MS Kong Harald 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. There is 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 were you find the reception, the Coastal Experience 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.
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.
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.
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.
A sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs.
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.
Special diets (e.g. vegetarian) can be catered for if requested in good time. Passengers on strict diets may find that there is a limited choice.
We now offer a 3-course vegan menu option for the evening meal on our 12-day voyages.
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.
Hurtigruten ASA cannot accept children under the age of 5 to travel with us to Antarctica. There is no age restriction on our other destinations. For safety reasons, children under 12 years of age will be considered on each landing. It is entirely at the Captain’s discretion to allow children on shore landings.
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.
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.
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 is available throughout the ship. Note that it is limited connectivity, and that both internet and telephones from time to time will be out of range due to the ship's location.
Due to capacity limitations the provided, included Wi-Fi is limited to browsing and not streaming. Please contact the reception if you have any questions related to the Wi-Fi usage.
We recommend pre-booking excursions to avoid disappointment. You can pre-book excursions up to four weeks prior to departure (2 weeks if paid by credit card) at the rates presented.
Any remaining excursion places will be sold on board. All bookings on board will be charged in Norwegian Kroner at the ship’s exchange rate. The price in local currency may differ due to exchange rate fluctuations.
Please note that all excursions are provisional and subject to change – current weather and sea conditions may affect the viability of certain excursions. Excursions may also be subject to minimum/maximum numbers.
All Norwegian coastal ships have pet cabins with the exception of MS Nordlys, MS Midnatsol and MS Kong Harald. Unfortunately, our Explorer ships (MS Fram, MS Spitsbergen, MS Nordstjernen and MS Roald Amundsen) don’t have pet cabins.
Norwegian and English are the official on-board languages. Some Hurtigruten Guides (or the Tour Leaders on board MS Vesterålen), personnel at the reception and service crew often also speak German.
Most of our excursions are guided in two or three languages. Please contact the Hurtigruten Guides or Tour Leader on board for further information.
Laundry rooms with washing machines, dryers and irons are available on all ships. Tokens can be purchased at reception.
There is no doctor or pharmacy on board. However, officers are trained in first aid and can provide emergency medical assistance. The ships are also close to land should urgent medical assistance be required.
Hurtigruten’s environmental efforts are tied to our strategic six-point policy;
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.
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.
Vehicles onboard coastal voyages must fit the following dimensions:
Campervans, minivans and trailers cannot be accepted.
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.