A Norwegian Adventure Onboard Hurtigruten’s MS Nordnorge

Before we set sail, let me introduce myself – I'm Catherine, self-declared lover of fresh sea air, well-plated food, and stories with a splash of saltwater. When I’m not chasing sunsets or sipping hot chocolate on a windswept deck, you’ll find me scribbling down every detail so you don’t have to.

This voyage with Hurtigruten was one for the memory bank – from reindeer dinners to cod liver oil shots (yes, really), postcard-worthy views to postcard-worthy moments. Whether you're here for travel tips, inspiration, or just a good story, I’ve got you covered.

So grab a warm drink, tuck into your reading nook, and come aboard – I can’t wait to show you what made this Norwegian cruise a pinch-me kind of trip.

Day one was an exciting day as we boarded MS Nordnorge. After a smooth check in we stayed in an Upper Deck Cabin, which was great as my room had an unbelievable view. We were left a personal postcard from the Hurtigruten team, along with a delicious food hamper. After we had settled in, lunch was served in the Torget restaurant, which offered a variety of foods, including traditional Norwegian dishes from fresh ingredients collected from the ports we stopped in.

To end day one we stayed up to witness the ‘Midnight Sun’, which is more beautiful and surreal than you could imagine. A truly breathtaking view to finish the perfect day.

On day two, we stopped at the Northernmost town in the world, Hammerfest. We soaked up the scenery and went back on board to relax. The top deck features the Explorer Lounge, a panoramic bar with comfortable seating for you to relax and enjoy the view, which was perfect to take an hour to read a book, enjoying all the beautiful scenery that Norway has to offer.

That evening we dined at the à la Carte Restaurant, Kysten, and upon arrival, we were greeted with Havets Bobler. We ate the most sensational crab and reindeer dish. We then stopped at Tromso just before midnight, enjoying another night of the midnight sun with an exploration while others went to a midnight concert at the cathedral.

Day three consisted of lots of points of interest, as the Hurtigruten team members will join you on the top deck to talk about the rich history of Norway and what we’re passing while on board. We unfortunately didn’t see any whales; however, we did see sea eagles, dolphins and seals while passing through the Risøyrenna (Risøy Strait), a natural waterway connecting Andøya and Hinnøya.

We explored the Hurtigruten Museum, which gave us an insight into how important and deeply rooted Hurtigruten is in the history of Norway. This was definitely an excursion not to miss. One of my favourite moments of day three was sailing through the Trollfjords, drinking a Cognac Hot Chocolate. We even had the chance to purchase a troll souvenir mug! A definite pinch-me moment.

Day four arrived, which meant we were passing the Arctic Circle; and we celebrated by having a cod liver oil shot with Hurtigruten staff and the other guests on board, which was so much fun as we embraced the Norwegian traditions! This was a much more relaxed day, where we could enjoy as many hot chocolates and freshly baked pastries as we liked, within the Multe café.

We were invited to the ‘Captain's Dinner’, where we were greeted by the captain and crew. We ate an absolute dreamy three-course meal, which consisted of a Norwegian Pea Soup, Braised Beef Cheek and Sponge Cake.

One of the most surreal days of the trip was our final day onboard MS Nordnorge. We were lucky enough to experience ‘Norway Day’, which is a celebration marking the signing of the Norwegian Constitution. With that, it brought flag-waving competitions, parades on deck and a celebration of all things Norwegian. All of the staff on board were dressed in their traditional clothing, which was lovely to see and experience.

In the afternoon, we sampled the hot tub; another pinch-me moment, as I won’t be forgetting sailing the Norwegian Fjords while taking a dip in a hot tub anytime soon! Norway Day also happened to land on the same day as Eurovision; therefore, we enjoyed Bellini (or two) in the Explorer Lounge while watching the Eurovision Song Contest. Another moment I won’t forget anytime soon.

On day six, it was time to disembark from the ship, but it was also the hottest day of the trip at 23°. So, to end what had been an amazing trip, we all enjoyed sitting on the top deck with some Toffee ice cream to cool us down. My main recommendation would be to try ALL of the food! There was not one dish that I didn’t like, as the food is fresh every day, making it of amazing quality and a culinary experience you do not want to miss. Even the soup was phenomenal.

The Hurtigruten team are also fantastic; they were so helpful whenever you needed them. They all know Norway like the back of their hand, which truly feels like you’re gaining an authentically Norwegian experience.

In need of some advice before you sail away? Don't worry because Catherine has all the insider info, so you can have a smooth voyage.