MS Trollfjord - Photo Tour

Up next in the series of photo tours on board the ships of Hurtigruten is MS Trollfjord.

Regular readers of this blog will know the drill by now; MS Trollfjord is one of a fleet of 11 ships that together offer daily departures from Bergen on the Express route along the coast of Norway. The ships serve a dual roll as both cruise ships and cargo ships, and are vital in connecting many of the smaller communities in the northern part of the country.

Scroll down to take a look around her interiors and public decks.

Hurtigruten's MS Trollfjord alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen

EXTERIOR

A sister ship to Midnatsol, Trollfjord is one of the newer and larger vessels in the fleet. She makes for a handsome sight whilst moored alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen. With her slightly squat but attractive profile she is a well presented ship.

A few streaks of rust along her superstructure will be repainted during upcoming routine maintenance

Built in Norway in 2002, she has a gross tonnage of 16,140 and can accommodate 822 passengers (640 in berths).

Trollfjord refuels whilst alongside in Bergen

Bergen Tankers is a familiar sight at the terminal

After passing through check-in at the terminal building, passengers are given a short video safety briefing, before embarking their ship via a large glass walkway.

A large glass walkway leads from the terminal to the ship

Trollfjord's exteriors gleam in the Bergen sunlight

Stocking up: Trollfjord loads stores and cargo for the upcoming voyage

INTERIORS

First impressions on Trollfjord are really fantastic. Passengers are welcomed into her spacious and attractive atrium, which spans the full width of the ship, and links all of her main public spaces.

Trollfjord's spacious Atrium

We begin our tour at the aft end of Deck 5 in the Saga Hall Restaurant. This is the main dining room on board, and is open for breakfast and lunch with open sittings. The food is displayed in an attractive buffet area in the centre of the room. Dinner is served with assigned tables, allowing passengers to get to know their fellow diners throughout the voyage.

The Saga Hall Restaurant

Tables are set ready for dinner

The large buffet area in the centre of the Restaurant

Just forward of the restaurant is the on board shop, selling a selection of clothing, souvenirs and travel essentials.

Trollfjord's Shop

The central part of Deck 5 contains the Viking Cafe. This is the main casual eating venue, open throughout the day for hot and cold drinks and snacks.

The self-service counter in the Viking Cafe

The cafe is divided into several distinct areas, allowing for this large space to contain sufficient seating without compromising the cosy, comfortable atmosphere on board.

A variety of seating areas in the Viking Cafe

This area also serves as a walkway, connecting the restaurant with the other public rooms. This attractive builder's model of Trollfjord makes a lovely addition to the space.

Birds-eye view: This model of Trollfjord gives a great overview of the ship

Moving forwards on Deck 5 brings you to the extensive conference facilities. The Vallhall is the largest of three rooms, located in the centre of the deck. Armchairs are positioned along the windows of the walkways which lead to the Nordlys and Polarlys rooms at the forwardmost end of the deck.

The walkways either side of the main conference room

The remainder of Trollfjord's public rooms are located on the higher decks. These can be accessed via the large central atrium. A trip up in one of the glass lifts to deck 8 gives a great view of this space.

Glass elevators take passengers between decks.

A long way down: the view from the top of the Atrium

A large skylight open up the top of the Atrium

Just off the Atrium on Deck 8 is the Fjord Bar; a very relaxing room with plenty of seating, a fully stocked bar and a good-sized dance floor, which is also used as a stage for live performances.

The attractive Fjord Bar

The well-stocked bar has something for everyone

A seating area in the Fjord Bar, with the dance floor and stage behind

The Fjord Bar

Continuing aft through the Fjord Bar brings you to the Espolin Johnson Room. This lounge has a very relaxed atmosphere, and can be booked for private functions. Otherwise, it provides an extra option for anyone seeking a quiet spot to sit and enjoy the voyage.

The Espolin Johnson Room

A small internet centre, situated just through from the bar and lounge, ensures passengers can stay connected throughout the trip.

