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This cruise was absolutely fantastic! Our group was upgraded from deck 4 to deck 7 (U cabins), which had great views. The food was fantastic at every meal. The buffet lunches included a laundry list of mouth-watering delicacies, such as shrimp, prawns, lobster, smoked salmon, beef brisket, roasted chicken, potatoes, fresh fruits, tarts, cakes, and a variety of soups and cheeses that I could not stop eating (much to my dismay!). The waitstaff was very accomodating, allowing a few of us to get the vegetarian meal at dinner, even though we had not requested it in advance. I heard complaints that some of the staff seemed a bit "curt", but this was not my experience. The crew was very helpful to me at all times, alerting us to notable sights and keeping me in a wealth of extra pillows and blankets.
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).
I took part in the Zodiac excursion to Saltstraumen and highly recommend it. The boat ride was a thrill, the whirlpools were magnificent and I thought our guides were friendly and knowledgable. Vigner Park in Oslo is also NOT TO BE MISSED. I will be dreaming of that fountain for years to come. Many of the port towns where the ship docked were tiny, but incredibly charming. I recommend picking up some wine or Aquavit during one of these stops (or taking some aboard initially) as the bar closes by 1 and the drinks are a little pricy. This way, you can take a nip when you like (but keep it in your room!) as most of the natives have learned to do.
All in all, this trip was more than I had hoped and expected and I hope (am determined!) to go back one day soon. Thanks Mark And Karl! - Katrina, NY
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