Rødne Fjord Cruise

What Rødne Fjord Cruise does

Rødne Fjord Cruise (legal entity L. Rødne & Sønner AS) is a family-owned Norwegian maritime operator founded in 1956 on Sjernarøy island in Rogaland county. The company runs three integrated business lines: (1) fjord tourism experiences — passenger cruises and adventure packages departing from Stavanger, Bergen, Tromsø, and Sandnes, covering destinations such as Lysefjorden/Preikestolen, Hardangerfjord, and Arctic waters for whale watching and northern lights viewing; (2) contracted public scheduled transport (rutetrafikk) under agreements with regional transit authorities Kolumbus (Stavanger area), Skyss (Vestland), and as a Norled subcontractor on Lysefjorden routes; and (3) a specialized ambulance catamaran service in the Ryfylke basin. The company also runs corporate charters (firmaarrangement), a Sjernarøy bus service, and digital gift cards.

The fleet comprises more than 20 modern catamarans built predominantly by Norwegian shipyard Brødrene Aa over roughly 50 years, including the MS Rygerelektra — described as the world's fastest and longest-range battery-electric passenger catamaran — and hybrid vessels deployed in Bergen and elsewhere. Cumulative fleet investment exceeds NOK 500 million and the company reports up to 75% reduction in climate-damaging emissions. Operations are certified by Norway's Eco-Lighthouse Foundation, and the firm received Stavanger Municipality's 2020 Climate and Environment Award.

Commercially, Rødne sells primarily through direct-to-consumer online booking at rodne.no (powered by Visit Group Citybreak, with Dibs for payments and HubSpot for CRM), supplemented by pier-side sales, tourist information offices, an agent/reseller network, and dedicated corporate event bookings. Public transport and ambulance work provide contracted recurring revenue under multi-year tenders. Pricing is per-transaction in NOK, ranging from approximately NOK 450 (short concert boat) to NOK 2,990 (full-day Kossdalssvingane adventure), with child, student, and senior discounts and free passage for under-4s and disabled attendants.

Name

Rødne Fjord Cruise

Legal name

L. Rødne & Sønner AS

Website

https://rodne.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rødne Fjord Cruise is a family-owned Norwegian maritime operator founded in 1956, running battery-electric and hybrid fjord cruises, contracted public ferry routes, and ambulance catamaran services across Stavanger, Bergen, Tromsø, and Sandnes, serving leisure tourists, public transit authorities, and the healthcare system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Tourism & Passenger Transport

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation (483114)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Catamaran & Sailing Cat Cruise Operators (THAEADAD), High-Speed Catamaran & Fast Ferry Services (THAEAGAD)

Keywords

• Fjord cruise tours
• Passenger ferry services
• Public transit routes
• Sustainable maritime transport
• Arctic whale watching

Headquarters

HQ city

Stavanger

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Fjord Cruise Tourism – Individual Tickets: Rødne sells individual tickets for scheduled fjord experiences from Stavanger, Bergen, and Tromsø. Customers book online at rodne.no or purchase at the pier or tourist information offices. Pricing varies by tour, duration, and passenger category (adults, children, seniors, students). Revenue is per-transaction and demand-driven across peak and shoulder seasons.
2. Public Scheduled Transport (Rutetrafikk): Rødne operates contracted public transport routes in Rogaland and Vestland counties under agreements with Kolumbus (Stavanger–Vassøy, Stavanger–Ryfylke), Norled (Lysefjorden routes), and Skyss (Reksteren–Våge–Os, Route 2085). These routes include school transport and commuter ferry services, providing recurring revenue under public transit contracts.
3. Corporate and Private Event Charters: Rødne offers firmaarrangement (corporate events) including private charters, concert boat services, and group bookings. Companies and organizations can book the boats for exclusive outings, team events, or celebrations.
4. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards are sold through rodne.no, allowing customers to purchase fjord experience vouchers for gifting. This drives pre-paid revenue and customer acquisition through gifting occasions.
5. Ambulance and Specialised Transport Services: Rødne operates ambulance and specialist transport services in the fjords and along the coast, including a dedicated ambulansekatamaran contract for the Ryfylke basin with Brødrene Aa. These are contracted public service obligations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Rødne Fjord Cruise sells fjord cruise experiences, scheduled public ferry/boat/bus transport, and ambulance transport services across Norway. Tourism products include silent electric and hybrid catamaran cruises from Stavanger, Bergen, Sandnes and Tromsø covering Lysefjord, Preikestolen, Hardangerfjord, Mostraumen, Kossdalssvingane, Arctic fjord landscapes, whale watching and northern lights tours, often combined with guided hikes. The company also operates contracted public transport routes (Kolumbus, Norled, Skyss), corporate/private charters, digital gift cards, and a dedicated ambulance catamaran.

