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MS Midnatsol|MS Polarlys

MS Midnatsol vs MS Polarlys

Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.

MS Midnatsol cruise ship
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MS Midnatsol

Hurtigruten

Check prices on CruiseDirect
VS
MS Polarlys cruise ship
Trondheim Havn from Trondheim, Norway · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

MS Polarlys

Hurtigruten

Check prices on CruiseDirect

Newer Ship

MS Midnatsol

Built in 2003

7 years newer

Lower Price Per Day

Both ships are the same

More Spacious Ship

MS Midnatsol

16.2 GT per guest

Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity

MS Midnatsol vs MS Polarlys: Quick Comparison

MS Midnatsol is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2003, it is 7 years newer than MS Polarlys, which entered service in 1996. MS Midnatsol is approximately 42% larger by gross tonnage at 16,151 GT. MS Midnatsol also carries 263 more passengers. MS Polarlys has upcoming sailings in Mainland Norway. The sailings shown cover different itineraries, so the price per day figures are not a like-for-like comparison. Cruise fares vary significantly by itinerary, departure date and cabin availability, so any price difference should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent gap.

Ship Comparison

Specification comparison of MS Midnatsol and MS Polarlys
SpecMS MidnatsolMS Polarlys
Year Built2003Newer1996
Gross Tonnage16,151 GT11,341 GT
Passenger Capacity1,000737
Space per Passenger16.2 GT15.4 GT
Length135.75 m123 m
Decks——
Cabins——

Key Differences: MS Midnatsol vs MS Polarlys

Age

MS Midnatsol was built in 2003, making it 7 years newer than MS Polarlys, which was built in 1996.

Size

At 16,151 GT, MS Midnatsol is approximately 42% larger by gross tonnage than MS Polarlys at 11,341 GT.

Passenger capacity

MS Midnatsol carries up to 1,000 passengers compared with 737 aboard MS Polarlys, a difference of 263 passengers.

Passenger space

MS Midnatsol offers more space per passenger: 16.2 GT per guest, compared with 15.4 aboard MS Polarlys. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.

Itineraries

The upcoming sailings shown for MS Midnatsol and MS Polarlys (Mainland Norway) currently cover different regions or departure ports.

Compare Ports of Call

MS Polarlys

The Coastal Express – North

Departure Port
Bergen
Region
Mainland Norway
Nights
6
Round Trip
No
  1. Day 1 · Sep 11, 2026Bergen
  2. Day 2 · Sep 12, 2026Alesund
  3. Day 3 · Sep 13, 2026Molde
  4. Day 4 · Sep 14, 2026Trondheim
  5. Day 5 · Sep 15, 2026Bodø
  6. Day 6 · Sep 16, 2026Tromso
  7. Day 7 · Sep 17, 2026Honningsvåg
  8. Day 8 · Sep 18, 2026Kirkenes
  9. Day 9 · Sep 19, 2026Båtsfjord

Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.

Upcoming Cruises & Prices

MS Midnatsol

MS Polarlys

Prices shown are starting fares and may change.

Which Ship Is Cheaper?

MS Midnatsol

Average

$0 / day

VS

MS Polarlys

Average

$692 / day

Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.

Which Ship Should You Choose?

Choose MS Midnatsol if…

  • You prefer the newer ship.
  • You prefer the larger ship by gross tonnage.
  • You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
  • You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).

Choose MS Polarlys if…

  • You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
  • You want to sail in Mainland Norway.
  • Departing from Bergen works for your plans.
  • You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than MS Midnatsol.

MS Midnatsol vs MS Polarlys: Final Comparison Summary

Newer

MS Midnatsol

Built in 2003

7 years newer

Bigger

MS Midnatsol

16,151 GT

42% larger by gross tonnage

Lower Price Per Day

Both ships are the same

  • MS Midnatsol is 7 years newer.
  • MS Midnatsol is 42% larger by gross tonnage.
  • MS Midnatsol carries 263 more passengers.
  • MS Midnatsol offers more space per passenger (16.2 GT per guest).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is newer, MS Midnatsol or MS Polarlys?

MS Midnatsol is newer. It was built in 2003, while MS Polarlys was built in 1996, making MS Midnatsol 7 years newer.

Which is bigger, MS Midnatsol or MS Polarlys?

MS Midnatsol is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 16,151 GT compared with MS Polarlys at 11,341 GT.

Which ship carries more passengers?

MS Midnatsol has a passenger capacity of approximately 1,000, compared with 737 for MS Polarlys.

Which ship is more spacious, MS Midnatsol or MS Polarlys?

MS Midnatsol has the higher passenger space ratio at 16.2 GT per passenger, versus 15.4 for MS Polarlys. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.

Where does MS Polarlys sail?

The upcoming MS Polarlys sailings currently listed cover Mainland Norway, departing from Bergen.

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