MS Otto Sverdrup

MS Otto Sverdrup is a hybrid-powered ship sailing year-round to handpicked highlights of the Norwegian coast, departing from Hamburg to North Cape in northern Norway and back.

MS Otto Sverdrup exploring the Norwegian fjords
MS Otto Sverdrup exploring the Norwegian fjords

About the ship

MS Otto Sverdrup (formerly MS Finnmarken) is named after a great Norwegian polar explorer who was a contemporary of famous Nansen and record-breaking Amundsen.

Sverdrup also served as a Hurtigruten captain, and was captain of MS Lofoten, the first Hurtigruten ship to sail from Norway to Svalbard. 

Norway’s stunning scenery is reflected in the ship's interior design. With its 2020 renovation, natural Scandinavian materials like granite, oak, birch, and wool were used to create a relaxed and stylish atmosphere that adds to the premium onboard experience.  

This ship also offers a chance to indulge yourself in our wellness area, complete with gym, treatment rooms, and sauna. Guests can also enjoy the hot tubs on deck 7. To take in the magnificent scenery, outdoor observation decks are located across two middle decks and the uppermost deck. 

MS Otto Sverdrup is a hybrid-powered ship with large battery packs that enable greater fuel efficiency and lower NOx and CO2 emissions. It is also equipped for shore power connectivity, which completely eliminates emissions when docked in ports where shore power is available. As is the case with the rest of our fleet, single-use plastics are banned on board.  

Click here to see the current location of MS Otto Sverdrup.

Facilities

  • Free Wi-Fi

  • Hybrid ship

  • Expedition Team

  • Wellness area

  • Sauna and fitness room

  • Panoramic lounge

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Classic and contemporary

Life at sea aboard MS Otto Sverdrup is a marriage of modern comforts and age-old maritime ambience.

Cocktails at the Explorer Bar & Lounge

Explorer Lounge & Bar

This is the perfect place on the ship to go to nestle into a comfy chair, sip a handcrafted cocktail, chat to fellow guests, and watch the world go by.

Wellness Center, MS Otto Sverdrup, Hurtigruten

Wellness area

This ship also offers a chance to indulge yourself in our wellness area, complete with gym, sauna, and treatment rooms for massage and aromatherapy.

Hot tub on MS Otto Sverdrup, Hurtigruten

Outdoor hot tubs

Few things in life are as blissful as soaking in the bubbles of the ship’s outdoor hot tubs, while admiring views of the coast.

The art of exquisite cuisine

Mouth-watering meals inspired by regional flavours and crafted from locally sourced ingredients await you. Please note: the following restaurants will be renamed as Flora, Arran, and Røst, from summer 2025.

Restaurant Aune on board MS Otto Sverdrup

Aune

The ship’s main restaurant, which serves a mixture of overflowing buffets and balanced set menus, is named after the historic Norwegian ship chandler Tinus Aune.

Fredheim restaurant on board MS Otto Sverdrup

Fredheim

This bistro doubles as an informal and social meeting place – named after a well-known 1900s hunting station in the Svalbard archipelago high up in Arctic Norway. 

Lindstrom restaurant on board MS Otto Sverdrup

Lindstrøm

A speciality fine-dining restaurant named after Adolf Lindstrøm, the favourite chef of the great 19th-century Norwegian polar heroes. 

Your Expedition Team

The Expedition Team will be by your side as part of your voyage with us, sharing stories and insights about Norway’s culture, nature, and history.

Lecture on board a ship in Norway

Knowing Norway

Each member of the team has a range of specialised topics in their repertoire, ready to share with you in lectures and presentations on board, on deck, and ashore.

Coastal Experience Team MS Trollfjord HGR 163298 Espen Mills

Meet your team

Talk to the team to sign up to available seasonal excursions or to join them on invigorating hikes to scenic spots in several of the ports we call at.

MS Trollfjord Library HGR 163342 1920 Photo Espen Mills

At home with us

The team organise a range of inclusive, onboard activities for you, such as morning yoga, film nights, hands-on arts and crafts, photography tips, and cooking demonstrations.

Compare MS Otto Sverdrup's cabins

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Outside cabin

QJ Arctic Superior

Cabins on decks 5 and 6 that sleep up to two people, with limited/no view.

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Outside cabin

N2 Polar Outside

Cabins on deck 3 that sleep up to two people, with a double bed or flexible sleeping arrangements.

polar_inside_i2_ms_otto_sverdrup_hgr_147803_andrea_klaussner

Inside cabin

I2 Polar Inside

These cabins sleep up to two people, with a double bed or flexible sleeping arrangements and TV, kettle, tea and coffee, and hair dryer.

Specification and deck plans: MS Otto Sverdrup

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  • Year built2002
  • Ship yardKleven Verft (N)
  • Beds554
  • Length138.5 m
  • Speed15 knots
  • Year of refurbishment2020
  • Capacity530
  • Gross tonnage15,690 t
  • Beam21.5 m

Frequently asked questions

These are the most common questions about the facilities and services on board our ships. There’s more info in our Help Center.

Help Center

Our ships offer an intimate and immersive way to explore Norway’s dramatic coastline, which we have been sailing for more than 130 years. Given their smaller size, our ships can explore remote fjords and call at lesser-visited ports that are often not accessible by larger cruise ships. We are not your typical cruise line – our ships offer a more personalised journey, allowing for more scenic and cultural experiences. 

The number of passengers depends on the ship's certification and the type of voyage. Our vessels are smaller compared with regular cruise liners, with capacity typically ranging between 500 and 650 passengers, depending on whether it’s a Signature or Original voyage. 

The official languages spoken on board are Norwegian and English. Some crew members also speak German and French, and other languages may be present based on the nationalities of the guests. 

Yes, each of our ships has a limited number of accessible cabins. We ask that our guests are able to take care of themselves or travel with a companion who can assist them. 

Yes, we have basic medical facilities on our ships, and crew members are trained to handle medical emergencies. However, the medical staff may be limited, so passengers with serious health conditions should prepare accordingly. 

Dangerous goods such as weapons, explosives, and illegal drugs are prohibited. Additionally, there are restrictions on certain liquids and food items to comply with international regulations. You can see the full list of prohibited items here. 

We keep to a strict sailing timetable and cannot wait for late passengers, so please ensure that you are back on board in time. If you miss your ship, you will need to arrange transport by yourself and at your own expense to the next port on the schedule.   

Although we offer several roundtrip voyages, you can also choose to customise your journey by travelling from port to port on our ships. You can choose which of the 34 ports we visit you get on and off – with either a one-way ticket or a return trip.    

You can find our timetable and sailing times on our sailing plan. Alternatively, you can see our ships in real time on our ship locator map.  

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