Norway Cruise Reviews

We sailed from Bergen to Kirkenes, 24-30 January 2012, on board MS Polarlys, and this really was the holiday of a lifetime, the best holiday by far that we have ever had!  The organisation was outstanding throughout - both by Blue Water and Hurtigruten - and we are recommending it to everyone we know.

Everything went extremely smoothly from start to finish.  The ship was a dream - we particularly liked the fact that it was a working boat rather than just a cruise ship - the crew were absolutely amazing, and all the excursions we booked were out of this world.  And, talking of out of this world, yes, we did see the Northern Lights - particularly spectacular at Kirkenes.  In fact, it became almost impossible to avoid them!!

If I had to wrack my brains to come up with a negative point, I'd have to say ...no, sorry: can't come up with a single one!!

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.

We are not usually cruise 'fans' but enjoyed this particular one very much.  It was smaller, friendlier and less formal than most cruises appear to be.  We found our ship, the M/S MIDNATSOL, to be modern and comfortable, with excellent food. The fact that the small but adequate bathroom had underfloor heating and a hairdryer, was a much appreciated bonus!  Drinks were rather expensive, but they are generally in Norway.

The voyage itself provided some spectacular scenery, picturesque ports and harbours and an insight into Norwegian everyday life.  All the excursions that we took were good, but the highlights for us were visiting the North Cape, listening to a Midnight Concert in the 'Arctic Cathedral' in Tromso and taking part in a Sea Eagle Safari. 

We met some lovely, like-minded travellers on the voyage and this added to the overall enjoyment of it.

Thank you, Blue Water, for a very memorable 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.

When booking a holiday different from anything you have ever been on before, it is always a concern that you will be disappointed.  This was not the case when we travelled on the M/S Trollfjord from Bergen to Kirkenes on 17th Octoer.  From the moment we stepped on to the ship we were delighted with the whole experience.

Our mini suite cabin was clean and spacious and we were pleasantly surprised to receive a bottle of wine and a bowl of fruit delivered by some of the friendly and efficient staff.  The food in the dining room was of a very high standard with plenty of choice.  Wine was expensive but we knew this before we boarded. 

Not being certain what the weather would be like we brought plenty of layers so that when we stood on the deck to watch the beautiful scenery we were warm and dry.  We pre-booked excursions  which were very well organised and enjoyable. Whenever the boat docked it was also possible to go ashore for a walk so comfortable shoes and warm clothing were essential.  Excursions that were not fully booked in advance could be booked on board and transfers from Kirkenes to the airport could also be booked on board.  Shopping in Norway is expensive but the quality is high.

We would definitely recommend this cruise and hope to go again one day.

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.

We started the cruise on the 21/07/2008 in Bergen on the ship called the "FINNMARKEN" and left it on the 01/08/2008 again in Bergen after seeing the Norwegain coast line for about 4,000 KM, and 34 Villages and Towns along the way on the up voyage and 34 on the down voyage, some of the ports we stopped at were during the night on the way up to Kirkenes were the ports we came into on the downward voyage during the day so we saw all the Towns and Villages at some time, sometimes you only had 15 mins in the port but sometimes you had 3 or 4 hours, some you could go on a tour or just  walk in to the Town or Village.

On day 2 we when into the Geirangerfjord, what breathtaking views out of this world.

On day 3 we had a walk into Trondheim to have a look around, we had a cup of coffee in the town then back to the ship the "FINNMARKEN" to carry on the voyage north.
The next trip I did was on day 4 it  was the Sea Eagle Safari in Bodo which were in zodiac boats, 12 passengers per boat which lasted for about 2 hours absolutely brilliant got a couple of shots of the Sea Eagle what a sight, Beautiful, then back on board the FINNMARKEN to carry on the voyage north.

The next trip ashore on day 5 was in TROMSO for a coach trip around TROMSO and to visit the Arctic Cathedral, wonderful afternoon trip and money well spent, then on again till the next trip ashore on day 6  at Honningsvag to go to the North Cape the weather was not too good , a bit misty but not cold,  sent myself a card so I could get the post  mark the North Cape well worth the visit ,then around the northern coast to Kirkenes where arrived on day 7  we had couple of hour before we started the voyage southbound, had a walk around the town no shops open because it was on Sunday, the weather on the northbound trip was not too good a lot of mist and low cloud and bit of rain but not much , so we start the southbound voyage at lunch time heading back to Bergen the weather is still not so good the mists have lifted so we can see a bit more.

