MS Polarlys
Polarlys is Norwegian for `polar light´, and refers to the natural Arctic phenomenon we pursue in winter.
About the ship
MS Polarlys was refurbished in 2016 to include 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 in the panorama lounge where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink.
The vessel also has a large compass area where you find the reception, the Coastal Experience Team, a conference room and a 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 Polarlys.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi
3 restaurants
Coastal Experience Team
Panoramic lounge
Sauna and fitness room
Laundry room
Meeting rooms
Your home away from home
Your ship comes equipped with a full suite of facilities to maintain an active lifestyle.
Explorer Lounge & Bar
Enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail and sweeping panoramic views of the Norwegian coast in our bar on Deck 7.
Large outdoor sun deck
Enjoy our large outdoor sun deck waiting for the Northern Lights to appear.
Sauna and fitness room
Work up a sweat in our well-equipped gym, or unwind in the cozy sauna. The gym offers great views.
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 Polarlys's cabins
Suite on upper deck
M4 Expedition Suite
These elegant suites on the upper deck for up to four people have a double bed, a separate bedroom, a seating area with sofa and two chairs, TV, minibar, hair dryer, coffee and tea facilities, and Wi-Fi.
Mini suite on upper deck
Q2 Expedition Suite
These comfortable suites for up to two people on the upper deck have a double bed, two chairs, a desk, TV, minibar, hair dryer, coffee and tea facilities and Wi-Fi.
Mini Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
Q4 Expedition Suite
These comfortable suites for up to four people on the upper deck have a double bed, a sofa bed, a sofa group, TV, minibar, hair dryer, coffee and tea facilities and Wi-Fi.
Cabin
In-room Facilities
Specification and deck plans: MS Polarlys
Select a view
- Year built1996
- Ship yardUlstein Mek. Verk. (N)
- Beds495
- Length123 m
- Speed15 knots
- Year of refurbishment 2016
- Capacity650
- Gross tonnage11,341
- Beam19.5 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.