MS Polarlys
MS Polarlys

Polarlys is Norwegian for `polar light´, and refers to the natural Arctic phenomenon we pursue in winter.

Dining Options, Fitness Room, Outdoor Hot Tubs, Exploration Lectures, Panorama Lounge

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What to expect from MS Polarlys

Overview

Polarlys is Norwegian for `polar light´, and refers to the natural Arctic phenomenon we pursue in winter.

On board are three different restaurants, the Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs. There is a comfortable bar in the panorama lounge where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink.

The vessel also has a large compass area where you find the reception, the Expedition Team, a conference room and a shop. The top deck of the boat features a sun deck, observation saloon and panorama lounge, all of which provide splendid views of spectacular coastal scenery.

Accommodation

Our cabins and suites
Sailing with us is all about feeling warm, calm and connected to the coast. In your cabin or suite, you’ll experience the understated premium feeling Scandinavia is famous for.

From cosy outside cabins to spacious Expedition Suites with panoramic views, every space offers comfort, quiet and a true feeling of Norwegian koselig (cosiness).

Think of your cabin or suite as your home from home. This is your space to sleep deeply, sit quietly and reflect peacefully on your journey so far.

Expedition Suite

Expedition Suites are designed for those seeking space, style and indulgence. Sleeping up to 3 guests, all come with double bed, separate lounge area, premium furnishings and large windows. A quiet, spacious retreat designed for a truly comfortable and memorable voyage.

Arctic Superior
Arctic Superior cabins offer a step up in comfort. Located on a prime location on the ship, these outside-facing cabins come with a double bed and window with full view as standard. You’ll also find added comforts like a kettle with tea and coffee – small details that help you feel more at home. A calm, well-equipped space to unwind.

Polar Outside
Polar Outside cabins feature all the same amenities as a Polar Inside – plus a porthole or window (full or limited view), allowing you to take in the scenery as you sail. They’re fitted with flexible bedding arrangements, compact furniture and all the basics for a comfortable journey.

Polar Inside
Polar Inside cabins are compact but efficient – everything you need for a comfortable journey, minus the view. Sleeping 2 guests in twin beds, they are a private space in which to recharge.

Expedition Suite | Two-bed suite on upper deck

These elegant suites on the upper deck for up to four people have a separate bedroom, a seating area with sofabed and two chairs, TV, minibar, hair dryer, coffee and tea facilities, and Wi-Fi.

Expedition Suite | Mini suite on middle or upper deck

These comfortable suites for up to two people have a double bed, two chairs, a desk, TV, minibar, hair dryer, coffee and tea facilities and Wi-Fi.

Expedition Suite | Two-bed mini suite on middle or upper deck

These comfortable suites for up to four people have a separate bedroom, a seating area with a sofabed, TV, minibar, hair dryer, coffee and tea facilities and Wi-Fi.

Arctic Superior | Double on upper deck with window

These inviting, refurbished outside cabins for up to two people have a double bed, chair, TV, and coffee and tea facilities.

Arctic Superior | Double on promenade deck with window

These comfortable, refurbished outside cabins for up to two people on the mid-level walking deck have a double bed, a chair, TV and coffee and tea facilities.

Polar Outside | Twin bunk beds on middle deck with window

These comfortable, refurbished cabins for up to two people have bunk beds where one can be turned into a sofa, a chair, TV, and hair dryer.

Polar Outside | Triple on middle or upper deck with window

These comfortable outside cabins for up to three people have separate bunk beds where one can be turned into a sofa, a chair, TV, and hair dryer.

Polar Outside | Double on lower deck with window

These comfortable, refurbished cabins for up to two people have a double bed, a chair, TV, and hair dryer.

Polar Outside | Triple on lower deck with window

These comfortable, refurbished outside cabins for up to three people have separate beds or bunk beds, a chair, TV, and hair dryer. Please note that cabins 358 and 360 may experience noise.

Polar Outside | Twin on lower deck with window

These comfortable, refurbished outside cabins for up to two people have twin beds, a chair, TV, and hair dryer. 

Please note that cabin 333 may experience noise.

Polar Outside | Double on lower deck with window

These comfortable, refurbished outside cabins for up to two people have a double bed, a chair, and a TV. 

Please note that some cabins may experience noise.

Polar Outside | Triple on lower deck with porthole

These comfortable outside cabins for up to three people on the lowest deck have separate beds (one of which converts into a sofa), a chair, TV, hair dryer, and porthole windows.

Polar Outside | Twin on lower deck with porthole

These comfortable, refurbished, outside cabins for up to two people on the lower deck have a separate beds, a chair, TV, and hair dryer. The cabins have portholes.

