I recently had the incredible opportunity to sail on Hurtigruten‘s MS Trollfjord. My journey began amidst the stunning natural beauty of Norway’s capital and took me all the way to Tromsø, the picturesque coastal city known as the Gateway to the Norwegien Fjords. Below, I’ll take you through everything you need to know – from the ship’s deck-to-deck layout to the delicious cuisine and exciting shore excursions.
About MS Trollfjord
MS Trollfjord in Olso
Built in 2002 and refurbished in 2023, the MS Trollfjord is a standout ship in the Hurtigruten fleet. It accommodates 500 and seamlessly blends modern comfort with the charm of a traditional coastal cruiser.
Onboard, you’ll find a spacious Panorama 1893 Bar & Lounge area, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and serving handcrafted cocktails and Norwegian spirits. Accommodations range from cosy budget-friendly cabins to luxurious suites, along with three dining options that showcase authentic Norwegian cuisine. An expert expedition team is also onboard, providing lectures, guided shore excursions, and insights into Norway’s rich history, wildlife, and culture.
The smaller size of the MS Trollfjord allows it to access remote ports that larger ships can’t reach, allowing a deeper and more personal exploration of Norway’s rugged coastline. This ship operates on the Svalbard Express and North Cape Express routes, highlighting Norway’s stunning fjords, Arctic landscapes, and cultural gems.
Restaurants onboard MS Trollfjord
Brasserie Árran is a restaurant on the MS Trollsford, open for lunch and dinner from 12 PM to 9 PM. Named after the Sámi word for fire in a Lavvu tent, it specialises in traditional Norwegian cuisine with a modern twist. The rustic décor creates a warm atmosphere, and the menu features small plates, hearty mains, and desserts, including specialities like king crab. Excellent service and reasonable prices make it one of my favorite dining spots.
Brasserie Árran
At the ship’s aft lies Flora, the main dining room. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is normally à la carte. The cuisine primarily focuses on healthy, fresh, local ingredients with a strong Norwegian influence. The lunch buffets are delicious, even if I can’t pronounce some of the names!
Flora Restaurant MS Trollfjord
Day 1: Touchdown in Oslo & Champagne Send-Off
I began my day early with a flight from London Heathrow to Oslo. After arriving and meeting the rest of the group, we took a short train ride from the airport to the port, all arranged by Hurtigruten for our week on board.
Once we stepped onto the ship, we took some time to explore and get settled. The MS Trollfjord, recently renovated in 2023, features a design that beautifully blends retro charm with modern comfort. It uses local materials like wood and stone, perfectly reflecting the stunning Norwegian landscape.
After exploring the ship, we headed to the top deck for farewell drinks as we set sail from Oslo. We raised our glasses of champagne while enjoying the sunset, making our way toward Kristiansand.
That evening, we dined in Flora, the ship’s buffet dining area. The menu focused on Norwegian dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. I started with the best onion soup I’ve ever had, it was fantastic! The buffet offered a variety of Norwegian cuisine, and I indulged in sautéed vegetables paired with meats like lamb, reindeer, salmon, and halibut. Later, we went to the 1893 bar for drinks, and my favourite was The Oslo Mule, a refreshing blend infused with ginger.
Sailaway drinks in Oslo
Day 2: Coastal Wonders & Culinary Delights in Kristiansand
I woke up in the sunny port of Kristiansand, excited for our Highlights of South Coast and South Cape tour. Our first stop was Skudeneset farm and vineyard, where we enjoyed a wine tasting session. The vintner shared insights about the wine-making process with us, and we sampled the award-winning Sygna sparkling wine. We also met the winemaker’s wife at her basketry workshop, where she impressed us with her willow-weaving skills.
We visited Lindesnes Lighthouse, a well-known site at the South Cape of Norway that marks the entrance to the Skagerrak Strait. We enjoyed a light lunch with locally made sourdough bread, fresh fish cakes, moose sausages, and leg of lamb. It was great to see Norway’s coastal views along with beautiful inland scenery of woods, rivers, and lakes. One of my favourite memories from this trip was visiting Under, the world’s largest underwater restaurant. With a Michelin Star, Under’s dining area is 5.5 meters below sea level, giving us a unique experience near Norway’s marine life.
Restaurant Under
Later that evening, some of us ate at Røst, a restaurant inspired by the ancient fish banks in the Lofoten Islands. The menu features seafood and coastal ingredients. We tried several dishes, including reindeer and salmon, as well as some surprising items like seaweed, Arctic pearls (vegan roe), and sea urchins. The sommeliers helped us choose the best wines to go with our meals, which were delicious! We then spent the rest of the night at our usual place, Bar 1893.
