MS Finnmarken

The 2002-built MS Finnmarken cruise ship (formerly MS Otto Sverdrup) was the first of three Millennium-class Hurtigruten cruiseferries, together with fleetmates Midnatsol and Trollfjord. In 2021, Hurtigruten added four older ships to the company’s expedition fleet — Spitsbergen (2009), Midnatsol (2003), Trollfjord (2002), and Finnmarken (2002). This fleet also includes Fram (2007) and the three newbuilds — Roald Amundsen (2019), Fridtjof Nansen (2020), and TBN (2021).

Following a USD 35 million (~EUR 32 million) drydock refurbishment and refit (January 4 through March 8, 2020), the vessel was renamed from Finnmarken to “Otto Sverdrup,” after Norwegian sailor and Arctic explorer Otto Neumann Knoph Sverdrup (1854–1930). He participated in the polar expeditions of 1888 (Greenland) and 1898–1902 (circumnavigation of Greenland via the Nares Strait, mapping approximately 260,000 km² / 100,390 mi² of the Canadian Arctic territories).

The original name was restored (from Otto Sverdrup to Finnmarken) on April 14, 2025.

The ship is named after Finnmark (formerly “Finmarkens amt”) — a county in Norway’s far northeast, bordering Finland (south) and Russia (east).

The vessel (IMO number 9231951) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI 259210000) and registered in Tromso.

History - construction and ownership

The shipowner Hurtigruten is a Norwegian passenger shipping company specializing in cruise and ferry services. The “Norwegian Coastal Express Route” (Bergen–Kirkenes) is a cargo-passenger ferry service along Norway’s western and northern coasts. Hurtigruten’s cruise ferries sail nearly the entire length of Norway and complete this roundtrip itinerary in 11 days. The route also includes the Lofoten Islands and Vesteralen Islands.

MS Finnmarken is Hurtigruten’s first vessel to bear this name since the 1912-launched Finnmarken. Launched in 2002, she belongs to the same class as Midnatsol and Trollfjord and is the fleet’s only ship with both Jacuzzis and a swimming pool on the Sun Deck. Another signature feature is bow access on Deck 5 (Promenade), where passengers can walk all the way to the front.

Decks and Cabins

MS Finnmarken staterooms (282 total, in 10 grades) include 32 Suites, 192 Outside, and 55 Inside cabins. Cabin sizes range from 85 to 400 ft² (8–37 m²). There are 3 wheelchair-accessible cabins. Most staterooms measure 75–140 ft² (7–13 m²).

Standard cabin amenities include lower and upper bunk beds, bedside reading lamps, a foldable table with chair, LCD TV, radio, phone, mini-fridge, electronic safe, wardrobe with drawers and cabinets, and an en-suite bathroom (WC/shower, bath products, hairdryer). All staterooms have individual air conditioning and blankets for outdoor use.

Mini-Suites feature large picture windows and a sitting area. Suites add bathrobes, a minibar, coffee and tea facilities (kettle and glasses), fresh fruit daily, and sparkling wine upon arrival.

The boat has 8 decks, of which 7 are passenger-accessible and 6 have cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

MS Finnmarken has 3 restaurants — Aune (main dining room), Lindstrom, and Fredheim.

Aft on Deck 4 is Aune Restaurant (Aune Main Dining, formerly Imag Restaurant). This complimentary dining room (335 seats) features floor-to-ceiling windows, a central buffet station, a self-service beverage area (coffee, tea, juices), and an outdoor alfresco terrace. The Galley/Kitchen is adjacent. Aune serves complimentary Breakfast (7:00–10:00 a.m.), Lunch (11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.), and Dinner (two fixed seatings at 6:30 or 8:30 p.m.). Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style (e.g., bacon, eggs, sausages, cold meats, cheeses, seafood, breads, cereals, fruits, porridge, desserts). Dinner is waiter-served (3-course menu, including traditional Scandinavian dishes). Wine by the bottle is available at extra cost, and Hurtigruten offers an optional wine package (purchased at Reception). À la carte items (light snacks, sandwiches, hot meals) are additionally available. Meals are prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the ports of call. Soft drinks, beer, and wine are included with all meals. Tea and coffee are included throughout the day.

Midship-portside on Deck 4 is the Lindstrom Specialty Restaurant. Suite-category guests dine here complimentary daily (breakfast and dinner included). Other cabin categories may dine at Lindstrom (breakfast and/or dinner) for an additional charge (à la carte menu, premium wine list).

