MS Polarlys

The 1996-built MS Polarlys cruise ship is the last of the six “contemporary” Hurtigruten ships, together with Kong Harald, Nordlys, Nordkapp, Nordnorge and Richard With. Together with her fleetmates, Polarlys serves Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Voyages (NCV) program for cruiseferry travel by cargo-passenger ships.

The vessel (IMO number 9107796) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI 259322000) 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 in 11 days, also visiting the Lofoten and Vesteralen islands.

The 700-passenger Polarlys (translated as “polar light”) is the third Hurtigruten vessel to bear this name. The ship is stylishly appointed with polished brass, mahogany paneling and contemporary Norwegian artwork. Extensive use of wood in all public areas creates a warm maritime atmosphere.

Decks and Cabins

MS Polarlys staterooms (225 total, in 8 grades) include 6 Suites, 195 Outside and 21 Inside cabins. Sizes range from 55 to 325 ft2 (5-30 m2). There are 3 wheelchair-accessible cabins. Most accommodations are outside cabins sized 85-140 ft2 (8-14 m2). There are no balcony cabins.

Standard cabin amenities include lower and upper bunk beds, bedside reading lamps, foldable table with chair, LCD TV, radio, phone, mini-fridge, electronic safe box, wardrobe with dressers and cabinets, en-suite bathroom (WC/shower, bath products, hairdryer), individual air-conditioning and blankets for outdoor viewing.

The ship has 7 decks, 6 of which are passenger-accessible, including 4 cabin decks.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS Polarlys deck plan shows 7 decks, of which 6 are accessible to passengers (1 is crew-only). Four decks contain cabins. All decks are connected by 2 elevators, while a car lift connects decks 2 and 3 only. The Car Deck (Deck 2) accommodates up to 26 cars. It cannot handle campervans, minivans or trailers, and only accepts vehicles with max length 6.5 m (21 ft), width 2.45 m (8 ft), height 2.25 m (7 ft) and max weight 5 tons.

The main restaurant offers a relaxed evening atmosphere with menus based on locally sourced fresh ingredients.

Torget Restaurant (Deck 4) is the ship’s 240-seat Dining Room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a central buffet station. It serves buffet-style Breakfast (7–10 am) and Lunch (11:30 am–2:30 pm). Dinner is waiter-served with four seatings and a 3-course menu (plus an à la carte selection). Wine packages are available for purchase.

Multe Bakery (Deck 7 midship) is a patisserie/ice cream bar with a knitting corner and puzzles. It offers freshly baked cakes, pastries and local ice creams (including stockfish, brown cheese and cloudberry ice cream).

Brygga Bistro (Deck 4) serves café-style meals, beverages, sandwiches and burgers throughout the day.

Kysten Arctic Fine Dining (Deck 4) is an intimate specialty restaurant serving premium seafood, Arctic meats and other regional produce.

Unlike most Hurtigruten ships, Polarlys has no 24-hour cafeteria. The only 24-hour venue is the Reception, offering guest services, beverages, packed snacks and sandwiches.

Onboard entertainment is low-key, focused on relaxation and socializing. Occasionally, live music is offered in the Bar Lounge. The ship has a small Fitness Room, two outdoor Jacuzzis and an Infirmary (no resident doctor/nurse). In emergencies, crew ask if any passengers have medical training, and the ship navigates close to shore for quick medical access.

Follows the complete list of MS Polarlys lounges, clubs and other public venues:

• The Car Deck (capacity 26 cars)
• Two Lecture Halls / Conference Rooms (Deck 4) hosting multimedia presentations, expert lectures and Norway-themed films
• Explorer Lounge and Bar (Deck 7 forward) – Panorama Lounge with library, games and scenic bow views
• The Shop (souvenirs, Hurtigruten merchandise, toiletries, clothing, jewelry)
• Promenade Deck (full-circle open-air deck)
• Observation Lounge and Bar
• TRIM Fitness (exercise bikes, treadmills, free weights); 2 saunas (separate for men/women)

The Sun Deck hosts Hurtigruten’s “Arctic Circle baptism” ceremony with a Neptune-costumed crewmember, icy seawater and a warming shot.

The ship does not have a Kids Playroom, Nursery, Video Arcade or Internet Café.

Itineraries

MS Polarlys’ itinerary program is based on Norwegian Coastal Voyages with homeport Tromso. Routes include Norway’s most scenic fjords.

Polarlys is used primarily as a ferry for both passengers and cars. However, many travelers book the full 12-day roundtrip itineraries from Bergen and Kirkenes.

The vessel (Ulstein Verft yard/hull number 114470) has a volume of 11,341 GT and a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 1,150 tons, with a max draught of 4.7 m. The powerplant is based on Bergen marine diesel engines (model 6M552MC) with a combined output of 11.3 MW. The registered shipowner is HURTIGRUTEN COASTAL FLEET AS, and the manager is HURTIGRUTEN COASTAL AS.

MS Polarlys belongs to the fleet of the Norwegian coastal voyage operator Hurtigruten (cruiseferry company). She entered service in 1996 as the company’s third vessel to bear this name. “Polarlys” means “polar light” in Norwegian. The vessel (IMO 9107796) is Norway-flagged (MMSI 259322000) and was constructed in Ulsteinvik at the Ulstein Verft Shipyard. The ship features extensive use of wood throughout her public areas, polished brass and mahogany paneling, and a contemporary art collection of Norwegian works (paintings, sculptures, carvings, glass artworks).

MS Polarlys sails along the coast of Norway — from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the north. Most travelers use the vessel as transportation (ferry service), while cruise passengers stay onboard for the full roundtrip. Cruise guests typically book 5–11 night stays, with the full 12-day sailing covering Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen. At most ports, Hurtigruten offers guided excursions and tours. A special “Crossing the Arctic Circle” ceremony welcomes newcomers. On Norwegian Coastal Voyages, Hurtigruten provides flight-cruise package deals, with bookings protected under the UK ATOL Certificate (“Air Travel Organisers' Licensing”, Civil Aviation Authority).

Drydock refurbishments review

By Q4 2023, all seven “Norwegian Coastal Express” ferryboats (Polarlys, Richard With, Nordlys, Kong Harald, Nordnorge, Trollfjord, Nordkapp) completed drydocks for major powerplant conversions (from diesel-only to diesel-electric / battery-hybrid). Each vessel received new low-emission diesel engines and large battery packs.

• For this project (budgeted at ~EUR 100 million), Hurtigruten Group signed a contract on May 11, 2021, with Kongsberg Maritime to supply the hybrid equipment packages.
• Each ship was fitted with 2x SAVe Energy storage systems (1120 kWh lithium-ion batteries), controlled via SAVe CUBE (drive switchboards managing the thrusters), and 2x Bergen B33:45V diesel engines (generator sets with SCR-Selective Catalytic Reduction for optimized CO emissions control).
• Kongsberg’s upgrades also included re-blading the propellers, installing new thruster motors (retractable stern 360-degree azimuthing thruster), new AC switchboards, updated safety and communication systems, new gears, a redesigned bulbous bow (optimized hull for reduced drag), new boilers (enhancing heat recovery from the engines), and a new wastewater treatment plant.
• The drydocks were carried out at Myklebust Verft AS (shipyard in Gursken, on Norway’s Gurskøya Island).

All Hurtigruten ships now have shoreside power capabilities (plug-in electricity supply while berthed).