Polar Outside | Double on lower deck with porthole

These comfortable, refurbished outside cabins for up to two people have a double bed, chair, TV, hair dryer, and a porthole window.

Polar Outside | Triple on middle or upper deck with window (restricted view)

These comfortable, outside cabins for up to three people have separate bunk beds where one can be turned into a sofa, TV, and hair dryer. Cabins on deck 6 look out onto the mid-level walking deck, so have limited or no view.

Polar Outside | Accessible double on lower deck with window

Wheelchair-accessible room for up to two people with wider door, accessible bathroom and adjustable bed.

We have a limited number of wheelchair-accessible cabins, so we ask that they are booked by guests who require these cabins.

Polar Outside | Double on middle or upper deck with window (restricted view)

These comfortable, outside cabins for up to two people have a double bed. Cabins on deck 6 look out onto the mid-level walking deck, so the view may be obstructed.

Polar Inside | Triple on middle or upper deck

These standard inside cabins for up to three people have bunk beds (one can be turned into a sofa), plus TV and hair dryer.

Polar Inside | Single on lower deck

This comfortable standard inside cabin has bunk beds where the lower berth can be converted into a sofa. A cosy space ideal for a solo traveller on a budget.

Polar Inside | Twin on lower deck

These comfortable, refurbished standard inside cabins for up to two people on have twin beds, a chair, TV, and hair dryer.

Decks

Deck 7

  • Outdoor Explorer Deck
  • Seating Areas
  • Fitness Room
  • Multe Bakery & Ice Cream
  • Explorer Lounge & Panorama Bar

Deck 6

  • Hot Tubs
  • Expedition Suites
  • Arctic Superior Cabins
  • Outside Cabins
  • Inside Cabins

Deck 5

  • Observation Deck
  • Outdoor Walking Deck
  • Expedition Suites 
  • Arctic Superior Cabins
  • Outside Cabins
  • Inside Cabins

Deck 4

  • Torget
  • Kysten
  • Brygga Bistro
  • Kompass Service Center
  • Information
  • Shop
  • Post Office
  • Lecture Halls

Deck 3

  • Laundry
  • Gangway
  • Luggage
  • Outside Cabins
  • Inside Cabins

Deck 2

  • Car deck
  • Tender area
  • Outside Cabins
  • Sauna

Gratuities

While it’s not customary to tip on our ships, we appreciate your recognition of exceptional service. Tip boxes and envelopes are conveniently placed in Reception and our restaurants for those who wish to show their appreciation to our dedicated crew members.

Entertainment

Life on board a Hurtigruten ship is calm, comfortable and distinctly Norwegian. From the moment you step on board, you’ll feel relaxed and welcome. A warm greeting from the crew, easy conversation with fellow guests, and a calm, comfortable atmosphere make our ships feel like a floating home from home.

There’s no staged entertainment or formal dress codes. Instead, the days unfold naturally – with fascinating talks from our Expedition Team, peaceful spaces to read or reflect, and ever-changing coastal views outside your window. Whether you’re in a cosy lounge, on deck, in a panoramic sauna or relaxing in your cabin or suite, Norway is always the star of the show.

You’ll travel alongside guests from around the world and a local Norwegian crew who know this coast as home. Attentive service, excellent food and spotless ships help you truly unwind, so you can focus on what matters most: experiencing Norway up close.

Explorer Lounge & Bar

What really makes the Explorer Bar stand out is the atmosphere of the surrounding lounge and the panoramic views of the fjords through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Order from a range of hot and cold beverages, relax in a comfortable armchair, chat with a drink in hand, and watch the world go by.

The Explorer Bar serves premium coffee, organic teas, hot chocolate, fruit juices, various Norwegian beers, red, white, and rosé wine, and a collection of Norwegian aquavit that would make any spirit lover jump for joy.  

Enjoy along with a selection of snacks, such as grilled sandwiches using local ham and cheese, or even a Norwegian speciality: dried fish! 

Observation Deck

Enjoy our large outdoor sun deck waiting for the Northern Lights to appear.

Shopping

Selling souvenirs, knitwear, books, postcards, postage stamps and a limited supply of toiletries.

Library

The books are in a variety of languages including Norwegian, German and English, also there are game tables available to play cards and chess.

Reception

The vessel also has a large compass area where you find the reception.

Enrichment

During your voyage, our onboard Coastal Experience Team will enhance your experience by offering engaging insights on the nature, wildlife, and culture you encounter along the way. Join one of their expert lectures, listen to them talk about wildlife on deck, or head ashore with them on a `friluftsliv´ hike.

Excursions

Enhance your voyage with our wide range of optional excursions that allow you to delve deeper into the dramatic landscapes, rich history, and charming culture of Norway and Svalbard. We offer more than 130 excursions up and down the coast, each run by local suppliers who are ready to showcase the wonders of their home.