It is starting to get a bit warmer now we are heading home, day 8 and the sun is shining on our way to Hammerfest the temp is about 30 not bad at all, lots of people are starting to sunbath so all the deck chairs are full, heading into day 9 we stop at 23.45  in Tromso  where  a midnight concert is being held in the Arctic Cathedral  we get into the coaches to take us to the concert but remember it  is still light out side about like 8-9pm UK time, it was a really wonderful concert never to be forgotten. Back on board the "FINNMARKEN" at 01.15 in the morning  ready for bed,  then we are on our way to the Lofoten islands and the mighty Trollfjord  where we take another trip at about 16.30, this time a small boat pulls up along side we get on to it for a trip to see the Sea Eagles which was very  good, feeding the sea gulls to attract  the Sea Eagles which  I  managed to get photos of and some video as well.

We came into the small port / village Svolvaer where we got off the small boat then straight on to a coach for a trip around the Lofoten Islands which were really beautiful catching up to the  ship at 22.30 in time for a late dinner which was most welcome. Day 10 sees us cross the arctic circle where King Neptune comes on board to welcome us to his Kingdom, good fun had by all ( young and old ). Later in the day we arrive at Bronnoysund  for a 45 mins stop and on the quay there is a café which sells the best ice cream in the world a big bowl of strawberries and ice cream was out of this world most of the crew where buying ice cream too, then on again to day 11,the sun has been out since day 8 between 30/33 all day every day, arrived in Trondheim 06.30  we did not book the trip out today as it was to much walking involved,  so we had a lazy day on board just watching the world go by as we had done on most days and enjoyed doing it, a real chill out trip it is all coming to end as Day 12  is the day we will leave the "FINNMARKEN" in Bergen to head home to Newark, Notts. After a HOLIDAY OF LIFE TIME, we will never forget, I am going to make a promise I will come again soon.

Now a few lines about the "FINNMARKEN" and the  Captain and the crew who where very kind, wonderful and very helpful the service was very good, they could not do enough for you, the food was very good as much as you can eat from the buffet style breakfast and lunch hot or cold (I love smoked salmon so I had it for breakfast and lunch everyday) a set meal for dinner with 3 courses, if you are not a fish eater you tell the head waiter and they would give something else to eat, (they put a small blue card by you) so when the waiters/ waitress come to your table they would know you where a non fish person, after you finished dinner you go to the lounge for tea or coffee and then more chill out time watching the world go by.

We did the visit to the bridge which very interesting and we also had visit from King Neptune a real good time was had by all on board old and young alike and the trolls also came to see us, and the crew of "FINNMARKEN" had a competition running between them and other ships for towel waving so they get as many passenger on deck waving towels as well, a good time had by all, gave us a good laugh on a cold and damp nights.

The ship was very comfortable and warm, plenty of comfortable seats to sit in and watch the world go by. The cabin was also comfortable a nice bathroom with a shower in, the beds where good as well. The only thing I could fault was the price of drinks (£14.00 for a pint and a half of larger, £14.00 for 2 glass of wine with dinner, £10.00 for a shot of brandy) but it did not put us off having drink or two (it is not a booze cruise) it did not spoilt the Holiday of a Life Time. I have started to book another trip in December to see the Northern Lights so fingers crossed everything goes alright.

So all I can do now is to thank the Captain & crew of the "FINNMARKEN" for the Holiday of a Life Time.

This was the most amazing holiday ever - cruising in liquid silver light across the Arctic Circle early in the morning takes some beating.

The ship was comfortable; the staff uniformly helpful and friendly but unobtrusive; the Tour manager, Nils, just about the sweetest guy you could ever meet. Prices hideous, but that's Norway for you and it was perfectly ok to bring your own gin as long as you kept it in the cabin and definitely take the coffee and tea deal where one payment gets you an insulated mug you can fill with free tea or coffee whenever you want.

I can't begin to describe the scenery, varying from vertical crags to tiny scribbles of island at the juncture of miles of sea and sky, all dotted with dolls house wooden cottages. I was very lucky with the weather, not sure how lovely it would have been in rain.

It was interesting being on a working ship - you stop often for a few minutes only at tiny settlements as well as major cities. There wasn't much gung-ho quoits on deck stuff, so if you want to have every minute organised for you I'd go elsewhere. There was plenty of fun, though, from the Arctic Circle baptism [having a ladle of ice down the back of the neck by someone dressed as King Neptune] to a late night waving competition with a sister ship.

The excursions are original, well planned and interesting, though make sure you have plenty of money as they come in at up to £100 a time: worth it, though, to cuddle baby huskies, see reindeer, puffins and inquisitive seals popping their heads out of the water, or to take a rubber dinghy to the original maelstrom.

The other passengers were generally charming, and, travelling alone, I found it very easy to make friends.

I cannot recommend this too highly.

