MS Nordlys - Photo Tour

Second in our current series of photo tours aboard the ships in the Hurtigruten fleet is MS Nordlys.

Along with her fleetmates she sails the 11-day round trip from Bergen, calling at 34 ports along the coast of Norway. The route is popular with cruise tourists keen to experience 'the most beautiful voyage in the world', and also serves as a lifeline for many smaller communities in Norway's more isolated north.

Scroll down to see our full photo tour of her passenger decks.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys in Bergen
MS Nordlys alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen
Built in Germany, Nordlys entered service with Hurtigruten in 1994. She has two sister ships; Kong Harald and Richard With. With a tonnage of 11,200 she can carry up to 60 passengers (482 in berths) served by a crew of 55.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys in Bergen
Hurtigruten's MS Nordlys docked in Bergen
EXTERIOR

Along with several of her fleetmates built at around the same time, MS Nordlys is affectionately referred to as one of Hurtigruten's '90s' ships, all of which share a similar design and layout.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys in Bergen
MS Nordlys
With her slightly squat but handsome design she cuts an attractive profile. Her exteriors are painted in the standard Hurtigruten scheme of black, red and white.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys in Bergen
MS Nordlys alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen
Inside Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen
The check-in area at the terminal. Escalators lead to the ship
After passing through the terminal and coming alongside, passengers get a great view of Nordlys taking on stores and cargo for the upcoming voyage. From here an enclosed glass gangway leads to the ship...


Hurtigruten MS Nordlys in Bergen
The large loading doors lead to the car deck and cargo holds
Hurtigruten MS Nordlys in Bergen
Ready to board; the glass gangway gives a great view of Nordlys alongside
INTERIORS

Deck 4 contains many of the main public spaces on Nordlys. Immediately off the forward stairwell is the Aurora cafe, which serves a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Aurora Cafe
The Aurora Cafe on MS Nordlys
Moving aft through the cafe a wide open walkway leads passengers through to the main dining room. This model of the original Nordlys displayed along the way is a nice touch.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Ship Model
A model of the original Nordlys is dispayed on board
A number of tables along the arcade offer great views through the large picture windows which continue throughout deck 4.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Arcade
The mirrored ceilings and busy carpets show Nordlys's design is firmly rooted in the 90s.
At the aft end of deck 4 is the Stjernesalen restaurant. This is the man formal dining area on board, and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Stjernesalen Restaurant
The Stjernesalen Restaurant
Moving back through to the forward end of deck 4 brings you to the Sirlund bar. This attractive room has ample seating and plenty of natural light.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Sirlund Bar
The Sirlund Bar, MS Nordlys
Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Sirlund Bar
The Sirlund Bar, MS Nordlys
Beyond this is the Library, stocked with a selection of books and tastefully furnished in rich colours.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Knut Hamsun Library
The small Knut Hamsun Library offers a quiet spot on Deck 4
Up at the top of Nordlys, on Deck 7, passengers will find the ship's two main observation lounges. The Sirius lounge, located amidships, is the smaller of the two, but still provides full-height windows along both sides, and a well-stocked bar.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Sirius Lounge
The Sirius Lounge on MS Nordlys

The largest of the lounges aboard Nordlys is the Orion Panorama Lounge, located at the forward end of deck 7.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Orion Panorama Lounge
Huge windows line three walls of the Orion Panorama Lounge
Seating here is arranged to optimise the fantastic views afforded by its location above the ship's navigation bridge. A dance floor is also provided in the central part of the lounge.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Orion Panorama Lounge
The forward end of the Orion Panorama Lounge
The Panorama Lounge spans the full width of Nordlys, which also gives views back along the length of the ship.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys in Bergen
A view back along MS Nordlys
Just aft of the Sirius bar on deck 7 is a small but well-equipped fitness centre, along with changing rooms and showering facilities.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Fitness Centre
The Fitness Centre, MS Nordlys
However, any passengers wanting to make use of the sauna will need to head down to deck 2, and all the way forward.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Stairwell
A long way down... Whilst not a large cruise ship, this view shows Nordlys is still a substantial vessel
Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Sauna
The Sauna is located forward on deck 2
OPEN DECKS

