Leland22 Loc: Texas

I heard about this cruise here on UHH and booked it leaving 6/25. Here is my update. The cruise leaves Bergen Norway and ends in Kirkenes at the top of Europe, close to the Russian border. It stops at 34 ports of call in 7 days-most are 15-20 minutes because this is a cruise/ferry. Sometimes called a "mailboat" cruise. The ship is relatively small in comparison the the normal cruise ship of today. People/cars/ cargo are getting on and off at the ports of call. It has one longer stop every day for debarkation.The ship has about 450 beds but usually carries about 400 cruisers. The staterooms are small but food was excellent with lots of seafood options. There is no entertainment-just the scenery.You should not even be in your room except to sleep because the scenery is so beautiful.This is touted as the most beautiful cruise in the world and in my opinion, it is correct. For a landscape photographer, it ranked a 10. In comparison to Alaska, I would say better by 10 times for landscape but no glaciers. Since it was right after the longest day of the year, we had 24/7 sunlight above the Arctic Circle and even in the south, sunset was about 11pm with sunrise several hours later so the light was great. You had blue light after sunset till sunrise-never got dark.The only possible drawback would be if you encounter a heavy overcast/rainy day of which we had about a day and a half. Temperature highs ranged from around 60F in the south to 40F in the north. You can do the north/south and if so, it debarks at different ports on the south turnaround. So, would I do it again-absolutely. If I had the time, I would have done the turnaround. Airline travel today has a lot to be desired though. Going through my 1,000 photos now.

Settlit Loc: Baton Rouge LA

Pictures. We would to see some pictures, please. At your convenience.

rcarol

My wife and I did the turnaround cruise but in the winter. It was quite the experience.

gwilliams6

Judy795

This is timely. I am thinking of this for next year. Would love more details. Where did you embark and debark from? Possible to get off a few days and do the Lofoton Islands on our own?

rcarol

The ferry system is not a hop on hop off cruise. The ferry that you initially embark is the same that you disembark.

wham121736 Loc: Long Island, New York

My wife and I have been to Hawaii, done Alaska by ship and the Hurtigruten round trip during the summer, and agree with you. Even the 10 minute stops offer photo ops from the ship. I would do this again, before Alaska or Hawaii. As I recall we had several half hour stops most days, but this may change depending on how much commercial business they need to do at each stop.

stmfrd

What lenses should one take on this cruise?

carlberg

We took the Hurtigruten round-trip Norwegian coastal cruise in 2011. I won't upstage Leland22 with my so-so shots except one from the ship's view lounge showing the passengers absolutely awestruck over the breathtaking scenery. It was June and two days out of Bergen we had 3/4 inch snow on the deck. Highly recommended.

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Housty Loc: Ontario

This cruise sounds great, do you have a website for it were one can view the details and make a reservation? Many thanks

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

I think the Scandinavian countries have a big, heavy lock on magnificent scenery, judging from what I have seen on UHH and elsewhere 🧊🧊🧊

Leland22 Loc: Texas

https://global.hurtigruten.com/destinations/norway/classic-voyage-north-bergen-kirkenes/?_hrgb=2

you can also do a "turnaround" and thern go back South. They stop at different ports letting you off on the way back.

Leland22 Loc: Texas

I shoot Sony A7R3 so I took only one-24-280

Leland22 Loc: Texas

I think you can. Contact Hurdigruten. We had friends do Lofoten and then took the ship back to Bergen.

Leland22 Loc: Texas

We got on at Bergen and off at Kirkenes. Then flew to Stockholm, spent the night,and back to TX