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 had a wonderful time on the boat.  The trip was very relaxing and the staff very helpful and friendly.  Some of the excursions were enjoyable.

The excursion to Sverresborg was disappointing because part of the terrain was closed off due to a performance being held there and the guide was very young and inexperienced.  We enjoyed the outing to the glacier as well as the outing called a Taste of lapland.

The food was of very high quality and great variety.  Staff were accommodating regarding mealtimes when we went out on excursions that didn't allow us to go to our regular sitting.

The service at dinner (set menu not buffet) was very slow.  The starter never arrived until 45 mins after the diningroom opened and then there was a long wait between courses.

The wine prices were prohibitive.  We priced a red wine in a Norwegian wine shop at NOK 90 whereas the same wine cost NOK 330 on the boat,

Cruising had never held any appeal for either of us, but we had always wanted to take the Norwegian Coastal Voyage - so we booked our passage on MS Richard With for September 2007.

We booked our flights independently and travelled a day early so that we could explore Bergen.  Our first glimpse of the ship was from the hill above the harbour as we were making our way back to the Hurtigruten terminal from Bergen's aquarium.  On returning to the terminal, the check-in process was accomplished quickly and efficiently - we had to wait to board the ship, as it was still being prepared (very quick turn-around in port), but once boarding commenced we were welcomed by a friendly and efficient crew and our bags had already been delivered to our mini-suite.  On reflection, we'd have been perfectly comfortable in a standard cabin, but this was a special holiday and we appreciated the extra space.

Our first task was to arrange our table for dinner in the restaurant, which involved a certain amount of queuing - but once we'd done that we set to work exploring the ship and settling in.  The ship itself was modern, clean and spacious and had every facility we'd hoped for.  Our mini-suite was roomy, comfortable and spotlessly clean with a basket of fresh fruit waiting for us - the fruit was replenished regularly.  There is a gym on MS Richard With but it's a bit of a joke - there are a couple of machines (treadmill, bike), but that's your lot.  However there is a sauna and two outdoor jacuzzis.  (One lady crossed the Arctic Circle in the jacuzzi.)  The public lounges and bars were comfortable and mercifully quiet and it was always possible to get away from the crowds (not that it ever felt crowded.)

We had decided not to pre-book any excursions as the weather is unsettled at that time of year (mid-September) - this turned out to be a good decision, as it was raining heavily on the day we entered Geirangerfjord and the coach journey along the mountain roads would have been a waste of money, owing to the swirling mist.

The 'work' of the ship was a constant source of fascination to us - although the ship docks for only 30 minutes at some ports, we tried to set foot on shore at every port and were able to observe the loading and unloading of cargo and vehicles.  At some ports the ship stopped for several hours and we were able to explore - Trondheim and Tromso have much to offer and are easy to visit on foot, but we managed to see a little of most of the other ports of call in the short time available - we made friends with a number of other passengers intent on doing the same thing. 

The crew are efficient and friendly but never intrusive and they don't 'dance attendance' on passengers - it is assumed that you will take responsibility for yourself, listen to announcements and heed the information provided, which may come as a shock to anyone expecting to be mollycoddled and shepherded about.  We didn't perceive this as a problem. 

This is not a holiday for people who want a 'cruise' - there is no bingo, no entertainment, no disco-dancing, no dressing up for dinner, no fawning stewards, no keeping-up-with-the-Joneses.  The 'entertainment' is the landscape, the wildlife and the fascinating and little-known history of the Norwegian coastal communities.  For us this was just perfect!  It was total relaxation, no pressure at all.   Every day brought something new and interesting to see or do - like the day we saw a sea-eagle close-up.

The daily itineraries published on board kept us up to date with the highlights ahead and helped us to plan our visits.  The purser was incredibly helpful and there were announcements drawing attention to interesting or beautiful sights - including encounters with other vessels from the Hurtigruten fleet - always a cause of great excitement on board.  We became unashamed ship-spotters.

Crossing the Arctic Circle is celebrated with a ceremony at which King Neptune makes an appearance!  We enjoyed a visit to North Cape, where the wind nearly blew us off our feet.  Many of the excursions are expensive - good value if the weather is right but poor weather might spoil the experience - for this reason, we thought it better to wait for the forecast and book on board, rather than in advance. 

You will find museums and monuments all along the coast - the Hurtigruten Museum, with the original MS Finnmarken in dry dock, is worth a visit.  There are also several museums of local life and of the history of North Norway - the Museum of the Reconstruction (following WW2) at Hammerfest is a particularly informative and very moving example.  Vardohus Fort (still manned) is also a real gem.  However, the spectacular landscapes are the star of the show - the beautiful Lofoten Islands and the stunning scenery of Trollfjord, where the captain 'pirouetted' the ship at the head of the fjord so that we could take in the sheer majesty of the scene.  Breathtaking!

