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LoginMS Nordkapp is named after the famous North Cape, which is a cape on the island of Magerøya in northern Norway, in the municipality of Nordkapp.
The varied and exciting themes from coastal culture illustrated in works of art throughout the ship make it a floating art gallery that complements the changing scenes, which may be seen from the panorama lounges and elegant restaurant. There are two outside Jacuzzis on board.
Year build: | 1996 |
Place built: | Ulsteinvik, Ulstein, Norge |
Passengers: | 691 |
Berths: | 481 |
Car spaces: | 45 |
Gross tonnage: | 11386 |
Length: | 123.3 |
Beam: | 19.5 |
Speed: | 15 |
I used to be a tour leader in Scandinavia for over 20 years but i had never done a trip with Hurtigruten. I was Not disappointed . I had a fantastic time. The food was outstanding, the crew amazing...
I have never been on a cruise before but knew that I would not be interested in a large ship with lots of nightlife/entertainment. I wanted to enjoy the scenery and to be on a ship small enough to ...
This sailing has on our bucket list for a number of years and we booked it before Covid. Despite the wait it certainly did not disappoint! The friendliness of the crew, the spacious cabin, the saun...
This was our third attempt at our Coastal Cruise with Hurtigruten, due to the pandemic. First off, Hurtigruten looked after us very well with the cancellations and we were happy to wait until the s...
Overall a wonderful experience with varied weather, scenery and a variety of different places to see. However, the communication from Hurtigruten prior to travel was very poor, many things changed ...
MS Nordkapp is one of Hurtigruten's older ships having launched in 1996, but regular refurbishments have ensured it's got a fresh, clean, modern look (at least from Deck 4 up).
It's small and pretty basic -- ideal, in fact, for navigating the fjords and inlets of Norway's jagged, 1,250-mile coastline, which it does 365 days of the year, come rain, snow, sleet, hail or gales. Unlike some Hurtigruten ships, MS Nordkapp is dedicated to this stretch of the coast, stopping at 34 ports from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the far north and back, a journey time of 11 days. (Hurtigruten encourages passengers to do the entire round trip, but you can just do one way.)
Life onboard is simple: Eat, get ready for an excursion, get back onboard, eat, listen to a lecture and an early night. During longer periods of navigation, you'll find people dotted all over the ship looking out, cameras in hand, admiring the natural beauty of this stunning landscape and looking for wildlife, such as eagles, orcas and whales.
A sailing on MS Nordkapp is very much about the destination, so do not expect any frills. Yes, the higher-grade cabins do have modern conveniences (TV, mini-fridge) and there is excellent Wi-Fi. But you won't find such typical cruise ship add-ons as room service, nightly shows, a cruise director or even a swimming pool (there are two hot tubs, wonderful on a freezing polar night).
Note, too, that you can "upgrade" your experience depending on the fare type you buy. A Basic fare gets you just that, the basics. Select fares allow you a choice of cabin and include Wi-Fi, coffee (not specialty) and tea. Platinum is the highest fare and gets you into a mini-suite, plus includes such things as specialty dining and private airport transfers.
Where the ship does punch way above its weight, though, is food: There is just one dining room and a specialty restaurant, but both are outstanding -- the freshest of freshly caught shellfish, local meats and vegetables, local desserts with a story attached, wine pairing and top-notch service. It's like eating in a fine dining restaurant on land without the bill (note, however, Norway is expensive and that is reflected in the cost of alcohol).
Aside from wildlife spotting, excursions are the main source of entertainment on a MS Nordkapp sailing, and they are many and varied. Some of our favorites included staying in a snow hotel, snowmobiling at night, husky sledding, horseback riding and kayaking. We love that there's something for most ages and all abilities.
Who's sailing depends partly on when you're sailing, so over the winter period, you will find Germans, Swedes and French with the odd smattering of Americans, Canadians, Japanese and British. The average age is around 60/65+, and most people are traveling in groups or couples, so it feels more international. Come summer, the age skews downwards and you'll get more families.
Norwegians use it year-round as a jump-on, jump-off service and as a car ferry (which it still is).
