MS Finnmarken - soon in Hurtigruten colors!

Fans of Hurtigruten are waiting for the MS Finnmarken to return to the Norwegian coast from Australia. She has been painted in all white for a couple of years now, and before returning to Norway she needs to get back in the Hurtigruten colors of white, red, and black. On the way back from Australia, the MS Finnmarken is visiting a ship yard in Singapore, for new paint and modifications back to Hurtigruten's standards.

Norwegian NRK is reporting that the weathered and rusty hull seen in a few photos, was due to restriction on outside maintenance. But now the MS Finnmarken is getting a good overhaul. The voyage from Singapore to Norway is estimated to take 43 days, and will be via Cape Town. No doubt, this is to avoid the pirate activities near the Suez canal.

"Finnmarken" is an old way of spelling the name of the northernmost county in Norway, Finnmark. The name Finnmarken is a name with long traditions with Hurtigruten. Three Hurtigruten ships have had the name, the last one before today's MS Finnmarken, can be seen standing on dry land at the Hurtigruten museum in Stokmarknes (you can check out the pictures from when the old ship was put onto land).

(Picture: Knut Storø, Hurtigruten.)

If you're going on a cruise with Hurtigruten, my guess is that you already know that it will not be like a cruise in the Caribbean. Although the weather in Norway can be really nice and warn in the summer, a big part of the country is north of the arctic circle. Did you know, the MS Finnmarken actually has a pool? A couple of the other ships have jacuzzis on deck and it can be quite the experience to sit in the hot water in the winter, looking up at the stars and Northern lights. You might want to wear a warm hat or something, on your head though! Read more about Northern lights!

Related post: The MS Finnmarken has started its voyage home!