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MS Kong Harald

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.

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Accomodation Types

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

Arctic Superior | Upper deck for 2 travellers

Arctic Superior | Middle deck for 2 travellers

Polar Outside | Lower deck for 2 travellers

Polar Outside | Upper deck for 2 travellers

Polar Outside | Lower deck for 2 travellers

Polar Outside | Upper deck for up to 3 travellers

Polar Outside | Middle deck for 2 travellers

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

Polar Inside | Lower deck for 2 travellers

Polar Inside | Upper deck for up to 3 travellers

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Deck Plans

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.

Deck 7

Deck 6

Deck 5

Deck 4

Deck 3

Deck 2

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Dining

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

Kysten

Brygga

Multe

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Entertainment

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

Outdoor Walking Deck

Shopping

Library

Reception

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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 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.

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Health & Fitness

Sauna and fitness room

Outdoor Hot Tubs

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Kids & Teens

Young Explorers

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Useful Information

Mobility

We also warmly welcome guests with reduced mobility. If needed, our sales consultants will also search for and book suitable hotel rooms for you. You will have to bring along your own standard-sized collapsible wheelchair. If you’re able to get around the ship in a wheelchair unaided, you do not need to travel with a companion. Guests who require assistance will most likely need to travel accompanied. Talk to your travel agent about this.

When the ship stops in a port along the Norwegian coastline, there is always a ramp or a gangway to get you on and off the ship. The only exception is Urke, where we do not dock. Access to this town is only for guests who are going on an excursion. Disembarkation takes place by tender boat, and is therefore not suitable for wheelchair users.

These excursions are not specifically adapted to guests with reduced mobility. Ask our coastal experts when you are on board and they’ll be able to advise you as to which excursions are suitable.

It’s important that you inform us of any mobility challenges when making your booking, so we can make the best possible arrangements for you.

You will need to bring along your own standard-sized collapsible wheelchair, which should be stored in your cabin when not in use. If you’re able to get around the ship in a wheelchair unaided, you do not need to travel with a companion. Guests who require assistance will most likely need to travel accompanied. Talk to your travel agent about this.

Dietary requirements

We offer a wide range of plant-based options for lunch and dinner, suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Our chefs can also cater for special diets and some food allergies if you let us know ahead of time. It is very important that, at the time of booking, you make a point to tell us clearly about any food allergies you have.

Dress Code

On board, dress is informal. Although some passengers choose to change for dinner, the dress code is casual rather than formal. The weather in Norway can vary during the course of each voyage or even during the day. To cater for these variations, we recommend the layered-dress approach that enables you to adapt to changes in temperature, wind and precipitation conditions easily.

For all voyages, we advise you to take breathable rain and windproof clothing. A warm hat, gloves, scarf and thermal clothing can be useful, together with thermal underwear, during the winter months. On land, where it may be icy, sturdy shoes are important for shore excursions and a walking stick/trekking pole may be useful.

Smoking Policy

Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, is only permitted in designated areas on the outside decks. However, all forms of smoking are strictly forbidden even in designated areas when the ship is in port and refuelling. The crew will advise guests when this is the case.

A cleaning fee of approximately NOK 1500 will be charged for smoking in the cabin. This is to cover the cost of washing bedding and curtains to bring the cabin back to a non-smoking standard.

Safety

It is a safety requirement that all Hurtigruten passengers attend a compulsory safety briefing in Bergen and Kirkenes before the ship leaves port. After embarkation, the crew will greet you and conduct the mandatory safety brief at intervals. This will last between 10-15 minutes.

The briefing will include a demonstration of how to put on a life jacket and the instructions to be followed in the unlikely event of an evacuation or other emergency during the voyage. The briefing is compulsory for all passengers including those who have travelled with Hurtigruten before. There will be an opportunity to ask questions if you have any concerns.

Please familiarise yourself with the emergency procedures as shown in the cabins (there is a diagram on the cabin door and in public areas), and ask at reception if in doubt. In many ports, there may be a good deal of activity on the quay with cars joining/leaving the ships and/or goods being loaded or unloaded. Please be alert to such traffic when embarking and disembarking.

Take care during winter months when it is icy underfoot, particularly on the outside decks and when disembarking the ship or alighting from coaches. Ice spikes and other winter clothing can be purchased in the ships store. Do not carry large amounts of cash and keep valuable items, including mobile phones and cameras, out of sight.

Drones

Please note the use of passenger-operated drones is not permitted during your voyage. This is for general safety as well as the protection of the vulnerable wildlife and other guests’ personal security.

Wi-Fi

We offer complimentary Wi-Fi on board our ships. Guests on a Basic fare will first need to register on our 1893 Ambassador loyalty programme to access the Wi-Fi. It’s free to sign up and you’ll also have access to discounts and a range of other benefits.

Please note that the Wi-Fi signal varies depending on different locations on the ship. As the ship sails in remote regions of Norway, speeds may also be slower and not suitable for streaming services. 

Booking Shore Excursions

We recommend pre-booking excursions to avoid disappointment. You can do this up to four weeks prior to departure.

