MS Midnatsol - Photo Tour

MS Midnatsol is a combined cruise and freight vessel operated by Hurtigruten. Along with her fleetmates she sails the 11-day round trip from Bergen, calling at 34 ports along the coast of Norway. The route is popular with cruise tourists keen to experience 'the most beautiful voyage in the world', and also serves as a lifeline for many smaller communities in Norway's more isolated north.

Ships in Bergen went on board to tour the interiors of MS Midnatsol. Scroll down to see our full photo tour of this ship.

MS Midnatsol in Bergen
Midnatsol alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen
MS Midnatsol entered service in 2003 following her construction in Rissa, Norway. With a tonnage of 16,140 she is one of the larger ships in the Hurtigruten fleet. She can carry up to 1000 passengers (644 in berths) over her 10 decks.

EXTERIOR

A few photos of Midnatsol's exteriors taken before boarding show her smart profile and clean, modern appearance.

MS Midnatsol in Bergen
Large expanses of glass give Midnatsol's passengers fantastic views
MS Midnatsol in Bergen
Midnatsol refuels whist alongside in Bergen
MS Midnatsol in Bergen
Midnatsol alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen
After passing through the terminal building, passengers get a great view of the ship alongside, loading stores and cargo ready for the voyage. From here, the gangway leads to the ship.

MS Midnatsol in Bergen
Ready to board: the gangway leads to Midnatsol's passenger decks
MS Midnatsol in Bergen
Preparing for another voyage: Midnatsol takes on stores and cargo
INTERIORS

Passengers entering Midnatsol are first greeted with her impressive atrium, which sweeps through six decks, providing a fantastic focal point for her interiors. This area is very tastefully decorated and sets the calming tone of her public spaces.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Atrium
A view up through the decks of the main atrium...
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Atrium
...and back down again; the view from the top
Just off the atrium on Deck 5 is the Midtsommer cafe, serving a selection of hot and cold meals and snacks. 

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Cafe
The Midtsommer cafe onboard MS Midnatsol
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Cafe
A selection of cakes is available alongside more substantial offerings
A wide passageway winds through the cafe to the aft end of deck 5. Along the way sits this large scale model of Midnatsol.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Ship Model
A builder's model of Midnatsol displayed on board
Just past the cafe is the gift shop, with a range of clothing and souvenirs for sale.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Gift Shop
The gift shop aboard Midnatsol
Situated at the aft end of Deck 5 is the main restaurant, where passengers can take meals during fixed times. The room has a pleasant atmosphere, with large picture windows along three sides.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Main Restaurant
Midnatsol's main restaurant
Passing back through the atrium and forward on Deck 5 brings you to the main conference auditorium, which provides space for on board talks and lectures. Two additional conference rooms are also available.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Lecture Auditorium
The main auditorium can be partitioned into two seperate areas

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Lecture Auditorium
Ample seating and natural light make the room a comfortable space
Throughout the ship are several quiet seating areas, where passengers can relax and take in the views.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Seating Area
A small lounge area next to the conference rooms
The majority of the remaining public spaces are located on Deck 8, which is best accessed using one of the glass lifts in the atrium.

The Mysterier Bar is a good gathering place, and has a nice wooden dancefloor with a small lighting rig and acoustic equiment for an accompanying band.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Mysterier Bar
The Mysterier Bar on Midnatsol
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Mysterier Bar and Dance Floor
The dancefloor in the Mysterier Bar
Just through the bar area is the Hamsun Room, a cosy lounge area, with the standard full-height windows.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Hamsun Room
The Hamsun Room on Midnatsol
Also in this area is a small internet centre, allowing passengers to stay connected throughout the voyage.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Internet Centre
The internet centre on Midnatsol
Situated at the forward end of decks 8 and 9 is the Panorama Lounge. Spanning the two decks, with full double-height windows on three sides, this is by far the largest and most impressive of Midnatsol's bars and lounges.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Panorama Lounge
The lower level of the Panorama Lounge
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Panorama Lounge
Seating areas on the upper level of the Panorama Lounge
A large double-height area in the centre of the lounge adds to the feeling of light and space.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Panorama Lounge
The forward facing windows of the Panorama Lounge
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Panorama Lounge
Sit back and enjoy the trip; the view from an armchair in the Panorama Lounge
A sweeping staircase connects the two levels of the Panorama Lounge. Ample seating is provided on both levels.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Panorama Lounge
The upper level of the Panorama Lounge on Midnatsol
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Panorama Lounge
The double-height windows continue along both sides of the lounge
Deck 9 also contains the Sauna and Fitness Room, which were unfortunately closed for cleaning whilst alongside during our visit.

OPEN DECKS

Outside on Deck 9 are the Midnatsol's sun decks.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Sun Deck
A bar with a sliding glass doors is adjacent to this attractive seating area
A large open-air seating area for the nearby bar leads through to two jacuzzis - the perfect place to stay warm whilst enjoying the regular sightings of the Northern Lights.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Jacuzzi
A jacuzzi on Deck 9 of Midnatsol
Continuing aft on Deck 9 brings you to Midnatsol's open sun deck, wrapped around the base of her funnel.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Sun Deck
Midnatsol's aft sun deck
Back down on Deck 6, a promenade wraps completey around the ship's superstructure - a great place to take a stroll whilst enjoying the scenery.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Lifeboats
Midnatsol's lifeboats are situated beside the Deck 6 promenade
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Promenade Deck
Midnatsol's wrap-around promenade deck
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Loading Door
The large loading door is raised as Midnatsol takes on supplies

ACCOMMODATION

MS Midnatsol offers a range of accommodation. All rooms are en suite, and most have two single lower berths, as seen in this standard outside cabin.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Standard Cabin
A comfortable standard cabin on Midnatsol
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Standard Cabin Bathroom
The en suite bathroom modules are clean and practical
Also available is a selection of larger, more luxurious accommodation. This suite has a large double bed and seperate lounge area with a full-height bay window to maximise the views.

Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Suite
A suite on board Hurtigruten's Midnatsol
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Suite
The private seating area has a large sofa and two armchairs
Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol - Suite Bathroom
The suite bathrooms offer a seperate bath and shower
Unfortunately the larger suites were not available to view during our visit. A reader of this blog has kindly sent a link to his album of photos here, which gives a great impression of an Owners Suite on Midnatsol.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

Midnatsol is an attractive and comfortable ship. Her light and open public spaces make her an easy ship to settle into, and finding your way round is made simple by a logical design and inclusion of the large central atrium.

We hope you've enjoyed this photo tour of MS Midnatsol. Check back for our tours of the other ships in the Hurtigruten fleet, which will be posted over the coming weeks.

Comments

  1. Beautiful ship! Thanks for the tour.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you enjoyed it! Keep an eye out for our tours of the other ships in the Hurtigruten fleet, which will follow soon.

    ReplyDelete

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