Original Fleet · Built 1993
Named after Norway's King Harald V, a champion sailor who has represented Norway at three Olympic Games, MS Kong Harald was upgraded to hybrid propulsion in 2023, cutting fuel use and emissions by around a quarter.
About The Ship
It's a genuine honour to carry the name of Norway's reigning monarch. King Harald V is a keen and skilled sailor in his own right, having represented Norway in sailing at three Olympic Games, and at the age of 78 he and his crew finished second at the 2016 Sailing World Championships.
MS Kong Harald was upgraded to hybrid propulsion in 2023, with large battery packs paired with new, efficient engines cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by around 25%. New wastewater treatment equipment and SCR technology reducing NOx emissions by at least 80% were fitted at the same time, along with a refurbishment of the cabins on decks 2 and 3. The wider ship was also refurbished in 2016 to a modern, Arctic-inspired interior.
In Detail
Like the rest of the Original fleet, MS Kong Harald keeps a more informal, working atmosphere than the all-inclusive Signature ships, with the same Nordic sense of koselig running through her public rooms. Her large compass area holds reception, the Expedition Team's base, a conference room and the shop, while the top deck's sun deck, observation saloon and panorama lounge make the most of the coastal scenery.
Life On Board
Life at sea aboard MS Kong Harald has an easy, informal rhythm to it. These are the rooms and spaces that shape a typical day on board, from morning coffee to the last drink of the evening.
218 cabins in all, including 2 suites, spread across four categories from Polar Inside through to the Expedition Suite. The refurbished suite sleeps up to three, with a separate bedroom, private bathroom and a seating area with sofa bed.
Four different dining venues on board, from the main restaurant to an à la carte option, a casual bistro and a bakery serving cloudberry jam and freshly baked pastries. See our full restaurants section below for details on each.
Two outdoor hot tubs sit on deck, a favourite spot for soaking in the bubbles while admiring the coastline, or watching for the Northern Lights on a clear winter night.
The Expedition Team share stories and insights on Norway's culture, nature and history through the voyage, on board, on deck and ashore, with talks and presentations covering everything from wildlife to the Northern Lights.
Also On Board
Dining On Board
Torget, meaning "marketplace", is the main restaurant, offering a buffet or set menu for all three daily meals. Kysten, meaning "the coast", is the à la carte option for a more formal evening. Brygga, named for the wharf, is the all-day bistro for salads, pizzas and other easy dishes. Multe, named after the Arctic cloudberry, is the onboard bakery, serving fresh pastries, open sandwiches and cloudberry jam with waffles.
The Facts
| Flag | Norwegian |
| Built | 1993 |
| Shipyard | Volkswerft, Germany |
| Hybrid Upgrade | 2023 |
| Refurbished | 2016 / 2023 |
| Cabins | 218, including 2 suites |
| Guest Capacity | Up to 577 |
| Gross Tonnage | 11,204 tonnes |
| Length | 121.8m |
| Beam | 19.2m |
| Speed | 17 knots |
| Car Capacity | 5 (Sept–Apr) / 10 (May–Aug) |
Find Your Way Around
Download The MS Kong Harald Deck Plan (PDF)
Call 0333 405 0194 if you'd like help matching a cabin number to its position on board.
Sail On MS Kong Harald
