Hurtigruten’s upgraded Trollfjord celebrates Northern Norway's cultural heritage

YSA conceived, refined and project managed the delivery of interior stylings spanning the ship’s three main restaurants, all cabins and suites, and the conversion of the two-storey upper-deck lounge into the panoramic 1893 Bar plus sun deck area. 

In doing so, the designer said it aimed to create spaces encapsulating Norway’s past, present, and future, in a unique blend of modern Scandinavian design, nostalgic flourishes from the golden era of small-ship sailing, and heritage-led choices to incorporate the artistry of the northerly Sámi people.

In June, Trollfjord began making calls along the ‘Svalbard Express’ route that Hurtigruten sustained from 1968 to 1982 as a vital passenger and mail-boat link to the Svalbard archipelago. 

Capturing Northern Norway’s cultural heritage 

‘From the spatial planning of the restaurant areas, to the carefully chosen décor, the retro menus and the inspirations provided by local cultures, every detail contributes to the immersive experience, combining the charm of the past with modern sophistication,’ explained Fabiana Vale Dornelas, senior interior architect and head of sustainability & implementation, YSA Design. Sámi traditionally manufacture articles for everyday use from raw materials available from their surroundings, she added. This resonates on board Trollfjord, where hard-wearing, locally sourced natural materials such as wool, wood and stone feature prominently throughout. 

Storytelling details in cabins 

The mix of modern and heritage styles run throughout upscale suites and cabins, where YSA has used natural textures and warm tones to create a cosy but contemporary feel. Vale Dornelas emphasises how ‘storytelling details’ are reflected in cabin furnishings which feature Sámi fabric patterns and stitching techniques.

‘All along, our aim has been to deliver the style and comfort the modern cruise audience expects while honouring the historic identity of the Svalbard Express to revive the ship’s essence, celebrate Sámi culture and heritage, and embody the sustainable principles of the owner.’ 

In an upgrade that also features the use of sustainable power and propulsion technologies on board a ship built in 2002, the 500-passenger capacity Trollfjord is ‘reborn for modern cruising while embodying the heritage of this iconic route,’ noted Vale Dornelas.