MS Polarlys was refurbished in 2016 and now features a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. 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. We have a comfortable bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink. The vessel also has a large compass area where you find the reception, the Coastal Experience Team, conference room and shop.
- Size small
- Style Expedition
- Type ocean
- Year of launch 1996
- Year of last refit 2016
- Gross tonnage 11341t
- Length 123.0m
- Width 19.5m
- Speed 15kts
- Decks 6
- Language Norwegian & English
- Currency Norwegian Krone (kr)
- No. of passengers 650
- No. of cabins 215
- -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 the ship. Situated on the upper decks of the ship, the cabins feature seating areas with TV, bathrooms with shower/WC, and 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 both the upper and middle decks, the cabins all have bathrooms with shower and WC. They are also equipped with tea and coffee-making facilities and TV. Most have double beds, and some have bunk beds. All the cabins have individual specifications.
(Note: All Arctic superior cabins on deck 5 have the promenade deck outside.)
Polar Outside
Our Polar outside cabins are situated mostly on the middle or lower decks and all have bathrooms with shower/WC. The cabins also have bunk beds and individual specifications.
Polar Inside
Our cosy Polar Inside cabins can be found on all decks. All cabins include bathrooms with shower/WC. All of the cabins have separate beds where one doubles as a sofa, while some are equipped upper and lower berths. All the cabins have individual specifications.
Expedition Suite | Suite on upper deck
These elegant refurbished suites are situated on the upper deck with one or two rooms and seating area. The suites have a separate bedroom, double bed, a sofa that converts into a double bed in the sitting area, Wi-Fi, TV, hair dryer, bathrobes, blanket, and coffee and tea facilities.
Expedition Suite | Mini suite on upper deck
These comfortable suites for up to two people on the upper deck have a double bed, two chairs, a desk, TV, minibar, hair dryer, coffee and tea facilities and Wi-Fi.
Expedition Suite | Mini Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
These comfortable suites for up to four people on the upper deck have a double bed, a sofa bed, a sofa group, TV, minibar, hair dryer, coffee and tea facilities and Wi-Fi.
Arctic Superior | Upper deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, newly refurbished cabins for up to two people on the upper deck have double beds.
Arctic Superior | Upper deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable outside cabins for up to two people on the upper decks have bunk beds.
Polar Outside | Middle deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, outside cabins for up to two people on the middle/lower decks have bathroom∘ with shower/WC, and single beds, one of which converts into a sofa
Polar Outside | Middle deck for up to 3 travellers
These comfortable, outside cabins for up to three people on the middle/upper decks have bathrooms with shower/WC, and bunk beds, one of which converts into a sofa
Polar Outside | Middle deck for 2 travellers
Polar Outside | Middle deck for up to 3 travellers
These standard outside cabins for up to three people on the middle decks have bunk beds and separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa, and bathrooms with shower/WC.
Polar Outside | Middle deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, refurbished, outside cabins for up to two people have separate beds, a chair, TV, and hair dryer.
Polar Outside | Middle deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, refurbished, outside cabins for up to two people have a double bed, a chair and a TV.
Polar Outside | Lower deck for up to 3 travellers
These comfortable, outside cabins for up to two people on the lower deck have bathrooms with shower/WC, and bunk∘ beds, one of which converts into a sofa. The cabins have portholes, some with limited or no view.
Polar Outside | Lower deck for 2 travellers
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 | Lower deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, outside cabins for up to two people on the lower deck have bathrooms with shower/WC, and bunk beds, one of which converts into a sofa. The cabins have portholes, some with limited or no view.
Polar Outside | Upper deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, outside cabins for up to three people on the upper or middle decks have bathrooms∘ with shower/WC, and bunk beds, one of which converts into a sofa. The third bed is an upper berth. The cabins have limited or no view.
Polar Outside | Wheelchair accessible cabins for 2 travellers
Wheelchair accessible rooms for up to two people with wider door and accessible WC. Standard outside cabins with bathroom with shower/WC.
(We have a limited number of wheelchair accessible cabins, so we ask that they are booked by guests who require these cabins. Please inform us in advance of your disability - you will find Hurtigruten contact information on the Booking Confirmation document.)
Polar Outside | Upper deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable outside cabins for up to two people on the upper or middle decks have bathrooms with shower/WC, and double beds. The cabins have limited or no view.
Polar Inside | Upper deck for up to 3 travellers
These superior inside cabins for up to three people on the upper deck are newly refurbished and have bathrooms∘ with shower/WC. The cabins have TV and separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa. The third bed is an upper berth.
Polar Inside | Lower deck for 1 traveller
These comfortable, standard inside cabins for one person on the lower deck have bathrooms with shower/WC, and separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa.
Polar Inside | Lower deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, standard inside cabins for up to two people on the lower deck have bathrooms with shower/WC, and separate beds.
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
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.
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.
Brygga
The name of this bistro is the Norwegian word for ‘wharf’. It serves salads, pizzas, and other crowd-pleasers with a Nordic twist.
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 ‘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.
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. 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.
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
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!
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.
Keep yourself feeling fresh and active in the Fitness Room or sweating away the day in the sauna.
Sauna and Fitness Room
Keep active in the fitness room before enjoying a soothing steam in the sauna.
Outdoor Hot Tubs
Soak in the bubbles of the ship’s two outdoor hot tubs, while admiring views of the coast.
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.
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.
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.
Preserve the unforgettable moments from your voyage by joining our Photo Club. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a beginner with a smartphone, the club offers tips, inspiration, and a platform to share your best shots. Discover how to enhance your onboard experience and turn your travel memories into lasting treasures.
Lectures
Each member of the team has a range of specialised topics in their repertoire, ready to share with you in lectures and presentations on board, on deck, and ashore.