MS Bergensfjord ferry

MS Bergensfjord is a Ro-Pax (roll-on/roll-off passenger and cargo) ferry operated by the Norway-based company FJORD LINE. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,500 passengers and 600 cars. Launched in 2014, she currently operates on the Denmark–Norway routes Hirtshals–Stavanger–Bergen (crossing time 16.5 hours) and Hirtshals–Langesund (4.5 hours), as well as the Norwegian coastal route Stavanger–Bergen (5.5 hours). FJORD LINE’s schedule includes:

• 7 weekly crossings Hirtshals–Bergen (16.5 hours)
• 7 weekly crossings Hirtshals–Stavanger (10.5 hours)
• 7 weekly crossings Hirtshals–Langesund (4.5 hours)
• 3 daily crossings Hirtshals–Kristiansand (2 hours 15 minutes)

Bergensfjord is the world’s first cruiseferry originally built to run entirely on LNG (liquefied natural gas). Together with her sistership MS Stavangerfjord, they are also the world’s largest LNG-powered cruiseferries (GT 31,678).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Bergensfjord has 370 cabins (double and quad, accommodating up to 4 passengers each) with a total of 580 berths/beds. All passenger cabins (inside and outside) are located on decks 8, 9, and 10. Each is air-conditioned and equipped with an HDTV, bedside cabinets, a mirrored dressing table/writing desk with stool, wall-mounted reading lamps, and an en-suite bathroom (washbasin, glass shower, and wall-mounted toilet). Suites and Luxe cabins are larger and include a minibar (refrigerator) and a seating area with a coffee table, armchair, and 2-seater sofa or sofabed. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Cabin access is via RFID cards (programmable contactless smart cards). All cabins are carpeted except “pet cabins” and ADA cabins, which have linoleum flooring.

Reclining air seats are available on Deck 10 from mid-June to mid-August. Several cabins are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers). Cabins for passengers traveling with pets are also available.

Cabin categories include:

• S4 (Deck 9) Suite/double cabin (24 m²) with floor-to-ceiling windows, double bed, sofa, minibar
• R4 (Deck 10) Captain’s Corner/quad cabin (21 m²) with window, double bed, sofabed, minibar
• L4 (Deck 10) Captain’s View/quad cabin (15–19 m²) with window, double bed, sofabed, minibar
• DLX3 (Deck 8) Large DeLuxe/triple cabin (20 m²) with window, double bed, sofabed
• DL3 (Deck 8) DeLuxe/triple cabin (14 m²) with window, double bed, sofabed
• ML3 (Deck 8) MiniLuxe/triple cabin (11 m²) with window, double bed, sofabed
• ML4 (Deck 8, near the nightclub) MiniLuxe/quad cabin (12–15 m²) with window, double bed, sofabed
• MLS3 (Deck 8, near the nightclub) MiniLuxe/triple cabin (11 m²) with window and bunk beds
• ML2 (Deck 8, near the nightclub) MiniLuxe/double cabin (11 m²) with window and double bed
• N2 and N5 (Deck 10) Family Class/5-person cabin (11–12 m²) with window, double bed, sofabed, and two bunk beds
• F4 (Decks 8 and 9) Standard/quad cabin (9 m²) with window, bed, sofabed, and two bunk beds
• (Deck 8, near the nightclub) Standard/quad cabin (9 m²) with window, bed, sofabed, and two bunk beds
• (Deck 8) Pet Cabin/Standard Obstructed View/quad cabin (9 m²) with window, bed, sofabed, and two bunk beds; dogs allowed (must be booked by phone)
• I4 (Decks 8 and 9) Standard Inside/quad cabin (9 m²) with double bed, sofabed, and two bunk beds
• B4 (Deck 8, near the nightclub) Standard Inside/quad cabin (9 m²) with bed, sofabed, and two bunk beds
• (Decks 8 and 9) Standard Outside/double cabin (9 m²) with window, foldaway bed, and sofabed
• (Deck 8) Pet Cabin/Standard Obstructed View/double cabin (9 m²) with window, foldaway bed, and sofabed; dogs allowed (must be booked by phone)
• (Decks 8 and 9) Standard Inside/double cabin (9 m²) with foldaway bed and sofabed
• (Deck 8) Accessible (Handicap Outside)/quad cabins for disabled passengers (17 m²), each with window, two fixed lower beds, and wider doors for wheelchair access; ADA cabins must be booked by phone
• (Deck 9) Internal/double cabins with bunk beds

