MS Richard With

The 1993-built MS Richard With cruise ship is one of the six “contemporary” Hurtigruten ships, together with Kong Harald, Nordlys, Nordkapp, Nordnorge, Polarlys. Together with her fleet mates, Richard With serves Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Voyages (NCV) program for cruiseferry travel by cargo-passenger ships.

The vessel (IMO number 9040429) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI 258500000) and registered in Tromso.

History - construction and ownership

The shipowner Hurtigruten is a Norwegian passenger shipping company specializing in cruise and ferry services. The "Norwegian Coastal Express Route" (Bergen-Kirkenes) is a cargo-passenger ferry service along Norway's western and northern coast. Hurtigruten's cruise ferries sail nearly the entire length of Norway and complete this roundtrip itinerary in 11 days. The route also includes Lofoten Islands and Vesteralen Islands.

The 700-passenger ship Richard With was named after Captain Richard With, the founder of Hurtigruten. In the distant 1893, he established the "Norwegian Coastal Express" company, which services quickly changed forever the life of Norwegians. Richard With cruise ship was created 100 years after the Captain's first Hurtigruten voyage. The ship was delivered in 1993, a century after Hurtigruten's founder finished his first voyage.

Decks and Cabins

MS Richard With staterooms (219 total, in 8 grades) include 20x Suites, 178x Outside, 21x Inside. Cabin sizes vary from 55 to 325 ft2 (5-30 m2). Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 3. Most staterooms are outside and sized 85-140-ft2 (8-14 m2). There are no balcony cabins.

Standard cabin amenities include lower and upper bunk beds, bedside reading lamps, foldable table with chair, LCDTV, radio, phone, mini-fridge, electronic safe box, wardrobe with dressers and cabinets, en-suite bathroom (WC-shower, bath products, hairdryer), individual air-conditioning, blankets (for sitting outside).

During drydock refurbishment 2018, all staterooms were fully updated and some Deck 7 cabins were merged into 14x bigger-sized Suites (some of which are with large Bay Windows).

The boat has 7 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The main restaurant offers a relaxed informal atmosphere in the evenings, and all menus use local fresh ingredients. Ship's aft-facing Torget Restaurant was renovated during drydock refurbishment 2018 and now boasts huge floor-ceiling windows. 

Follows the complete list of ms Richard With restaurants and food bars.

• Torget Restaurant (Deck 4) is the Richard With ship’s 240-seat Dining Room with floor-ceiling windows and a large buffet station in the middle. Here are offered buffet-style Breakfast (7-10 am) and Lunch (11:30 am - 2:30 pm). Dinner is waiter-served, with 4 seatings, a 3-course menu (plus a la carte menu with light snacks). In the Torget Restaurant are also sold Hurtigruten wine packages.
• Multe Bakery (Deck 7 midship) is a patisserie/ice cream bar with a knitting corner and jigsaw puzzles. It offers freshly baked cakes and pastries along with a range of local ice creams. Guests can try the stockfish, brown cheese, and cloudberry ice cream.
• Brygga Bistro (Deck 4) offers cafe-style food and is perfect for a light lunch. It serves beverages, sandwiches, and burgers throughout the day.
• Kysten Arctic Fine Dining (Deck 4) offers a more private, intimate setting. This exquisite restaurant serves some of the world's best seafood, exotic meat and other produce directly sourced from the Arctic.

Unlike most Hurtigruten ships, Richard With has no 24-hour open Cafe Restaurant (Cafeteria with a la carte menu for hot/cold meals, snacks, beverages). The only 24-hour open venue is the Reception, offering guest assistance and information, along with a reduced variety of beverages, packed snacks, and sandwiches.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The onboard entertainment is low-key as most of the time is spent in discussions with fellow passengers. Occasionally, there may be live music performances in the evenings at the Bar Lounge. The ship has a small Fitness (gym room), two spa pools (outdoor jacuzzies), Infirmary. However, the small hospital is not served by a resident doctor/nurse. In cases of emergencies, the crew asks passengers if there is medical personnel, and the ferry is always navigating close to land to deliver sick passengers to a hospital if needed.

During drydock refurbishment 2018, Hurtigruten enlarged the gym, added 2 aft-facing outdoor whirlpools, upgraded the Sauna Room and built 2 new lecture halls next to the Kompass (lobby shopping) area.

Follows the complete list of ms Richard With lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• The Car Deck (capacity of 45 cars)
• Two Lecture Halls / Conference Rooms (Deck 4) host multimedia presentations, lectures by scientists/wildlife experts, Norway-themed films. A show program is not offered.
• Explorer Lounge and Bar (Deck 7 forward) is a Panorama Lounge (with scenic bow views from floor-ceiling windows) that also serves as Library (shelved books, board games and cards playing).
• The Shop (sells Norwegian souvenirs, Hurtigruten logo merchandise, jewelry, toiletries, clothing)
• Promenade Deck (full-circle open-air deck space)
• Observation Lounge and Bar
• TRIM Fitness (equipped with exercise bikes, treadmills, free weights); 2 Saunas (separate for men/women)

The Sun Deck is the place for Hurtigruten's special ceremony "Arctic Circle baptism", including a Neptune-costumed crewmember, icy seawater, and a shot for warming up.

The cruise ship doesn't have Kids Playroom (indoor playground), Nursery (babysitting facility), Video Games Arcade, Internet Cafe.

Itineraries

MS Richard With itinerary program is based on Norwegian Coastal Voyages. Ship's routes include the beautiful Norwegian fjords.

Richard With is mostly used as a ferry for both passengers and cars. However, some guests stay on board for roundtrip 12-day itineraries out of Bergen and Kirkenes.