Northern Europe Cruise: A Popular Summer Route Through the Arctic Circle and Fjords, 11 Nights / 12 Days – Part 2

Date: 2019-09-16

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This year's cruise took us to Norway's fjords and the Arctic Circle aboard an 11-night voyage – something we had long dreamed of. It was our first time in the Arctic Circle and among the fjords. We're covering the cruise across five posts; this is the second.

① MSC Northern Europe Cruise – Itinerary and boarding process

② MSC Northern Europe Cruise – Inside the ship MSC Preziosa

③ MSC Northern Europe Cruise – Dining on board

④ MSC Northern Europe Cruise – Shore excursions (excluding Flam)

⑤ MSC Northern Europe Cruise – Shore excursion in Flam

② Northern Europe Cruise – July 2019 | Norway's Arctic Circle and Fjords | Popular Summer Route | 11 Nights / 12 Days

Inside the ship and cabin – MSC Preziosa (140,000 tonnes, Fantasia Class). Launched 2013. Gross tonnage: 139,072 t / Length: 333.30 m / Maximum beam: 37.92 m / Height: 67.69 m. Passenger capacity: 4,345 / Crew: 1,388. Cruising speed: 24.21 knots.

MSC Preziosa is highly recommended for families with children!

Preziosa is currently a mid-size ship in the MSC fleet, carrying approximately 4,300 guests. We had previously sailed on the Splendida – a comparable vessel – on a Mediterranean route, but the Preziosa is newer.

A ship of this size offers extensive children's facilities, plus plenty of onboard space – ideal for families. Although nobody was using the pools during our voyage due to the cold temperatures, there was a large pool suitable for adults as well as a separate children's water park with a long waterslide. For families, we would recommend a Fantasia Class ship or larger, as ships below the Musica Class have smaller children's facilities.

There are indoor and outdoor pools – three in total

Even when the outside temperature was cold, we could use the indoor pool and jacuzzis.

The indoor area was warm enough to walk around in swimwear.

The outdoor pools are also heated, so some guests were swimming regardless of the outside temperature. With the jacuzzi water at 38°C, many people enjoyed soaking in them in the cool open air – rather like an outdoor hot spring.

At the stern is a trendy infinity pool. How does swimming with an endless sea view sound?

MSC ships feature a sleek, sophisticated interior design

MSC ships have a more refined and understated aesthetic compared with the casual fleets of rivals such as Carnival (including Costa). The corporate colours are white and navy, reflected in the ships' white hulls with navy accents. The Preziosa is 18 decks high, with guest-accessible spaces from deck 5 upwards.

All onboard announcements, shows, menus, and so on are conducted in five languages: English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. Depending on the route and passenger mix, other languages such as Chinese or Japanese may also be available.

On previous cruises in the Mediterranean and Adriatic (Venice-based routes), there have sometimes been Japanese-speaking staff on board, and the daily ship newspaper was also published in Japanese. Japanese group tours tend to be organised around routes with Japanese-speaking staff.

Cabin types range from windowless interior rooms to top-deck suites with butler service, allowing guests to choose according to their budget. Cabins are configured for two people as standard, with beds arranged as twin or double upon request.

MSC also stands out for its extensive services for families with children

The sofa in the cabin can be converted into a bed, allowing children under 12 – and under-18s travelling during off-peak periods – to sail free of charge. This includes meals and participation in age-grouped children's clubs and facilities. For families travelling with children, the main costs are the daily service charge of €10 per person (the same rate for adults – this covers tips for crew members who provide services on board) plus transport to and from the ship. We often spot grandparents travelling with grandchildren as well as families with two children. For full details of MSC's Family & Kids services, see: https://www.msccruises.jp/jp-jp/Discover-MSC/Family-Cruises.aspx

Cruise pricing varies by cabin type

The pricing hierarchy runs from Inside (no window, cheapest) to Sea View (porthole, non-opening), Balcony (outside cabin with veranda), Suite, and Yacht Club at the top.

Higher decks cost more; lower decks are cheaper. Yacht Club guests have access to a private lounge, restaurant, pool, and deck, plus 24-hour butler and concierge service. These cabins occupy the most prime position on the top-forward section of decks 15 and 16.

Within each cabin category, there are three Experiences (tiers) that affect pricing and flexibility. We always opt for a Fantastica-rated balcony cabin. Fantastica is the middle tier – it places you on a higher deck, lets you choose your dinner sitting, and includes complimentary light breakfast or morning tea room service, making it the most versatile option and our consistent choice. If you wish to use the thermal area (sauna, steam room, relaxation room) throughout the cruise, the Aurea Experience is recommended. Full details of the Experiences: https://www.msccruises.jp/jp-jp/Discover-MSC/MSC-Experiences.aspx

The MSC Cruise Card

The photo above shows my cruise card. My membership is currently at Gold level. All personal cruise information is stored on this card.

It serves as personal identification whenever you leave the ship – you must carry it at all times. Boarding and disembarkation are managed via the barcode on the card, cross-referenced with a photo taken at embarkation. It also functions as your cabin key card, records your muster station and lifeboat number for emergencies, and is used for all onboard purchases including shopping, food and drink, and excursion fees.

