to see the Northern Lights a second time on our last night in Tromso, when we were driven out to the dog-sledding farm (sadly the snow had not yet fallen, so we couldn't go out on sleds), but we ate delicious traditional reindeer stew in an Inuit round tent and then sat outside on reindeer skins & watched the celestial display in silent awe.

This was our first "cruise experience"...& it won't be our last!

In no particular order,

We thought the decor was lovely, not too over the top but much better than a typical ferry

We thoroughly enjoyed the food, especially the buffet nights!

Our cabin was comfortable & more spacious than expected, with a very nice en-suite.

Tha staff on board were extremely polite & helpful, & our tour leader was  most helpful .

All in all, from a very slick check-in at Bergen, to leaving at Kirkenes we were so pleased that we chose the voyage North for our first sailing experience.

My husband and I decided to go away for a few days over New Year which is something we hadn't done before. The 5 night trip sailing from Bergen to Tromso was a perfect break and it was a great way to blow the cobwebs away from Christmas and return fresh for the New Year!

The travelling to Bergen was problem free, self service check in, great connections, flights all on time with SAS. We did have to wait a while for our room after we boarded the M/S Trollfjord but we were happy to walk around the decks and explore the viewing areas and the lounge/bar areas. The price or drinks was more than we expected at approx £7 for a glass of wine or a beer. There was a wine & water 'drinks package' which could be purchased but we felt it was too much.

Our cabin was compact but comfy and clean. There were 2 single beds and an ensuite shower/toilet including hairdryer. We paid extra for an outside cabin which was great as we loved being able to look out at the scenery whenever we wanted.

The ship was great, lots of space and seating areas. The panorama lounge was the ideal spot to sit and watch the scenery as we sailed up the coast and between the mountains. There were 2 outside decks for strolling but wear appropriate winter clothing and footwear as it can be quite cold and icey! If you are feeling brave, I would certainly try the open air jacuzzi on the top deck and the 'ceremony of baptism' with King Neptune after you cross over the Arctic Circle!

The restaurant was lovely, staff were very friendly and the service was excellent. The food was amazing, lots of choice and good quality. Breakfast was buffet style, evening meal was set menu. There is also a small snack bar on board if you want to purchase any other food/snacks. Breakfast was served until 10am and the first sitting for dinner was at 6.30pm.

There was ample opportunities to get off the ship each day to explore the area or go on an excursion. The information and assistance on board was excellent as well.

In the evening there was a singer in the bar area otherwise no other entertainment. The atmosphere was very relaxed and dress was casual except for New Year's Eve where we did take smart outfits. The crew had decorated the ship with balloons and there was a New Year's Eve buffet, complimentary champagne at midnight and a firework display on the top deck.

During the trip we didn't see The Northern Lights at all but it didn't spoil it for us as there is so much to look at from the minute you board in Bergen.  The amazing scenery is enough just to watch as it drifts past during the day and evening. The weather was clear and cold but as long as we were wrapped up it was enjoyable.

On the last day we disembarked in Tromso and stayed overnight at the Rica hotel on the quayside which was very nice. As it was winter, there is only a few hours of daylight and even that is fairly dim so that was an experience. Most of the other people went off on excursions and we would have also gone but we hadn't pre booked there were no places left. I would certainly like to book the dog sledding next time!

The next morning after a wonderful breakfast we joined a walking tour which was led by a local lady called 'Audrey' who was fantastic. Our transfer was at 12 noon and all travel back to the UK went smoothly.

As a birthday suprise present for my wife Sue I booked a 5 day Northern lights trip departing from Tromso and taking in the North Cape. Our flights from Heathrow via Oslo were on time and we boarded the MS Trollfjord at Tromso. The quay area here is open to the elements but the weather was kind to us (see photo). Once on board we were quickly allocated our cabin (compact but very good). The MS Trollfjord has excellent facilities including fine dining and an excellent bar area. Views from the upper deck were breathtaking but equally good views could be had from a (warmer) vantage point on the ships upper viewing gallery. There were no problems with our voyage and apart from a little rough patch around the North Cape the weather remained mostly calm.

I have included a few photos of points of interest on our trip Hammerfest, the North Cape and passing the MS Lofoten. We had such a good time I would in particular recommend the North Cape Excursion - but make sure you have warm / waterproof clothing for this. Tromso rewarded us with a stunning display of the Northern lights on our return and we have promised ourselves a return trip this year.

Thanks to everyone at Blue Water for an excellent break.

