I recently traveled on the MS Nordkapp from Bergen to Kirkenes, from 30/12/2025 to 05/01/2026. At 74, I'm still quite young! The purpose of the trip was to celebrate New Year in a unique setting, but I wouldn't recommend this for that reason, as they don’t celebrate New Year like we do. The drinks on board are quite pricey, with a glass of wine costing £12.75! I won’t delve too deeply into specifics, but here are my general thoughts on the experience. Crew: The crew was exceptional—respectful, patient, knowledgeable, and very helpful. The cabin cleaning staff were thorough, always smiling, and efficient. Accommodation: Our cabin, 512, on deck 5, was cozy, though a bit tight around the luxurious double bed. The shower had great water pressure and was easy to use. While it felt small, anyone familiar with motorhomes or large campers would appreciate the clever bathroom design. There was ample cupboard and shelf space, especially since the bed is elevated, allowing large suitcases to fit underneath. However, those used to hotel stays might find the cabins a bit cramped. Even after upgrading to the Atlantic cabin package, the space was still limited, with minimal sitting area, although a chair was provided for lounging on the bed. The large window offered stunning sea views, but keep in mind that deck 5 is a promenade deck, so passersby can see into your cabin. I’m unsure why the window isn’t tinted, and nets wouldn’t likely help. In truth, we spent little time in our cabin, mostly sleeping and waking up, while enjoying a relaxing time in the viewing lounge and bar on deck 7, which had comfortable reclining leather seats and a fantastic view. Children: It may not be clear from the information provided, but children of all ages are allowed on board, as long as they are supervised. On our trip, there was a young couple with a newborn and a toddler. While I don’t mind children, I believe designated nursery areas with childcare and play facilities should be available. I can’t imagine how much the parents enjoyed the trip, as they seemed to be constantly occupied with childcare. As a father myself, I tried to connect with them but received only blank stares. Babies cry, and older kids want to run and play, which can be disruptive, especially during quiet moments. Food: My partner, who is an amazing vegetarian, booked this trip. Unfortunately, in a region known for its fish and reindeer, vegetarian options were quite limited. The buffet breakfast primarily catered to standard tastes, with fried eggs often served with bacon and no alternative options for just eggs. There were some excellent scrambled eggs, but they occasionally had bits of bacon mixed in! Vegetarian sausages or similar breakfast alternatives were absent, although there were standard fruits, cereals, toast, cheese, cold cuts, mini croissants, and pain au chocolat available. If you enjoy toast, be prepared to reinsert your bread multiple times on the conveyor to achieve even slight toasting; I gave up after four tries! The hot lunch buffet also offered few vegetarian choices, with the closest being a tray of mixed vegetables and potatoes. It seemed there was a lack of understanding that vegetarians need protein, too, in non-animal forms, and many alternatives were simply not provided. The Head Chef, Paul, was genuinely interested in our feedback and acknowledged the need to address the vegetarian menu with the responsible chef. He was friendly and pleasant to talk to. If you're vegetarian, just be aware of these limitations. Accommodation concerns: Make sure to check the layout of the ship you’re traveling on! Each ship on this coastal route serves as both a post and supply vessel, and it also embarks or disembarks passengers (and their vehicles) since there’s a car deck—it's essentially a ferry, not a cruise ship. Think of it as a slightly more upscale ferry with additional amenities. It sometimes docks multiple times during the night, leading to engine noise from the directional thrusters and the sounds of opening and closing gangways and vehicle access doors. CHECK the location of your cabin; you don’t want to be situated above these noisy areas!
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