The Internet Centre

As with the majority of the ships in Hurtigruten's fleet, the jewel in the crown of Trollfjord is her fantastic Panorama Lounge, located forward on Decks 8 & 9. Enormous double-height windows flood the room with light, and its position above the ship's navigation bridge guarantees the best views.

The stunning Panorama Lounge on Trollfjord

The split-level Panorama Lounge

Sit back and enjoy the trip: the view from an armchair in the Panorama Lounge

The upper of the Panorama Lounge is known as the Horisont Gallery. A sweeping staircase connects the two levels.

The upper level of the Panorama Lounge

Although a large room, the Panorama Lounge retains the familiar and comfortable atmosphere that passengers on board Hurtigruten's ships have grown to expect, with the understated decor ensuring the focus remains on the fantastic views.

The double-height windows are a striking feature

A selection of photos from the Horisont Gallery

Seating in the upper level of the Panorama Lounge

Throughout the ship, Trollfjord's interiors feature warm woods and rich colours. Original artworks by a selection of Norwegian artists adorn the walls of the stairwells on each level.

A stairwell on board Trollfjord

Keep it green: Recycling stations are located throughout Trollfjord's public areas

OPEN DECKS

Trollfjord's outside decks offer a fantastic place to relax during the warmer, lighter summer months. Areas such as this outdoor seating area on Deck 9 are partially covered to allow year-round use, even when the rain, hail and snow inevitably set in throughout the winter.

An outdoor seating area on Deck 9 midships

The world's most beautiful voyage: A trip along the Norwegian Coastline 

The two jacuzzis in the Arctic Pool area are a great facility, and can be enjoyed throughout the day, and as an unusual spot for watching the northern lights in the colder evenings.

Relax in the jacuzzis in the Artic Pool area

Take a soak in amongst the rooftops of Bergen city centre

The large Sun Deck on Deck 9 is an open deck area, which is furnished with loungers in warmer weather.

The Sun Deck on Deck 9 aft

Down on Deck 6 is a full wrap-around promenade. A favourite of many ship lovers, this offers a great place for a stroll, taking in the 360degree views along the way.

The Promenade Deck

Under the bridge wings on the Promenade Deck

A view over Trollfjord's bow shows her forward mooring deck

Lifeboats and inflatable liferafts are stored along the Promenade

ACCOMMODATION

The range of cabins and suites on board Trollfjord caters for every budget. The majority of accommodation consists of 2- and 3-berth standard cabins. These are a definite step above the equivalent rooms on some of Hurtigruten's older ships. All have wardrobe space, a small vanity table and en suite shower rooms.

A standard 3-berth outside cabin on Trollfjord

A few levels up through the accommodation grades, ten Grand Suites are very well appointed. These are accessed, along with the Owner's Suites, via their own private corridor.

A cut above: this panelled corridor leads to Trollfjord's suites

A nice feature of the Grand Suites are the large bay windows, which add character to the separate seating area. Warm colours and quality fittings make these very attractive rooms.

A Grand Suite

All passengers staying in Suites are greeted with a bottle of bubbly and a fruit basket

A Grand Suite

For those looking to really indulge, two Owner's Suites provide the largest accommodation on board. With separate bedrooms and living rooms, they also offer dining spaces and an enormous private balcony overlooking the wake at the stern of the ship.

The seating area in an Owner's Suite

Views of the large living area in an Owner's Suite

The separate bedroom has a large double bed

The bathrooms in all suites are a cut above the basic modular units in standard cabins, with tiling, glass shower screens and, in the case of the Owner's Suites, separate bathtubs.

The bathroom in an Owner's Suite

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

There is no doubting that Trollfjord is an impressive and attractive ship. As one of the newer ships in the Hurtigruten fleet, she offers more of the features modern cruise ship passengers have come to expect. She provides light, spacious interiors whilst retaining her comfortable and inviting atmosphere. I would not hesitate to recommend Trollfjord (or her sister Midnatsol) to anyone considering taking this voyage.