Although we did not see the Northern Lights, the cruise through the spectacular fjords was worth every penny paid. The weather was a little colder than England. Tronso was clean and friendly and I felt safe walking by myself. However, the walking tour was fun and the group was friendly.

Boarding the ship was quick and efficient, and my single cabin was more than adequate with a good size window. The public areas of the ship were beautifully designed, with marble, artworks and comfortable seating.

I cannot fault any part of the trip. If we had seen the Northern lights, it would have been a wonderful bonus. Next time, I would like to sail from Bergen all the way to the Russian border.

This was a beautiful way to see some spectacular scenery, the ship was lovely, the food terrific and the views breath taking.  All well organised our flights and transfers were easy.  We stayed an extra night in Tromso to go on the polar evening excursion - a walk with huskies: this was terrific the people at the husky farm were enthuiastic and could not have been nicer and though we did not see the northern lights it was a real pleasure to be up on the hill as far removed from city life as you could imagine. 10 out of 10.

Excellent service from Heathrow to Oslo, I used the fingerprint check-in at Oslo airport, which was great, got to the gate and wandered past the queues pressed my finger as before and I was through and in my seat.

Arrived in Tromso and was pleased to see mountains of snow. Transferred to the dog sledging excursion, which was out of this world. A 45 minute sledge ride with 10 huskies pulling through snow covered hill-tops. Perfect. Our group then went for into the Lavvu (a Norwegian teepee) next to the fire with our lamb soup and lamb broth which was nice and warmed me up. We then transferred to the ship the MS Polarlys and embarked about midnight. My cabin was an L grade on deck 5; it was comfortable and offered a good view out of the window.

The next day i went on the Harsted city tour and through to Sortland, which was very interesting and offered an insight into the vast history of Norway and this section of the coast. The rest of my day was spent in the observation lounge and out on deck taking in the wonderful sights and sounds of the surrounding area. Docked in Svolvaer and visited the ice bar and gallery there, which was amazing, the ice sculptures and ice bar were great to see.

Day 3 was spent simply relaxing and marveling at the coastline and many ports of call along the way, i spent a little time in each port simply having a wander around and seeing the varying towns and villages.

Day 4 was my last onboard the MS Polarlys, we docked in Trondheim at around 9am and i was booked on the Trondheim city tour, lead by another local guide who shared her extensive knowledge about the area and its history, we had a walk through the city and to the magnificent cathedral which was unfortunately closed but it gave us time to look at the many intricate carving and sculptures on the outside. It was then time to say goodbye to the friends we made onboard and travel home via Trondheim and Oslo airports. Back into Heathrow early evening with no trouble.

A fantastic holiday, allowing the option of a relaxing holiday simply watching the world go by or being active and getting off in every port and seeing Norway at its best.

The excursions were well worth the extra, especially the dog sledging which i would recommend to anyone and everyone.

Superb food on the ship, buffet breakfast and lunch giving many choices and also second or third helpings.

Very helpful staff onboard and information on ports can be found from the cruise director and each port embarkation and disembarkation times are announced giving you enough time to get to your cabin, get a warm jacket (which you WILL need.) and be ready to make the most of each port of call.

Thank you.     

After arriving in Tromso and flying over the beautiful snow covered mountains we met our carriage pulled by 14 friendly huskies. This was a majical experience being taken for miles over the white snow. We met our cruise ship MS Polarlys and set sail.  The food was excellent and lots of choice, even for breakfast. I

t was great just sitting in warmth and comfort watching the  beautiful scenery pass by.  The thing that amazed me was how smooth the ship docked at each port, sometimes we saw children waving from the shore at us. There were lots of opportunity to take a stroll from the ship in the beautiful Norweigian towns to sample the local hospitality. We took a guided tour of Trondheim which is a lovely town viewed from high on hillside with lots of history and culture. well worth a visit.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience, from taking off at Heathrow, to touching down again at Heathrow again. Transfers, tickets & information were all perfect, and the ship once we boarded at Bergan was impressively clean, modern & warm, the staff helpfull & polite.  Our cabin, although small, was clean and very neat, with sufficient storage for a weeks clothes, and the large window was nice & clear.

The voyage was enjoyable from start to finish, the scenery like a rolling picture postcard sliding slowly past, and we have some magnificent photographs now to remember Norway by (a good digital camera is a must). Information broadcast over the ship's PA was informative but not boring; enough to let you know what was coming up but without disturbing the peace for too long. Crossing the Arctic Circle was also memorable, King Neptunes ceremony will not be forgotten in a hurry.