Norwegian is the first language, but everyone without exception speaks perfect English and all announcements are in both languages.
Included with your cruise fare:
Not included with your cruise fare:
There is no dress code. Hurtigruten does offer a suggested packing list: for winter, thermal underwear, waterproof jackets and trousers, hiking boots, waterproof gloves, a hat and dark glasses. You should also bring a swimsuit for the hot tubs -- even in winter. In the summer bring a hat, sunscreen, dark glasses and hiking boots.
The nicest cabins on Nordkapp are all on Decks 5 and 6, as these were more recently refurbished and then those on Decks 2 and 3, with new upholstery, carpets and decor. Note: None of the 214 cabins -- including the suites -- have a balcony.
Cabins are functional rather than luxurious and fall on the small side compared to industry standards, particularly in the lower categories. The lower cabin categories don't even have "regular" beds; instead they have pull-down beds or sofa beds. To get a double bed, you'll have to book a cabin on Deck 6. Despite their size, all cabin categories have room versions that are capable of holding two to four people making them suitable for families.
Solos travelers should note, there is no single supplement on two-person cabins.
All cabins have a phone, a bed of some kind, wardrobe, two-pin plug socket and a fixed desk (though these vary in size, depending on category). One interesting quirk is lettering above the beds and above the glasses in the bathroom, indicating which belongs to which passenger, a leftover from the days when strangers would share rooms.
All bathrooms, whatever category cabin you are in, are the same: All have showers with clingy curtains, a toilet and a basin. Hurtigruten got rid of all single-use plastics, so you won't find any mini-bottles of shampoo or gels -- products are dispensed via fixed containers above the basin and in the shower. However, unlike most cruise ship generic gels -- we recommend the lovely "Arctic Pure" brand hand wash, shower gel/shampoo and conditioner -- made with cloudberry and birch.
Two more things in the bathroom we loved: nonsteam mirrors and heated floors -- so lovely on a chilly polar night.
Interior: The 21 inside cabins are tiny and spread out on Decks 6, 5 and 3. The most basic are on Deck 3, of which there are 13, clustered toward the front and aft; none of these have TVs. The remaining insides are on Decks 5 and 6 (four apiece) and include TVs. All are just 54 square feet in size.
Ocean View: The vast majority of cabins are ocean view and consist of two types: Arctic Superior and Polar Outside.
Polar Outside: Rooms within this category vary greatly depending on their location. Those on Decks 2 and 3 are larger, coming in at 75 square feet, but they have not been refurbished in years. The Polar Outside rooms on Decks 5 and 6 were more recently refurbished and include a TV and new furniture but are much smaller, at just 53 square feet. Most of the rooms have a picture window, though those on Deck 2 toward the front of the ship have a porthole window. Many Polar Outside rooms are triples, with a pull-down bunk, so would suit families; those on Decks 2 and 3 have single, fixed beds that cannot be configured as doubles. All Polar Outside rooms on Deck 6, midship, have a restricted view due to the lifeboats hanging outside the window.
Accessible: There are three accessible cabins on Deck 3 (331, 333 and 335) which are all classified as Polar Outsides, but are of course considerably bigger to allow for a wheelchair in the bedroom and bathroom and come in at 139 square feet. Each has a wide entrance with no lip, an electronically adjustable hospital-type bed, a chair, a table and a pull-down bed for a caretaker or spouse. The bathroom has a wide door and a fully accessible bathroom, as well as an oblong window.
Arctic Superiors and above all include a kettle, two mugs and tea and coffee sachets.
Arctic Superior: All the Arctic Superiors are on Decks 5 and 6, are 86 square feet and are configured as doubles (though can be split). They have more closet space and extra shelving above the bed. They look and feel fresh, with modern, light wood fittings and decor.
Mini-suites: There are eight 215-square-foot mini-suites on Deck 6. They come in two distinct layouts: the ones toward the back have a sofa bed and can sleep four; the ones toward the front have chairs instead of a sofa. All feel roomy and consist of two distinct spaces with a curtain to separate the spaces within the room.
