We aren't cruise holidaymakers and this wasn't a traditional cruise as the ship is more like a ferry than a cruise ship, which was fine for us. We wanted to have a voyage along the Norwegian coast and get the best chance to see the Northern Lights. The ship travels via 34 different small ports and acts as a means of transport for locals and freight as well as holidaymakers which added to our interest. The stopovers are quite short compared to large cruise holidays.

The ship was refurbished last year and was clean, comfortable and well equipped. For a smaller type of ship it was amazingly quiet although some may have found the bow thrusters noisy when pulling up alongside during the night. Our cabin was small but had plenty of storage space and was clean, quiet, and comfortable. Larger passengers would struggle in the shower compartment, though! 'Cheaper' cabins don't have drinks making facilities which is a bit of a disappointment for Brits who expect this everywhere. TV in the cabin was a bonus especially the webcam showing the ship's progress. Larger cabins on Deck 5 had the disadvantage of deck 5 being the promenade deck, so people could walk past the cabin windows day and night.

Food was excellent. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style with a selection to suit all tastes, but each day the hot dishes were different so it was never boring. Dinner was a fixed three course menu and based on local Norwegian recipes and produce with an emphasis on fish. Reindeer and local beef and lamb also featured. When I say that my only complaint was the orange juice at breakfast it says a lot! Read more