Product overview

Rødne Fjord Cruise operates a diversified portfolio of fjord tourism experiences and public scheduled transport services across Norway. The core tourism offering consists of passenger fjord cruises and adventure experiences departing from Stavanger, Bergen, Tromsø, and Sandnes, including combinations with guided mountain hiking, wildlife safaris, and cultural visits. Key tourist products include Lysefjord cruises to Preikestolen, Hardangerfjord Express to Rosendal, Arctic whale watching and Northern Lights cruises from Tromsø, and specialized experiences like the Flørlitrappene staircase hike and RIB island adventures. The company also operates essential public transport routes (fast boats, car ferries, and buses) under contract with regional transit authorities Kolumbus and Skyss. Fleet includes the pioneering electric catamaran MS Rygerelektra and hybrid vessels, with a stated goal of achieving an emission-free fleet. The company was founded in 1956 and remains family-owned (L. Rødne & Sønner AS).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fjordcruise fra Stavanger til Lysefjorden og Preikestolen Half-day silent electric catamaran cruise from Stavanger through Lysefjorden to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), featuring waterfalls and dramatic fjord landscapes. Designed for leisure tourists and cruise passengers from NOK 712 (early bird) / NOK 890 standard, with children priced separately.
• Fjordcruise og fottur til Preikestolen Full-day combined fjord cruise and mountain hike to the Preikestolen plateau (604m above sea level) from Stavanger, including logistics and transportation. For independent travelers and active tourists at NOK 1,415 per adult.
• Turistferge på Lysefjorden Scenic car ferry connecting Lauvvik and Lysebotn through Lysefjorden, designed for vehicle transport combined with sightseeing. One way from NOK 595, free for children under 4; suitable for car, campervan and motorcycle travelers.
• Afternoon tea på fjorden Luxury 2–3 hour afternoon tea experience departing from Vågen in Stavanger center, combining gourmet refreshments and champagne with fjord scenery. NOK 950 per adult.
• Konsertbåt til Bjørn Eidsvåg konsert på Lysefjorden Marina Boat transit from Stavanger through the archipelago to Bjørn Eidsvåg concerts at Lysefjorden Marina, including approximately 1 hour of fjord travel. Priced at NOK 450 per ticket.
• Fjordcruise og besøk på Hebnes vingard Seven-hour fjord cruise from Stavanger to Hebnes Vineyard for wine tasting and culinary experiences. NOK 1,590 per adult.
• Vintertur til Preikestolen Winter fjord cruise and guided mountain hike to Preikestolen, offering snow-covered landscapes and tranquility with fewer crowds. Includes guide, equipment and lunch at NOK 2,570 per adult (children 8–15 at NOK 1,850).
• Dagstur til Flørlitrappene Day trip including fjord cruise and climb of the 4,444-step Flørlitrappene staircase rising 750m above sea level in Lysefjorden. 8–9 hour experience; from NOK 930 from Stavanger / NOK 830 from Lauvvik. May–September.
• Fjordcruise fra Bergen til Osterfjorden / Mostraumen Half-day cruise from Bergen through Mostraumen to Osterfjorden, featuring narrow straits, waterfalls and steep mountains. NOK 739 early-bird / NOK 890 standard per adult, 3–3.5 hours.
• Hardangerfjordekspressen (Bergen–Rosendal) Daily year-round express boat service from Bergen to Rosendal through Hardangerfjord, operating as both tourist experience and commuter route. One-way NOK 581, round trip NOK 872, with senior/student/child discounts.
• Kossdalssvingane cruise og fjelltur fra Bergen Full-day experience combining fjord cruise from Bergen with a guided hike to the iconic Kossdalssvingane hairpin turns above Osterfjorden. NOK 2,990 per adult, 7 hours.
• RIB-tur fra Bergen Two-hour high-speed RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) adventure exploring islands west of Bergen, including Skogsvåg's whaling history. NOK 1,250 per adult / NOK 875 per child 8–16; limited summer season.
• Fjordcruise og fjelltur fra Bergen (Slottet) Full-day experience combining fjord cruise through Osterfjord with guided hike to 'Slottet' (The Castle), Bergen's miniature Preikestolen. NOK 2,340 per adult / NOK 1,170 per child 8–15; May–September.
• Baronipakken Package combining boat trip with visits to Baroniet Rosendal manor, Hattebergfossen waterfall and Folgefonn visitor center with local food experiences. NOK 1,381 per adult, 7–8 hours.
• Hvalsafari fra Tromsø Seven to eight hour sustainable whale watching safari from Tromsø to observe orcas and humpback whales feeding on herring in Arctic fjords, using the MS Rygerdronningen. From NOK 1,995 early-bird per adult; children 4–15 at NOK 998. October–January.
• Nordlystur med båt fra Tromsø Two to 2.5 hour evening cruise from Tromsø searching for Aurora Borealis, with warm lounge, panoramic windows, heated cabin, and a second-chance guarantee. NOK 1,090 per adult / NOK 545 per child 4–15 / NOK 820 students. Season October–March.
• Fjordcruise fra Tromsø Arctic winter fjord cruise from Tromsø featuring snow-capped mountains, panoramic views and wildlife including sea eagles. 3.5 hours. NOK 1,150 per adult / NOK 575 per child 4–15 / NOK 860 students. February–March.
• Lysefjord Cruise fra Sandnes Half-day cruise from Sandnes through Gandsfjord and Lysefjord to Preikestolen, designed as a shore excursion for cruise ship passengers at Sandnes cruise port. NOK 890 per adult / NOK 445 per child 4–15; free under 4.
• Rutetrafikk Stavanger–Vassøy Public ferry route between Stavanger and Vassøy operated under contract with Kolumbus, providing commuter and school transport for island residents in Rogaland.
• Rutetrafikk Stavanger–Ryfylke Public ferry route from Stavanger to Ryfylke region, operated as subcontractor to Norled under Kolumbus contract, providing school transport and commuter ferry services.