No cash changes hands on board. You register a credit card and load an initial €300 deposit onto the card; when that runs out, you top it up at a machine near the front desk in €300 increments. The final balance is settled after disembarkation.

You take the card with you when you leave the ship at the end of the voyage – keep it as a souvenir. Our cabin on this cruise was cabin 72 on deck 13, starboard side, forward. We chose this room ourselves when booking online, and it was conveniently close to the second-from-front elevator lobby.

Our balcony cabin

Our cabin was 19 m² with a bathroom comprising a shower, toilet, and wash basin.

On MSC ships, only Suites and Yacht Club cabins have a bathtub, so you shower throughout the cruise. If you want a warm soak, put on your swimsuit and use the jacuzzi.

On this voyage we requested twin-bed configuration to avoid any duvet-squabbling – a slight reduction in bed width, but worth it. Of course, a double configuration is also available.

The orange pool towels on the bed are for use at the pool or jacuzzi. After use, leave them on the bathroom floor and they'll be replaced with fresh ones during cabin cleaning.

As noted on the pillow label, several pillow types are available. As I prefer a firm pillow and use a foam neck-support pillow at home, I asked the housekeeping attendant, who brought me a suitable one.

The housekeeping attendant introduces themselves before the ship departs. This same person takes care of your cabin for the entire voyage.

At that meeting, you tell them which dinner sitting you prefer (first or second). During your dinner time, they prepare the cabin for sleep and swap out towels (turndown service). For any questions or issues with the cabin, it's quicker to speak directly to your attendant rather than going through the front desk.

At the far end of the cabin, beside the glass door to the balcony, is a sofa – which converts into a bed for children sharing the cabin.

The welcome fruit is a perk for MSC Voyagers Club Silver card members and above, but the same fruit is available in the buffet restaurant upstairs, so it feels a little superfluous. More to the point, you're always so full during a cruise that there's rarely time to eat it in the cabin!

Opposite the sofa is the television, desk, and fridge. This area also has a mirror and hairdryer in the drawer, so we use it as a dressing table.

For hot drinks, there is a kettle, instant coffee, and tea bags. You can also bring your own teabags or instant noodles from home. Note that the tap water in the bathroom is not for drinking (rinsing your mouth when brushing your teeth is fine) – please use bottled water for drinking.

Ice can be obtained by asking at the front desk or from the ice machine in the buffet restaurant upstairs.

The hairdryer is in a drawer. The adjacent drawer contains a sewing kit.

These are the cabin's power sockets. Japanese-style 110V flat two-pin plugs can also be used.

On the bedside table: an internal phone, and in the drawer below is a blue-paper card for ordering a light continental breakfast via room service.

Fill it in and hang it on the outside door handle by 2am, and breakfast will be delivered at your requested time. The menu is simple – bread, cereal, yoghurt, juice, coffee, and tea – but it's wonderfully convenient if you want a relaxed morning in your cabin. Room service requests peak on full days at sea. On a balcony cabin, you can enjoy breakfast outside while watching the ocean. Note that room service is not available on disembarkation morning. (Some Experiences charge for room service.)

Breakfast room service

We ordered room service once during the voyage: tea, juice, milk, a croissant, a pain au chocolat, and yoghurt.

The view from the cabin door: on the right (yellow wall) is the bathroom door, on the left (brown) is the wardrobe.

The wardrobe is large enough for two people's belongings if you don't overpack. The orange item on the top shelf is a life jacket – to be taken to your muster station during the mandatory safety drill held before departure. The muster station is shown on the diagram on the back of the cabin door and on your cruise card.

On the left side of the wardrobe is the safe and a set of drawers. Since you won't be using a wallet on board, keep your passport and valuables in the safe. The lower drawers are useful for underwear and items that don't fit in the wardrobe.

Finally, the bathroom. The shower, wash basin, and toilet fit compactly together. There are glass shelves for toiletries and storage below the basin.

Each person has one face towel and one bath towel. Leave used towels on the floor and they'll be replaced during cleaning. Housekeeping visits twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening during dinner – to clean, collect rubbish, and swap towels. Two full cabin cleans per day makes for a very comfortable stay!

Hand wash soap is at the basin; shampoo & conditioner and body wash are pump-dispensed in the shower. There's also a wire for hanging small laundry items to dry. On cruises, we bring Uniqlo AIRism quick-dry underwear (about four sets) and hand-wash them in the shower. AIRism dries overnight – very practical.

One thing we would do differently with the cabin choice:

The floor of the pool area on deck 14 extends out above our balcony, acting like a canopy. On rainy days it prevents rain blowing in, which is helpful, but it does slightly obstruct the view. Outdoor photos always captured the overhang, which was a shame. Something to remember when selecting a cabin next time.

On the positive side, deck 13 is directly below deck 14 where the buffet restaurant, pool, and upper observation deck are located, so we could easily use the stairs rather than the often-busy lifts.