Day 3: Viking Heritage & Scenic Sailing in Haugesund
The next morning, we arrived in Haugesund, a lovely town known for its Viking history and stunning coastal views. We took a shuttle bus from the ship to the town and enjoyed a nice, relaxed walk. Since we arrived early, not much was open, but we loved taking in the beautiful scenery.
Haugesund Church
After our stroll, we headed back to the ship for a delicious buffet-style lunch. It was the perfect way to refuel before we spent the afternoon relaxing at the bar on deck 9 while navigating through the stunning fjords. The views were absolutely spectacular, so we couldn’t resist making our way to the top deck to see just how close we were to the coastline and those gorgeous fjords.
View of the Norwegian Fjords
That evening, we had dinner at Brasserie Árran, which became one of our favorite places on the ship. This lovely restaurant is open from 12pmto 9pm for lunch and dinner. It gets its name from the Sámi word for the fire in their traditional lavvo tent. Brasserie Árran offers traditional Norwegian dishes with a twist and has a cosy feel thanks to its dark wood, leather, and stone décor. The menu includes small plates, hearty main courses, and tempting desserts, along with specialties like king crab. My favourite meal was the reindeer soup as a starter and the beef burger as my main dish – both were perfect!
Brasserie Árran Beef Burger
Day 4: Exploring Ålesund & Chasing the Northern Lights
I woke up in the charming port of Ålesund, one of Norway’s most beautiful coastal cities, famous for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture and breathtaking natural scenery. We really immersed ourselves in the local culture by joining a Saga Island Bus Tour to Alnes. We drove across incredible bridges and through fascinating subsea tunnels to explore two of the main islands surrounding Ålesund.
We started our trip at Giske Church, the birthplace of Viking chieftain Rollo, who is an ancestor of William the Conqueror. We also visited the beautiful Giske Church, which dates back to the 12th century. Next, we went to Godøy and explored the charming fishing village of Alnes, where we saw the lighthouse. We enjoyed some delicious carrot cake with tea or coffee. The weather was lovely, and we climbed the steep stairs inside the lighthouse for a great view at the top. After our adventure, we returned to Ålesund to enjoy its Art Nouveau style and beautiful buildings.
Lighthouse in Alnes
After the tour, we enjoyed another buffet-style lunch at Flora, featuring a delightful selection of various meats and vegetable side dishes. I couldn’t resist the minestrone soup – it was absolutely divine!
Once we enjoyed a delicious meal, we took a tour of the ship to see the different cabins, suites, and amenities. Then we headed to the bar to get ready for our à la carte dinner at Flora. For the first course, I had light cauliflower florets. For the main course, I chose pork belly served with jus, cabbage, and seasoned potatoes. It was fantastic and lighter than I expected! To finish, I had a tasty chocolate brownie with berry jus on the side – just the right way to end the meal, especially whilst having the sunset in the background the whole time.
As the evening unfolded, we made our way to the top deck, hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights. They only made a brief appearance, but we managed to capture them through our cameras, though not quite visible to the naked eye. It was a magical night!
Did you know, if you choose a Classic Round Voyage or an Astronomy Voyage, and the Lights do not make an appearance, then Hurtigruten will give you a free voyage as part of their Northern Lights Promise – just some food for thought!
Day 5: Arctic Crossings & Tranquil Moments in Brønnøysund
Our next stop was Brønnøysund, a charming coastal town in central Norway. It has a lively culture and stunning fjord views. We spent a few hours exploring the town and visiting a lovely church. We then found a small trail that took us to a peaceful lake. Standing there and enjoying the amazing views. On our way back, we visited some shops before returning onboard for a delicious buffet lunch in Flora.
View of Bronnoysund from the top deck
With the afternoon free, we took the opportunity to unwind. I made the most of the spa facilities and spent some time in the lovely sauna. Later, I enjoyed some relaxation in my cabin while watching a movie. It was great to see such a wide selection of films onboard, so there was definitely something for everyone!
In the evening, we went to the top deck before dinner to enjoy another beautiful sunset. I could never get enough of those views! After that, we dined at Flora for an à la carte meal. For my first course, I had a creamy leek soup. For the main course, I couldn’t choose between two delicious dishes, so I tried both! One was a chickpea fritter on a bed of veggies with a sweet sauce, and the other was tasty slices of pork with crackling, my favorite part, served with roasted onions and potatoes in rich gravy. To finish the meal, I treated myself to a cheese platter for dessert, which was a lovely way to end the evening.
