Original Fleet · Built 1983
Named after Hurtigruten's very first coastal steamship of 1893, MS Vesterålen is the smallest and most traditional ship in the fleet, freshly refurbished in 2025 and offering a quieter, more intimate way to sail Norway's historic route.
About The Ship
MS Vesterålen keeps alive the spirit, craftsmanship and working rhythm that defined the earliest Coastal Express sailings, carrying the name of the very first ship Hurtigruten ever put to sea, back in 1893. Her 2025 refurbishment refreshed 100 cabins and introduced new Arctic Superior and Mini Suite categories, while preserving the polished brass, wood and curated Norwegian art that give her a classic, gallery-like character.
With roughly half the passenger capacity of the fleet's larger ships, life on board feels personal and unhurried. Guests get closer access to the crew, with organised bridge visits offered up to twice a voyage and informal talks on navigation and daily life aboard a working coastal ship.
In Detail
MS Vesterålen is deliberately more traditional and boutique than the rest of the fleet. There are no hot tubs, no sauna and no dedicated lecture hall; lectures instead take place in the ship's shared common areas, keeping the focus on the coastal journey itself and the working heritage of the vessel. It's the same historic route and the same core excursions as the rest of the Original fleet, just with a quieter, more personal atmosphere.
Life On Board
Life at sea aboard MS Vesterålen has an unhurried, traditional 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.
Two dining venues on board, from the main restaurant to a casual bistro, both drawing on ingredients sourced from over 70 local farms, fisheries, bakeries and producers along the coast. See our full restaurants section below for details on each.
133 cabins in all, including 3 suites, spread across four categories from Polar Inside through to the refurbished Expedition Suites and new Arctic Superior cabins. Every category was refreshed as part of the 2025 refurbishment.
Large windows and a glass ceiling make this the natural gathering place on board, perfect for a drink while taking in the ever-changing coastal views. It has an unhurried, sociable feel that suits the ship's slower pace.
Set beneath the same glass ceiling as the Explorer Lounge, this is the spot to watch for wildlife and coastline from generous outdoor decks close at hand, drink in one, eyes on the horizon.
Also On Board
Dining On Board
Torget, meaning "marketplace", is the main restaurant, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed setting, with evenings served as a buffet or set menu depending on the day's sailing. Brygga, named for the wharf, is the informal bistro, serving lighter Nordic-inspired dishes, fresh salads and comforting classics throughout the day. Unlike the larger Original ships, MS Vesterålen does not carry the Kysten or Multe venues.
The Facts
| Flag | Norwegian |
| Built | 1983 |
| Shipyard | Kaarbø Mek. Verk., Norway |
| Refurbished | 2022 / 2025 |
| Cabins | 133, including 3 suites |
| Guest Capacity | 274 (up to 516 with port-to-port passengers) |
| Gross Tonnage | 6,261 tonnes |
| Length | 108.55m |
| Beam | 16.5m |
| Speed | 17.5 knots |
| Car Capacity | 8 (Sept–Apr) / 15 (May–Aug) |
Find Your Way Around
Download The MS Vesterålen Deck Plan (PDF)
Call 0333 405 0194 if you'd like help matching a cabin number to its position on board.
Sail On MS Vesterålen