Any remaining excursion places will be sold on board and will be charged in Norwegian Kroner at the ship’s exchange rate.

Please note that all excursions are provisional and subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the viability of certain excursions. Excursions may also be subject to minimum/maximum numbers.

See all excursions

Pet Cabins

You can travel on our ships with your pet. To do so, please book your ticket through our Customer Service Centre on 02045711560. Please note that if you need to book a cabin for your journey, there will be an additional fee of 150 NOK per night for pets.

Languages

Norwegian and English are the official onboard languages.

Some members of the Expedition Team (or the Tour Leaders on board MS Vesterålen), reception staff and service crew also speak German. On board MS Richard With, some members of the Expedition Team speak French.

Most of our excursions are guided in two or three languages. Please contact the Expedition Team or Tour Leader on board for further information.

Laundry

Laundry rooms with washing machines, dryers and irons are available on all ships. Tokens can be purchased at reception.

Medical Facilities

We have basic medical facilities on our ships, and crew members are trained to handle medical emergencies. However, the medical staff may be limited, so passengers with serious health conditions should prepare accordingly. 

Environmental Commitment

Hurtigruten’s environmental efforts are tied to our strategic six-point policy;

1. That environmentally-oriented measures are identified and implemented in day-to-day operations.
2. That focus is directed specifically at the marine environment.
3. That we specify requirements for subcontractors and contractual partners.
4. That our communications concerning our own environmental performance are open and complete.
5. That we ensure continuous monitoring and improvement of our environmental work.
6. 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.

Young Explorers FAQ

How can I book my child on to Young Explorers?

You can sign up onboard. Availability varies per ship and is based on a minimum number of participants.

How much does the programme cost?

The programme is free of charge.

How long is the programme?

The full programme is spread over 10 days of our 12-day Classic Roundtrip Voyage. Each day features a different theme, and children are welcome to join whenever they want during their voyage of any length.

What is the age range?

The age range is 6 to 13 years old, but older children are welcome. Younger children can attend if accompanied by a parent.

Which languages are spoken?

English and Norwegian

Do I need to accompany my child?

Our organisers can run the programme without parents or guardians present. However, parents are welcome to accompany their children during the programme and join in with activities. Depending on the number of children, we may need to ask a few parents to attend as well. 

Bringing a vehicle on board

Pre-booking
We highly recommend pre-booking a spot on the car deck. You can show up on the day, but there's no guarantee we'll have a free space.

Arrival at Port
Please be ready to drive on board at 18.00 in Bergen and no later than one hour before departure in Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø and Kirkenes. For all other ports, please arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure.

Check-in
In most ports, you park your car, walk on to the ship, check in, and then return to your vehicle. Our crew will then inform you when it’s your turn to drive on board. In Bergen, please walk into the terminal and check in.

We ask guests embarking at ports where we dock for 15 minutes or less to drive onto the ship before checking in. A member of our car deck crew will hand you a transit card. Please show this card to reception staff during check-in. Check our sailing plan to see how long we stay in each port.

Please provide reception staff with the following information during check-in:

• License plate number
• Type of vehicle
• Colour of vehicle

You will receive your vehicle access pass during check in, which must be shown to the crew on the car deck.

Parking & boarding

• In Bergen, there is a car park near the terminal marked with ‘Kystruten and FjordLine’.
• In Trondheim and Bodø, there is a car park close to the pier.
• In Tromsø, vehicles must be parked in public car park near the terminal building.
• In Kirkenes, there's a marked parking lane on the pier.

Our smaller ports do not usually feature a car park. However, you can park in a suitable place close to the pier.

Please note: The order vehicles enter the ship depends on their port of disembarkation. You’ll receive further information during check-in.   

In many ports, our crew can drive your vehicle on and off the ship. However, please note that we cannot guarantee this service. 

You can bring your vehicle on board at any port, except for our seasonal stops in Geirangerfjord in summer and Hjørundfjord in autumn, as we don’t dock in these two locations. Instead, we anchor offshore, and guests are brought on board by tender boats. 

Restrictions

• For safety reasons, we will not be able to board vehicles with LPG or CNG gas. This applies even if the tank is empty.
• No caravans or trailers are allowed on board. 
• Guests aren’t allowed on the car deck while the ship is sailing. Therefore, please take the luggage you require from your vehicle and board via the terminal in Bergen and via the pier in other ports.  
  

Disembarking

The car deck only opens when the ship is docked. Therefore, you can enjoy the views right up until we reach land. The crew will show you to your vehicle, and you can start your engine when notified.

Please note: On southbound sailings, the crew drive all vehicles off the ship in Trondheim due to the early hour (06.30) of our arrival. You can collect your keys in reception. 

Alcohol Policy

Guests are reminded that only beverages sold and/or provided in the restaurants, bars, cabins, and suites can be consumed on board. Any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports-of-call will need to be stored separately on board the ship by our crew. Your purchases will be returned to you and delivered to your cabin on the last day of your sailing.