MS Nordlys

Both the name and the interior design of this modern ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights.

MS Nordlys sailing past Torghatten, an icon on the Norwegian coast
MS Nordlys sailing past Torghatten, an icon on the Norwegian coast

About the ship

The art, décor and colours employed aboard this ship are all inspired by the Northern Lights.

The delicate aesthetic creates a distinct and unique on-board ambience. Relax after a long day experiencing various excursions and activities in comfy reclining chairs in the one of the ship’s lounges.

Click here to see the current location of MS Nordlys.

Facilities

  • Free Wi-Fi

  • 3 restaurants

  • Coastal Experience Team

  • Panoramic lounge

  • Sauna and fitness room

  • Laundry room

  • Meeting rooms

MS Trollfjord to temporarily replace MS Nordlys

Until 28 November 2024, MS Trollfjord will replace MS Nordlys on Coastal Express sailings.

See our FAQs
MS Nordlys at sea Norway HGR 110579 Photo Competition

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 restaurant on board The Coastal Express

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 restaurant on board The Coastal Express

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.

A burger at Brygga restaurant on board The Coastal Express

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 Bakery - straight from the oven

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 home away from home

Your ship comes equipped with a full suite of facilities to maintain an active lifestyle.

Cocktails at the Explorer Bar & Lounge

Explorer Lounge & Bar

Enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail and sweeping panoramic views of the Norwegian coast in our bar on Deck 7.

Skjervoy Norway HGR 162670 Photo Tommy Simonsen 2

Large outdoor sun deck

Enjoy our large outdoor sun deck waiting for the Northern Lights to appear.

Panoramic gym on board MS Kong Harald

Sauna and fitness room

Work up a sweat in our well-equipped gym, or unwind in the cozy sauna. The gym offers great views.

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.

Lecture on board a ship in Norway

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.

Coastal Experience Team MS Trollfjord HGR 163298 Espen Mills

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.

Compare MS Nordlys's cabins

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Suite on upper deck for up to 4 travellers

MG4 Expedition Suite

Refurbished suite on upper deck for 4 people, with a double bed (and sofa beds), minibar and TV. The cabin has a bay window with full view.

richard-with-m4-5

Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers

M4 Expedition Suite

Suite on upper decks for up to 4 people, with a double bed (and sofa beds), full view, sofa, minibar and TV.

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Mini suite on upper deck for 4 travellers

Q4 Expedition Suite

Mini suite on upper deck for up to 4 people. The suite comes with a double bed and sofa bed, full view, minibar and TV. Please note that cabins 517, 518, 605 and 606 have two smaller windows.

Specification and deck plans: MS Nordlys

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  • Year built1994
  • Ship yardVolkswerft (D)
  • Beds471
  • Length121.8 m
  • Speed18 knots
  • Year of refurbishment2019
  • Capacity590
  • Gross tonnage11,204
  • Beam19.2 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.

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, 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.  

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