Part 1 – M.S. TROLLFJORD
22nd March 2014
I flew with Norwegian Air on an early flight from London Gatwick to Bergen in Norway, prior to joining the brand-new Fjord Line cruise ferry BERGENSFJORD on 24th March. As we took off I was able to see some of the London city sights as we gained height, including the tall building called The Shard, and then the Tower of London, and then the O2 Arena near the old Royal Victoria Docks (see February 2013 blog).
Soon we were over the east coast and heading north/north-east over the thick cloud cover far below.
I had been following the weather information and forecasts for my time in Bergen, and we were soon enveloped in thick cloud, with the occasional sight of a snow-covered mountain top as we prepared for landing. I caught the airport bus into the city and soon walked to my nearby hotel. As expected, it was raining.
I knew that the day’s Hurtigruten vessel would arrive about 2.15 p.m. so struggled into my cold-proof, water-proof and snow-proof clothing and set out for the Hurtigruten Terminal in the next harbour. From under my buffeted umbrella I could see the wonderful UNESCO-protected Bryggen buildings along the waterside, but the Fish Market further along was deserted.
M.S. TROLLFJORD had arrived and was bunkering, in readiness for her 10.30 p.m. departure from Bergen.
I already knew that the Hurtigruten company welcomes any visitors to their ships in their ports of call, and so wanted to see what this vessel was like on board. I was welcomed and directed up to an official near the overhead walkway, who gave me a visitor card and showed me where to get on board, so I was soon walking onto my third ship of the year.
Some passengers were already settling in and obviously enjoying their surroundings, and many of the English ones were keen to talk to me and know what I was doing as I wasn’t sailing with them.
I had a very interesting time looking around the ship, and comparing it with others in the fleet I had visited (RICHARD WITH, NORDNORGE and POLARLYS (see 2011 blog), or sailed on (NORDSTJERNEN, see 2011 blog), and felt very grateful to be able to visit TROLLFJORD this time. The coastal voyage is something I would certainly like to do one of these days.
