Reservations people are surly. No one inquired if they could help with flights, hotels or transfers…read morewhen I initially booked. When I called back to sign up for transfers, they were grumpy that I hadn't booked hotel through them, but "allowed me" to book transfers. Two days before departure they called to cancel my first transfer because they didn't have my flight arrival info (which they should have gathered when I booked the transfer). I told her Hurtigruten's travel info says both flights into Kirkenes are met by the transfer bus, so why was I being cancelled? She didn't have an answer and I was issued a refund. Ironically the bus did meet my flight, I boarded and was the sole passenger and rode for free.
Onboard I had to request a hair dryer and was told my fare didn't include an in-room kettle, something this tea drinker would have enjoyed. There are no water refill stations, so rely on your bathroom tap to stay hydrated or purchase bottles of water from them, which isn't very eco-friendly.
Food/dining was quite good and the dining staff were very friendly and helped make up for the above shortcomings. Coffee cups are very small for the mediocre coffee offered.
Excursion staff and guides were very good, although one of my pre-paid excursions was cancelled. The highlight was a midnight concert featuring flute, soprano and keyboard.
The Coastal Express is a quite scenic journey, but Hurtigruten could do better pre-departure, live up to the sustainability they preach by providing water stations, and stop nickel and diming for expensive onboard wine, souvenir mugs, lanyard for cabin card etc. It is not truly all-inclusive as advertised.
