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 Expedition 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
Expedition Team
Panoramic lounge
Sauna and fitness room
Laundry room
Meeting rooms
Hybrid ship
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
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 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.
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 one- or two-room suites sleep up to three guests. They have a double bed, a private bathroom with shower and toiletries, a seating area with sofa bed and chairs, a TV, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Upper deck for two guests
U2D Arctic Superior
These comfortable outside cabins on the upper deck sleep up to two guests. They have a double bed, a private bathroom with shower, a chair, a TV, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Middle deck for two guests
P2D Arctic Superior
These comfortable outside cabins on the middle deck sleep up to two guests. They have a double bed, a private bathroom with shower, a chair, a TV, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Cabin
In-room Facilities
Specification and deck plans: MS Kong Harald
Select a view
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- Year built1993
- Ship yardVolkswerft (Germany)
- Beds498
- Length121.8 m
- Speed17 knots
- Year of refurbishment2016/2023
- 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.
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.