The coastal towns and villages visited are charming, even the bigger towns have plenty to see and the excursion into Trondheim was well worth the expense. I was able to visit the Aircraft museum in Bodo, (again well worth the expense and a very interesting place to visit) while my wife toured the countryside around on the coach.

Nights spent on board were quiet, but the occaisional calls into ports provided natural interludes and kept things interesting. Even at night though, the scenery can amaze you, especially when cruising through a narrow fjord, when you as much sense the closeness of the massive cliffs as see them.

Our extra night and day in Tromso were good too; the dog sledding tripwas fascinating, and the town of Tromso fun to explore.

 Overall, nothing dissapointed us, and much exceeded our expectations, and there's not a lot these days that we can say that about; if you are thinking of going, then do it, you won't regret it.

The Blue Water website is well laid out and booking our first cruise was easy. The trip had a sticky start due to an icy runway at Oslo airport, however a quick phone call to Blue Water reassured us that our connecting flight would be rescheduled and the ship would wait for us at Tromso. We arrived about 6 hours late, but all the rescheduling went very smoothly. The cruise itself was very interesting and relaxing, you could watch the scenery passing by and hop off at the various stops for a quick nose about or a more prolonged excursion depending on the timetable. We did 3 excursions, the Husky Sleigh Ride, North Cape and Midnight Concert - the Husky sleigh ride was good value as we also saw the reindeer park and the ice hotel under construction, but the other trips were also good. Norway is certainly expensive, especially the drinks, but we took a hip flask and went for the Hurtigruten coffee offer which worked out well. The Jacuzzi's on the Nordkapp are outside and we sat out out in them twice in balmy 35oC water watching the scenery which was fun. We would recommend the Huskies, and a visit to Magic Ice at Svolvaer as especially good places to see, also take the Funicular to the top at Bergen for a great view of the city. The Nordcapp was very comfortable, and Hurtigruten did some good educational sessions up on deck showing aspects of the local fishing industry. Our tour guide, Johan got us well organised for excursions and serenaded us in the bar. The food was good - mainly fish but we did have reindeer one evening. I liked the informality, and given that we were told that Hurtigruten did not lay on entertainment like other cruise ships, we actually found plenty to do. I only gave it 4 stars because we did not see the Northern Lights, but otherwise it was great!

It was my first 'cruise experience but I want to go again. The ship was comfortable, the food excellent, the crew approachable and friendly. The Tour Guides were  very good too. Before you make up your mind about excursions check the time of arrival as there is little point in planning any shopping or museum visits if you are not in port during 'opening time'.  Although much of the voyage is in sheltered waters there are some 'open water' passages so remember travel sickness aids (but they are also available in the 'on-board ' shop if you forget).

I took my 84 year old Father, his friend and my partner on the costal cruise from Bergen to Kirkeness in March of this year on the digital photography themed cruise.  It was brilliant despite the Norkapp breaking down and us being stuck in port for two days.  Our tutor Keith McCelland gave us extra tution to while away the hours.  The crew kept us regularly informed and provided free excursions.  The part for the ship needed to be flown in from Germany so the photography group were expertly transferred to the next ship North which was the Polarlys.  We were automatically provided with upgraded cabins and full board. We had a fantastic time visiting the North Cape, Husky Mushing for 8 kilometers by the lake and standing on the North Cape.  The best bit was seeing the Northern lights for 4 consecutive nights and thanks to Keith' s tution were were able to photgraph them.  I would definitely recommend this trip.  Breathtaking scenery from the comfort of a ship.

This was my first experience of cruising, and I enjoyed it immensely. I deliberately chose a trip that wasn't too long (this one was about 4 days) and that had things to do. We had three lectures from our "tame" astronomer, and he was also available on deck at night to help us with the night sky and spotting any auroral activity.

The ship, the MS Trollfjord was huge to my eyes, but my more experienced travellers said it was really quite modest as cruise ships go. The ship was clean and well appointed, and ran pretty much to schedule. The crew were very helpful and friendly. The food was fantastic. I had an inside cabin, which was fine for one, but would be a bit of a squash for two. The bathroom facilities were excellent and the cabin itself was clean and well maintained.

Prices were much higher than I was expecting, but that was true of Norway in general. The ship prices were pretty much what you would pay on the shore. I was warned of the high prices before I went, but it was still a shock to pay the equivalent of £6.60 for half a pint of lager - in Tromso.

