Original Fleet · Built 1996
Her name means "polar light" in Norwegian, a nod to the aurora chased on her winter sailings. MS Polarlys sails the Original Coastal Express between Bergen and Kirkenes, with a modern, Arctic-inspired interior since her most recent refurbishment.
About The Ship
MS Polarlys was refurbished in 2016, and again in 2023, to give her a modern, Arctic-inspired interior throughout. On board are three restaurants and the Multe bakery, a sauna and fitness room, and two outdoor hot tubs on deck, with a comfortable bar set inside the panorama lounge for a traditional drink with a view.
The top deck holds a large sun deck, observation saloon and panorama lounge, all built for the same purpose: watching the coastal scenery, and on winter sailings, the aurora her name refers to.
In Detail
Like the rest of the Original fleet, MS Polarlys keeps a more informal, working atmosphere than the all-inclusive Signature ships, with the same Nordic sense of koselig running through her public rooms. She also carries cars, making her a practical choice for anyone bringing their own vehicle along the coast.
Life On Board
Life at sea aboard MS Polarlys 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.
211 cabins in all, including 6 suites, spread across four categories from Polar Inside through to the Expedition Suites. The suites include a minibar, coffee and tea facilities and Wi-Fi, some sleeping up to four.
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.
Up on deck 7, with sweeping panoramic views of the Norwegian coast to go with a hand-crafted cocktail. It's the natural spot to nestle in before dinner and long after it.
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 | 1996 |
| Shipyard | Ulstein Mek. Verk., Norway |
| Refurbished | 2016 / 2023 |
| Cabins | 211, including 6 suites |
| Guest Capacity | Up to 580 |
| Gross Tonnage | 11,341 tonnes |
| Length | 123m |
| Beam | 19.5m |
| Speed | 15 knots |
| Car Capacity | 10 (Sept–Apr) / 20 (May–Aug) |
Find Your Way Around
Download The MS Polarlys Deck Plan (PDF)
Call 0333 405 0194 if you'd like help matching a cabin number to its position on board.
Sail On MS Polarlys
