MS Finnmarken - Photo Tour

Continuing our series of photo tours on board the ships of Hurtigruten is MS Finnmarken.

Hurtigruten's fleet of cruise ships operates daily departures on the 11-day round trip from Bergen, calling at 34 ports along the coast of Norway. The route is popular with cruise tourists keen to experience 'the most beautiful voyage in the world', and also serves as a lifeline for many smaller communities in Norway's more isolated north.

Scroll down to see our full photo tour of her passenger decks.

EXTERIOR

Finnmarken alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen

Built in Norway in 2002 at Kvæner Klenven, Finnmarken's design is a clear step in the fleet's development into a modern cruise line, offering more of the interior features and facilities that modern cruise passengers (who now make up a considerable portion of those on board) have come to expect.

Finnmarken refuels whilst alongside in Bergen

With a gross tonnage of 15,690 and a length of 138m, she is one of the larger ships operated by the line, and can accommodate up to 1000 passengers (628 in cabins).

Hurtigruten's Finnmarken in Bergen

Finnmarken's rounded stern shows her main dining room and aft mooring deck

Those boarding in Bergen pass through the modern and comfortable Hurtigruteterminalen, where a safety briefing is given before passengers make their way along the glass walkway to their ship.

A glass walkway leads to the ship

A number of Finnmarken's larger cabins feature private balconies

INTERIORS

Stepping on board, passengers find themselves in a comfortable stairwell on deck 5. Heading down just one deck brings you to many of Finnmarken's main public areas.

A stairwell on board Finnmarken

Just off the stairwell on Deck 4 is the Mørestuen Cafe, where hot and cold food and drink is available throughout the day in a comfortable area with ample seating.

The Mørestuen Cafe

The gift ship on Finnmrken

Moving aft through the cafe brings you to Finnmarken's shop, where a range of gifts and clothing can be purchased. From here a wide walkway leads aft to the main restaurant, with tables and chairs place to enjoy the views from the large picture windows that line the starboard side of the arcade.

The Arcade links the Restaurant to a number of other public areas.

This model of the original Finnmarken makes a nice addition to the Arcade

The main dining venue on board is the Finnmarken Restaurant. This light and pleasant room is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and passengers can enjoy the selection from a large, centrally located buffet station.

The Finnmarken Restaurant

A meal with a view - many of the dining tables have large picture windows

Moving forward along Deck 4 brings you to the Fløybaren, a warm and cosy area with a fully-stocked bar and plenty of comfortable seating.

The Fløybaren on Finnmarken

Fløybaren

Just forward of the Fløybaren are Finnmarken's extensive conference facilities, where four separate rooms are available for lectures and meetings.

One of Finnmarken's four conference rooms

Also on Deck 4 is the Finstuen Club Room, which serves as the ship's library. This small space is decorated with rich woods and wallpaper, and makes a particularly inviting space, with the large picture windows offering the same fantastic views as the other larger passenger lounges.

The Finstuen Club Room

The Finstuen Club Room

Up on Deck 7 is the Stiftsstaden Salong, an observation lounge and bar area.

The entrance to the Stiftsstaden Salong

Seating in the Stiftsstaden Salong

Just aft of the Stiftsstden Salong is Babettes Cafe, where passengers can indulge in one of the cakes or pastries made fresh on board by Finnmarken's speciality chef.

Babettes Cafe

Finnmarken's health and fitness facilities are spread over the aft section of Decks 7 & 8. Her well-equipped gym and large sauna are complimented by the pool and Jacuzzis (scroll down to the 'Open Decks' section of this tour for photos of these).

The Gym on Finnmarken

The sauna has portholes which look out over the ship's aft decks

Forward on Deck 8 is the Brotoppen Panorama Lounge, the main observation area on board. Large windows run along three sides, flooding the room with light. Much of the seating is positioned to take full advantage of the spectacular views from this vantage point above Finnmarken's navigation bridge.

The Brotoppen Panorama Lounge on Finnmarken

Skylights provide additional light

The area also has a bar, and a small wooden dance floor for some evening entertainment.

A dance floor is situated in the centre of the room

The bar in the Brotoppen Panorama Lounge

Finnmarken's main passenger decks are linked by this slim central atrium, which brings light down to the lower decks through a large skylight.

A look up to the skylight at the top of the slim atrium

OPEN DECKS

Stepping out onto deck 7 brings you to this open seating area, sheltered from the wind by glass screens. This area serves as an extension to the neighbouring Babettes Cafe when the weather allows.

The outdoor seating area for Babettes Cafe

The most notable part of Finnmarken's outside decks is her large heated pool. She is the only ship in the Hurtigruten fleet to feature this. The pool is partially covered by the deck above, and adjacent to two teak-trimmed Jacuzzis, which make for a perfect place to sit out in the cold evenings and enjoy the regular sightings of the Northern lights.

Finnmarken's Pool and Jacuzzis

The pool is partially covered by the deck above

Finnmarken's aft decks

A large open area on Deck 8

Down on deck 5 is the full wrap-around promenade deck. The bow end of this is open, with tiered viewing platforms giving passengers a chance to enjoy an area that isn't accessible on the other Hurtigruten ships.

The promenade deck

Finnmarken's bow is open to passengers

A view of Finnmarken's navigation bridge

ACCOMMODATION

A wide range of accommodation is available for passengers booking on Finnmarken. The majority of cabins are standard 2-berth interior and exterior rooms. These are all en suite, and offer clean, comfortable and practical surroundings.

A standard outside 2-berth cabin

A 3-berth interior room

At the top of the list of on board accommodation are the two Grand Suites on Deck 6. These offer separate bedrooms and living areas, large private balconies and well-appointed bathrooms.

The bedroom in a Grand Suite

The living room, with Champagne on ice waiting for the new passengers

The bathroom of a Grand Suite

A number of smaller suites are also available. These offer private balconies and separate seating areas. Passengers staying in suites and mini-suites also receive a bottle of champagne and a fruit basket on arrival.

A suite on Finnmarken

Suites feature large double beds and separate seating areas

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

Finnmarken is a light, fresh and very pleasant ship. She is well maintained and provides a good range of public rooms and facilities. She (along with Midnatsol and Trollfjord) would be a good choice for anyone interested in experiencing a Hurtigruten voyage with a few more cruise ship comforts than some of the older ships in the fleet can provide.