Practical information

MS Nordstjernen has been listed as cultural heritage by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage, Riksantikvaren, since 2012. Her condition must be preserved, and changes are only possible to a very limited extent and with prior approval.

She was extensively restored in 2013 without modernising her technical condition. Extensive maintenance is carried out annually and she meets the technical requirements of her classification at all times. Should an engine failure or other major technical problem occur en route, obtaining spare parts may take longer than on a modern ship.

By booking a voyage with MS Nordstjernen you contribute directly to the long-term preservation of this unique ship.

Most cabins in category D+ remain in their original 1956 condition; other cabins were upgraded in 1982 with private facilities including toilet and shower.

Most cabins are small, with little room for movement and limited storage. All cabins have double bunk beds, with the exception of cabin 304, which has two lower beds. Mattresses are 190 cm long; some cabins suit taller guests — please ask when booking.

Cabins have ventilation but no air conditioning, and finding a comfortable setting can take a little patience. Portholes can be opened in port. In some cabins the engine and propeller can be clearly heard, and vibrations felt.

Bathrooms in categories N, A and I are generally small. During the day almost all guests prefer the salon deck or the outdoor areas.

MS Nordstjernen was built as a combined mail, cargo and passenger ship at a time when accessibility in public spaces was not a design priority.

There are no lifts on board. Some stairways are relatively steep. All exterior doors have a sill of 35–40 cm to prevent water ingress, and every guest must pass through them — there is no alternative access. Many interior doors and passages have smaller sills.

If you have limited mobility, please contact us before booking so we can advise honestly on whether a voyage is suitable.

MS Nordstjernen has no stabilisers, bow thruster or stern thruster. She rolls and pitches more in heavy seas than a modern ship, and mooring manoeuvres in strong wind or current can occasionally be impossible.

She was built to sail reliably in difficult conditions and heavy seas, and is less wind-sensitive than large modern passenger ships. Itineraries may be adjusted for weather; the captain's decision always takes precedence.

MS Nordstjernen is powered by an engine built by Kieler Motorenwerke in 1982 and meets the internationally required emission limits under the MARPOL convention for a ship built in 1956.

Vestland Classic works to improve the environmental balance of sea travel through appropriate waste handling on board, embarkation and disembarkation ports reachable by public transport without flying, locally produced food where possible, and cabin service on request only — clean towels are always available.

You can help: switch off lights when leaving your cabin, take only as much food from the buffet as you will eat, and never throw waste overboard.

Meals are served in the ship's restaurant: breakfast and lunch as a buffet, dinner as a served menu built around Norwegian produce and the day's catch.

Please tell us about allergies and dietary requirements when booking so the galley can plan for them.

Dress for a working ship in northern waters: windproof and waterproof outer layers, warm mid-layers, a hat and gloves, and shoes with a good grip for wet decks and steep stairways.

There is no formal dress code on board. Storage in the cabins is limited, so pack in a soft bag where possible.

A valid passport or, where applicable, a national identity card is required for all voyages. Please check visa requirements for each country on your itinerary.

Comprehensive travel insurance including medical cover and repatriation is a condition of travel.

Vestland Classic AS, Vea Sjoarveg 57, 4276 Veavågen, Norway.

vestlandclassic.com · info@vestlandclassic.com