Vesterålen
Sails from Bergen, Norway · Fly into BGO
Page updated
Vesterålen arriving at Molde · Photo: Aldebaran, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Vesterålen
Vesterålen is a Hurtigruten cruise ship, in service since 1983. She measures 6,261 gross tons and carries 274 guests. She sails Norwegian Fjords itineraries. We rate her 2.7 out of 5.
Vesterålen is the oldest and smallest ship in Hurtigruten's coastal fleet, a 6,261-ton vessel built at Harstad in 1983 and named after the company's first coastal steamship of 1893. A 1989 refit in Bremerhaven raised her passenger capacity, and refurbishments in 2022 and 2025 renewed about 100 cabins and added Arctic Superior cabins and mini suites. She now takes up to 274 overnight guests, or 516 people counting local port-to-port travelers. Hurtigruten markets her as its traditional coastal ship, with brass and wood interiors, Norwegian art, two restaurants and an Explorer Lounge, but no sauna, hot tub or lecture hall. She sails the classic Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 274
- More guests than 52% of 600 ships
- Entered service
- 1983
- Refitted 2025
- Length
- 109 m
- Shorter than 86% of 575 ships
Vesterålen is smaller than 77% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 52%. At 22.9 gross tons per guest she is tighter than 79% 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.
More from Hurtigruten
The ships in the fleet closest to her in size.
2.7 ★Kong Harald1993 · 11,204 GT · 577 guests · Norwegian FjordsKong Harald is an 11,204-ton coastal ship completed in 1993 and named for King Harald V of Norway; she is a sister of Richard With and Nordlys. She has 218 cabins, including two…
2.7 ★Nordlys1994 · 11,204 GT · 505 guests · Norwegian FjordsNordlys, whose name means northern lights, is an 11,204-ton coastal ship built by Volkswerft in Stralsund, Germany, and placed in service in April 1994 for Troms Fylkes…
2.7 ★Richard With1993 · 11,205 GT · 492 guests · Norwegian FjordsRichard With carries the name of the shipowner who started the Norwegian Coastal Express in 1893. Completed in 1993, she is an 11,205-ton sister of Kong Harald and Nordlys, with…Official deck plans
Photos
Vesterålen arriving at MoldePhoto: Aldebaran, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
Home port: Bergen, Norway.
Flying in for your cruise?
Vesterålen 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 Vesterålen?
Vesterålen is operated by Hurtigruten.
How big is Vesterålen?
Vesterålen measures 6,261 gross tons and 109 metres in length.
How does Vesterålen compare in size with other cruise ships?
Vesterålen is smaller than 77% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 52%. At 22.9 gross tons per guest she is tighter than 79% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does Vesterålen feel?
Vesterålen has a passenger space ratio of 22.9: 6,261 gross tons for 274 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so Vesterålen feels busy for her size.
How many passengers does Vesterålen carry?
Vesterålen carries 274 guests at double occupancy.
When did Vesterålen enter service?
Vesterålen entered service in 1983 and was last refurbished in 2025.
Where does Vesterålen sail?
Vesterålen sails Norwegian Fjords itineraries. Her home port is Bergen, Norway.
Which airport should I fly into for Vesterålen?
Vesterålen 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 Vesterålen?
Hurtigruten publishes the deck plans for Vesterålen; this page links to Deck plans (PDF).
How is Vesterålen rated?
Cruises Frog rates Vesterålen 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 Vesterålen
- 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