MS Vesteralen

MS Vesteralen current position

MS Vesteralen current location is at North East Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 62.47575 N / 6.15269 E) cruising en route to Kirkenes. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current Position

Specifications of MS Vesteralen

Year of build1983  /  Age: 41
Flag state Norway
BuilderKMV-Kaarbos Mek Verksted AS (Harstad, Norway)
Classcruiseferry (Ro-Pax ship)
Ferry route / homeportsBergen-Kirkenes
Building costUSD 24 million
Speed18 kn / 33 km/h / 21 mph
Length (LOA)109 m / 358 ft
Beam (width)17 m / 56 ft
Gross Tonnage6261 gt
Passengers510
Crew50
Passengers-to-space ratio20
Cars35
Beds301
Decks7
Cabins146
Decks with cabins5
Last Refurbishment2020
OwnerHurtigruten AS
OperatorHurtigruten Cruises

MS Vesteralen Review

Review of MS Vesteralen

The 1983-built MS Vesteralen cruise ship is the second-oldest Hurtigruten vessel - following MS Lofoten (1964). Together with the fleetmates, Vesteralen serves Hurtigruten's Norwegian Coastal Voyages (NCV) program for cruise and ferry travel by cargo-passenger ships..

The vessel (IMO number 8019368) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI 258478000) and registered in Tromso.

History - construction and ownership

The shipowner Hurtigruten is a Norwegian passenger shipping company specializing in cruise and ferry services. The "Norwegian Coastal Express Route" (Bergen-Kirkenes) is a cargo-passenger ferry service along Norway's western and northern coast. Hurtigruten's cruise ferries sail nearly the entire length of Norway and complete this roundtrip itinerary in 11 days. The route also includes Lofoten Islands and Vesteralen Islands.

MS Vesteralen cruise ship

The 510-passenger ship Vesteralen was launched in 1983 and named after DS Vesteralen - the first-ever Hurtigruten ship launched in 1893. Vesteralen Islands are a Norwegian archipelago in which the company's ever first home-port (Stokmarknes) is located. The ship is among the smallest (and uniquely designed) in the fleet.

MS Vesteralen was upgraded two times during the years, in 1988 (passenger capacity was increased) and 1995. The public areas were changed to offer more freedom and light. A cruise with MS Vesteralen comes with sophistication and class.

MS Vesteralen cruise ship

Decks and Cabins

MS Vesteralen staterooms (146 total, in 5 grades) include 109x Outside, 36x Inside, 1x for disabled. Most staterooms are sized 75-140 ft2 (7-13 m2). All staterooms are designed with twin beds capable to fold up, which provides more free space and the possibility of beds changing into lounges. In all cabins, guests will find a spacious wardrobe, writing desk, heated floor, and high-quality bath products. The Mini-Suites also have a television, separate sitting area and a stocked mini-bar.

The boat has 7 passenger decks, of which 5 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

All meals in Vesteralen's restaurant, which spans the width of the vessel, are included in fare if booking the full one-way sailing between Bergen and Kirkenes or a complete round-trip cruise. The food is good mid-level cooking, with choices including standard international cuisine and Norwegian specialties. The restaurant is a cozy room with original Norwegian paintings. Reservations apply to dinner only. There is only one sitting unless the ship is full.

MS Vesteralen cruise ship

Follows the complete list of ms Vesteralen restaurants and food bars.

  • The Restaurant (offers buffet-style Breakfast 7:30 - 9:00 a.m., Lunch 12:30 - 2:00 p.m., Dinner 7:30 p.m. - reservations-only, waiter-served, with one fixed sitting)
  • The Cafe (aft of the dining room/cafeteria with a la carte menu for hot/cold meals, snacks, beverages).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MS Vesteralen is characterized by her cheerful lounges and public areas. With only 510 guests onboard, you will enjoy a crowd-free voyage through Norway's fjords. Relax in ship’s Panorama Lounge Fryet offering plush lounges and panoramic windows. The Sun Deck creates the ideal place for magnificent views. You can also connect with family and friends in the Internet Cafe. MS Vesteralen boasts live music in the nighttime lounge.

MS Vesteralen cruise ship

Follows the complete list of ms Vesteralen lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

  • Car Deck (capacity 35 cars)
  • TRIM Fitness room (equipped with free weights, treadmills, exercise bikes)
  • Lobby area, Reception Desk, Luggage Room
  • Lecture Hall with two conference rooms (host multimedia presentations, lectures, special events)
  • The Shop (sells Norwegian souvenirs and Hurtigruten logo merchandise)
  • The Vesteralstuen Lounge (with 270-degree views)
  • The Trollfjorden Lounge (with 270-degree panoramic views and comfortable seating)
  • The Fyret Panorama Lounge and Bar (Deck G)
  • The Sun Deck is the place for Hurtigruten's special ceremony "Arctic Circle baptism", including a Neptune-costumed crewmember, icy seawater, and a shot for warming up.

Itineraries

MS Vesteralen itinerary program is based on Norwegian Coastal Voyages. Vesteralen is mostly used as a ferry for both passengers and cars.

Havila-Hurtigruten ferry route (Norwegian Coastal Express cruise ship itinerary map)

However, some guests stay on board for roundtrip 12-day itineraries out of Bergen and Kirkenes (with some departures from Tromso).

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MS Vesteralen Wiki

Vesteralen cruise ship is named after the ever first Hurtigruten ship, and also after the Norwegian archipelago in which is situated Stokmarknes - the first home port of the line. The vessel is one of the smallest in the fleet of the Norwegian coastal voyage operator Hurtigruten (cruise and ferry services).

The Vesteralen ship was built in Norway for 158 million Norwegian Kroner. She was refitted in 1989 in Germany (Bremen) to increase passenger capacity. The vessel has comfortable interior - passengers will find rich Norwegian art collection on display, intimate, crowd-free lounges for relaxation during the trip, as well as live music in the nighttime lounge.

Since 2010, MS Vesteralen cruises primarily along Norway's coast. Many use the vessel as transportation (ferry). On its itinerary route, the ship transports travellers and goods to remote villages, many located between the Norwegian fjords. Sailings start in Port Bergen end up 1,500 miles to the north in Port Kirkenes (near Russia's border), before making way back down and doing it all over again. Itinerary highlights include the Lofoten Islands and North Cape - the northernmost point of Continental Europe.

Norwegian coastal cruise passengers can opt for 5-11 nights stays, with the full 12-day sailing from Bergen to Kirkenes, then going back southbound. In most ports of call are offered Hurtigruten-sponsored excursions and tours. A ceremony "Crossing the Arctic Circle” welcomes newcomers. On Hurtigruten Norwegian coastal voyages, the line offers flight-cruise package deals. Bookings are protected with ATOL Certificate. ATOL stands for "Air Travel Organisers' Licensing" (Civil Aviation Authority, UK).

In October 2020, the Vesteralen ship entered drydock at Kleven Verft (shipyard in Ulsteinvik Norway). The refit and refurbishment project included redesigning several passenger areas (on 3 decks). During drydock 2017 the ship was upgraded with new engines. Hurtigruten plans to use MS Vesteralen on the Bergen-Kirkenes route through 2030.