Take your pick from a palette of active adventures such as kayaking along Ålesund’s waterways, quad biking to the North Cape or snowshoeing in Tromsø. If you’re interested in history, you can join a World War II tour in Kristiansand or explore the hidden rooms of Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.

There are plenty of opportunities to sample the delicacies of the Norwegian coast, too, with visits to the world’s northernmost brewery and boat trips to go king crab fishing with locals. We also recommend cultural visits that introduce you to Sámi culture or to the workings of a family-run dairy farm in Lofoten.

An excursion for every season

While many excursions are offered year-round, some are season specific. Summer is a glorious time to be in Norway and Svalbard, with a variety of activities that make the most of the long, leisurely days of the Midnight Sun. Why not enjoy a RIB safari in search of Sea Eagles or a guided e-bike tour around the island of Senja?

The cooler weather in autumn, winter, and spring turns Norway into a wonderland of snow, best enjoyed by dog sled or on cross-country skis. You could also try your hand at snowmobiling, hopefully with the Northern Lights dancing above.

Activities that are right for you

Our diverse excursions cater not just for varied interests but also for different mobility levels, so you can choose the activity that’s right for you.

We offer four distinct physical levels that cater to all - from accessible museum visits to challenging hikes that require a good level of fitness. Certain activities are even wheelchair-friendly, ensuring inclusivity for all.

Caring for the community

We work with on-the-ground suppliers to offer you a truly authentic experience with every excursion. These local outfits have a wealth of knowledge about the area, and they’re passionate about sharing their expertise and unique offerings with visitors like you.

Not only that, but your bookings help to preserve the local culture and heritage of the Norwegian coast. It feels great to know that your support directly benefits the people and communities who call this beautiful place home.

Hikers’ heaven

Feel a sense of friluftsliv, the Norwegian word that encapsulates a love of the outdoors, on optional hikes guided by your Coastal Experience Team.

You can purchase hikes individually, as a seasonal bundle of four, or as a pass that gives you access to all hikes.

How to book an excursion with Hurtigruten

It’s easy to book an excursion. To book online, go to our excursions hub and either input your booking reference or select your voyage from the drop-down menu. Choose the excursion you want and then click the ‘Add to Reservation’ button. A member of our team will then contact you to arrange payment and confirm your booking. 

Expedition Team

Many of the crew, restaurant staff and Expedition Team members that you’ll meet on board a Hurtigruten voyage are from the very places we visit along the Norwegian coast. And one thing we all have in common is a passion for working for Hurtigruten. In many cases, it’s been an ambition since childhood.

We believe that when you choose to visit our home, you deserve to be treated like an honoured guest. That’s why we take you to places that we love, like hidden fjords and tucked-away villages. We tell you our stories, show you the natural wonders that inspire us, and share with you the best local foods fresh from our seas, farms and mountains.

Every Hurtigruten voyage is guided by captains who know Norway’s coastline as intimately as their own back gardens. Most grew up in coastal communities, learning to read the sea from an early age; its moods, its light, its shifting weather.

Their expertise is matched by a deep respect for nature and an unwavering commitment to safety. Many began their careers on our ships as apprentices, rising through the ranks with skill and pride. Today, they sail with quiet confidence, navigating fjords and open waters alike, keeping our tradition of seamanship alive, season after season.

Photo Programme

With the Hurtigruten Photo Programme you’ll learn how to improve your photography skills as well as share photos with fellow guests, take part in contests and geotag your images using Cameralla.

Take your photography to the next level as you travel in one of the most beautiful regions of the world. Along with fellow enthusiasts of all levels, join our Photo Club where you can upload your images and receive valuable feedback. Here, the joy of photography takes centre stage, whether you’re bringing top-end camera equipment or simply using your phone to capture the beauty and magic of the voyage.

On our Original voyages 

Our tailored Photo Programme is designed to help you master the basics of photography and capture the magic of your journey.

  • Free Photo Course:  Learn simple, practical tips to enhance your photography skills while on board.
  • Hurtigruten Photo Club: Share your photos, join exciting competitions, and discover inspiring destinations.
  • Memory stick for sale:  Take home a collection of pictures from your voyage to relive the memories forever.

Join us on board and take your photography skills to new heights as you discover the beauty of Norway’s coast. 

Lectures

Dedicated to what they do and to the Norwegian coast, the Expedition Team provide an intimate and personal perspective to your journey with us.

Each team member has a range of specialist, well-researched topics in their repertoire – from the Northern Lights and Midnight Sun to local history and wildlife – ready to share with you in lectures and presentations on board, on deck, and ashore.

