Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express Fleet (Ships)

Hurtigruten operates a fleet of coastal and expedition cruise ships, primarily serving Norway’s coastal route and global expedition destinations. Their fleet is divided into two main segments:

Here’s a detailed breakdown of each ship in Hurtigruten’s fleet, divided into the Norwegian Coastal Express and Expeditions categories.

These ships operate along Norway’s famous Bergen–Kirkenes route, providing scenic coastal voyages and local ferry services.

1. MS Kong Harald

• Built: 1993

• Capacity: 590 passengers

• Features: Refurbished in 2016, named after Norway’s king, with comfortable lounges and an onboard expedition team.

2. MS Nordkapp

• Built: 1996

• Capacity: 590 passengers

• Features: Arctic-inspired interior, modernized in 2016, named after North Cape (Nordkapp), one of Norway’s most famous landmarks.

3. MS Nordlys

• Built: 1994

• Capacity: 590 passengers

• Features: Inspired by the Northern Lights, with elegant design elements and a focus on local Norwegian cuisine.

4. MS Nordnorge

• Built: 1997

• Capacity: 590 passengers

• Features: Frequently used for adventure travelers exploring Norway’s coastal communities and fjords.

5. MS Polarlys

• Built: 1996

• Capacity: 619 passengers

• Features: Name means "Polar Light," reflecting the Arctic experience, with a Nordic-style modern interior.

6. MS Richard With

• Built: 1993 (refitted in 2022 with hybrid technology)

• Capacity: 590 passengers

• Features: Named after Hurtigruten’s founder, now a hybrid-powered ship with upgraded sustainability features.

7. MS Vesterålen

• Built: 1983

• Capacity: 490 passengers

• Features: One of the oldest in the fleet, known for its intimate size and strong historical significance to Hurtigruten.

Hurtigruten Expeditions Fleet

These ships specialize in adventure cruises to remote regions like Antarctica, Svalbard, and the Galápagos.

8. MS Fridtjof Nansen (Hybrid-powered)

• Built: 2020

• Capacity: 530 passengers

• Features: Advanced hybrid technology, sustainable cruising, modern Scandinavian design, and outdoor observation decks.

9. MS Roald Amundsen (Hybrid-powered)

• Built: 2019

• Capacity: 530 passengers

• Features: World’s first hybrid-powered expedition ship, high-tech science center, and infinity pool.

10. MS Maud

• Built: 2003 (formerly MS Midnatsol, refitted in 2021)

• Capacity: 500 passengers

• Features: Specially designed for expedition cruising with a large panoramic observation deck and science center.

11. MS Otto Sverdrup

• Built: 2002 (formerly MS Finnmarken, refitted in 2021)

• Capacity: 554 passengers

• Features: Named after a Norwegian explorer, operates hybrid-powered voyages, and focuses on sustainable exploration.

12. MS Spitsbergen

• Built: 2009 (joined Hurtigruten in 2016)

• Capacity: 335 passengers

• Features: Smaller expedition ship for Arctic and Antarctic exploration with modern Scandinavian decor.

13. MS Santa Cruz II (Galápagos-exclusive)

• Built: 2002 (joined Hurtigruten in 2022)

• Capacity: 90 passengers

• Features: Operates exclusively in the Galápagos Islands, featuring expert-guided nature excursions and eco-friendly operations.