The Grand Old Lady of the Arctic
M/S Polarstar is no ordinary tourist boat. She is Norway's first seal hunting vessel built in steel, launched in 1948, and for more than 50 years she battled breaking seas and pack ice in some of the world's most treacherous waters. She served as the Governor's vessel on Svalbard for nearly a decade, as an expedition ship in Greenland, as a passenger vessel in the Arctic, and carried out regular assignments for the Norwegian Polar Institute. Condemned and saved from scrapping twice, she was fully restored and heritage-listed in 2017.
Today, Polarstar moors in Brandal south of Ålesund, taking guests out into the fjords of Northwest Norway.
Fjord cruise with history on board
From Brandal, the Hjørundfjord and the Sunnmøre coast open up before you. On board Polarstar, you're immersed in a vessel with its own life story, surrounded by timber, steel and details that speak of decades in Arctic waters. Many cruises head into the beautiful Hjørundfjord; others venture out to the bird island of Runde at the edge of the open sea. The programme varies throughout the season.
Polarstar is also available for hire for private events, corporate outings and meetings, with room for up to 50 passengers. Lunch or dinner can be served on board.
Combine a fjord cruise with a museum visit
One of the most popular combinations is a fjord cruise aboard Polarstar followed by dinner and a guided tour of Ishavsmuseet Aarvak, which sits right beside the quay in Brandal. Here you'll get the full story of seal hunting, overwintering expeditions and the coastal community that Polarstar was part of.
Practical information
Polarstar runs on request from 1 May to 30 October. Departures from Brandal, with the option to board from Skansekaia in Ålesund. Get in touch for the programme, availability and prices.
See also
Ishavsmuseet Aarvak in Brandal tells the story behind Polarstar and the entire Arctic community of Brandal, with five permanent exhibitions and the Arctic vessel Aarvak from 1912.