Dining

A voyage with us is a feast for all the senses. As the scenery outside your window changes, so does what’s on your plate – shaped by season, region and tradition.

We source ingredients from around 70 local farms, fisheries and bakeries along the coast, bringing Norway’s freshest flavours on board. From Vesterålen cod and Lofoten cheeses to craft beer from Bergen, every dish tells a story of place – a true taste of Norway.

Restaurants on The Coastal Express
Reflecting our love of food and our home, each of our onboard restaurants is named after an aspect of the Norwegian coast. Together, they offer our guests an exciting exploration of our homeland’s cuisine.

Torget
Meaning ‘marketplace’ in Norwegian, the main restaurant offers a variety for all three daily meals. For dinner, it provides either a buffet or set menus.

Kysten
Dine in style at ‘The Coast’, our à la carte option. You’ll savour exquisite dishes crafted by our most skilled chefs, using the finest ingredients the Norwegian coast has to offer.

Brygga
The name of this bistro is the Norwegian word for ‘wharf’. It serves salads, pizzas, and other crowd-pleasers with a Nordic twist.

Multe
Let the aroma of freshly baked cakes and pastries guide you to Multe. The name Multe means ‘cloudberry’ in Norwegian. Jam made from this rare Arctic berry can be sampled in the bakery, often served with waffles and generous dollops of whipped cream or ice cream.

Torget

Our main restaurant, Torget, is the focal point when it comes to dining on The Coastal Express, and offers a varied selection of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner designed by head chef, Øistein Nilsen.

Breakfast – served from 7am

Start the day with a selection of hot dishes and a buffet of fresh bread, cereal, fruit, yoghurt, smoothies, juices, energy shots, porridge, salmon, eggs, and pancakes.

Lunch – served from 12pm

Using local, homegrown produce and the season’s best ingredients, our chefs create delicious plated dishes alongside sumptuous buffets for your lunch. For sustainable, plant-based meals, you can also find a great selection of vegan dishes on the menu.

Dinner – served from 6pm (set timings, with 4-5 seatings)

Enjoy a three-course dinner and choose from different dishes each day of your voyage, with a wide selection of meat, fish, and plant-based options. Top off your meal with a choice of traditional desserts, such as homemade cakes, sorbets or puddings, often accompanied by a local berry coulis.

Kysten

Dine in style at Kysten, our à la carte restaurant. The name “Kysten” reflects the restaurant’s simple, elegant and modern style. Here you can enjoy delicious dishes from our skilled chefs, who use the best ingredients the Norwegian coast has to offer.

Look forward to a menu based on seaweed and kelp, extra tender reindeer with local butter and wild herbs. You can be sure that the seafood is fresh, that the meat comes from free-range animals, and that the cheeses have won several awards.

To accompany your meal, choose a wine from the expert selection on our wine list or opt for a wine package in which our best wine tasters have paired wine with the food. If you choose to upgrade to our Platinum package, you can dine here every day as part of your voyage.

Multe

Let the aroma of freshly baked cakes and pastries guide you to Multe. Our onboard bakery serves open sandwiches called smørbrød, piled high with generous helpings of toppings. Treat yourself with a choice of coffees, and luscious ice cream direct from Lofoten. You’ll find all the classic flavors plus a few Norwegian-inspired ones, like brunost – brown cheese. Two scoops or three?

The name Multe means ‘cloudberry’ in Norwegian. Jam made from this rare Arctic berry can be sampled in the bakery, often served with waffles and generous dollops of whipped cream or ice cream.

Brygga

The name of our onboard bistro can be translated from the Norwegian as ‘wharf’. As you’ll probably see during your voyage with us, wharves on the Norwegian coast are typically busy places bustling with workers loading and unloading cargo, who don’t have much time for a sit-down lunch.

It’s fitting, then, that Brygga serves quick and tasty dishes such as fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, and good old-fashioned comfort food like pizzas and gastro burgers. Among these crowd pleasers is our mouth-watering signature shrimp sandwich, served with eggs, dill mayonnaise, and a wedge of lemon – a true Norwegian classic.

To finish, take your pick from a range of locally inspired desserts and sweet cakes. 

Health and Fitness

Keep yourself feeling fresh and active in the Fitness Room or sweating away the day in the sauna.

Sauna and Fitness Room

Work up a sweat in our well-equipped gym, or unwind in the cozy sauna. The gym offers great views.

Outdoor Hot Tubs

Soak in the bubbles of the ship’s two outdoor hot tubs, while admiring views of the coast.

Other Cruise Information

ClassCruise Type: ocean

Class: Contemporary

Ship Size: small

Style: expedition

Operator Reference: hurtigruten

Nursery: none

Child Facilities: available

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