MS Polarlys deck plans

MS Polarlys (1996-built, last refurbished in 2021) is the last of a series of six “contemporary” Hurtigruten ships, together with Kong Harald, Nordkapp, Nordlys, Nordnorge, and Richard With. These vessels serve the company’s Norwegian Coastal Voyages (NCV) program, providing year-round cruise-ferry travel by passenger-cargo ships with regularly scheduled crossings along Norway’s coast, calling at 34 different seaports between Bergen and Kirkenes.

MS Polarlys’ deck plan shows a total of 214 staterooms for 473 passengers (maximum capacity 619 guests on Norwegian coastal voyages), served by 64 crew. The ship has 7 decks (6 passenger-accessible, 4 with cabins, all connected by 2 elevators), 1 car lift (connecting decks 2–3 only, capacity 26 cars), 4 bars, 5 lounges, 1 bakery (Deck 7), 2 lecture rooms (Deck 4), Spa/Sauna and Fitness Center (Deck 7), 2 Jacuzzis (outdoor spa pools aft on Deck 6), and a small Infirmary (no resident doctor or nurse). The vessel’s interior design features polished mahogany and brass, a contemporary art collection by Norwegian artists (including marble sculptures, paintings, glasswork), and floor-to-ceiling windows in all public areas. The ship has four cabin decks, with most staterooms configured as twin-bed outside cabins with large picture windows.

The name Polarlys translates to “polar light” — a Norwegian Arctic phenomenon celebrated in Hurtigruten’s winter “Hunting the Light” themed program.