MS Vesterålen is one of the oldest and smallest ships, named an archipelago in Nordland country, to the north of Lofoten. Vesterålen was also the name of the first Original Coastal Express steamship from 1893.

Fresh and lightly refurbished in 2019 and again in 2022, MS Vesterålen has bright, informal public areas and lounges throughout. The last refurbishment included upgrading 32 outside cabins to Arctic Superior standard with double beds, rebuilding 4 cabins into 2 mini suites, upgrading the restaurant, the café, the reception area, and the gym, in addition to giving Trollfjord lounge a new look and feel.

On a journey with MS Vesterålen, we will have a "behind the scenes" focus where the guests will get an opportunity to get closer to the Hurtigruten heritage, emphasizing maritime operations, logistics and hotel operations. With a focus on edutainment and engaging activities, we will provide guests with an in-depth knowledge of the different departments and the interaction between them.

It is not common practice to tip on Hurtigruten ships on the coastal voyage, but if you feel that crew members should be rewarded for providing exceptional service, tip boxes are placed in the restaurant together with envelopes.

Reflecting our love of food and Norway, each of our onboard restaurants is named after an aspect of the Norwegian coast. Together, they offer our guests an exciting exploration of Norwegian cuisine.

Cuisine that brings you closer

Your voyage with us is also a culinary journey to experience the food of the Norwegian coast.

The authentic, delicious meals in our onboard restaurants feature ingredients sourced from the areas we sail to. With us, you won’t just see the coast; you’ll taste it too.

Through our Experience Team and optional excursions, learn about regional specialities, how food is at the heart of local life, and listen to the life stories of brewers, chefs, and farmers. 

A love of local food

Over 80% of the ingredients in our onboard restaurants come from more than 50 Norwegian suppliers, delivered to our ships at 15 out of the 34 ports we visit.

Enjoy the likes of melt-in-your-mouth Arctic char from Vesterålen, award-winning cheeses from Aalan farm in Lofoten, and succulent king crab from Troms and Finnmark county. 

Sustainable and seasonal

Sourcing our food locally isn’t just about fresh, farm-and-fjord-to-table flavours. It’s also about achieving the lowest footprint possible and making sure there is minimal food waste.

By carefully managing supply and seasonality, we believe cuisine can and should be kind to the planet while still tasting authentic and amazing. 

Enjoy a lecture on the ship's deck or in one of the conference rooms and learn something new.

The emphasis onboard is on relaxation and discovery, and not the commercial entertainment that is so often a part of conventional cruises. Hertigruten’s aim is to get you closer to unique environments∘ and to allow you to share the experience with your fellow travellers. Occasionally there may be some musical entertainment onboard in the evenings.

Keep yourself feeling fresh and active in the Fitness Room or sweating away the day in the sauna.