The ship itself is absolutely stunning, though I spent the majority of my time on deck. I was a bit wary of traveling the fjords in October, but the weather was closer to perfect than I ever would have dreamed. It got a bit chilly at night, especially above the Arctic Circle, but the breathtaking views of the Northern Lights more than made up for the goosebumps. In fact, I wound up being extremely pleased to be going at this later time. As it was low season the boat was not as full, which means less partying, but also meant less crowds in the lounges and bars, less wait for computers and at meals, and the best tanning spots on deck. I took a dip in the hot tub one night and had both tubs all to myself for an hour! And seeing the Aurora Borealis was the highlight of the entire trip - truly wondorus.

The rooms were small, but comfortable. The floor-warmer in the bathroom was quite the treat! The towels were also small and a little rough, so if you are particular, I recommend bringing your own towel. A bar of soap is also recommended (the Norwegians tend to use liquid body soap). The panoramic lounge was gorgeous, and the stroll around Deck 6 was a great way to work off some of the bread and cheese from the day before (and, as it turned out, a great way to meet people as well).