MS Vesterålen (traditional ship)
MS Vesterålen is one of the oldest and smallest ships, named after an archipelago in Nordland country and the first Coastal Express steamship from 1893.
About the ship
Fresh and lightly refurbished in 2019 and again in 2022, MS Vesterålen has bright, informal public areas and lounges throughout.
The last refurbishment included upgrading 32 outside cabins to Arctic Superior standard with double beds, rebuilding 4 cabins into 2 mini suites, upgrading the restaurant, the café, the reception area, and the gym, in addition to giving the Trollfjord lounge a new look and feel.
On a journey with MS Vesterålen, we will have a "behind the scenes" focus where the guests will get an opportunity to get closer to the Hurtigruten heritage, emphasizing maritime operations, logistics and hotel operations. With a focus on edutainment and engaging activities, we will provide guests with an in-depth knowledge of the different departments and the interaction between them.
Click here to see the current location of MS Vesterålen.
Facilities
Life on board
During your voyage, our onboard Tour Leader will enhance your experience by offering engaging insights on the nature, wildlife, and culture you encounter along the way. You'll also enjoy the flavours of our home thanks to our Norway's Coastal Kitchen.
Your coastal experience
From in-depth lectures (in English and German) to handpicked hikes, there are plenty of activities to enjoy during your voyage.
Norway's Coastal Kitchen
We are proud to support 50 local farms, bakeries, and producers from across Norway.
Restaurants on board
The Restaurant
The Restaurant offers a variety of dishes for all three daily meals, as a combination of buffets and set menus.
Kafé Galleriet
On deck 4, Kafé Galleriet serves traditional ‘husmannskost’ - home-cooked dishes such as our signature burger and famous shrimp sandwich, soup of the day, sirloin steak, and grilled salmon, plus desserts and sweet cakes. Juices, soft drinks, and wine are also available.
Fyret Panorama Lounge
In the Fyret Panorama Lounge on deck 7, you can enjoy Norwegian aquavit, international beers, and classic drinks while listening to other peoples’ tales and admiring the beautiful view.
Upcoming voyages
Compare MS Vesterålen (traditional ship)'s cabins
Mini suite for up to 2 travelers
Q2 Expedition Suite
These refurbished suites situated on the upper deck have separate bedroom, double bed, chair, TV, and coffee and tea facilities.
Upper deck for up to 2 travellers
U2D Arctic Superior
These comfortable, refurbished outside cabins for up to 2 people on the upper decks have a double bed, TV, and coffee and tea facilities.
Middle deck for 2 travelers
J2 Polar Outside
These comfortable outside cabins for up to 2 people on the upper or middle decks have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa, and a chair. Some cabins have limited or no view.
Cabin
In-room Facilities
Specification and deck plans: MS Vesterålen (traditional ship)
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- Year built1983
- Ship yardKaarbø Mek. Verk.
- Beds274
- Length108.55 m
- Speed17.5 knots
- Year of refurbishment2022
- Capacity490
- Gross tonnage6,261
- Beam16.5 m
Frequently asked questions
These are the most common questions about the facilities and services on board our ships. There’s more info in our Help Center.
Our ships offer an intimate and immersive way to explore Norway’s dramatic coastline, which we have been sailing for more than 130 years. Given their smaller size, our ships can explore remote fjords and call at lesser-visited ports that are often not accessible by larger cruise ships. We are not your typical cruise line – our ships offer a more personalised journey, allowing for more scenic and cultural experiences.
The number of passengers depends on the ship's certification and the type of voyage. Our vessels are smaller compared with regular cruise liners, with capacity typically ranging between 500 and 650 passengers, depending on whether it’s a Signature or Original voyage.
The official languages spoken on board are Norwegian and English. Some crew members also speak German and French, and other languages may be present based on the nationalities of the guests.
Yes, each of our ships has a limited number of accessible cabins. We ask that our guests are able to take care of themselves or travel with a companion who can assist them.
Yes, we have basic medical facilities on our ships, and crew members are trained to handle medical emergencies. However, the medical staff may be limited, so passengers with serious health conditions should prepare accordingly.
Dangerous goods such as weapons, explosives, and illegal drugs are prohibited. Additionally, certain liquids and food items are restricted to comply with international regulations. You can see the full list of prohibited items here.
We keep to a strict sailing timetable and cannot wait for late passengers, so please ensure that you are back on board in time. If you miss your ship, you will need to arrange transport by yourself and at your own expense to the next port on the schedule.
Although we offer several roundtrip voyages, you can also choose to customise your journey by travelling from port to port on our ships. You can choose which of the 34 ports we visit you get on and off – with either a one-way ticket or a return trip.
You can find our timetable and sailing times on our sailing plan. Alternatively, you can see our ships in real time on our ship locator map.