I am considering the Vantage Travel Northern Lights cruise up the coast of Norway in February 2011. Has anyone taken this cruise or another similar one? Any thoughts? How would the temperatures be then?

Looking at the web page for the cruise, I get the impression that this is a journey on board one of the Hurtigruten ships sailing from Bergen to Kirkenes and back.

You can expect temperatures to be around zero degrees celsius, at times with quite a lot of wind and snow in the air. Proper winter clothes will be necessary.

I am puzzled why you would want to take this trip in the dead of winter, when it is not only freezing and snowy but also dark most of the day. Is it just to see the northern lights? how badly do you want to see them?

If it is on a Hurtigruten ship, you don't need to go with a group tour like Vantage.

I am also interested in a coastal cruise, especially to see the northern lights. What would be the best time of year? Can anyone recommend a cruise line?

Look at Hurtigruten.