Midship on Deck 7, Fredheim Restaurant features large windows (partially obstructed by lifeboats) and serves international “street food.” Fredheim is complimentary only for Suite guests.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MS Finnmarken carries a Naturalist who delivers lectures about the ports of call. The ship has a fitness center with cardio equipment and free weights, plus two saunas (separate for men and women). The heated swimming pool and two Jacuzzi whirlpools are on Deck 7. The Beauty Salon and Spa offer manicures, pedicures, haircuts, and massage treatments.

Next are listed MS Finnmarken’s main venues

• Conference Rooms (two portside — Lyderhorn and Lovstakken; two starboard — Rundemannen and Ulriken; host multimedia presentations, lectures by scientists and wildlife experts, and films about Norway; no traditional show program)
• Floybaren Lounge and Bar (show lounge with full-service bar and live music)
• Finstuen Club Room
• Morestuen Cafe (24-hour cafeteria with full-service bar and à la carte menu for sandwiches, burgers, snacks, drinks, and hot meals)
• Internet Cafe (for personal laptops; onboard Wi-Fi is free with shipwide coverage)
• Boutique Shop (Norwegian souvenirs, Hurtigruten-branded merchandise, jewelry, limited toiletries, warm clothing, postcards, toys)
• Full-circle Promenade Deck — open-air space ideal for wildlife viewing and strolling; uniquely, the bow is passenger-accessible
• 4 smaller Conference Rooms (for special events)
• Stiftsstaden Lounge and Bar (full-service bar)
• Babbettes Cafe (patisserie for specialty coffee and daily sweets)
• Cafe seating areas (often used for reading)
• Heated swimming pool flanked by two whirlpools; the pool deck offers plentiful sunloungers and small tables with chairs
• Brotoppen Panorama Lounge and Bar (indoor observation lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows; includes an Internet Cafe and small dance floor)
• Wellness center with TRIM Fitness, Outdoor Gym, two Saunas (men/women), locker rooms with showers, reception desk, and Spa & Beauty Salon (massage room; hair, face, hand, and foot treatments). TRIM Fitness is a two-room gym (open 6:00 a.m.–12:00 midnight) equipped with a stepper, elliptical, treadmills, rowers, exercise bikes, free weights, weight machines, medicine balls, and yoga mats.
• Sun Deck — venue for Hurtigruten’s “Arctic Circle baptism,” featuring a Neptune-costumed crewmember, icy seawater, and a warming shot
• Observation Deck (Deck 8) — open-air promenade providing prime vantage points for Arctic scenery; accessible via stairs and the aft elevator

Finnmarken Science Center (Deck 4 forward, in the photo below) is a large “scientific lounge” (research lab) equipped with high-tech gadgets (including microscopes and touch screens) and the latest digital technology. The venue comprises a Library, Lecture Halls, Photo Center (photo/video studio), Conference Room, Expedition Team Room, and dedicated areas for themed educational workshops (biology, marine life, geography, photography, etc.), plus a Bar. Hurtigruten’s Expedition Team provides scientific information and technical assistance to guests here.

Follows the complete list of MS Finnmarken lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Car Deck with cargo capacity for 47 vehicles/cars
• Cafe (24-hour cafeteria with full-service bar and à la carte menu for snacks, sandwiches, burgers, hot meals, and drinks); primarily serves local passengers traveling port-to-port
• Small Kids’ Playroom (no organized activities or babysitting), equipped with a ball pit, chairs, craft table, and LEGO; a Video Games Arcade with consoles
• Explorer Bar Lounge — the ship’s largest indoor observation lounge, with plush seating and floor-to-ceiling windows; also includes an Internet Cafe (two PC stations) and a small dance floor; Wi-Fi is free with shipwide coverage

Itineraries

MS Finnmarken’s itinerary program was based on Norwegian Coastal Voyages, featuring scenic cruising through the Norwegian fjords. She was used primarily as a ferry for passengers and cars, with some guests staying aboard for the 12-day roundtrip itineraries out of Bergen and Kirkenes.

MS Otto Sverdrup’s itinerary program began with the Maiden Voyage on August 24, 2021, operating roundtrip from homeport Hamburg, Germany. The year-round expedition voyages (14-day itineraries from Hamburg) visit ports in Norway.