The mini-suites toward the aft are oblong-shaped and have a living room with a large sofa bed, a glass table and a cabinet with a TV on top, and a large fixed mirror. There is also a shelf with a phone and two plug sockets, plus a closet with plenty of hanging space and drawers. The shower room adjoins here, with a basin and a toilet. You'll find an unstocked mini-fridge in the bedroom, along with a kettle for making tea and coffee; there's room under the bed for storing luggage, plug sockets and a bedside table with reading lights on each side of the bed. The large picture window has blackout blinds.
The four mini-suites toward the front of the ship have a different design; the living area is smaller, with chairs, a small table and a closet, while the bedroom is larger and you'll find the TV perched at the end of the bed. There is also a desk and a mini-fridge below. As in the aft mini-suites you'll find a kettle in the bedroom. There are no bedside plugs.
Suites: There are two suites on Nordkapp, both at the front of the ship on Deck 5 -- 501 and 502 -- which are 322 square feet. They consist of a living area with a sofa bed (which can sleep two), a large TV, a coffee table and two cupboards, one with extra storage space and second housing the kettle. The picture window in these rooms affords some of the best views on the ship; however, it overlooks the Promenade Deck, thus inviting other cruises to look into the room and also effectively blocking the view when the deck is crowded. The bedroom, which can be separated from the living space by a sliding door, has a large bed with space underneath for suitcases, an unstocked mini-fridge and another desk with plug sockets. Again, there is a large picture window with great views but also looking out over the forward deck.
Dining on Nordkapp is exceptional, wherever you choose to eat. If you ate your entire time in Torget (the main dining room), you would not be disappointed as the quality is high and there is so much variety.
However, it is worth eating in the fine dining restaurant, Kysten, at least once during the journey, partly for variety, but partly because it is outstanding.
There are two other outlets for snacks and sandwiches, but these are mostly used by the interport passengers. There is no room service onboard.
Torget (Deck 4)
Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) and Dinner (D)
The main dining room at the back of the ship serves all three meals in buffet style, except for the occasional three-course, waiter-served dinner. The food is outstanding, without exception, and fresh -- with fish caught that morning from the port that the ship has just called in at, or meats shipped in from a nearby farm that rears rare breed cattle or pigs. Weirdly, we never saw chicken on the menu, but do get ready for lots of variation of reindeer (stews, sausages, roast, soups) and, of course, seafood in all its many forms (pickled, cured, fried, raw).
There are also a number of vegetarian dishes available at every meal including pastas, salads and roasted and boiled vegetables.
There are two standout evenings during the voyage -- Seafood Night and the set-course dinner. Seafood Night includes crawfish, mussels, shrimp, salmon and crab as well as sushi. There are also meat dishes on offer for nonseafood eaters, as well as vegetable dishes and salads. The three-course set dinner night starts with a delicious risotto of local cod roe, pickles and chives, followed by a unique-style beef loin made in Trondelag. The chef makes a bit of a spectacle, hand carving the beef at the buffet before it is table served. Dessert is a mouth-watering beetroot and chocolate cake.
On some nights, you will get wait staff coming round offering you specialty liquors -- for a fee. Normally we'd say no to this form of upselling, but we make an exception -- and recommendation -- for the aquavit, which as well as being delicious has a fascinating history (ask your waiter!).
The service is outstanding -- young, engaged wait staff, all of whom speak perfect English and are friendly and knowledgeable.
In terms of allergies, these are clearly marked on the menu (when it is a set menu), below each food item; or if it is a buffet, there are little signs by each buffet item.
There is no children's menu, but the chef is always happy to make a burger, pasta or pizza.
Pricing was accurate at time of review but may have changed since.
Kysten (Deck 4): a la carte, 99 NOK (about $11) to 345 NOK (about $40); king crab set menu, 695 NOK pp (about $80); or 240 NOK pp (about $30) if you opt for an A La Carte Upgrade
Meals: D
Kysten is an outstanding fine dining restaurant, which you ought to eat in at least once. If you're scared by the prices, the best option is to ask onboard for the A La Carte Upgrade. You can also choose the evening you eat on.