The ship's interior is kept at a constant 20°C. Those who run warm are fine in a short-sleeved top; most people are comfortable in a light long-sleeved layer or jacket. Check the outside temperature in advance and pack accordingly – on this voyage, the large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors meant we brought more clothing than usual.

Our main dining room – "Golden Lobster"

The dining room is two levels. While guests can also dine in the buffet restaurant upstairs, the Golden Lobster can serve approximately 2,000 guests per sitting (two sittings per evening).

Perched on the landing of the grand central staircase is a gleaming gold lobster.

The dining room also opens for breakfast and lunch for a shorter period, so if you prefer table service, you're welcome to dine here then too.

What is MSC's dress code?

MSC is a casual line, so the dress code is relatively relaxed. Even on Gala Nights, a regular suit for men and a neat dress for women is perfectly appropriate. Some European guests do bring evening gowns or dinner jackets, but they are in the minority.

During the voyage there are also themed dinner nights: "White Night" (wear something white), a "60s/70s" fancy dress night, and Italian Night (wear the Italian flag colours – green, white, and red). These are optional; you can dine regardless of whether you dress to the theme.

"Italian Night" is held on the evening the ship leaves Italian waters on Italian-based itineraries. Both staff and guests often incorporate the red, green, and white of the Italian flag into their outfits, and at dessert time the staff parade through the dining room carrying Baked Alaska.

In the past, the Baked Alaska was flambéed, but on this voyage LED flame lamps were used instead. Not quite as dramatic – but fire is a ship's greatest enemy, so safety must come first. This was our table.

The parade of staff with the Baked Alaska, the introduction of the kitchen and restaurant managers with a round of applause, and the appearance of the head chef – who is usually hidden away in the kitchen – are regular highlights in the main dining room during every cruise. MSC's cuisine is Italian-based, so the head chef is typically Italian. The captain is also usually Italian.

When we were in the Arctic Circle, the evening sky outside the dining room windows was as bright as midday.

A quick tour of the rest of the ship

The main lobby spans three decks (5–7) with an atrium centred around the front desk. Each evening, the central stage hosts live music in a variety of genres, drawing crowds who enjoy a drink and good conversation.

There are also glass-fronted sparkling lifts.

One of MSC's signature features – the Swarovski crystal staircase in the main lobby – is a favourite spot for Gala Night photos. The ship's photography team takes pictures here; if you like them, you can buy them later at the photo centre. (No obligation to purchase – the photographers have a nightly quota of shots to take, so feel free to oblige them!)

The front desk. When your cruise card balance runs low, top it up at the machine beside the desk – €300 at a time.

A bookshelf in a corner of the lobby – available for any guest to borrow from throughout the voyage. Some ships have a full library; here it was just a single bookshelf.

The five main languages were on display everywhere – but there was one solitary Japanese-language book. How did it end up on this ship?

The shore excursions counter. Whenever it's open, it's always busy.

The casino and shops are only open while the ship is at sea. As the shops are duty-free, they remain closed while in port. The confectionery and toy shop is a children's paradise.

Alcohol and tobacco. Purchases are held at the ship's office until the evening before disembarkation.

Cosmetics and handbags – a paradise for female shoppers.

Fragrances went on sale during the voyage – "Two bottles for €100 today only!" type deals. Particularly on full days at sea, pop-up tables appear in busy areas with items at slightly reduced prices. Jewellery and watches also went on flash sale at one point. To avoid buyer's remorse, it's wise to wait until the latter part of the cruise before making any purchases – and keep an eye on the daily ship newspaper!

The casino is not our kind of place – it's simply the lively corridor we walk through on the way back to our cabin after the evening show.

Beside the casino: a children's arcade where everything is paid with a "beep" of the cruise card. Slightly dangerous territory for family budgets!

There was also an F1 simulator upstairs.

This whole area, being near the children's club, was packed with child-oriented facilities.

Finally, the theatre where entertainment shows were performed every evening.

A different show every evening – never a dull moment!

There was only one evening without a show across our 11 nights on board. Performers included opera singers, pop vocalists, pianists, violinists, dancers, magicians, jugglers, and acrobats – a wide enough range to keep things fresh every night. The live stage in the main lobby also hosted numerous performances throughout the day.

Because dinner is served in two sittings, shows also run twice each evening. They're always popular, so we made sure to arrive about 10 minutes before the start to get a good seat.

Other onboard facilities include the gym, sauna, Aurea Spa (with a thermal area, beauty salon, and massage rooms), a cyber café with internet access (deck 5), and conference and meeting rooms.

On the subject of internet: connectivity is available on board, routed via satellite 35,000 km above the Earth, so speeds are slow. Email (text only) works fine; loading images is a struggle, and prices are quite high. Pre-booking gives a 20% discount. Options include daily packages and a full-cruise package. You can also sign up on board. Personally, I check emails and messages when we're in port by connecting my phone to the local network. During a cruise, we try to let anyone work-related know in advance so they're not expecting quick responses – this is a holiday, after all.