• Lysefjorden hurtigbåt og bilferge Scheduled fast boat and car ferry services through Lysefjorden, with timetables published on Kolumbus; one-way from NOK 595.
• Bussrute Sjernarøy School, commuter and tourist bus service on Sjernarøy islands in Rogaland, operated by Rødne.
• Rutetrafikk Reksteren–Våge–Os Commuter boat route 2085 serving Reksteren, Våge and Os south of Bergen, operated for Skyss (Vestland county public transit authority). Typical commuter boat with morning and afternoon departures Monday–Friday.
• Firmaarrangement (corporate events & private charters) Dedicated corporate event program (firmaarrangement) for businesses and organizations seeking private charters, team-building outings, client entertainment, celebrations, or concert boat bookings on Rødne vessels.
• Ambulansekatamaran (Ryfylkebassenget) Contracted ambulance and specialist water-based transport services in the Ryfylkebassenget (Ryfylke basin), using a dedicated ambulance catamaran built by Norwegian shipyard Brødrene Aa.
• Digitale gavekort (digital gift cards) Digital gift cards for Rødne fjord experiences, redeemable across Stavanger, Bergen and Tromsø tours; used as a gifting and customer acquisition channel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 75% reduction in climate-damaging gas emissions from boat operations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• HykeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 December 2023Rødne and Hyke partnered to secure sustainable passenger transport solutions. Hyke is a Norwegian cleantech company focused on zero-emission maritime transport. The collaboration aims to advance Rødne's fleet electrification and support Norway's green transition in maritime transport.
• Visit Group – CitybreakcoreTechnology or IntegrationVisit Group's Citybreak platform powers Rødne's online booking system at rodne.no. Handles full reservation management including passenger names, contact details, payment processing, and ticket delivery. Rødne's customers are redirected to Citybreak during the booking flow, where personal data (full name, email, phone, date of birth, credit card details) is collected and stored.
• Dibs (Nets Group)coreTechnology or IntegrationDibs, part of the Nordic Nets group, provides the digital payment solution for Rødne's online transactions. Credit card data is stored securely at Dibs and can only be used by Rødne staff for refunds due to cancellations. Rødne does not store full credit card details.
• HubSpotcoreTechnology or IntegrationHubSpot (HubSpot Inc., USA) serves as Rødne's CRM and marketing platform, administering contact information, customer dialogue, and marketing campaigns. Processes personal data including name, email, phone, company, job title, and communication history for customer follow-up, marketing, and sending relevant travel information.
• KolumbuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKolumbus is the public transit authority for Rogaland county. Rødne operates scheduled routes Stavanger–Vassøy and Stavanger–Ryfylke under contract with Kolumbus. Lysefjorden route timetables (express boat and car ferry) are published on Kolumbus. Rødne serves as a subcontractor for Norled's Lysefjorden route under the Kolumbus contract.
• SkysscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSkyss is the public transit authority for Vestland county. Rødne operates route Reksteren–Våge–Os (route 2085) on behalf of Skyss. This is a typical commuter boat with morning and afternoon departures Monday–Friday.
• Brødrene Aa (Shipyard)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrødrene Aa in Hyen, Norway, is Rødne's primary shipyard partner. Rødne has ordered almost all of its vessels from Brødrene Aa over approximately 50 years, totalling more than 20 boats. Brødrene Aa is among the world's best shipyards for developing emission-free vessels. Rødne's ambulansekatamaran for Ryfylkebassenget was also built by Brødrene Aa. The collaboration enables flexible construction and incorporation of cutting-edge technology.
• Norway Mountain GuidescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNorway Mountain Guides provides professional mountain hiking guides for Rødne's guided fjord and mountain tours, including Preikestolen winter hikes (in collaboration with Lysefjorden Turistforening), Kossdalssvingane hikes, Slottet hikes from Bergen, and Rosendal waterfall hikes. Guides are English-speaking and professionally certified.
• Villa RosehagenminorOthersVilla Rosehagen provides freshly made lunch boxes for Rødne's Preikestolen winter tour. Lunches include sandwiches with local produce, chocolate, and water. Dietary requirements are handled via email to the guide.
• Elins MatglederminorOthersElins Matgleder provides the locally prepared Norwegian lunch served during Rødne's guided waterfall hike in Rosendal from Bergen. The lunch features local flavors and is enjoyed outdoors overlooking the stunning nature.
• Flørli 4444minorOthersFlørli 4444 manages the tourist operations at Flørli in Lysefjorden, including the Flørlitrappene (world's longest wooden staircase with 4,444 steps), kayak and canoe rentals, and 60 beds of accommodation. Rødne's day trip to Flørlitrappene is coordinated with this local partner.
• Oma BaatbyggeriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn July 2025, Rødne signed a contract with Oma Baatbyggeri for the delivery of a new, fully electric combi-catamaran for Lysefjorden. This represents a new vessel investment to expand Rødne's zero-emission fleet.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Brødrene Aa (Shipyard): Norwegian shipyard in Hyen building Rødne's electric and hybrid catamarans for 50+ years. Not a competitor but a strategic supplier partner whose capabilities directly enable Rødne's sustainable fleet differentiation.

