In Search of the Northern Lights - Customer Review
Holiday of a lifetime!
We took the classic round voyage, Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen aboard MS Trollfjord. We had always wanted to visit Norway in winter both for the scenery and for a chance to see the Northern Lights. Having booked a year in advance we had plenty of time for hopes and excitement to build but the trip still far exceeded our expectations.
Each hour brought something new, impressive bridges connecting chains of small islands, narrow channels that were skillfully navigated and eagles flying over distant hills! We visited a total of 34 ports, each individual in character, from the grandeur of Trondheim and the beauty of Tromso to the isolation of small communities perched on islands or nestled at the foot of steep mountain slopes.
During the shorter stops we went out on deck to enjoy panoramic views. For the longer stops we had mostly pre-booked excursions which were thoroughly enjoyable, well organised and good value for money. We visited the remote and windswept North Cape and attended the Midnight Concert in Tromso which was hauntingly atmospheric and not to be missed.
Our ship, MS Trollfjord, was beautifully decorated with original Norwegian art and a traditional wood and stone finish, not over indulgent but very tasteful. The public areas were peaceful, spacious and comfortably furnished and we spent many hours relaxing in the main lounge that offered fantastic all round views. There was plenty of space out on deck even when everybody has been lured out by the scenery or the northern lights.
Hurtigruten do not put on typical "cruise style" entertainment which for us was a huge positive and one of the reasons that we selected this trip. There were some short demonstrations and ceremonies held out on deck and a couple of films on the Northern lights. The captivating scenery was entertainment in itself and we appreciated the chance to enjoy it in a peaceful environment.
Drinks are expensive as you would expect for Norway. We afforded a few drinks in the bar and enjoyed wine in our cabin that we brought with us from the UK. The meals were Norwegian in style and of excellent quality.
Finally, the big question - did we see the northern lights? Yes! We saw them on five separate nights including two very intense displays, which fulfilled a life long ambition and left us speechless each time.
Our huge thanks to Blue Water Holidays and Hurtigruten for the trip of a lifetime.