Hurtigruten’s Midnatsol Resumes Norway Service After Refit
Midnatsol returned to Hurtigruten's coastal fleet in late 2024 after three years with HX as Maud, regaining its original name and joining the Signature fleet.
Hurtigruten’s Midnatsol has resumed Norway service after a Northern Europe drydock that added two restaurants, renovated public spaces and upgraded accommodations. The 2003-built ship paused operations earlier in May before entering Orskov Shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark.
The refit comes after Midnatsol returned to Hurtigruten’s coastal fleet in late 2024 following three years with HX as Maud. The ship regained its original name, was reflagged and is now part of Hurtigruten’s Signature fleet.
Restaurants and public areas lead the refit
The most visible changes are in food and beverage. Hurtigruten added Arran, a brasserie on Deck 5, and Rost, a fine-dining restaurant on Deck 8.
Flora, the ship’s main dining room, received new furniture and a revised look. Hurtigruten also refreshed the 1893 Observation Lounge, the sauna and wellness space, and exterior decks, which were repainted in the company’s classic livery.
Accommodation work included upgraded staterooms, thousands of square meters of new carpeting and roughly 100 new mattresses hoisted aboard on Deck 9. Hurtigruten described the project as a significant operational exercise, saying the team moved equipment “back and forth, in and out, up and down,” with managers, restaurant managers and expedition leaders helping through the final stages.
Midnatsol returns with a larger Signature role
Midnatsol was built by Fosen Mek. Verk. in 2003 and measures 135.75 meters long with a 21.5-meter beam and 16,151 GT. Hurtigruten currently lists the ship with a maximum of 570 guests, though published capacity figures vary by configuration and historical use.
The ship’s return adds renovated hotel and dining space to Hurtigruten’s Signature program, which includes longer port stays, premium dining, unlimited select drinks and optional excursions. The Signature fleet has been centered on MS Trollfjord for the North Cape Line and Svalbard Line.
Midnatsol’s published Signature deployment includes summer itineraries between Bergen and Svalbard and winter sailings from Hamburg to North Cape.
