MS Trollfjord

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

NEWS: In 2021, Hurtigruten added four older vessels to its expedition fleet—Spitsbergen (2009), Midnatsol (2003), Trollfjord (2002), and Finnmarken (2002). This expanded fleet also includes Fram (2007) and the three newbuilds Roald Amundsen (2019), Fridtjof Nansen (2020), and TBN (2022).

Following an extensive drydock refurbishment and refit, MS Trollfjord was scheduled to be renamed “MS Eirik Raude” in the first half of 2023.

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 operating along Norway’s western and northern coastline. Hurtigruten’s cruise ferries travel nearly the entire length of the country, completing the roundtrip itinerary in 11 days. The route also includes the Lofoten and Vesteralen archipelagos.

The 800-passenger MS Trollfjord is named after the famous Trollfjord—a narrow fjord located between the Lofotens and Vesteralens. The area's history is linked to the 1890 “Battle of Trollfjord.” Her interior features extensive use of Norwegian stone and wood for a warm, traditional atmosphere.

Built in Norway, MS Trollfjord sailed her maiden voyage on May 13, 2002. She is among the newest vessels in the Hurtigruten fleet and is a sistership to MS Midnatsol. Together, they are the line’s largest ships operating on the Norwegian coastal itinerary and provide more space and comfort for passengers. Signature features include a two-tiered Panorama Lounge and a dedicated Concierge area (Deck 8), where the top suites are located.

Decks and Cabins

MS Trollfjord staterooms (301 total, across 11 categories) include 21 Suites, 216 Outside cabins, and 60 Inside cabins. Cabin sizes range from 65 to 485 ft² (6–45 m²). There are four wheelchair-accessible staterooms. Most cabins are sized between 75 and 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, LCD TV, radio, phone, mini-fridge, electronic safe, wardrobe with drawers and cabinets, en-suite bathroom (WC/shower, bath products, hairdryer), individual air-conditioning, and blankets for outdoor viewing.

The vessel has 9 decks, of which 7 are accessible to passengers and 5 contain cabins.

Shipboard dining options – Food and Drinks

MS Trollfjord offers several dining venues. Dining in the main restaurant is relaxed and informal. Menus feature seasonal fresh ingredients and locally sourced produce to satisfy appetites stirred by the sea air. Breakfast is buffet-style, lunch is served as a “Cold Table,” and dinner is a three-course set menu. A selection of lounges and bars also serves drinks throughout the day.

Follows the complete list of MS Trollfjord’s restaurants and food bars:

• Saga Hall Restaurant (335-seat dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a central buffet station; serves buffet breakfast 7:00–10:00 a.m. and buffet lunch 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Dinner is offered in two fixed seatings—6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.—with waiter service, a three-course menu, and an à la carte selection of light snacks).
• À la Carte Restaurant provides an intimate, upscale dining experience featuring premium seafood, exotic meats, and produce sourced directly from the Arctic.
• Viking Saga and Viking Safari Café (deck 5; café and snacks).

Shipboard entertainment options – Fun and Sport

MS Trollfjord provides friendly and efficient service, with plenty of downtime for guests to relax with a good book while enjoying passing scenery. Hurtigruten ships attract passengers who prefer expedition-style travel over large party vessels. Her interior features extensive use of stone and wood, a modern Norwegian art collection, a two-story Panorama Lounge above the bow, and a dedicated Concierge area on Deck 8. The ship offers the Polar and Fjord bars, a fitness room with sauna, and two hot tubs on the top deck.

Follows the complete list of MS Trollfjord’s lounges, clubs, and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults:

• The Car Deck (capacity 45 cars)
• Six-deck-high Atrium
• Lecture Halls (hosting multimedia presentations, lectures by scientists and wildlife experts, and films about Norway; no traditional show program)
• Viking Saga Café (24-hour cafeteria with an à la carte snack menu and a separate seating area used for reading)
• Viking Market Shop (Norwegian souvenirs, Hurtigruten merchandise, jewelry, toiletries, clothing)
• Promenade Deck (full-circle open-air deck)
• Fjord Bar (seating area served by the Saga Fjord Bar)
• Saga Fjord Bar (floor-to-ceiling windows; notable for its selection of Norway’s Aquavit liquors)
• Fjord Hall / Internet Café (four computers and a printer, free of charge); Library
• The Espolin Johnson Room (wood-paneled lounge with paintings by Norwegian artist Kenneth Blom; free Wi-Fi available)
• Panorama Lounge (two-deck indoor observation lounge with panoramic windows, served by the Polar Bar)
• Polar Bar (12 seats, overlooking the Atrium)
• TRIM Fitness (exercise bikes, treadmills, free weights); separate men’s and women’s saunas; two jacuzzis
• The Sun Deck hosts the Hurtigruten “Arctic Circle baptism” ceremony, featuring a Neptune-costumed crewmember, icy seawater, and a warming shot.

