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

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken in Bergen, Norway
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken in Bergen, Norway
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 MS Finnmarken in Bergen, Norway
Hurtigruten's Finnmarken in Bergen
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken in Bergen, Norway
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken in Bergen, Norway
A glass walkway leads to the ship
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken in Bergen, Norway
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Stairwell
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Mørestuen Cafe
The Mørestuen Cafe

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Gift Shop
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.
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Ship Model
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Finnmarken Restaurant
The Finnmarken Restaurant
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - 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.

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

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Conference Facilities
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Finstuen Club Room and Library
The Finstuen Club Room
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Finstuen Club Room and Library
The Finstuen Club Room
Up on Deck 7 is the Stiftsstaden Salong, an observation lounge and bar area.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Stiftsstaden Salong
The entrance to the Stiftsstaden Salong
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - 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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Babettes Cafe
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).

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Gym and Fitness Room
The Gym on Finnmarken
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Sauna
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Brotoppen Panorama Observation Lounge
The Brotoppen Panorama Lounge on Finnmarken
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Brotoppen Panorama Observation Lounge
Skylights provide additional light
The area also has a bar, and a small wooden dance floor for some evening entertainment.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Brotoppen Panorama Observation Lounge
A dance floor is situated in the centre of the room
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Brotoppen Panorama Observation Lounge
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Atrium
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Outdoor Seating Babettes Cafe
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi
Finnmarken's Pool and Jacuzzis
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi
The pool is partially covered by the deck above
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Outside Open Decks
Finnmarken's aft decks
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Outside Open 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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Promenade Deck
The promenade deck
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Bow Deck and Viewing Platforms
Finnmarken's bow is open to passengers
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Navigation Bridge
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Standard Outside Cabin
A standard outside 2-berth cabin
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Standard Inside 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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Grand Suite Bedroom
The bedroom in a Grand Suite
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Grand Suite Living Room
The living room, with Champagne on ice waiting for the new passengers
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Grand Suite Bathroom
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.

Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Suite
A suite on Finnmarken
Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken - Suite
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.

Comments

  1. Thank you so much for the details ! I searched so long and only you can give us more info about the Grand Suite on Finnmarken !

    Greetings from Germany

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad the photos were useful! I hope you have a great time if you sail on Finnmarken.

      Delete
  2. Takk for fine bilde og beskrivelser. Det var hjelpsom.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MS Stavangerfjord - Ship Visit and Photo Tour

MS Trollfjord - Photo Tour

AIDAcara