MS Spitsbergen

Explore Scandinavia on Hurtigruten's MS Spitsbergen Cruise

MS Spitsbergen, a small cruise ship built in 2009, was originally intended to be a car and passenger ferry in Portugal. However, due to the financial crisis, the ship never sailed. In 2015, Hurtigruten purchased the ship and refurbished it in order to offer passengers a contemporary classic Scandi-style interior. Accommodating up to 290 passengers, MS Spitsbergen navigates the fjords of Norway from September to May, calling at 34 ports. The main draw of the ship is the chance to see the northern lights, and Hurtigruten offers a Northern Lights Promise: if you don't spot them between October 1 and March 31, you'll be invited back for a free six- or seven-night cruise the following year. The food served onboard is sourced locally from the ports. The cabins are comfortable and modern with big picture windows and bathrooms. In 2018, Cruise Critic U.K. awarded MS Spitsbergen the Best Small Ship category in the U.K. Cruisers' Choice Awards. For those looking for a small ship with the chance to view the northern lights, MS Spitsbergen is the perfect choice.