Making up one-half of the space shared by Brygga and separated by a glass wine display and an open kitchen, this is Norwegian cooking at its best, at par with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Everything is local, sometimes hyperlocal, with the fish being loaded from one of the tiny fishing villages the ship pulls in to. The menu is a la carte, except for King Crab Night, which includes a glass of prosecco, a lovely salad, exquisite local scallops and, of course, king crab. We love that you can scan the QR code on your crab's shell to find out where, when and by whom it was caught.
The a la carte menu includes a beet salad, beef carpaccio, a reindeer consomme and the aforementioned scallops. Entrees include king crab (note it's 1,295 NOK per kilo, which is around $150); beef tenderloin, pork, arctic char or halibut, all served beautifully on dark granite slabs. Desserts are equally delicious, all made by the chef in the open kitchen and including chocolate terrine, plum and rhubarb tart, rice pancakes and local cheeses. The wine list is extensive and varied and there is also suggested wine pairing. House wines are pricy, starting at 475 NOK (about $55) and 565 NOK (about $65) for red. Service is outstanding.
Brygga (Deck 4)
Meals: L, D
This quick-stop shop sells open sandwiches, snacks and alcoholic beverages from 1 p.m. onward, mainly to locals who are using the ship as a ferry service and do not have meals included.
Multe Cafe (Deck 7)
Meals: B, L
A lovely spot at the top of the ship, with nice views and a Norwegian homey feel. It sells specialty coffees, pastries and open sandwiches, as well as an interesting selection of local ice creams including fish flavor and a beer flavor.
Shore Excursions
A cruise on Nordkapp is all about the excursions and most passengers will do multiple tours. Hurtigruten offers a vast number of extra-fee shore excursions, which change depending on time of year. They are generally all of an excellent quality, with top-notch guides, but some could do with a tweak or two to really lift them. Reservations must be made ahead of time as some are very popular and get sold out quickly. (Our tip is to get the shore excursions book from the desk as soon as you get onboard, read it thoroughly and then make your reservations.)
In the winter look for snowmobile safaris (both day and night), an overnight stay at the Snowhotel in Kirkenes, husky sledding, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. Summer excursions include fjord sightseeing, farm visits, city tours, cycling and sea kayaking. Year-round options include a midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral, horse riding, sea eagle spotting, rigid inflatable boat safaris and hikes.
The best time to spot the northern lights is from fall to early March, and for many passengers, this is the main reason they've chosen to cruise. (Hurtigruten offers a Northern Lights Promise for anyone on the full 11-day Coastal Voyage -- if you don't spot them, Hurtigruten will offer you another five-day cruise for free.). The best shore excursions for northern lights spotting are the nighttime snowmobile safari and the Snow Hotel overnight. (On the ship, you'll be alerted to northern lights appearances via a special button on your in-cabin phone.)
Unlike "typical" cruise ship shore excursions, Hurtigruten's tours do not run "half day" or "full day," but instead run for either as long as the ship is in port, or you join the ship at another port.
Note: Many of the shore excursions are quite active and might not be suitable for passengers with mobility restrictions. A few options that should be OK are the sea eagle safari and most of the bus excursions, but always check when booking. Similarly, ask about which tours are appropriate for children; Hurtigruten recommends a minimum age of 6 for most excursions.
For anyone looking for complimentary options, there are four bikes available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the ship is always pretty well docked in the center of town so you can head off exploring on your own. (Just note, some stops are just 15 minutes.)
Wildlife Viewing
The beauty of a cruise along the Norwegian coastline is that you never know what you might see -- the confluence of the freezing Artic waters and the Gulf Stream attracts an abundance of migratory species including dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, minke whales and blue whales. Of course, none of this is guaranteed (though you'll pretty much always spot seals), but you up your chances if you do a bit of research and find out the migratory patterns. The good news is, despite sticking to a strict timetable, Hurtigruten captains will always slow or stop the ship for a wildlife encounter.
