Both the name and the interior design of this modern expedition ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
The art, décor and colours employed aboard this ship are all inspired by the northern lights. The delicate aesthetic creates a distinct and unique on-board ambience. Passengers are invited to relax after a long day experiencing Hurtigruten´s various excursions and activities in comfy reclining chairs in the one of the ship’s lounges.
MS Trollfjord to temporarily replace MS Nordlys. From 23 September 2024 until 28 November 2024, MS Trollfjord will replace MS Nordlys on voyages of The Coastal Express. For more information on this, please see our FAQs.
- Size small
- Style Expedition
- Type ocean
- Year of launch 1994
- Year of last refit 2019
- Gross tonnage 11204t
- Length 121.8m
- Width 19.2m
- Speed 15kts
- Decks 6
- Language Norwegian & English
- Currency Norwegian Krone (kr)
- No. of passengers 590
- No. of cabins 223
- -wheelchair access 3
Hurtigruten ships are working vessels operating a regular service to a set timetable. The ships carry goods, vehicles and passengers between ports, by night and day, as an integral part of Norwegian∘ daily life. The ships are calling at ports around the clock. You may expect some noise and vibration in a few cabins during loading of goods. This varies depending∘ on the location of your cabin and the type of ship. Also, noise affects people differently and what may be a problem for one person may not be a problem for another. Please ask the reservation team for advice on the best cabin location for you.
It is not common practice to tip on Hurtigruten ships on the coastal voyage, but if you feel that crew members should be rewarded for providing exceptional service, tip boxes are placed in the restaurant together with envelopes.
Expedition Suite
Our Expedition suites are the most luxurious cabins on board. Situated on the upper deck of the ship, the suites feature seating areas with TV, bathrooms with shower/WC, and with double beds. Some suites have more facilities than others.
An exciting welcome gift awaits all suite guests in their cabin.
Arctic Superior
Relaxation and comfort are the hallmarks of our Arctic superior cabins. Situated on upper decks, they all have bathrooms with shower and WC, tea and coffee-making facilities and TVs. The cabins have double beds. All the cabins have individual specifications.
Polar Outside
Our Polar outside cabins are situated mostly on the middle or lower decks and all have bathrooms with shower/WC. Some cabins have double beds, while others have separate beds, one of which is a sofa bed, or upper and lower berths. All the cabins have individual specifications.
Polar Inside
Our cosy Polar inside cabins are found on all decks and include bathrooms with shower/WC. Most have separate beds with one doubling as a sofa, or upper and lower berths. All the cabins have individual specifications.
Expedition Suite | Suite on upper deck for up to 4 travellers
Refurbished suite on upper deck for 4 people, with a double bed (and sofa beds), fridge and TV. The cabin has a bay window with full view.
Expedition Suite | Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
Suite on upper decks for up to 4 people, with a double bed (and sofa beds), full view, sofa, minibar and TV.
Expedition Suite | Mini suite on upper deck for up to 4 travellers
Mini suite on upper deck for up to 4 people. The suite comes with a double bed and sofa bed, full view, minibar and TV. Please note that we have wheelchair accessible cabins within this category, please contact us to book one of these cabins.
Expedition Suite | Mini Suite on upper deck
Arctic Superior | Upper decks for 2 travellers
Arctic superior cabin on upper decks for 2 people, with double bed, full view and TV.
Arctic Superior | Upper deck for 2 travellers
Arctic superior cabin on upper deck for 2 people, with double bed, full view and TV.
Arctic Superior | Upper deck for 2 travellers
Polar Outside | Upper deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable outside cabins for up to two people on the upper deck have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa, and bathrooms with shower and WC. The cabins have limited or no view.
Polar Outside | Upper deck for 2 travellers
Refurbished outside cabin on upper deck for 2 people. The cabin comes with a double bed, TV, and has a limited view.
Polar Outside | Middle deck for 2 travellers
These standard outside cabins for up to two people on the middle decks have separate beds and bathrooms with shower and WC.
Polar Outside | Middle decks for 2 travellers
Refurbished outside cabin on middle decks for 2 people. The cabin comes with a double bed, full view and TV.
Polar Outside | Middle deck for up to 3 travellers
Polar Outside | Lower deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable outside cabins for up to two people on the lower deck have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa, and bathrooms with shower and WC. The cabins have portholes, some with limited or no view.
Polar Outside | Middle deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable cabins for up to two people on the middle/upper decks have bathrooms with shower and WC.
Polar Outside | Middle deck for up to 3 travellers
More information coming soon.
Polar Outside | Wheelchair accessible cabin for 2 travellers
More information coming soon.
Polar Inside | Middle deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, standard inside cabins for up to two people on the middle deck have bathrooms with shower/WC, and separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa.
Deck 7
- Observation Deck
- Seating Area
- Fitness Room
- Multe Bakery & Ice Cream
- Explorer Lounge & Bar
Deck 6
-
Hot Tubs
- Expedition Suites
- Arctic Superior Cabins
- Outside Cabins
Deck 5
-
Observation Deck
- Outdoor Walking Deck
- Expedition Suites
- Arctic Superior Cabins
- Outside Cabins
- Inside Cabins
Deck 4
-
Torget
- Kysten
- 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
- Sauna
- Inside Cabins
Reflecting our love of food and Norway, each of our onboard restaurants is named after an aspect of the Norwegian coast. Together, they offer our guests an exciting exploration of Norwegian cuisine.