Our tour guide, Eskil, was very good. I went on one excursion, to the Russian Border at Kirkenes. Again, very good guide and pleasant trip. There were plenty of excursions on offer. I tend to just like to wander round on my own, so one excursion was fine for me.

All in all, a very good introduction to cruising and I would recommend this cruise to anyone interested in astronomy or to anyone who just wants to see a really beautiful part of the world.

We did the extended itinery (so including the north cape) northern lights voyage.  The first night in the ice hotel at Alta was absolutely spectacular.  The staff were lovely, the food was great and the hotel itself was just amazing.  We were lucky enough to see the northern lights too.

Most of the excursions we did were fabulous, I thoroughly recommend the horse drawn sleigh ride, the dog sledding and the king crab + bathing the barents sea excursions.  They were all brilliant.  Our night in Kirkenes was greta too, lovely rooms and a nice way to end the holiday.

I probably could have done without the night on the boat.  It was noisy and boring but it did get us from A to B.  The North Cape excursion was also a little disappointing but the journey up there was beautiful as long as you could ignore the commentary.   

The good bits more than made up for the bad bits.

When family and friends found out we planned to escape the UK winter by cruising up the coast of Norway, in January, they, perhaps understandibly, thought we were crazy. But even we didn't know just how right we were. Norway in winter is beautiful, serene, fresh.

Any fears I had about floating around in perpetual darkness quickly seemed ridiculous as we spent all day everyday sailing up the coast in the soft blue arctic twilight. Our outside cabin onboard MS Polarlys was clean and comfortable with ensuite and plenty of hanging space. The food on board was plentiful, very well prepared and of ample variety ... pre-cruise nightmares of 6 days chewing on herring, herring and more herring quickly became nothing more than something to laugh about later on.

The ship seemed about half full, which suited us perfectly. Most passengers were either European or UK. Go in summer if you prefer Americans.

For five pence of free advice I would advise you to walk right passed the long queue of passengers signing up for unlimited supplies of 'bottled water', at not inconsiderable cost, and simply ask for the 'tap water'. Both 'varieties' arrive at your table in the same style of bottle and both have no discernible taste - typical of water that has passed through a desalination plant.

The highlight for us was a standout. 14 Alaskan Huskies and a sled on the snowy plains out back of Tromso, at night, with the Northern Lights dancing in the sky overhead was as far from winter in the UK as the planet provides. 

Fantastic holiday. Excellent food. Helpful staff. Amazing scenery. We had a great Christmas with this cruise

My husband has always wanted to see the Northern Lights and with his 60th birthday this year we decided this was the time to go.  We decided on the Northern Lights Festival cruise to make it more interesting and exciting.  This also meant that there was excellent musical entertainment on board the ship and in Tromso.  We sailed on 20 January which is a good time of year in terms of the hours of daylight; the incredible sunsets and sunrises; and the beautiful snow capped scenery.  The ship (Trollfjord) provided a wonderful (and beyond expectation) environment in which to sail the fjords.  The accommodation; service and food were faultless (the cost of drinks exhorbatant though!).  We had a tour guide who also gave on board lectures that were most interesting.  The two nights in the Rica hotel, Tromso were a brilliant finish to the holiday and we saw the Northern Lights on our last night (sitting on reindeer skins in the snow at the head of a frozen fjord - an experience not to be missed).

Blue Water Holidays arranged everything for us and I cannot fault the service they provided.

A brilliant experience that will stay with us for a lifetime.

May I firstly congratulate Blue Water Holidays. Each part of their involvement in our Norway Coastal cruise worked flawlessly. They suggested a flight time of 11.30 from our local airport. We opted for a 6am flight, in order to explore Bergen. We arrived Bergen airport at 11.00 and discovered that the first bus to Hurtgruten Quay was 14.30. We could have paid £30.00 to use the airport bus and then a taxi. We therefore missed our Bergen exploration. Our fault.

Once on board the Ms Polarlys, we were issued with a personal boarding card, cabin keys and found our luggage outside the cabin door. All in about ten minutes. We were most impressed with the Polarlys, the efficiency and cheerfulness of all staff.

We were extremely lucky that the weather was pretty good, no storms! A word of warning, a strict diet or fitness regime prior to boarding is recommended, unless you have an iron will. The food and staff are excellent .We found that the ship tour organizer was very good at keeping everyone fully informed about trips, ports of call and films available whilst aboard.

