SAZ3

I'll bring a jar of instant coffee to flavor the weak stuff. It's not ideal but it will do the trick.

 

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I do really like the Lofoten! ;)

 

I have travelled on both ships (but a lot more on Lofoten). They are pretty much polar opposite, and each probably will appeal to different people, so it's important to know what you are looking for, what are for you the "must" and the acceptable compromises.

 

Lofoten is old and small. The cabins are small, the lounges are small. She definitely retained her coziness and "old-world" charm. For me she's a ship with a soul. She doesn't have stabilizers so can rock and roll quite a lot in heavy seas (but she's a very seaworthy ship). As she's now the oldest ship on the line, she has some fans who travel frequently and there is quite the "family" feel on board. On the other hand she attracts more and more people and the public spaces can become crowded.

 

Trollfjord is one of the newest and biggest ship of the fleet and has more of a "cruise ship" feel, with more "bling" in the decor. She is a lot more spacious and comfortable with larger cabin and vast public spaces, so all in all although there are much more people on board she doesn't feel crowded. She is stabilized in rough seas. She has lifts for one deck to the other (while Lofoten only has stairs so not good for mobility-impaired people). However you don't have the feeling as much to be on a working ship, contrarily to Lofoten with her crane to load/unload cargo.

 

All in all I would say that if you travel with Lofoten, it's as much for the ship than for the journey itself. So I think shes more suited to people with interests in all things maritime and history and a little bit of quirk. If you travel with Trollfjord, the ship's purpose is to offer you the maximum comfort during the journey. So she's more suited to people who are looking for a certain level of comfort but consider the ship mostly as a mean of transport, who are mostly looking forward to the journey itself, the landscape and the cities and don't want the ship to "interfere" in the experience but make it easier..

 

 

So there is no bad choice as long as you know what you like and what you are looking for.

Oh thank you!! It is good to know I am more likely to feel crowded on the smaller ship (Though we are going in winter so likely it is less crowded, I would think)

 

I will double check the amenities, I can't think of any deal breakers but it is possible I am assuming something.

 

I do think Lofoten might be for me, this trip will include much time on the ship so it might as well be a ship that is interesting & has a life, story & personality of her own. But if I cannot find a quiet space to enjoy a good book, we might have an issue. I think the deal breaker for me is the availability if quiet space & good coffee.

 

Perhaps the answer is one of the cabins where the bunk becomes a sofa so if I want quiet I can go there & read or write.

 

How is the coffee?

 

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My friend & I are in the early stages of planning a coastal Norway Cruise for fall/winter 2019-2020 and are considering these 2 ships.

 

I lean toward the Lofoten, the intimacy & charm of an older smaller ship draws me, but the astronomy cruise with a lecturer on the Trollfjord is also very appealing. I'll want to learn about the beautiful things I will see. (Though whether I learn from a formal lecture or friendly conversation with fellow passengers & crew doesn't really matter)

 

I wonder what kinds of experiences people have had. What makes you prefer one over the other?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

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Thank you for the replies! I am a bit of a novice on this site. I will try the dedicated forum (thanks for the link)

 

"Charming" sounds nice.

 

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Hi! My travel companion and I are tossing around a Northern lights cruise in the fall of 2019 or winter if 2020.

 

We are comparing the experience on the Trollfjord and the Lofoten.

 

We don't mind missing the glam or even giving up the Jacuzzi, but the science talks on the Trollfjord might be a loss if we go with the more intimate experience of the Lofoten

 

Any thoughts appreciated. My friend and I are single women in our 50s. I am a lifelong US American my friend was raised in Eastern Europe & moved to the US 30 years ago, so she is experienced with European travel. (I have only been to Europe once) We both prefer exploring more off the beaten path travel with a touch of adventure and this is a mutual "bucket list" item.