Torget
Where do many of those who live along the coast get their ingredients from? The local food marked. In the same way as the markets in the local communities, Torget is the local center for food on board Hurtigruten, with much to see, hear and smell, our main restaurant offers a varied selection of dishes for the three meals of the day.
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
From short-traveled products and based on the season's best ingredients, our chefs create bountiful buffets. Taste your way through a culinary journey based on our local, short-traveled products. There is a great selection of vegan dishes every day. Look for the vegan brand and try a sustainable plant-based meal.
Dinner – served from 6pm
Enjoy a three-course dinner and choose from different dishes each day during the journey. There will be a selection of meat and fish dishes. There is a great selection of vegan dishes every day, look for the vegan label on the menu, and try a sustainable plant-based meal.. Each dinner ends with traditional desserts such as homemade cakes, sorbets or pudding - preferably with berry sauces.
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 and juicy scallops 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.
Choose a wine to go with the food from the expert selection on our wine list or try a wine package in which Hurtigruten's best wine tasters have paired wine with the food. If you choose our Platinum package, you can eat all three meals every day here as part of the journey.
Multe
Let the aroma of freshly baked cakes and pastries guide you to Multe. This onboard bakery serves open sandwiches, called smørbrød, piled with generous helpings of toppings. Treat yourself to fresh smoothies, a choice of coffees, and luscious ice cream direct from Lofoten.
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.
All the favourite ice cream flavours are present, plus a few Norwegian inspired ones which you might like to try, like the brunost – brown cheese – ice cream. Two scoops or three?
Brygga Bistro
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, without much time for a relaxing sit-down meal.
It’s fitting then that Brygga serves easy-to-eat yet satisfying dishes such as fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, and good old comfort food like freshly prepared pizzas and gastro burgers. Try the soup of the day, sirloin steak, or grilled salmon, and finish with locally-inspired desserts and sweet cakes.
Among these crowd pleasers is our mouth-watering signature shrimp sandwich, served with eggs, dill mayonnaise, and a wedge of lemon – a pure Norwegian classic.
Enjoy the art of relaxation as you cruise the Norwegian coast with great views and good company. Our Coastal Experience Team is on hand to enhance your trip with a series of lectures and activities on board.
Explorer Lounge & Bar
What really makes the Explorer Bar stand out is the atmosphere of the surrounding lounge and the panoramic views 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!
Outdoor Walking Deck
Outdoor Walking Deck is located on deck 5.
Shopping
Selling souvenirs, knitwear, books, postcards, postage stamps and a limited supply of toiletries.
Library Knut Hamsun
The books are in a variety of languages including Norwegian, German and English, also there are game tables available to play cards and chess.
Keep yourself feeling fresh and active in the Fitness Room or sweating away the day in the sauna.
Fitness Room
A basic fitness centre for passengers to enjoy.
Sauna
Head to the sauna and relax in luxury.
Jacuzzi
Relax in the jacuzzis whilst floating past the scenery.
Young Explorers
Good news, parents! If your child is aged 6-13, they can join our complimentary Young Explorers activity programme on board our ships (except MS Vesterålen) during July and August.
We warmly invite families with young children to come and experience the Norwegian coast together with us. Through a range of activities on and off the ship, our team will feed your children’s curiosity and nurture their sense of adventure. It’ll be a family holiday full of fun memories that they and you will cherish for years to come.
Please note: the Young Explorers programme is available only on our 12-day Classic Roundtrip Voyage.
Forming friendships
The programme has been designed to be interactive and engaging for young minds. Art workshops, creative challenges, competitive games, and quick-fire quizzes add to a stimulating pace that grabs their attention.
The tasks and activities also naturally lend themselves to team building and bonding. The children therefore often make new friends, playing together outside the programme, beginning friendships that could last a lifetime.
Minds of the future
Below are some examples of topics your children might learn about as part of the Young Explorers programme.
Each is taught in a way that will activate your child’s imagination and increase their awareness of the world they’ll eventually inherit from us.
History
- Learn how the ancient Vikings lived and explored
- Get to know famous Norwegian polar explorers and their journeys
- Learn about polar exploration during a mountain hike
- Hear about key moments in Norway’s history
Nature
- Discover the science and myths behind the Northern Lights
- Learn how to identify bird species along the Norwegian coast
- See how we recycle on board the ship
- Join a clean-up on a local beach, removing plastic and litter
Culture
- Explore Northern Norway’s indigenous Sámi culture
- Learn about the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv - outdoors life
- Practise speaking a few Sámi words and counting to ten
- Craft works of art using everyday items
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.
Your Coastal Experience Team
Experts on the Norwegian coast, many of whom live locally, will be by your side as part of your voyage with us, showing you their home and sharing their stories with you.
When it comes to travelling, no guidebook, website, or mobile app can replace the human connection of having someone point out places that are special to them. And that’s where our onboard Coastal Experience Team come in. Using their hands-on experience of Norway and the Norwegian coast, they have one mission: to enhance your voyage by offering engaging insights on the nature, wildlife, and culture you encounter along the way.
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 Kristiansund 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.