Trollfjord refurbishment: retro features and updated amenities 

The line made a conscious decision not to draw on design details from the modern ships in the fleet for Trollfjord, which takes its name from the small but spectacular fjord in the Vesteralen archipelago.

“We wanted Trollfjord to feel unique while also building on Hurtigruten’s traditional aesthetic,” explains Mr Pettersen. “We deliberately didn’t take elements from some of our newer ships to ensure Trollfjord felt distinctive, but our regular guests can still expect the great food, experiences and activities that can be enjoyed across the Hurtigruten Norway fleet.”

It is the first time Hurtigruten engaged YSA Design on the interior design of one of its ships and the contract included renovating the three main restaurants, all cabins and the development of a new bar and sun deck area.

“YSA Design has a long history of being one of the world’s leading design studios for the cruise ship industry, and as the specialists in creating functional but unique spaces, they were the perfect fit for Trollfjord,” comments Mr Pettersen. “We knew YSA Design would encapsulate Hurtigruten’s vision, creating a balance between a classic but contemporary Nordic style. 

Hurtigruten wanted to ensure the newly designed areas felt unique to the line, taking inspiration from the beautiful Norwegian landscape and local cuisine. The fleet predominantly sails across the Arctic Circle and this is reflected in Trollfjord’s new interiors. 

Rost is the Arctic fine dining restaurant named after Norway’s outermost island which is famous for its fishing industry which produces stockfish, or dried cod.

“Everything from its name to the food we serve tells a story of the produce that helped establish Norway,” says Mr Pettersen. “The local stockfish that Norway’s economy and heritage was built on is a staple in many of the dishes, as well as salmon, reindeer and some more unexpected ingredients such as seaweed, kelp, Arctic pearls (a vegan roe), and sea urchins. Wild fish and reindeer are traditional Sami foods and we wanted to pay homage to a culture that has been so influential to our country.”

Elsewhere, a former two-storey upper deck lounge has been turned in the 1893 Bar, named after the year Hurtigruten was founded.

Mr Pettersen says, “The ship is more than 20 years old, so when we designed the 1893 bar, we wanted something classic. The bar keepers wear traditional white jackets and the cocktails are based on high-quality Norwegian spirits. The slick red bar keeps a premium feel with panoramic views so guests can sit and enjoy the stunning landscape as they sip on Nordic-themed cocktails made with berries picked along the coast.” 

Hurtigruten says the goal was to create a warm, safe and comfortable environment, combined with facilities such as large panoramic windows to showcase the passing scenery.

“Most of our guests stay with us for upwards of 10 days so it’s important to have good furniture that you can comfortably sit in, fully relax and feel at home,” adds Mr Pettersen. “Similarly, when choosing new furniture and materials, we needed to make sure the new would fit in seamlessly and complement the old.

“Sustainability is at the heart of the entirety of Hurtigruten’s operations, so we’ve worked hard to source environmentally friendly materials in our design selection. For example, we elevated the materials already on the ship, which included reupholstering the lounge chairs in the 1893 Bar in lieu of buying new coverings.”

Hurtigruten carries local passengers, goods and tourists along one of the world’s longest coastlines. Trollfjord will sail on the 14-day round-trip North Cape Express route, from Oslo to the North Cape in Arctic Norway, and the 15-day round-trip Svalbard Express itinerary between Bergen and Svalbard. Both of these sailings can also be booked in week-long segments.

“In the long history of Hurtigruten Norway, there’s a tradition of making ships with a design that lasts,” concludes Mr Pettersen. “The ships sail in harsh areas and visit many ports, so we need to make sure materials are durable. Incorporating both modern and traditional facilities create a design that is both classic but also playful and elegant. We want guests to get a feel for Nordic culture, surrounded by locally sourced furniture on a ship built for the tradition of coastal sailing.”

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