Polarlys
Sails from Bergen, Norway · Fly into BGO
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Polarlys departing Geiranger · Photo: Virtual-Pano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Polarlys
Polarlys is a Hurtigruten cruise ship of the Polarlys class, in service since 1996. She measures 11,341 gross tons and carries 580 guests. She sails Norwegian Fjords itineraries. We rate her 2.7 out of 5.
Polarlys is an 11,341-ton coastal ship built by Ulstein Verft in Norway and delivered in 1996, the namesake of a trio that also includes Nordkapp and Nordnorge. She first sailed for Troms Fylkes Dampskibsselskap and has been a Hurtigruten ship since the 2006 merger. She has 211 cabins with beds for 580 guests and was refurbished in 2016, when she received an Arctic-inspired interior, and again in 2023. Facilities include three restaurants, the Multe bakery and ice-cream bar, a sauna, a fitness room, two hot tubs and a panorama lounge. Her name means polar light, and she sails the Original Bergen–Kirkenes route.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 580
- More guests than 58% of 600 ships
- Entered service
- 1996
- Refitted 2023
- Length
- 123 m
- Shorter than 79% of 575 ships
Polarlys is smaller than 71% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 58%. At 19.6 gross tons per guest she is tighter than 81% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
Ratings
- Cabins
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Dining
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Entertainment
- 2/5, fleet average 2.0
- Service
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
- Pools & decks
- 1/5, fleet average 1.0
- Value
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Hurtigruten fleet average across 10 rated ships in service.
Sister ships: Polarlys class
Polarlys is one of 3 Polarlys class ships. Nordnorge (1997) and Nordkapp (1996) are in service.
Official deck plans
Photos
Polarlys departing GeirangerPhoto: Virtual-Pano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
Home port: Bergen, Norway.
Flying in for your cruise?
Polarlys sails from Bergen, Norway. The airport is Bergen Airport, Flesland (BGO), with 1 lounge to wait in before you board.
The lounge at Bergen Airport, Flesland on Lounge FrogEvery ship sailing from Bergen, NorwayQuick answers
Which cruise line operates Polarlys?
Polarlys is operated by Hurtigruten and belongs to its Polarlys class.
What are Polarlys' sister ships?
Polarlys is one of 3 Polarlys class ships. Nordnorge (1997) and Nordkapp (1996) are in service.
How big is Polarlys?
Polarlys measures 11,341 gross tons and 123 metres in length.
How does Polarlys compare in size with other cruise ships?
Polarlys is smaller than 71% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 58%. At 19.6 gross tons per guest she is tighter than 81% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does Polarlys feel?
Polarlys has a passenger space ratio of 19.6: 11,341 gross tons for 580 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so Polarlys feels busy for her size.
How many passengers does Polarlys carry?
Polarlys carries 580 guests at double occupancy.
When did Polarlys enter service?
Polarlys entered service in 1996 and was last refurbished in 2023.
Where does Polarlys sail?
Polarlys sails Norwegian Fjords itineraries. Her home port is Bergen, Norway.
Which airport should I fly into for Polarlys?
Polarlys sails from Bergen, Norway. Fly into Bergen Airport, Flesland (BGO), which has 1 airport lounge listed on Lounge Frog.
Where can I find the deck plans for Polarlys?
Hurtigruten publishes the deck plans for Polarlys; this page links to Deck plans (PDF).
How is Polarlys rated?
Cruises Frog rates Polarlys 2.7 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on service (4/5) and lowest on pools & decks (1/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about Polarlys
- Hurtigruten for solo travelers: reduced supplements, single cabins and the coastal route
Hurtigruten runs reduced single supplements on many Coastal Express sailings, keeps a few single cabins, and hosts solo get-togethers in the bar.
Cruise lines