In terms of more "reliable" wildlife, on land you'll spot reindeer (both wild and tame), sea eagles and moose (though these are on a farm).
Do bring a pair of binoculars and a decent camera with a zoom lens; smartphones are great for landscapes and sunsets, but you'll need a zoom for wildlife. A tripod is also a good investment.
Enrichment
There are two lecture theaters in the Kompass area toward the front of the ship on Deck 4 (just beyond Reception). Here the shore excursions team will talk you through the shore excursions and wildlife spotting, tell you five fun facts about Norway, teach you Norwegian words and also reveal the winners of the onboard photography exhibition. There is always one lecture in English and another in German, depending on passenger demographic onboard.
Hurtigruten also offers a fun (for-fee) onboard cooking class teaching you how to marinate salmon (295 NOK (around $35)), which you get to eat afterward.
Daytime and Evening Entertainment
The ship doesn't really go in for entertainment. During the day, it's all about what you're doing onshore or attending lectures, or looking at the wonderful scenery you are sailing past. Those looking for diversions will find a selection of board games, puzzles and cards in the Multe Cafe.
When the ship crosses the Arctic Circle between Ornes and Bodo, there is a "Baptism Ceremony," which involves a blessing with ice down the back, some cloudberry liquor and a Norwegian version of Poseidon makes an appearance. There is also a competition to guess when the ship crosses the Arctic Circle and the nearest guess gets the flag from the ship.
Southbound, there is a ceremony with a few words from the shore excursion team followed by Champagne (for the ladies) and cod liver oil for the men.
You don't come on a Hurtigruten ship for nightlife, and Nordkapp is no exception. There are two bars onboard, but only one is open in the evening. You'll spot a piano, but it is only used over the Christmas period.
Brygga (Deck 4): This serves drinks but is primarily a bistro/deli and is only open during the day.
Panorama Bar (Deck 7): This is open till late and fills up after dinner but not for long, as most people retire to bed early. It takes up the whole of the front of the ship and has large windows all around. There are plenty of seats, a fake fire and a large bar. It's a nice spot for a night cap.
You won't find much outdoor recreation onboard, but there are two hot tubs at the back of the ship on Deck 6. Deck 5 has a promenade, which is mostly used for wildlife viewing, but if the weather is suitable it can double as a jogging track.
Deck 7 acts as a sundeck area in the summer months and more of a lookout area during the winter. There is enclosed seating on both side with heaters; the starboard (right) side is the smoking area.
Reception is on Deck 4, but there are certain ports, including Tromso, when it is housed temporarily on Deck 3, where there is also a luggage store. On Deck 4 you will also find shore excursions, a post office selling post cards and a shop selling a wide selection of Helly Hansen brand outdoor wear, including snow suits, hats and gloves (there are regular sales). You can also pick up logo items, sodas, water, milk, water bottles and a small selection of kids' toys.
There is fast and reliable shipwide Wi-Fi at a cost of 60 NOK (about $7) for one day, 155 NOK (about $20) for three days, 245 NOK (about $30) for five days and 485 NOK (about $55) for the entire journey.
A self-serve laundry is on Deck 3. You'll need a token (30 NOK (about $5)) per wash, but the dryers are free (worth noting that detergent is dispensed automatically, so you don't need to buy that).
Nordkapp does not have a spa; however, it does have two small saunas right at the front of Deck 2, as well as the aforementioned hot tubs at the back of Deck 6.
There is a small fitness room on Deck 7 with two treadmills, two bikes, a rowing machine, weights and mats. Deck 5 acts as a jogging track.
Nordkapp has no kids club, nor is there any scheduled children's programming, but when there are a large number of children onboard (generally during the summer months), the expedition leaders will tailor some of the lectures toward children. Additionally, there are no interconnecting cabins, but there are a number of rooms with three beds in a bunk formation; there are also two suites that can accommodate up to four people.
Baltic Sea Itinerary: Nordkapp sails Baltic Sea voyages year round, roundtrip from Bergen, open jaw from Bergen to Trondheim, and between Bergen and Kirkenes.
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