Hurtigruten’s fleet straddles the divide between cruising and lifeline to Norway’s remote coastal communities. Kong Harald is no different. Alongside cruise guests enjoying a voyage along the dramatic coastline, you’ll share the ship with locals hopping between ports with no road access, and you’ll spot freight and post being loaded and unloaded at the dock.
It’s an authentic and immersive way to see the Norwegian fjords, whether you travel in summer for long, light-filled days, or in winter when the northern lights dance overhead. In fact, Hurtigruten is so confident you’ll see the aurora that it offers a guarantee – if you sail with them for 11 days or more within the season and they don’t appear, you get another cruise for free.
Overall score: 8/10
Style and Character 8/10
Understated and practical, Kong Harald’s décor is classically Scandi – clean lines and muted colours direct your attention to the gorgeous views. In the Explorer Lounge comfy chairs face the wraparound windows with cosy tables in the interior. This small ship was upgraded in 2023, so everything looks smart and fresh, and retrofitted hybrid technology has reduced its emissions.
Cabins 7/10
More hygge than huge, cabins are snug and comfortable, with pale wood, restful tones and pictures of local scenes from harbours to huskies. No cabins have balconies; most have windows, although some on lower decks have portholes and there are a few inside cabins that are windowless. Bathrooms are practical rather than pampering, with showers but no tub. All cabin phones can have a northern lights wake-up call enabled, so you can snooze without fear of missing nature’s greatest show.
Food and Drink 9/10
You’ll get a true taste of Norway on Kong Harald, whether you’re eating in the Torget buffet or Kysten, the à la carte venue that offers refined Arctic dining – think butter-fried snow crab and reindeer entrecote. Sourcing is hyper-local, from meat, fish and cheese to the drinks at the bar. Don’t miss Bivrost spirits made with glacier water.
Elsewhere the Bryggen bistro has burgers and pizza alongside Scandinavian polse hotdogs and smorrebrod open sandwiches. Do treat yourself to local ice cream and waffles with cloudberry jam at the Multe bakery.
Service and Facilities 8/10
The crew is predominantly Norwegian, so waiters and bar staff also give great destination advice. Service on my sailing was warm and good-humoured but not simpering.
This isn’t a ship for those who want a vast range of onboard facilities, but what there is fits perfectly with its adventurous spirit. There are hot tubs and a sauna, plus a small but well-equipped fitness room. Laundry rooms with washers and dryers are operated by tokens which cost £2.30 and include washing powder.
Entertainment and Excursions 9/10
As with everything about this ship, the focus of entertainment is low key and local. Frequent lectures from the expedition team cover Norwegian culture and nature, and while there may be occasional live music in the Explorer’s Lounge, this is more a place to chat and watch the fjords slide by.
Excursions, however, are more action packed – think kayaking through the Art Nouveau town of Alesund, hiking in the Hjorundfjord and fishing for King Crab in Kirkenes. In winter, snowmobiling and husky sledding are on offer. It’s worth taking the cruise line’s excursions – with short stops at some ports you may rejoin the ship at a different point than you left it.
Value for Money 9/10
Coastal Express voyages include direct, round-trip flights from regional UK airports, transfers between airport and ship, complimentary Wi-Fi, full board dining, unlimited tea and filter coffee, and a traditional Norwegian wool sweater.
Eating out in Norway is expensive, so the ship’s locally sourced regional cuisine is great value. Alcohol is pricey in Scandinavia; a glass of wine on the ship costs around £12, and drinks packages vary, with a wine package ranging from £55 per day up to £683 for a full trip alcoholic drinks package.
Access for guests with disabilities?
There are wheelchair accessible twin cabins with windows on the lower deck featuring wider doors, accessible bathrooms and adjustable beds. Guide dogs can access all public areas apart from the restaurants where guests will be given dining assistance.
If hearing-impaired guests wish to be alerted to the northern kights, a physical wake up by crew can be arranged through reception.
Family-friendly?
While Kong Harald doesn’t have a kids’ club, the vessel has plenty to offer adventurous families. Some cabins sleep three and there’s also a small play area on deck seven with toys and games. Plenty of the excursions, from attending a Viking feast to visiting a family-run farm, will appeal to kids.