MS Kong Harald

MS Kong Harald was the first ship of a new generation of coastal vessels for Hurtigruten, designed according to a proposal from Meyer Werft that featured an innovative cabin layout with 212 of 230 cabins positioned on the exterior. Built at Volkswerft in Stralsund, Germany, the ship set a new standard for passenger comfort and interior design when it entered service on the Bergen–Kirkenes route, replacing an older 1952 vessel and inaugurating a new era in Hurtigruten's history. The vessel ran aground near Trollfjorden in 2013 with minor damage to the bow, and underwent a modern interior renovation in 2016 that generated considerable discussion among enthusiasts.