MS Trollfjord

The 2003-built MS Trollfjord cruise ship is the second of three Millennium-class Hurtigruten ships, together with Finnmarken and Midnatsol.

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 2023-H1 the Trollfjord ship will be renamed "MS Eirik Raude".

The vessel (IMO number 9233258) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI 258465000) 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 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 800-passenger ship Trollfjord was named after the famous Trollfjord situated between the Lofotens and Vesteralens. The history of this place is connected with "The battle of the Trollfjord" in 1890. The 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's fleet, sistership 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 a 3-course set meal. There is also a selection of lounges and bars with drinks available.

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

• Saga Hall Restaurant (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. Passengers 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 huge party ships. The ship boasts a comfortable interior with extensive use of wood and stone, modern Norwegian 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-story 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, jewelry, 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 that also include fjord cruising.

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.

MS Trollfjord cruises along the coast of Norway. Many passengers use the vessel as transportation (ferry). Others stay onboard for full 12-day roundtrips 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 2400 km / 1500 mi to the north in Port Kirkenes, near Russia's border, before making way back down and doing it all over again. Hurtigruten voyages' highlights include the Lofoten Islands and Nordkapp/North Cape - Continental Europe's northernmost point.

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 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).

Hurtigruten's schedule 2023 included two MS Trollfjord cruises themed as "Svalbard Express" and "North Cape Express". The new for Hurtigruten itineraries are an upgraded extension to the Norwegian Coastal Express, featuring longer in-port stays (half-day or full-day), special onboard events and exclusive amenities (all-day dining, afternoon tea service, takeaway service, cooking classes, alcoholic beverages tastings, cocktail bar, live entertainment).

Svalbard Express (June 3 - Sept 9, 2023) was priced from USD 4960 pp. North Cape Express (departing on September 26, 2023) was priced from USD 2457 pp.

The 14-night/15-day "Svalbard Express" itinerary is a Bergen roundtrip that follows the original coastal routes operated by Hurtigruten in the period 1968-1982, visiting the archipelagos Lofoten and Vesteralen, as well as Nordkapp and Spitsbergen Island (Svalbard Archipelago). Svalbard Express' call ports include Andalsnes, Traena, Stokmarknes, Tromso, Honningsvag, Bjornoya/Bear Island (coastal cruising), Spitsbergen (Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund), Tromso, Senja Island, Svolvaer, Bronnoysund, Alesund, Urke/Hjorundfjord, Bergen.

Svalbard Express is also offered as a 7-day one-way either Kirkenes-Longyearbyen or Longyearbyen-Kirkenes. Both one-way packages are inclusive of a 2-night hotel in Longyearbyen, 2x land excursions, an evening at Camp Barentz's cabin, as well as catamaran cruising (MS Bard/hybrid-electric passenger ship, 2020-built/IMO 9892248).

The 14-night/15-day "North Cape Express" departs from Oslo (overnight) and ends in Bergen (overnight) visiting Kristiansand, Farsund, Haugesund, Hardangerfjord (cruising), Alesund, Bronnoysund, Svolvaer, Stokmarknes, Tromso, Honningsvag, Alta, Lodingen, Rorvik, Molde, Kristiansund, Bergen.

The vessel (Fosen Mekaniske Verksteder yard-manufactured) has volume 16151 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 1184 tons, max draught 5,1 m. The powerplant is based on Wartsila marine diesel engines (models W9L32 and 9L32/6L32) with combined output 13,8 MW. The registered shipowner is HURTIGRUTEN COASTAL FLEET AS, the manager is HURTIGRUTEN COASTAL AS.

The Trollfjord ship was christened on May 13, 2002. It is named after the renowned Trollfjord Norway, situated between the Norwegian archipelagos Lofoten and Vesteralen. The vessel is of Hurtigruten's Millennium-class, with sistership Midnatsol. Both share common design characteristics, such as large balconied suites, scenic bar lounge, spacious deck areas.

Drydock refurbishments review

By 2023-Q4, Hurtigtuten's all 7x "Norwegian Coastal Express" ferryboats (Trollfjord, Richard With, Nordlys, Kong Harald, Nordnorge, Polarlys, Nordkapp) were scheduled to complete drydocks for powerplant conversions (from diesel-only to diesel-electric / battery-hybrid), during which new low-emission diesel engines and large battery packs were installed.

• For this project (budgeted ~EUR 100 million), on May 11, 2021, Hurtigruten Group signed a contract with Kongsberg Maritime to deliver the hybrid equipment packages for the boats.
• Each ship was fitted with 2x SAVe Energy storage systems (1120 kWh lithium-ion batteries) controlled via SAVe CUBE (drive switchboards that control the thrusters) and 2x Bergen B33:45V diesel engines (diesel generator sets with SCR-Selective Catalytic Reduction to optimize CO emissions control).
• Kongsberg's equipment also included re-blading of the propellers, installing new thruster motors (retractable stern 360-degree azimuthing thruster), AC (switchboards/current switches), new safety and communication systems, new gears, bulbous bow (the hull was optimized to reduce drag), new boilers (improving heat recovery from the engines), new wastewater treatment plant.
• The drydocks were conducted by Myklebust Verft AS (shipyard in Gursken, Norway's Gurskoya Island).

All Hurtigruten ships now have shoreside-power capabilities (plugs for electricity supply at port berths).

During the 2023 drydock refurbishment were also upgraded all staterooms, restaurants and public areas. Following the drydocking, MS Trollfjord was to be renamed "MS Eirik Raude".