MS Stavangerfjord ferry

MS Stavangerfjord is a Ro-Pax (wheeled cargo and passenger) ferry operated by the Norway-based company FJORD LINE. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1500 passengers and 600 cars. Launched in 2013, she currently operates on the Denmark–Norway ferry 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 min)

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

Cabins

As a cruiseferry, Stavangerfjord has 370 cabins (double and quad/max capacity 4 passengers) with a total of 580 berths. All passenger cabins (inside and outside) are located on decks 8, 9 and 10. All are air-conditioned and feature HDTVs, bedside cabinets, a mirrored dressing table/writing desk with stool, wall-mounted reading lamps, and en-suite bathrooms (washbasin, glass shower, WC/wall-mounted toilet). Suites and Luxe cabins are larger and additionally include a minibar (refrigerator) and a seating area (coffee table, armchair, 2-seater sofa/sofabed). Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. Cabin access is via RFID contactless smart cards. Flooring is carpeted except for “pet cabins” and ADA cabins, which have linoleum flooring.

The ship also offers reclining air seats on Deck 10 (available only from mid-June to mid-August). Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible. 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, bunk beds
• ML2 (Deck 8, near the nightclub) MiniLuxe / double cabin (11 m²) with window, double bed
• N2 / N5 (Deck 10) Family Class / 5-person cabin (11–12 m²) with window, double bed, sofabed, 2 bunk beds
• F4 (Decks 8/9) Standard / quad cabin (9 m²) with window, bed, sofabed, 2 bunk beds
• (Deck 8, near the nightclub) Standard / quad cabin (9 m²) with window, bed, sofabed, 2 bunk beds
• (Deck 8) Pet Cabin / Standard Obstructed View / quad cabin (9 m²) with window, bed, sofabed, 2 bunk beds; dogs allowed (must be booked by phone)
• I4 (Decks 8/9) Standard Inside / quad cabin (9 m²) with double bed, sofabed, 2 bunk beds
• B4 (Deck 8, near the nightclub) Standard Inside / quad cabin (9 m²) with bed, sofabed, 2 bunk beds
• (Decks 8/9) Standard Outside / double cabin (9 m²) with window, foldaway bed, sofabed
• (Deck 8) Pet Cabin / Standard Obstructed View / double cabin (9 m²) with window, foldaway bed, sofabed; dogs allowed (must be booked by phone)
• (Decks 8/9) Standard Inside / double cabin (9 m²) with foldaway bed, sofabed
• (Deck 8) Accessible (Handicap Outside) / quad cabin (17 m²) with window, 2 fixed lower beds, 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 prior to homeport arrival. Passenger check-in closes 1 hour before departure.

Shipboard facilities

Facilities aboard Stavangerfjord include:

• (Deck 7) Commander Buffet — 250-seat self-service restaurant offering Scandinavian and international dishes. Soft drinks, tea, coffee, wine (by the glass), and beer are included in the meal price. The buffet features themed stations: Grill, Cold Table (meats and seafood), Green Market (salads), Warm Dishes, Desserts.
• (Deck 7) Grieg Brasserie — 62-seat restaurant serving traditional French brasserie cuisine and Norwegian specialties.
• (Deck 7) Winter Garden / Oasis Garden Café — cafeteria/patisserie/coffee bar offering cold and warm beverages, light snacks (fresh-baked pastries, yogurts, fruit smoothies, sweet crêpes) and meals (made-to-order dishes, pizza, stir-fry, ready-made items). Coffee beverages are freshly brewed from freshly ground beans. Traditional home-cooked meals and desserts are also available.
• (Deck 7) “We Proudly Serve Starbucks” branded coffee bar
• (Decks 6/7) Food Market and Tax-Free Shop selling clothes and accessories (Name It, Noisy May, YAS, Only & Sons, Norwegian Explorer, Ray-Ban, Dyrberg Kern, Thomas Sabo, Swarovski, Sno, Quay, Pilgrim)
• (Deck 7) Pier 42 — Sports Bar offering drinks, snacks, and live sports on a large TV
• (Deck 7) Fjord Lounge — bar with live entertainment (artists and performers)
• (Deck 7) Casino Lounge — gaming tables (roulette, poker) 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; on Deck 10 a mini ship model (child-friendly replica of MS Stavangerfjord)
• (Deck 9) Sun Deck — outdoor relaxation area; aft on Deck 9 is a helipad for emergency helicopter operations
• (Deck 10) Outdoor area, bar, Reserved Seating Lounge with reclining/Pullman seats

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

Car decks

Garage decks are 3, 4 and 5. Deck 1 houses the Engine Room (extending into Deck 2) and other machinery spaces. Safety procedures for car decks include:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring assistance should visit the 24-hour Information Desk.
• Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in Park or 1st gear. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical systems, and headlights. Gas cylinders (if any) must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
• Note the vehicle’s location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks as well as in cabins and lounges.
• Wait for the announcement before returning to your vehicle.
• To avoid air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

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