List of Masters

This page has been created and dedicated to all those that served as Capitaine or Captain on board either the S|S France or S|S Norway.  This is a tribute to those that commanded and maintained this amazing vessel on her many crossings and cruises.


If you have any information such as name and date of first command, possibly periods, of an individual that served on board the ship as Capitaine or Master, we would very much like to hear from you.


Thank you very much for sharing your information and looking forward to hearing from you all.


S|S France:


October 2nd 1961 - September 12th 1963: Commandant Georges Croisile*


September 13th 1963 - July 27th 1966: Commandant Joseph Ropars


July 28th 1966 - November 13th 1968: Commandant Elie Desplat


November 14th 1968 - October 16th 1970: Commandant Camille Mahe


October 17th 1970 - December 1974 (?): Commandant Christian Pettre*



* Note: Commandant Georges Croisile and Commandant Christian Pettre sailed on the maiden voyage from Oslo to Southampton on S|S Norway whilst hosting a radio program on board called “Dossiers de l’Ecran” (Why the France was no more French).  Commandant Christian Pettre passed away in 1982. 


S|S Norway:


1979 - 1984: Captain Torbjørn Hauge

Torbjorn Hauge

User submitted image of Captain Torbjorn Hauge (photographer unknown).


1981-1984: Captain Arne Kvinnsland


1984 - 1985: Captain Åge Hoddevik

Screen Shot 2013-04-18 at 17.20.19

(Image of Captain Åge Hoddevik, unknown photographer)

1980’s (dates not confirmed): Captain Karl Johansen, Captain Gunnar Øien, Captain Harvig Von Harling, and Captain Trygve Vorren. 


May 1990: Captain Tor Dyrdal


September 1994: Captain Kjell Haugen

Screen Shot 2013-04-18 at 17.20.41

(Image of Captain Kjell Haugen submitted by CaptainsVoyage Forum member Oistein)


1994: (?) Jan Fjeld Hansen


1995: Captain Gunstein Langset

Screen Shot 2013-04-18 at 17.20.54

(Submitted image of Captain Gunstein Langset together with Norwegian TV celebrities Vidar Lønn Arnesen and Erik Diesen
(in the image behind the Captain, First Officer Jan-Olav Storli) , unknown photographer)

July 1995 - August 1995: Captain Haakon Gangdal


July 1996 - August 1996: Captain Hans Meeg


July 1997 - August 1997: Captain Jan Ottesen


December 1998 - January 1999: Captain Geir Lokoen (Captain Lokoen was the Master of SS Norway for a very long period, perhaps as much as 9 long years (confirmation on dates/years is highly appreciated)). 

Screen Shot 2013-04-18 at 17.21.02

(Image of Captain Geir Lokøen submitted by CaptainsVoyage Forum member markjd)

May 2000 - July 2000: Captain Jan Ottesen


July 2000 - September 2000: Captain Sverre Søvdsnes

Screen Shot 2013-04-18 at 17.21.09

(Submitted image of Captain Sverre Søvdsnes, unknown photographer)

September 2000 - January 2001: Captain Jan Ottesen


January 2001 - April 2001: Captain Sverre Søvdsnes


April 2001 - June 2001: Captain Hans Meeg


June 2001 - October 2001: Captain Sverre Søvdsnes


October 2001 - December 2001: Captain Hans K. Meeg


2002: Captain Frank Juliussen and Captain Haakon Gangdal


2003 - 2005: Captain Haakon Gangdal (passed away on July 27th 2015, laid to rest at Jondal Church, Norway)

Screen Shot 2013-04-18 at 17.21.17

(Submitted image of Captain Håkon Gangdal, unknown photographer)


April 3rd 2004 - May 4th 2004 (Bremerhaven Lay Up): Captain Tommy Stensrud. 

















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