Throughout the journey, the food was both plentiful and delicious and service was brisk, efficient and friendly, but always very informal.   Unless you have a large appetite, the half-board option (where available) would be perfectly adequate - there is a generous buffet-breakfast available until quite late and a decent three-course evening meal.  (The buffet lunch - also sumptuous - was at times one meal too many, but still irresistable!)  For those on half-board, snacks are available in the café, should you feel peckish. 

Our only complaint (and it's not the fault of the tour operator or the shipping line) was the price of beer!  Norwegian taxes on alcohol make beer and wine VERY expensive.  On-board prices are in line with prices in bars and restaurants on dry land.  We resolved this problem by buying beer in supermarkets (still expensive, though!) but this has to be consumed in the cabin and not in the public areas of the ship.  The large sacks of empty cans taken off the ship for recycling bore witness to the fact that we were not the only passengers doing this! 

Money-saving tips: we took our own travel kettle and some tea-bags for our early morning cuppa (but then we are Brits.)  We also opted for a jug of tap-water at mealtimes - free of charge.  This saved us quite a lot of money over the 10 days of the voyage.  If you want 'drinkies' at reasonable prices during your cruise, don't forget to get your duty-frees.  You can purchase at Bergen airport on landing - which is what all the locals do!

In summary, this is a journey we would love to repeat, perhaps at a different time of year, perhaps on one of the other ships.....  a magical and unforgettable experience. 

This was our first cruise ever so didn't know what to expect but we were pleasantly surprised.  The ship was like a luxury ferry and it was easy to find our way around.  Cabin was a good size and had everything we needed, food and service was excellent and the best bit was the scenery and the total relaxation and informalness of it all. 

All relevant information was given during the trip for the various stops including times of docking and departures.

We intend to go back again next Winter and take the trip from Tomso to Kirkenes this time with dog sledging and snow mobile trips.  Unfortunately we didn't get to see the Northern Lights but fingers crossed we will next time!

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

The cruise was very good indeed.  The Polarlys was lovely and the staff and crew friendly and helpful.  We took too many clothes - the self service laundry is very efficient and costs 30Krona for washing and 30Krona for tumble dry.

We had booked a cabin without a window, but after a day or two found it oppressive so upgraded which proved to be a very wise decision.

The food was good and plentiful but not highly seasoned or flavoured.

We have never seen so many people drinking nothing but tap water at mealtimes since we last visited Norway, but the water is very good.  If you want wine with your meal it will cost upwards of  thirty six pounds a bottle at the present exchange rate.  There is a very good coffee offer on board where for 20Krona one can buy an insulated Hurtigruten mug which can be filled as many times as wished throughout the cruise. There is no problem making your own hot drinks in the cabin.

We did not go on any excursions but thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the towns where we docked and sitting in the lovely panoramic lounge watching the beautiful scenery.

My husband developed a sore throat followed by a chest cold so we had to visit a number of pharmacies in towns on the journey. Over the counter medicines are very expensive so it is wise to carry anything that one could possibly want.

I was ill and needed a doctor. We were due to dock for one hour. Reception arranged an appointment at a Health centre with taxis to take us there and back.  We arrived back 10 minutes before sailing time.  It was all very efficient.

All in all it was a wonderful  holiday, well arranged by Bluewater whose staff were so helpful.

J.S.

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 

For me this holiday was not enjoyable but I will summarise the facts why:-

Do not be confused and think you will see the Fjords - you won't

You will sail around the coastline of a cold Northern Norway (10 degrees in mid July)

You will stop at different points and other than a couple of stops - they will all be a few houses, a very plain wooden build church with no interesting features and you will be lucky to see a single person outside in the majority of places.  You will walk along streets of tatty wooden build houses and then get back on the boat.  If you go on a tour - some might like it but expect just a coach journey to a high view and observe the view that you have seen from the ship.  If you are going on an excursion, choose ones where you visit the raindeer or samei people or a boat ride or something as that makes it far more interesting.  Lastly - if you have been on cruises before, do not expect a cruise ship.  It is fine, but it has one restaurant, one shop and one bar and one area of entertainment at night and you get the choice of one meal in the evenings. 

If you want to relax, read, sit on the ship and look out at the coast in very warm clothing all the time then you should book as it is a good holiday for that and don't let my comments put you off, it is just that I do not enjoy sitting on a converted ferry (which has been very well converted and the rooms are fine) in the same place everyday and not doing anything - definitely take a good book or some kind of project to work on.