Hurtigruten Fleet
Hurtigruten Fleet
The Seven Original Ships on the Norwegian Coastal Route
Hurtigruten's Original fleet is made up of seven ships that sail the Coastal Express route between Bergen and Kirkenes, most built in the 1990s and refurbished since, carrying travellers and local passengers together, much as the route has done since 1893.
Take a tour of MS Polarlys.
Each Original ship carries its own Expedition Team, who host a daily programme of lectures and evening gatherings on board and out on deck, covering the nature, culture and history of the coast. Topics depend on the season and the waters the ship is sailing at the time. You can also join hikes and activities at various points along the route. For the latest details and photos of each ship, see Hurtigruten's own ships page.
MS Kong Harald
Named after the King of Norway, this ship also pays tribute to other well-known Norwegians, including the Nansen Club Bar and Amundsen Café. Local artists have put their own stamp on the ship, with distinctive work displayed throughout.
Special features:
- Expedition Team
- Hybrid propulsion, upgraded in 2023
- Three restaurants
- Bar
- Panoramic lounge
- WiFi (paid)
- Sauna
- Fitness room
- Lift
- Conference room
- Car deck
- Jacuzzi
MS Nordlys
Nordlys translates as Northern Lights, and the ship's décor, wood and brass fittings and textiles by artists from the region, reflects the name. MS Nordlys was refurbished in 2019, when all cabins were updated and new cabin grades were added.
Special features:
- Expedition Team
- Outdoor explorer deck
- Large panorama and observation lounges
- Bar
- Shop
- Restaurant
- Separate à la carte restaurant
- Fitness room and sauna
- WiFi
- Lift
- Conference room
- Car deck
MS Polarlys
There are wide views from almost every part of this ship. Polished brass and wood, sculptures, carvings and a selection of contemporary Norwegian art sit alongside the ship's bars, café, conference rooms and restaurant.
Special features:
- Expedition Team
- Refurbished in 2016
- Three restaurants
- Multe bakery and ice cream bar
- Explorer bar lounge
- WiFi
- Sauna
- Fitness room
- Lift
- Conference room
- Car deck
- Jacuzzi
MS Nordkapp
MS Nordkapp is named after the North Cape, on the island of Magerøya in the municipality of Nordkapp. Coastal culture is reflected in artwork throughout the ship, visible from the panorama lounges and restaurant as the scenery passes.
The ship carries a full Expedition Team and hosts a daily programme of lectures on board and on deck, with topics depending on the season and the waters being sailed.
Special features:
- Expedition Team
- Refurbished in 2016
- Three restaurants
- Multe bakery and ice cream bar
- Explorer bar lounge
- Panorama lounge
- WiFi
- Sauna
- Fitness room
- Lift
- Conference room
- Car deck
- Jacuzzi
MS Nordnorge
Named after the northernmost region of Norway, with décor by artists connected to that region. Modern facilities sit alongside a style influenced by Art Nouveau and Art Deco, giving the ship a light, airy feel true to Hurtigruten tradition. Two outdoor jacuzzis were added in 2005.
Special features:
- Expedition Team
- Refurbished in 2016
- Three restaurants
- Multe bakery and ice cream bar
- Explorer bar lounge
- WiFi
- Sauna
- Fitness room
- Lift
- Conference room
- Car deck
- Jacuzzi
MS Richard With
Named after Hurtigruten's founder, MS Richard With emerged as a rebuilt ship in December 2018, following the largest single upgrade in Hurtigruten's history.
- All staterooms and suites were fully upgraded. On deck 6, a number of cabins were merged into 14 larger suites, some with bay windows.
- The aft-facing Torget main restaurant has full-height windows.
- The Activity Centre serves as the on-board base for the ship's Expedition Team.
- Kysten Fine Dining serves dishes built on local produce, including fresh seafood, and is also open for à la carte lunch.
- The gym on deck 7 is larger, the sauna upgraded, and two aft-facing outdoor hot tubs were added.
- Two lecture halls sit on deck 4, alongside the open Kompass shopping and information area, which sells outdoor clothing and other items.
- On deck 7, the Multe Bakery serves freshly baked cakes and pastries, smørbrød, smoothies, local ice cream, coffee, herbal tea and juice.
- The forward-facing Explorer Lounge and Panorama Bar offer some of the best views on the ship, well placed for the Northern Lights, the Midnight Sun and wildlife as they pass.
MS Vesterålen
Vesterålen was the name of the very first coastal ship, carried proudly by her modern namesake. Freshly refurbished in 2025, she offers a more intimate way to sail Norway's historic route, with space for just 274 guests, and bright, informal public areas featuring art by artists connected to the north Norwegian landscape.
MS Vesterålen carries a behind-the-scenes programme giving passengers a closer look at the ship's maritime operations, logistics and hotel running. The programme includes:
- Talks on different topics every second day, related to Hurtigruten's operations, hosted by the ship's tour leader, including interviews with crew members about work and life on board.
- A short behind-the-scenes film or presentation during the evening talk, covering the engine room, bridge, galley, cargo deck and more.
- Practical courses on relevant topics, including navigation and knot-tying, bookable on board for a fee, with limited capacity.
- Points of interest and facts about the ship's history and operations, presented on deck along the route.
- Printed and digital information on Hurtigruten's history, ship design, route planning and navigation.
- A logbook of the voyage, available to buy at the end of the trip.
Special features:
- Panorama lounge
- Smaller lounges fore and aft
- Café
- Restaurant
- Shop
- Conference facilities
Signature Voyages with Hurtigruten
Alongside the seven Original ships, Hurtigruten also operates a smaller Signature fleet, MS Trollfjord, MS Finnmarken and, from summer 2026, MS Midnatsol, sailing the Svalbard Line and North Cape Line from Hamburg with a more all-inclusive style of voyage. These sit outside the Coastal Express route and the tours we currently offer. Ask us if you'd like to know more.
Want to know more about voyaging on the Hurtigruten ships with 50 Degrees North?
Read our guide to what it's like travelling on the Hurtigruten ships, and what you need to know before your voyage.
Image credits: Agurtxane Concellon / Hurtigruten