MS Kong Harald
Norway’s reigning monarch, a seasoned sailor, lends his name to this remarkable hybrid vessel.
About the ship
It’s a true honour to have one of our ships named after Norway’s King Harald V.
The King is a skilled sailor, even representing Norway in sailing at the Olympic Games three times. In 2016, at the age of 78, he and his team finished second in the Sailing World Championships.
MS Kong Harald was upgraded to a greener hybrid ship in 2023. Emissions are cut by large battery packs combined with the ships efficient and brand-new engines, reducing fuel consumption and CO2-emissions by approximately 25 percent. The ship is also updated with state-of-the-art wastewater treatment equipment, and SRC technology that reduce NOx emissions by at least 80 percent. In addition, cabins on deck 2 and 3 were refurbished.
The vessel was also refurbished in 2016 to feature a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. On board are three different restaurants, the Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs. There is a comfortable bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink.
MS Kong Harald also has a large compass area where you find the reception, the Coastal Experience Team, conference room and shop. The top deck of the boat features a sun deck, observation saloon and panorama lounge, all of which provide splendid views of spectacular coastal scenery.
Click here to see the current location of MS Kong Harald.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi
3 restaurants
Coastal Experience Team
Panoramic lounge
Sauna and fitness room
Laundry room
Meeting rooms
Your home at sea
Welcome aboard. Here is where time slows down. Where you can enjoy a casual and cosy ambience, inspired by the Nordic concept of koselig.
Explorer Lounge & Bar
This is the perfect place on the ship to go to nestle into a comfy chair, sip a handcrafted cocktail, chat to fellow guests, and watch the world go by.
Sauna and fitness room
Keep active in the fitness room before enjoying a soothing steam in the sauna.
Outdoor hot tubs
Soak in the bubbles of the ship’s two outdoor hot tubs, while admiring views of the coast.
Restaurants on board
Each of the ship’s restaurants is a different dining experience, but all promise our Norway’s Coastal Kitchen concept of local ingredients from local suppliers.
Torget
Meaning ‘marketplace’ in Norwegian, the main restaurant offers a variety for all three daily meals. For dinner, it provides either a buffet or set menus.
Kysten
Dine in style at ‘The Coast’, our à la carte option. You’ll savour exquisite dishes crafted by our most skilled chefs, using the finest ingredients the Norwegian coast has to offer.
Brygga
The name of this bistro is the Norwegian word for ‘wharf’. It serves salads, pizzas, and other crowd-pleasers with a Nordic twist.
Multe
Let the aroma of freshly baked cakes and pastries guide you to Multe. The name Multe means ‘cloudberry’ in Norwegian. Jam made from this rare Arctic berry can be sampled in the bakery, often served with waffles and generous dollops of whipped cream or ice cream.
Your Coastal Experience Team
The Coastal Experience Team will be by your side as part of your voyage with us, sharing stories and insights about Norway’s culture, nature, and history.
Knowing Norway
Each member of the team has a range of specialised topics in their repertoire, ready to share with you in lectures and presentations on board, on deck, and ashore.
Meet your team
Talk to the team to sign up to available seasonal excursions or to join them on invigorating hikes to scenic spots in several of the ports we call at.
Upcoming voyages
Compare MS Kong Harald's cabins
Suite on upper deck
M3 Expedition Suite
These elegant suites are situated on the upper deck with one or two rooms, double bed, sofa, seating area and TV. They are suitable for 3 travellers.
Upper deck for 2 travellers
U2D Arctic Superior
These comfortable, outside, cabins for up to two people on the top/upper decks have double beds.
Middle deck for 2 travellers
P2D Arctic Superior
These comfortable, outside cabins on the upper/middle decks have double bed.
Cabin
In-room Facilities
Specification and deck plans: MS Kong Harald
Select a view
- Year built1993
- Ship yardVolkswerft (Germany)
- Beds498
- Length121.8 m
- Speed17 knots
- Year of refurbishment2016/2023
- Capacity590
- Gross tonnage11,204
- Beam19.2 m
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.
Our ships adhere to strict safety regulations, with modern safety systems, regular inspections, and a well-trained crew. There is life-saving equipment, evacuation protocols, and medical personnel on board to ensure your safety in case of emergencies.
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.
All luggage is inspected by an X-ray/metal detector upon arrival at the port facility or ship. Dangerous goods such as weapons, explosives, and illegal drugs are prohibited. Additionally, there are restrictions on certain liquids and food items 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.