MS Nordlys

Both the name and the interior design of this modern hybrid 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.

See the current location of MS Nordlys with our ship locator.

Facilities

  • Free Wi-Fi

  • 3 restaurants

  • Expedition Team

  • Panoramic lounge

  • Sauna and fitness room

  • Contactless payments

  • Laundry room

  • Meeting rooms

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.

Enjoy burgers, sandwiches and salads in our onboard bistro, Brygga

Brygga

The name of this bistro is the Norwegian word for ‘wharf’. It serves salads, pizzas, and other crowd-pleasers with a Nordic twist.

Enjoy Norwegian delicacies like waffles and cloudberries at our onboard bakery, Multe

Multe

Meaning ‘cloudberry’ in Norwegian, this bakery serves up freshly baked cakes, pastries, and waffles. Enjoy the latter topped with generous dollops of whipped or ice cream, and some cloudberry jam.

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 Expedition Team

The Expedition Team will be by your side as part of your voyage with us, sharing stories and insights about Norway’s culture, nature, and history.

Lecturer speaking in front of seated audience using slide about 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.

expedition-team-north-cape-line-166473-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

richard-with-mg4-1

Two-bed suite on upper deck

MG4 Expedition Suite

These exclusive suites sleep up to 4 guests, with a double bed, sofabed and seating area, mini bar and TV. They also boast a bay window with a full view of the coast.

richard-with-m4-5

Two-bed suite on promenade deck

M4 Expedition Suite

Our most luxurious option. These spacious suite for up to 4 guests have separate bedroom, living area with sofa bed, minibar and TV.

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Mini suite on upper or promenade deck

Q4 Expedition Suite

Our mini suites come with a double bed and sofa bed, minibar and TV. Please note that cabins 517, 518, 605 and 606 have two smaller windows.

Cabin

Size (sqm)

26 m²

Bed

Double bed

Window

Window with full view

Seating area with sofa

Seating area

Size (sqm)

27 m²

Bed

Double bed

Window

Window with full view

Seating area with sofa

Seating area

Size (sqm)

17 - 22 m²

Bed

Double bed

Window

Window with full view

Seating area with sofa

Seating area

In-room Facilities

TV

Hairdryer

Toiletries

TV

Hairdryer

Toiletries

TV

Hairdryer

Toiletries

Specification and deck plans: MS Nordlys

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  • Year built1994
  • Ship yardVolkswerft (D)
  • Beds471
  • Length121.8 m
  • Speed18 knots
  • Year of refurbishment2019/2024
  • 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

MS Nordlys has 200 cabins, including 20 suites, and carries a maximum of 505 guests.

This allows for a comfortable onboard atmosphere, with plenty of space in restaurants, lounges and public areas – even when the ship is fully occupied.

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship, including in your cabin and shared areas.

Most cabins include a hairdryer and basic toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. Tea and coffee facilities are included in Arctic Superior cabins and Expedition Suites. Guests in other cabin types can request a kettle from reception.

There are four restaurants on board:

  • Torget: Meaning “marketplace” in Norwegian, our main restaurant offers a variety in its menus for all three daily meals. Open: 07:00-10:00 (buffet), 12:00-14:00 (buffet), 18:00-21.30 (buffet or plated 3-course meal)

  • Brygga: Our bistro serves easy-to-eat yet satisfying dishes such as fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas and burgers. Open: 13:00-22:00

  • Multe: Enjoy coffee, freshly baked pastries, open sandwiches and local ice cream in our onboard bakery and cafe. Open: 10:00-17:30

  • Kysten: Dine in style at our à la carte restaurant, serving set menus using the finest ingredients the Norwegian coast has to offer. Open: 18:00-21:00

English and Norwegian are the official languages, and are used for all announcements and lectures. Written information, such as menus and daily programme, are also available in German and French.

Yes, we have basic medical facilities on our ships, and crew members are trained to handle medical emergencies. However, there is no doctor on board, so passengers with serious health conditions should prepare accordingly. Our ships stay close to land for urgent medical situations.

The onboard currency is Norwegian kroner (NOK). You can pay for all onboard expenses using your cruise card, which will be given to you on check-in. At the end of your cruise, you can settle your bill using the credit card registered to your account - we accept Visa, Mastercard and Diners Card. Maestro and American Express are not accepted.

Yes. MS Nordlys is suitable for wheelchair users, with step-free access to key public areas and two wheelchair-accessible toilets (on Deck 4 and Deck 7).

Accessible cabins with automatic doors and wheelchair storage are available but limited (cabins 331, 333 and 335, plus suite 643), so we recommend booking early. You can book accessible cabins online or through our Customer Service Centre.

Yes, you can bring your car on board MS Nordlys, provided it fits within the ship’s vehicle deck limits and space is available. We recommend reserving vehicle space in advance, as availability is limited and varies by season.

Car capacity:

  • September-April: 5 spaces

  • May-August: 10 spaces

Maximum vehicle dimensions and weight:

  • Length: 650 cm/ 21.3 ft

  • Width: 240 cm/ 7.9 ft

  • Height: 220 cm/ 7.2 ft

  • Weight: 5000 kg/ 11,023 lbs

Please note that campervans, minivans and trailers cannot be accepted.

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