Itineraries

MS Trollfjord’s itinerary program is based on Norwegian Coastal Voyages, which also feature extensive fjord cruising.

MS Trollfjord operates primarily as a ferry for passengers and cars, though many travelers book full 12-day roundtrip itineraries from Bergen and Kirkenes.

She sails along the coast of Norway, transporting passengers and goods to remote villages nestled between the fjords. Itineraries begin in Port Bergen and extend 2400 km / 1500 mi north to Port Kirkenes, near the Russian border, before returning southbound. Highlights of Hurtigruten voyages include the Lofoten Islands and Nordkapp/North Cape, Continental Europe’s northernmost point.

Passengers may choose 5–11-night segments or the full 12-day sailing from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. In most ports, Hurtigruten offers optional shore excursions and tours. A “Crossing the Arctic Circle” ceremony welcomes first-time travelers. For Norwegian coastal voyages, the line offers flight-cruise packages protected with an ATOL Certificate (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing, Civil Aviation Authority, UK).

Hurtigruten’s 2023 schedule included two themed MS Trollfjord cruises—“Svalbard Express” and “North Cape Express.” These upgraded itineraries expand on the Norwegian Coastal Express concept with longer port stays (half-day or full-day), special onboard events, and premium amenities such as all-day dining, afternoon tea service, takeaway service, cooking classes, alcoholic-beverage tastings, cocktail bar, and live entertainment.

Svalbard Express (June 3–Sept 9, 2023) was priced from USD 4960 per person. North Cape Express (departing September 26, 2023) was priced from USD 2457 per person.

The 14-night/15-day “Svalbard Express” is a Bergen roundtrip following the original coastal routes operated by Hurtigruten between 1968–1982. It visits the Lofoten and Vesteralen archipelagos, Nordkapp, and Spitsbergen Island (Svalbard Archipelago). Ports of call include Andalsnes, Traena, Stokmarknes, Tromso, Honningsvag, Bjornoya/Bear Island (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 itinerary, either Kirkenes–Longyearbyen or Longyearbyen–Kirkenes. Each one-way package includes a 2-night hotel stay in Longyearbyen, two land excursions, an evening at Camp Barentz’s cabin, and catamaran cruising aboard MS Bard (a 2020-built hybrid-electric passenger ship, 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, and Bergen.

The vessel (built by Fosen Mekaniske Verksteder) has a volume of 16,151 GT, a deadweight capacity of 1,184 tons, and a maximum draught of 5.1 m. Her powerplant consists of Wartsila marine diesel engines (models W9L32 and 9L32/6L32) with a combined output of 13.8 MW. The registered shipowner is HURTIGRUTEN COASTAL FLEET AS, and the vessel is managed by HURTIGRUTEN COASTAL AS.

MS Trollfjord was christened on May 13, 2002. She is named after the renowned Trollfjord in Norway, located between the Norwegian archipelagos Lofoten and Vesteralen. The vessel belongs to Hurtigruten’s Millennium class and has one sistership, Midnatsol. Both ships share similar design characteristics, including large balcony suites, a scenic bar lounge, and spacious deck areas.

Drydock refurbishments review

By Q4 of 2023, all seven of Hurtigruten’s “Norwegian Coastal Express” vessels (Trollfjord, Richard With, Nordlys, Kong Harald, Nordnorge, Polarlys, Nordkapp) were scheduled to complete drydock refits for powerplant conversions—transitioning from diesel-only to diesel-electric / battery-hybrid systems. These upgrades included the installation of new low-emission diesel engines and large battery packs.

• For this project (with a budget of ~EUR 100 million), Hurtigruten Group signed a contract on May 11, 2021, with Kongsberg Maritime to supply hybrid equipment packages for the vessels.
• Each ship was fitted with 2× SAVe Energy storage systems (1120 kWh lithium-ion batteries), managed by SAVe CUBE (drive switchboards controlling the thrusters), and 2× Bergen B33:45V diesel engines (diesel generator sets equipped with SCR–Selective Catalytic Reduction to optimize CO_x emissions control).
• Kongsberg’s upgrades also included re-blading the propellers, installing new thruster motors (including a retractable stern 360-degree azimuthing thruster), new AC switchboards, updated safety and communication systems, new gears, a redesigned bulbous bow (optimizing hull hydrodynamics to reduce drag), new boilers (improving heat recovery from the engines), and a new wastewater treatment plant.
• The drydocks were carried out by Myklebust Verft AS (shipyard in Gursken, on Norway’s Gurskoya Island).

All Hurtigruten vessels are now equipped with shoreside-power capabilities (enabling electricity supply from port berths).

During the 2023 drydock refurbishment, all staterooms, restaurants, and public areas were upgraded. Following the refit, MS Trollfjord was scheduled to be renamed “MS Eirik Raude.”