Before the cruise we stayed in a Scandic hotel near the terminal of Hurtigruten. The embarkation went very smoothly and relaxed, no stress at all. You will receive good information before going on board. The ship was in Art Deco style and looks lovely. We had a cabin with a window and enough space for 2 people, 2 beds which could we turned into a cough. Enough space for clothes and your personnel stuff. Breakfast and lunch are buffet, enough to choose from, dinner sometimes buffet or 3 course menu. Good food, I do not like fish so much but tried it and it was good. We also had dinner in the a la carte restaurant and that was very good. On the ship the only entertainment is of the crew and the exploration team. Everyday there was a briefing with the highlights of the day and the highlights and temperature of the next day. The crew did the arctic passage and all funny things on deck with drinks to highlight the occasion. Ports are good, you could not from the ship in every harbor or you had to live there but were we went out it was good. Service on board is wonderful, very nice, kind people working on the ship. We did 8 excursions and they were excellent. There were people in the harbor to point out were you have to go, or in the reception when it was a small group. Sometime the exploration team did also the same tour to see if the tour was good and if alterations are needed. I traveled with my father and he liked also very much. After the cruise we stayed 2 more nights in lovely Bergen in the Scandic city Bergen hotel, also very nice people.