Most staff and crew cabins are located on Deck 2.

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 minutes before arrival at the homeport. Passenger check-in closes 1 hour before departure.

Shipboard facilities

Onboard facilities include:

• (Deck 7) Commander Buffet (250-seat self-service restaurant) serving Scandinavian and international dishes, soft drinks, tea, coffee, wine (by the glass), and beer. Beverages are included in the buffet price. The buffet offers themed food stations, including Grill, Cold Table (meats, seafood), Green Market (salads), Hot Dishes, and Desserts.
• (Deck 7) Grieg Brasserie — a 62-seat restaurant blending traditional French brasserie fare with Norwegian specialties.
• (Deck 7) Winter Garden/Oasis Garden Café (cafeteria/patisserie/coffee bar) offering hot and cold beverages, light snacks (fresh pastries, yogurts, smoothies, sweet crepes), and meals (made-to-order dishes, pizza, stir-fries, ready-made items). Coffee drinks are freshly brewed from ground beans. Traditional home-cooked meals and desserts are also available.
• (Deck 7) “We Proudly Serve Starbucks” branded coffee bar.
• (Decks 6 and 7) Food Market, Tax-Free Shop, and retail boutiques (brands include Name It, Noisy May, YAS, Only & Sons, Norwegian Explorer, Ray-Ban, Dyrberg Kern, Thomas Sabo, Swarovski, Sno, Quay, and Pilgrim).
• (Deck 7) Pier 42 Sports Bar serving drinks, snacks, and live sports broadcasts on large screens.
• (Deck 7) Fjord Lounge featuring a large bar and live entertainment with performers and musicians.
• (Deck 7) Casino Lounge with roulette, poker tables, and slot machines.
• (Lobby Deck 7) Wi-Fi service and ATM/cash machine next to the Information Desk/Reception.
• (Deck 7 near the Cafeteria, and Deck 10 outdoors) Kids Play Areas. The outdoor play zone on Deck 10 includes a mini replica of MS Bergensfjord.
• (Deck 9) Sun Deck — outdoor area with an aft helipad used for emergency landings.
• (Deck 10) Outdoor area with bar and Reserved Seating Lounge (reclining/Pullman seats).

All onboard emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at muster (assembly) stations. Life jackets are issued at muster stations. In case of emergency, the use of elevators/lifts is prohibited.

Car decks

Garage decks are 3, 4, and 5. The Engine Room (extending to Deck 2) and other machinery spaces are located on Deck 1. Vehicle deck safety procedures include:

• Disabled passengers or those needing assistance should contact the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake, set the vehicle in park or 1st gear, switch off ignition, alarms, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders must be turned off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from the vehicle.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks, in cabins, and in all passenger lounges.
• Wait for onboard announcements before returning to your vehicle.
• Do not start engines until instructed to avoid air pollution.

Fjord Line (founded in 1993, headquartered in Bergen, Norway) is a Norwegian cargo and passenger ferry company operating routes between Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. In addition to passenger services, Fjord Line also manages cargo operations via its Fjord Line Freight division between Norway and Denmark. The current fleet includes HSC Fjord Cat (1998-built high-speed catamaran, one of the world’s fastest Ro-Pax vessels), Stavangerfjord (2013), Bergensfjord (2014), and Oslofjord (built in 1993 as “Bergensfjord,” renamed in 2014).