Cruising to the Arctic and Norway

Hi I am considering booking a cruise to see Norway and the Northern lights and Arctic Circle on board a Hurtigruten ship. I have cruised a lot on P&O and I just wanted to find out what their ships were like. I see they look much more basic but what about dining room, cabins, deck areas, and facilities? I would most appreciate any comments from anyone who has cruised with Hurtigruten in the past.I am interested in travelling around Feb 2018 so as to still get chance of seeing the Aurora but also the snow too! Thanks

You have pictures of the ships on the Hurtigruten website. I don't think they are that basic (MS Lofoten maybe has cramped cabins but she is a very special ship), but it depends on everyone's standard I guess (I have very little experience with other cruise ships). There are 11 ships to choose from and they are somewhat different so you can find one that would be more suited to your taste. Some ships have been recently renovated with a very modern design (and very cold for me, but I'm sure it will suit many people : https://www.hurtigruten.com/pages/news/new-arctic-interior/#.Vzw9RHoT5fY). There are vast lounge areas including on most ships a panorama lounge with floor to ceiling windows. I find the cabins comfortable and perfectly adequate but I use them mostly for sleeping, during the day I'm outside on decks or in the lounges.

What is different with Hurtigruten is that there is little entertainment on board, although they are now promoting lectures and some activities (related to the Norwegian lifestyle and nature), and also excursions at port of calls, but mainly the entertainement is given by the nature outside. The ships navigate close to the coast and between islands so there is beautiful landscape almost 24/7 (when there is daylight, and possibilities of NL at night in winter).

I have travelled many times with Hurtigruten in Norway, mainly in winter, you can look at my blog for trip reports and pictures : http://voyageterremer.blogspot.fr/

Also, look at other discussions on this forum as there have been many discussions about the specificity of a Hurtigruten trip and many practical information about life on board.

Thank you SarniaLo , for such great information. I will look into it further.

I agree. The ships are smaller than most cruise line ships, and a little more basic. Cabins are functional, but not luxurious. They are also more informal. No need to "dress" for dinner. You can wear jeans anywhere on the ship, any time. I had an inside cabin that had two single beds; since I was sailing solo one bed was left made up as a couch. I would have been comfortable space-wise with a roommate too. Lovely down comforter for good night sleep. No TV (a bridge cam to see the weather would have been nice in a cabin with no window).

There is no casino, show room, or pool (hot tubs only). No huge gym or spa. No "art" auctions, trivia or bingo. No zipline or talent shows. No free 24 hour buffet, midnight buffet or free snack bar. WiFi is free although sometimes slow, if you must check up on the rest of the world on your cruise. There is no sick bay or hospital, but when a friend on the trip was taken ill, she was taken ashore at the next port, and helicoptered to the hospital in Trondheim, and then flew back to catch up with the ship again.

What you do have is very good food for 3 meals daily, good company (I found most people very friendly, esp. nice as I was cruising solo), breathtaking views from the Vista Lounge and on deck, quaint ports for a quick stroll ashore, a friendly and helpful cruise director/excursion desk staff, good options excursions (although pricey). I always attended the late afternoon/early evening talks by the cruise staff about what we saw that day, and what the next day would be bringing us. There were a few films that I enjoyed in the small conference room/theater as well.

There were a number of educational/cultural events held on deck including ceremonies for crossing the Arctic Circle, fresh shrimp right from the sea, a demonstration of butchering cods heads for the (very tasty) tongue and cheek meat (who knew?), cod drying display, marine biology display and scientists when after leaving Kirkenes, and (for my cruise) a celebration of May 17, the Norwegian National Day.

If you don't need to be entertained 24/7 but can entertain yourself with watching the views, taking photos, reading and talking with people, Hurtigruten is for you.

I literally just discovered Hurtigruten cruise line by clicking on the picture of Northern Lights which led me to the cruse line webpage. I feel that I finally found the way to get to the places I wanted to visit all my life!

I'm planning to read every thread on this forum and taking notes :)