It’s a true honour to have one of our ships named after Norway’s King Harald V.
The King is a skilled sailor, even representing Norway in sailing at the Olympic Games three times. In 2016, at the age of 78, he and his team finished second in the Sailing World Championships.
MS Kong Harald was upgraded to a greener hybrid ship in 2023. Emissions are cut by large battery packs combined with the ships efficient and brand-new engines, reducing fuel consumption and CO2-emissions by approximately 25 percent. The ship is also updated with state-of-the-art wastewater treatment equipment, and SRC technology that reduce NOx emissions by at least 80 percent. In addition, cabins on deck 2 and 3 were refurbished.
The vessel was also refurbished in 2016 to feature 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. There is a comfortable bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink.
MS Kong Harald also has a large compass area where you find the reception, the Expedition Team, conference room and 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.
- Size small
- Style Expedition
- Type ocean
- Year of launch 1993
- Year of last refit 2016
- Gross tonnage 11204t
- Length 121.8m
- Width 19.2m
- Speed 17kts
- Decks 6
- Language Norwegian & English
- Currency Norwegian Krone (kr)
- No. of passengers 590
- No. of crew 70
- No. of cabins 227
- -wheelchair access 3
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 cabins feature seating areas with TV, and bathrooms with shower/WC. Most have 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 the two upper decks, the cabins all have bathrooms with shower and WC. They are also equipped with tea and coffee-making facilities and a TV. All of the cabins have double beds, and unobstructed views.
(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, and most have flat-screen TVs. The cabins offer separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa, or upper and lower berths. All the cabins have individual specifications.
Polar Inside
Our cosy Polar inside cabins are on all decks and include bathrooms with shower/WC. Most of the cabins have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa. Some are equipped with upper and lower berths. All of the cabins have individual specifications.
Expedition Suite | Suite on upper deck
These elegant suites are situated on the upper deck with one or two rooms, double bed, sofa, seating area and TV. They are suitable for 3 travellers.
Arctic Superior | Upper deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, outside, cabins for up to two people on the top/upper decks have double beds.
Arctic Superior | Middle deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, outside cabins on the upper/middle decks have double bed.
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. The cabins have portholes, some with limited or no view.
Polar Outside | Upper deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, outside cabins for up to two people, midship on the upper deck, have double beds, a private shower/WC, TV, and tea and coffee-making facilities. The cabins have very limited or obstructed views.
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. The cabins have portholes, some with limited or no view.
Polar Outside | Upper deck for up to 3 travellers
These comfortable, outside cabins for up to three people on the upper or middle decks have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa. The cabins have limited or no view.
Polar Outside | Middle deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable outside cabins for up to two people on the middle deck have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa.
Polar Outside | Middle deck for 2 travellers
Polar Outside | Middle deck for 2 travellers
Polar Outside | Middle deck for up to 3 travellers
Polar Outside | Wheelchair accessible cabin for 2 travellers
More information coming soon.
Polar Inside | Lower deck for 2 travellers
These comfortable, standard inside cabins for up to two people on the lower deck have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa.
Polar Inside | Upper deck for up to 3 travellers
These comfortable, standard inside cabins for up to three people∘ on the upper deck have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa and upper/lower berths.
Deck 7
- Observation Deck
- Explorer Lounge and Bar
-
Fitness Room
- Seating Area
- Multe Bakery & Ice Cream
Deck 6
- Hot Tubs
- Arctic Superior Cabins
- Outside Cabins
- Inside Cabins
Deck 5
- Outdoor Walking Deck
- Observation Deck
- Expedition Suites
- Arctic Superior Cabins
- Outside Cabins
- Inside Cabins
Deck 4
- Torget
- Kysten
- Brygga Bistro
- Kompass Service Center
- Lecture Halls
- Information
- Shop
- Post Office
Deck 3
- Outside Accessible Cabins
- Outside Cabins
- Inside Cabins
- Gangway
- Check-in Point
- Luggage
Deck 2
- Car Deck
- Tender Area
- Sauna
- Cabins
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.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner time might vary
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.
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.
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.
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
The outdoor walking deck is located on deck 5.
Shopping
The onboard shop sells 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.
Reception
MS Kong Harald also has a large compass area where you find the reception.
A sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Environmental Commitment
Hurtigruten’s environmental efforts are tied to our strategic six-point policy;
- That environmentally-oriented measures are identified and implemented in day-to-day operations.
- That focus is directed specifically at the marine environment.
- That we specify requirements for subcontractors and contractual partners.
- That our communications concerning our own environmental performance are open and complete.
- That we ensure continuous monitoring and improvement of our environmental work.
- That we do not leave any permanent traces behind us in vulnerable areas.
As a traveller with Hurtigruten, your contribution to environmental care is welcome. We have garbage sorting aboard all ships, and we encourage you to turn off lights when leaving the cabin and unplug electrical transformers when not in use.
In 2018, we banned all single-use plastic on board our fleet. When ashore, bring your litter back to the vessel or dispose at designated places. We are often near wildlife on our voyages. Please heed the advice of your Tour Leader/Expedition Leader and excursion guide and strive to act in a way that does not alter the wildlife’s natural behaviour.