Hurtigruten's MS Nordlys Coastal Express from Bergen to Kirkenes

[@johndoyle3514]

Great video...thank you!

[@HavePension-WillTravel]

It was a wonderful trip. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@randyv8232]

Fantastic!!!!

[@flugfiebercom]

Great video. We were on the ship at exactly the same time.

[@HavePension-WillTravel]

So glad you enjoyed the video - and the trip! It was a lot of fun, awesome scenery, fascinating places, good food. Good times all round.

[@old_lion]

Thanks for the nice video! Well done. 😃☺️ - This brings back memories from my trip, which I also made a video for. 😊

[@HavePension-WillTravel]

Hi Sven. I really enjoyed the trip. I'd love to look at your video. Where can I see it?

[@okeedokeepokee]

Thanks for the video. We're planning this trip end of 2024 but debating whether going Oct/Nov or Jan/Feb. We want to see more snow and northern lights as well. What is your opinion.

[@HavePension-WillTravel]

I think Jan/Feb would be the better time for the journey. You will see the Northern Lights at either time but there will be much more snow in Jan/Feb (and the nights will be longer so more aurora viewing time). Also with more snow the excursion husky rides will be available. The huskies are lovely but there wasn't enough snow for sleigh rides when we were there. It was a great trip anyway. Hope you have a wonderful time.

[@SLM68-i2y]

Thanks for doing this video. Could you please tell what category of cabin (or which cabin exactly) you were in? Also, would you be able to give the names of the different excursions you did in the different ports (or if you just walked around)?

[@HavePension-WillTravel]

We were in Cabin 558, (Arctic Superior Outside). We first booked this journey in 2019 and there were two changes of ship before we actually set sail but we always had the same category and made sure the cabin wasn't overlooking the lifeboats. Also, because we were heading north we wanted a cabin on the starboard side so that we could see the coast. Several different excursions are available at each port including hikes, walks and visits to various landmarks. Some aren't always available depending on the timeof year and the weather. Mostly we walked around on our own (for example Urke on Hjorundfjord on day 1; Alesund in the evening of day 1; Trondheim day 2; Bodo day 3; Tromso day 4). We did the Meet the Vikings excursion in the evening of day 3 and the North Cape trip on day 4. Looking back, I would have liked to do the Tromso Arctic Capital tour as it included a cable car ride and a visit to the Arctic Cathedral but walking around Tromso was very pleasant and there are some nice shops. A great journey and well worth doing.

[@mindyruizgallagher1593]

Great video! Would you recommend this over a Norwegian Fjords cruise on a traditional cruise line (Royal Caribbean, Cunard, NCL, etc)? If so, why was it better in your opinion? I appreciate your time! Thank you

[@HavePension-WillTravel]

Hi Mindy. I've never been on a traditional cruise ship so I can't realy compare them. I had a quick look online and it seems as though the big cruise ships tend to go to Iceland as well as Norway. In that case you wouldn't get close up to many fjords although Havila voyages have cruises that look similar to the Hurtigruten ones. Hurtigruten coastal ships are ferries and carry mail, cars and short trip passengers as well as tourists like ourselves. But they don't have theatres or ballrooms and stuff like that. It's what we wanted and we loved it.

[@mindyruizgallagher1593]

@@HavePension-WillTravel Thank you so much! I appreciate your response and loved your video 😊

[@a.leehilliard4716]

It is a much better way to see Norway than with the other companies. Many times they limit your time ashore. A 5-7 hour stop will turn into a 2 hour stop with nothing but a mention during mealtime the night before. Definitely use Hurtigruten and if you have more time fly into Oslo and make use of the fantastic Norwegian ferry systemm

[@DeborahBoily]

​@@a.leehilliard4716it seems to me from my calls to Hurtegruten and online that these coastal itineraries are only 2 hours in the major cities..that's what is discouraging me from going..

[@scottsteiner9429]

Great video! Thanks for sharing! How many hours did you spend at each port? It looks like there are close to 30 ports. Is it true?

[@HavePension-WillTravel]

There are 34 stops, mostly in villages and towns where the ship stays for 10 to 45 minutes. The big towns and cities where we were able to go ashore and there were excursions included Urke, Alesund, Trondheim, Bodo, Svolvaer, Tromso, Honningsvag and Kirkenes.

[@wrighth1]

Did you do any of the excursions and if so we’re they worth it? We’re doing the trip in November😊 thanks

[@HavePension-WillTravel]

Hello Howard. I'm sure you'll love the trip. We did a couple of excursions: Meet the Vikings (which I loved but my husband wasn't so keen on); and the North Cape trip. It was interesting to get to the northernmost end of continental Europe but it isn't always possible in winter because the road may be closed because of strong winds. Worth it though. I think many of the excursions are worth it depending on your interests and level of fitness. Hope you have a great time.

[@priyav3900]

Nice video. Did you directly book with hurtigruten or through a travel agency?

[@HavePension-WillTravel]

Hello Priya. We booked directly with Hurtigruten

[@joliettraveler]

Great memories. However, why they don't let you take pictures in the Trondheim Cathedral is absurd. It is stone. No flash will hurt it.

[@HavePension-WillTravel]

Yes, I've got good memories of this trip. I didn't go on many of the excursions and looking back I regret that - so many interesting places I missed out seeing. The cathedral was an impressive place though I didn't go inside. Maybe the authorities didn't want to disturb worshippers? Hard to police with almost everyone using smartphones these days.

[@a.leehilliard4716]

It is a place of worship with worshippers.