MS Trollfjord

The 2003-built MS Trollfjord cruise ship is the second of three “Millennium-class” Hurtigruten ships, together with Finnmarken (Otto Sverdrup) and Midnatsol (Maud).

NEWS: In 2021, Hurtigruten added 4 old ships to the company's expedition fleet - Spitsbergen (2009), Midnatsol (2003), Trollfjord (2002) and Finnmarken (2002). This fleet also includes Fram (2007) and the 3 newbuilds - Roald Amundsen (2019), Fridtjof Nansen (2020) and TBN (2022).

Following an extensive drydock refurbishment and refit, in 2021 the Trollfjord ship will be renamed "MS Maud".

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 coast. Hurtigruten's cruise ferries sail nearly the entire length of Norway and complete this roundtrip itinerary in 11 days. The route also includes Lofoten Islands and Vesteralen Islands.

The 16,140-ton, 822-passenger cruise ship ms Trollfjord was named after the situated between the Lofoten Islands and the Vesterålen famous Trollfjord (one of the highlights south). The history of this place is connected with "The battle of the Trollfjord" in 1890. Ship’s interior is comfortable, with extensive use of Norwegian stone and wood.

MS Trollfjord was built in Norway and sailed its maiden voyage on May 13, 2002. It is among the newest vessels in Hurtigruten fleet, sister-ship to ms Midnatsol. Both are the company's two largest vessels operated on the Norwegian coastal itinerary route. They are also the most comfortable and offer passengers more space, as well as some signature features – the Panorama lounge (two-tiered) and the separate Concierge area (Deck 8), where the top suites are located.

Decks and Cabins

MS Trollfjord staterooms (301 total, in 11 grades) include 21x Suites, 216x Outside, 60x Inside. Cabin sizes vary from 65 to 485 ft2 (6-45 m2). Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 4. Most staterooms are sized 75-140 ft2 (7-13 m2). The largest accommodations are the Owner’s Suites (45 m2).

Standard cabin amenities include lower and upper bunk beds, bedside reading lamps, foldable table with chair, LCDTV, radio, phone, mini-fridge, electronic safe box, wardrobe with dressers and cabinets, en-suite bathroom (WC-shower, bath products, hairdryer), individual air-conditioning, blankets (for sitting outside).

The boat has 9 decks, of which 7 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

MS Trollfjord features various dining venues. Dining in the main restaurant is relaxed and informal. All menus are planned around seasonal fresh ingredients and benefit from local produce to satisfy guests' healthy appetites stimulated by the sea air. Breakfast is buffet-style, lunch is a ‘Cold Table’, and dinner is 3-course set meal. There is also a selection of lounges and bars with drinks available.

Follows the complete list of ms Trollfjord restaurants and food bars.

• Saga Hall Restaurant (ship’s 335-seat dining room, with floor-ceiling windows and a large buffet station in the middle; offers buffet-style Breakfast 7:00 - 10:00 a.m. and Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Dinner is in two fixed seatings - at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., waiter-served, with a 3-course menu and a la carte menu with light snacks).
• A la carte Restaurant offers a more private, intimate setting. This exquisite restaurant serves some of the world's best seafood, exotic meat and other produce directly sourced from the Arctic.
• Viking Saga and Viking Safari Cafe (cafe & snacks, deck 5).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MS Trollfjord provides friendly and efficient service. Ship’s guests have a lot of downtime for curling up with an interesting book while watching the great views outside. Hurtigruten ships appeal to passengers who choose expedition-style voyages over the huge party ships. The ship boasts a comfortable interior with extensive use of wood and stone, Norwegian modern art collection on display, large, 2-story Panorama Lounge above the bow, as well as a separate Concierge area (Deck 8). Hurtigruten's Trollfjord ship has the bars Polar and Fjord, fitness room with sauna, and two hot tubs on its top deck. A unique feature about the ship is its two-storey Panorama lounge, with floor-ceiling views on both levels. Interior decor is, traditionally for the line, marked by extensive use of stone and wood, with an impressive art collection by the Norwegian artist K. Espolin Johnsen.

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

• The Car Deck (capacity of 45 cars)
• 6-deck high Atrium
• Lecture Halls (host multimedia presentations, lectures by scientists/wildlife experts, films about Norway; no onboard show program is offered)
• Viking Saga Cafe (24-hour cafeteria, with a la carte menu for snacks; has a separate seating area “Cafe” used for reading)
• Viking Market Shop (sells Norwegian souvenirs, Hurtigruten logo merchandise, jewellery, toiletries, clothing)
• Promenade Deck (full-circle open-air deck space)
• Fjord Bar (a seating area served by the Saga Fjord Bar)
• Saga Fjord Bar (with floor-ceiling windows; features a selection of Norway’s Aquavit liquors)
• Fjord Hall/Internet Cafe (4 Internet computers and a printer, free of charge); Library
• The Espolin Johnson Room (decorated with wood-panels and paintings by Norwegian artist Kenneth Blom; great to use the free Wi-Fi)
• Panorama Lounge (2-deck indoor observation lounge with panoramic windows, served by the Polar Bar)
• Polar Bar (12-seat, with great views of Atrium levels below)
• The TRIM Fitness (equipped with exercise bikes, treadmills, free weights); Saunas (for men/women); 2 jacuzzis
• The Sun Deck is the place for Hurtigruten’s special ceremony “Arctic Circle baptism”, including a Neptune-costumed crewmember, icy seawater, and a shot for warming up.

Itineraries

MS Trollfjord itinerary program is based on Norwegian Coastal Voyages. Ship's routes include the beautiful Norwegian's fjords.

Trollfjord is mostly used as a ferry for both passengers and cars. However, some guests stay on board for roundtrip 12-day itineraries out of Bergen and Kirkenes.

Trollfjord cruise ship was christened on May 13, 2002. It is named after the renowned Trollfjord Norway, situated between the Norwegian archipelagos Lofoten and Vesteralen. This is one of the newest vessels in the fleet of the Norwegian coastal voyage operator Hurtigruten (cruise and ferry services). The vessel is of the line's Millennium-class, and as design, is a sister to MS Midnatsol (Maud). Both share common characteristics, such as large balconied suites, scenic panorama lounge, numerous lounge areas.

MS Trollfjord cruises along the coast of Norway. Many passengers use the vessel as transportation (ferry). Others stay onboard for full 12-day round trips booking it as a cruise ship. Trollfjord transports travelers and goods to remote villages that are tucked between the fjords. Itineraries start in Port Bergen and end up 1,500 miles to the north in Port Kirkenes, near Russia's border, before making way back down and doing it all over again. Voyages' highlights include the Lofoten Islands and North Cape - the northernmost point of Continental Europe.

Norwegian coastal cruise passengers can opt for 5-11-night stays, with the full 12-day sailing from Bergen to Kirkenes, then going back southbound. In most ports of call are offered Hurtigruten-sponsored excursions and tours. A ceremony "Crossing the Arctic Circle" welcomes newcomers. On Hurtigruten Norwegian coastal voyages, the line offers flight-cruise package deals. Bookings are protected with ATOL Certificate. ATOL stands for "Air Travel Organisers' Licensing" (Civil Aviation Authority, UK).