Sunset view from the top deck of MS Trollfjord
After dinner, we went back up to the top deck for the fun Arctic Circle Ceremony. Beforehand, there had been an onboard competition where we had to guess the rough time we would cross the Arctic Circle. I guessed 20:36:26, and the actual crossing happened at 20:57:17. Claire, who was on this trip with me, made the closest guess! Her prize was getting a ladle of ice cubes down her back from the captain and a few of the expedition team, followed by a small glass of cloudberry wine – It was absolutely hilarious! Of course I couldn’t resist joining in the fun too!
Day 6: Thrills in Svolvær & Hurtigruten History in Stokmarknes
On our last full day in beautiful Norway, we visited two amazing ports! Our first stop was Svolvær, the largest town in the stunning Lofoten Islands. The area was gorgeous, with beautiful nature and many outdoor activities. We had booked an exciting trip called the Lofoten RIB & Sea Eagle Adventure. It was a real thrill! We zipped around the islands, passing by charming little islets and skerries that you can only reach by boat. We even got very close to Sea Eagles, which have a huge wingspan of up to 2.65 meters – can you believe how big they are? The sights we saw were remarkable!
RIB & Sea Eagle Adventure
After an exhilarating time on the RIB excursion, we squeezed in one last meal at Arran. Of course, I went with my trusty favourites: reindeer soup as a starter and a juicy beef burger for the main course. Yum! It definitely hit the spot!
In the afternoon, we arrived at our second port of the day, Stokmarknes, a quaint and historically rich town in the Vesterålen archipelago. It’s famous as the birthplace of Hurtigruten, where the iconic coastal voyage first set sail back in 1893. That’s actually why the bar onboard is called 1893! In Stokmarknes, we dived into the fascinating history of Norway’s coastal route, checking out exhibitions, artefacts, and even the retired Finnmarken ship!
Hurtigrutemuseet – Norwegian Coastal Express Museum
By the evening, we were back onboard and ready for dinner at Flora, which was laid out buffet-style. I couldn’t resist the creamy risotto – it was so delicious that I definitely had to go back for seconds! What a fantastic day it was!
In and around MS Trollfjord (deck-by-deck)
As you step onto the ship on Deck 4, you’re welcomed by a stunning Atrium, where a grand staircase extends the height of the vessel. Above, a glass roof allows natural light to flood the space, creating an open and airy atmosphere. Meanwhile, the glass-fronted lifts provide scenic views of the ship’s beautiful murals as you glide between decks.
Moving up, Decks 3 to 7 feature a variety of accommodations, including inside, outside, and suite options. For those seeking the best views, higher-category cabins and suites are located on the upper decks, offering a more premium experience.
When it comes to public areas, Decks 5 and 8 serve as the ship’s main social hubs. The reception area, along with a convenient self-service laundry, can be found in the Atrium on Deck 4. Venturing down the main stairs to Deck 5, guests will discover a lecture hall at the front, where port talks and daily gatherings take place. Here, Hurtigruten’s rich history is showcased, offering fascinating insights while you wait. Just outside, a hot drinks station invites guests to grab a coffee before a session. Talks are available in multiple languages, including Norwegian, English, German, and French. This deck is also home to the ship’s main dining venue, Flora, as well as the inviting Brasserie Árran.
Beyond the lecture hall, a spacious seating area provides panoramic views, making it an ideal spot to unwind. Smaller lecture rooms line the corridor, adding to the ship’s collection of quiet and comfortable spaces. Back in the Atrium, you’ll find an unexpected sight – an impressive King Crab tank (yes, live crabs!), a unique feature not often seen aboard a cruise ship!
Deck 6 wraparound promenade deck
For those who enjoy a scenic stroll, Deck 6 boasts a wraparound promenade deck, offering breathtaking views of Norway’s coastline.
Continuing upward, Deck 8 is home to the Espolin Johnson Lounge, named after renowned Norwegian artist Kaare Espolin Johnson. His evocative depictions of coastal life and fishing communities set the tone for this warm and inviting space. Comfortable seating and spectacular views make it a perfect retreat to read, relax, or simply take in the ever-changing landscapes.
Finally, Deck 9 offers a mix of wellness and leisure facilities. Guests can stay active in the well-equipped fitness gym or unwind in the sauna and lounge area. With direct access to the outside deck, it’s easy to step out for fresh air and admire the fjords. Additionally, this is where the designated smoking area is located.
If you want to know more about MS Trollfjord or Hurtigruten, please call our Voyage Consultants at 0800 008 6677. You can also contact me directly at Rashmi@cruiseline.co.uk. Alternatively, visit our Hurtigruten cruise deals page.