Direct peers

• Fjord Tours: Norwegian tour operator offering fjord cruises and Norway-in-a-Nutshell packages from Bergen, Oslo, and Stavanger. Direct competitor in fjord sightseeing, often reselling Rødne and competitor sailings through its self-guided tour packages.
• Vision of the Fjords: Premium hybrid-electric sightseeing catamaran operating Nærøyfjord and Lysefjord tours out of Bergen and Flåm, part of the Fjords brand family. Closest premium-tech catamaran competitor in Western Norway sightseeing cruises.
• Boreal Transport: Norwegian public transport operator running ferries, express boats, and buses in Western Norway, including routes in Rogaland and Hordaland. Comparable in contracted scheduled passenger vessel operations and technology modernization strategy.
• The Fjords: Norwegian fjord cruise operator owned by Hurtigruten Norway, operating premium sightseeing cruises on Nærøyfjord and Lysefjord using modern hybrid-electric catamarans. Closest technology and route competitor in the Lysefjord/Preikestolen corridor.
• Norled: Major Norwegian ferry and express boat operator running contracted public transport routes along the Norwegian coast and fjords, including Lysefjord services where Rødne serves as subcontractor. Direct comparable in contracted passenger vessel operations and technology investment.
• Stavanger Guided Fjord Tours (FjordSightseeing): Local Stavanger-based sightseeing cruise operator running Lysefjord and Preikestolen cruises from the same harbor as Rødne. Direct day-to-day competitor in the most economically important Lysefjord corridor.

Emerging players

• Arctic Cruise in Norway (Arctic Cruise AS): Smaller Tromsø-based operator offering seasonal fjord cruises and northern lights tours from the same Norwegian Arctic market as Rødne's Tromsø operations. Overlaps in whale watching and northern lights segments.

Regional players

• Tide Buss (Tide ASA): Norwegian bus and boat operator serving Western Norway (Vestland, Rogaland) with scheduled services. Comparable in contracted regional public transport operations though focused more on bus routes than tourist cruises.

Broad incumbents

• Hurtigruten (Norway): Large Norwegian coastal voyage and expedition cruise operator offering multi-day sailings along the Norwegian coast and into Svalbard. Overlaps with Rødne's Tromsø Arctic experiences but serves a multi-day international cruise segment rather than day-trippers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/rodnefjordcruise
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/34889346/admin/feed/posts
• Instagraminstagram.com/rodnefjordcruise

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rødne Fjord Cruise