My wife guessed within a few seconds, the time we crossed the Arctic circle. She was the first to meet Neptune and have a soup ladle of iced water down her neck. At least she received a nice prize. Very few English volunteered, quite a few Germans did, strange.

I would point out that the daylight hours are quite restricted during November. When we next go, it will be when there is more daylight. We felt we had missed quite a lot of scenery during the early darkness. We missed out on the booked dog sled trip at Tromso, due to lack of snow. We changed to the trip to the North Cape. We could see very little due to a blizzard, just our luck!

On the return journey we had a terrific coach trip from Harstad to Sortland in the Lofoten Islands. The timing of the coach to cross the bridge with the Polarlys passing underneath was impressive.

The same night we had a tannoy during dinner to let us know that the northern lights had been sighted. The dining room was emptied within seconds. I was fortunate to get several photographs and spent the next few days bragging about them.

In conclusion I would thoroughly recommend the Norway cruise, do not be put off with the 68 ports of call. The ones during the night we were not aware of. At all stops, should you wish, you could get off and have a walk.

Wonderful cruise for relaxation and soothing light. Excursions are costly but worth the price. A full moon during the cruise will reduce the likelihood of seeing the northern lights. The ships are great - warm, comfortable, friendly crew, good food, high cleanliness, good cabins. Not a cruise if you are a really bad sailor!!   

The usual route to Bergen to pick up M/S Finnmarken is via Heathrow but, living in Leeds, we chose to avoid that particular problem and fly from Leeds/Bradford for a nominal amount extra. Transfer to the ship by coach was easy and quick although the location of the stand for the Hurtigruten coach isn't too obvious: it's just to the right of the exit from Arrivals.

Arriving late afternoon in February it was just going dark and so we were unable to see anything of Bergen on the short transfer to the ship. On arrival at the port luggage is left in the luggage hall immediately after alighting from the transfer bus and cabins are allocated once on board the ship. Be sure to ask to be woken should the Northern Lights appear.

Food on board is varied and good but drinks, alcohol in particular, are very expensive. A litre of wine costs in the region of £37. Even with the slightly reduced costs which the drinks package offers you may wish to have a few alcohol free days.

As far as entertainment is concerned, there is none. It's not that kind of cruise. However, having said that, a very competent organists and singer did provide music in the bar during our cruise.

Once you have left port there is always plenty to see. The scenery is beautiful and it's possible to go ashore at several of the stops. If you choose an escorted cruise then you may be lucky and get a guide like ours who will take you on an 'unguided walk' around the towns where an 'official' tour is unavailable.

As far as the Northern Lights are concerned, there are no guarantees. We were lucky and saw them on three nights. Possibly not the best display as, at the time of our cruise, they were close to their minimum, they were never-the-less quite impressive. Photographing them was, at first, a little hit and miss but using a digital camera with exposures of around 30 or 40 seconds at f2.8 with an ISO equivalent of 400 produced some acceptable results. Using an extra wide angle lens and something to keep the camera still improved the results.

Having flown from Leeds/Bradford meant that we automatically had to spend an extra night in Tromso rather than flying back immediately we had disembarked. This wasn't a problem as we wanted to go on the dog sledding excursion. Being pulled on a sledge through the snow covered landscape by 12 huskies in the dark should not be missed: highly recommended.

Overall impressions of the cruise? Not inexpensive, but well worth considering and a very pleasant change from the warmer parts of the world we have previously visited.

January 2012

Ship was good. We had an inside cabin. Worked well. Top observation deck  comfy, warm and good visibility. Bottomless hurtigruten mugs strongly recommended. Outside is very cold. Captain slowed down for us to minimise wind chill & see the lights. Don't use your camera flash , it doesn't help to capture the lights and annoys everybody because you destroy their night vision. Food brilliant, sea orientated but large range/quantities @ breakfast. Missed excess veg but a pleasure to feast on reindeer, lobster @ dinner. Food gets cold quickly in the low temperatures. Free wifi worked well. Transport & transfers were faultless.

Nice organised surprises on board... Artic twilight is enchanting

Good encounters with sophisticated locals who use the ships like buses & that includes the restaurants/snack bars

Husky dog excursion worth every penny. Norway very beautiful and sea ice free. Don't forget to take all your alcohol & champagne with you because you don't want to buy it there! The prices are breathless.

Beds comfy . Shower plentiful & hot.  Walked every opportunity when ship docked to buy water. A tip happy to pass on. Ship crew very helpful

You need to bundle up big time. Think North Pole. I don't know how the Norwegians stand it