MS Nordkapp - Photo Tour

Next in our series of photo tours of the Hurtigruten fleet is MS Nordkapp.

Along with her fleetmates she sails the 11-day round trip from Bergen, calling at 34 ports along the coast of Norway. The route is popular with cruise tourists keen to experience 'the most beautiful voyage in the world', and also serves as a lifeline for many smaller communities in Norway's more isolated north.

Scroll down to see our full photo tour of her passenger decks.

EXTERIOR

MS Nordkapp alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen

Launched in 1996, Nordkapp is one of Hurtigruten's six '90s' ships. With a tonnage of 11,386 she can carry up to 622 passengers, with berths for 458.

Nordkapp's smart exterior

Nordkapp's Godmother is Norway's Queen Sonja. Like her near-sisters in the Hurtigruten fleet, Nordkapp has a handsome, balanced profile, and her well maintained exterior makes her seem younger than her 18 years.

Her white, red and black paint scheme makes her instantly recognisable as a member of the Hurtigruten fleet

Nordkapp alongside in Bergen, with Hurtigruteterminalen to the left of the photo

Alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen in Bergen, Nordkapp's passengers get a great view of their ship loading cargo and supplies for the voyage in a glass walkway that leads to the gangway.

Ready to board: the gangway leads to the ship

Nordkapp loading cargo and supplies for the voyage

Nordkapp's large loading doors lead to her cargo holds and vehicle deck, which can carry up to 45 cars on each trip.

Nordkapp alongside in Bergen, Norway

INTERIORS

Stepping onboard Nordkapp was a familiar experience, having visited her near-sister MS Nordlys the previous day. After boarding via the promenade, a quick trip down brings you to several of her main passenger facilities on Deck 4.

The Ut Røst Cafe onboard Nordkapp

The Ut Røst Cafe is directly adjacent to Nordkapp's main forward stairwell. Here, a range of hot and cold drinks and snacks are available throughout the day.

A seating area in the Ut Røst Cafe

Continuing through the cafe to the aft end of Deck 4 brings you to the Nessekongen Restaurant, A pleasant room in which all of the main meals are served. The large picture windows along three sides of the room ensure no table is far from the fantastic views along the route.

The Nessekongen Restaurant

Joining these two dining venues is the arcade, which is flooded with light and adds a real feeling of space to the deck. Comfortable chairs and tables line the edge.

The Arcade connects the public rooms on Deck 4

At the end of the arcade, when heading forwards, is the well stocked shop, with a variety of clothing and gifts on offer.

The shop onboard Nordkapp

Forward on Deck 4 passengers will find Nordkapp's extensive conference facilities. The two main spaces are used for lectures, presentations and group meetings.

Nordkapp has a large conference room forward on Deck 4, starboard...

...and another similar facility on her port side

Slightly smaller than the equivalent space on a number of her fleetmates, the Flembøringen lounge feels a little awkwardly placed, but does provide guests with an additional area to relax and enjoy the trip.

The Flembøringen Lounge

Just off the lounge is Nordkapp's library, which was unfortunately closed during our visit.

The Flembøringen Lounge

Heading up to Deck 7 brings you to the main observation lounges and outside decks. The extensive use of warm woods and brass throughout her stairwells gives Nordkapp an appealing classic feel (even if this is slightly at odds with her carpets and ceilings in some areas).

The use of wood and brass makes a pleasant addition to Nordkapp's stairwells

Midships on Deck 7 is the Svalbard Lounge. This attractive room has full-height windows along both sides and a fully stocked bar.

The Svalbard Lounge on Nordkapp

Seating in the Svalbard Lounge

The Svalbard Lounge

At the forward end of Deck 7 you will find the Polarsirkelen Observation Lounge. The largest of Nordkapp's public rooms, this relaxing area really is all about the views, with the majority of seating positioned to take full advantage of these.

Prime position: Seating lines three windowed sides of the Polarsirkelen Observation Lounge

The Polarsirkelen Observation Lounge

A dancefloor is located in the centre of the lounge

This interesting picture displayed onboard shows the original artists impressions of Nordkapp's public areas.

Original images from Nordkapp's interior designers

An impression of the main restaurant on Nordkapp

This illustration of a stairwell shows how close the finished interiors were to the original designs.

An artist's impression, compared to the real thing...

...which is almost identical, down to the smallest detail

OPEN DECKS

Outside at the aft end of Deck 7 is the main Sun Deck, which is partially covered with a glass roof, ensuring passengers can enjoy the fresh air whatever the weather.

The covered section of Nordkapp's Sun Deck

The Sun Deck

Nordkapp's tall funnel proudly displays the Hurtigruten logo

Back down on Deck 5 is a wrap-around promenade deck, providing a great place to take a stroll and take in the views in all directions.

The lifeboats along Nordkapp's side

A look up at one of Nordkapp's observation lounges from the promenade deck

The bridge wing is suspended above the forward end of the promenade

Under the bridge wing: the views forward are nicely framed

Nordkapp's mooring equipment can be seen on her bow

ACCOMMODATION

MS Nordkapp offers a range of passenger accommodation. The majority of this comprises of her standard inside and outside cabins.

A passenger corridor on deck 2 is simple and practical

These standard rooms are clean and comfortable, with simple decor. Each has a small desk and an en suite shower room.

A standard outside cabin on Nordkapp

For those looking for more space, Nordkapp's suites have a separate living room and bedroom (with a double bed), both of which have large forward-facing windows.

Nordkapp's suites feature wooden cabinetry and large windows

The living room in one of the two suites

Passengers staying in suites receive the extra luxuries of a bottle of bubbly on arrival in their cabin and large bath robes.

A suite bedroom, with a couple of extra touches

The bathrooms in the suites are only slightly larger than those in the standard cabins, but are clean and functional spaces.

The bathroom in one of the suites

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

MS Nordkapp is a comfortable and generally attractive ship. Whilst showing her age by way of interior design in some areas, this does not detract from the overall feeling of her light, pleasant public spaces. Along with her fleetmates she offers a fantastic way to travel the coast of Norway and enjoy this wonderful route.