Back up in the open air on deck 7 is the sun deck, with plenty of loungers to use when the weather is favourable.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Sun Deck
The partially enclosed Sun Deck
Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Sun Deck
The Sun Deck of MS Nordlys
This area is partially enclosed along the base of the funnel, to ensure passengers can enjoy the fresh air even when the rain sets in.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Sun Deck
The Hurtigruten logo is proudly displayed on the funnel
On deck 6, Nordlys has a full wrap-around promenade, which is the perfect place for passengers to stretch their legs whilst taking in the views.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Promenade Deck
The promenade on deck 6
Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Promenade Deck
Beneath the bridge wings; the forward end of deck 6
Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Promenade Deck
Lifeboats are stored above the promenade deck
ACCOMMODATION

MS Nordlys offers a range of accommodation. The standard inside and outside cabins, whilst similar in design, vary slightly in layout, as shown in the following examples.

Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Standard Cabin
A standard 2-berth outside cabin on Nordlys
Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Standard Cabin
Another standard cabin, with a slightly different layout
Wheelchair accessible cabins are also available, with adapted bathrooms.
Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Wheelchair Accessible Cabin
A wheelchair accessible cabin
Hurtigruten MS Nordlys - Wheelchair Accessible Cabin Bathroom
The bathroom of a wheelchair accessible cabin
A range of suites and mini-suites are offered, but were unfortunately unavailable for photographs during our visit.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

MS Nordlys is a very comfortable and well presented ship. Her interiors, whilst perhaps showing their age with regards to styling, are well maintained, and provide a clean and pleasant environment to enjoy the spectacular scenery along the route.
Location: Bergen, Norway

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MS Stavangerfjord - Ship Visit and Photo Tour

Image
Last week I went on board Fjordline's cruise-ferry Stavangerfjord, for a whistle stop tour of her passenger facilities during her impressively fast turnaround in the city. MS Stavangerfjord approaches Bergen, Norway To find out a bit more about her design, construction and service, take a look at my previous post here , with photos of Stavangerfjord approaching Bergen taken last December. Otherwise, keep reading to have a look around her public rooms, cabins and suites... A plan of Deck 7, showing the layout of Stavangerfjord's public spaces (credit: fjordline.com) With a few exceptions, Deck 7 contains all of Stavangerfjords public spaces. The gangway leads directly to the middle of this deck, adjacent to the reception desk. First impressions are good, with an attractive entrance area and smiling staff to welcome you on board. The Reception Desk Directly opposite the reception desk is Bungalow Wine & Tapas Bar, with the fresh food on display making t...
Read more

Queen Mary 2 - Photo Tour and Voyage Report (Part 2)

Image
The tour continues with the Britannia Restaurant. The main dining room on board, this is used by all passengers travelling in standard cabins, whilst the smaller Princess Grill and Queens Grill restaurants are reserved for those travelling in suites. The Britannia Restaurant really is an impressive room, with a large double-height central section surrounded by tall columns, and tiered upper levels joined by a sweeping staircase at the forward end of the room. The Britannia Restaurant The restaurant is open for a la carte breakfast and lunch with an open seating. For dinner, tables and dining times are assigned to guests in each stateroom, and remain unchanged throughout the crossing (though we were able to switch to a larger, more attractive table after speaking with the Maitre d' on the first afternoon). Sitting at a larger table provides a great opportunity to get to know your fellow diners during the trip. Dinner soon becomes the main event of the days on board. ...
Read more

MS Trollfjord - Photo Tour

Image
Up next in the series of photo tours on board the ships of Hurtigruten is MS Trollfjord. Regular readers of this blog will know the drill by now; MS Trollfjord is one of a fleet of 11 ships that together offer daily departures from Bergen on the Express route along the coast of Norway. The ships serve a dual roll as both cruise ships and cargo ships, and are vital in connecting many of the smaller communities in the northern part of the country. Scroll down to take a look around her interiors and public decks. Hurtigruten's MS Trollfjord alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen EXTERIOR A sister ship to Midnatsol , Trollfjord is one of the newer and larger vessels in the fleet. She makes for a handsome sight whilst moored alongside at Hurtigruteterminalen, Bergen. With her slightly squat but attractive profile she is a well presented ship. A few streaks of rust along her superstructure will be repainted during upcoming routine maintenance Built in Norway in 2002,...
Read more