The Return of the Historic Harald Jarl
In 2025, the Serenissima will take over from the historic Nordstjernen on short voyages to Svalbard, which until now have been operated by Hurtigruten Svalbard. A newcomer? Not exactly.
At the end of September, the name Serenissima appeared for the first time on Hurtigruten Svalbard’s website. In 2025, she will offer three- and four-day mini-cruises around the Svalbard archipelago, just as the Nordstjernen did in previous years — until new regulations made her no longer eligible. The website lists 34 departures, with a season running from May 14 to September 11. But which ship is hidden behind the name Serenissima?
SERENISSIMA01_Noble_Caledonia
Just like the Nordstjernen, the Serenissima is also a former Hurtigruten postal vessel, making a return — albeit by a roundabout route — to her old employer. Under the name Harald Jarl, she sailed for an impressive 41 years, from 1960 to 2001, along the famous Norwegian coastal route. Afterwards, following a refit, she began a second career as a “boutique cruise ship”: first as the Andrea (2002–2009), then, after further modernization, as the Serenissima (2013–2019). Well-known operators such as Noble Caledonia and Peregrine Travel included her in their programs. However, with the Covid-19 pandemic, her cruising activity was suspended and she was laid up in Rijeka, Croatia, where she gradually faded from memory.
But one company never lost sight of her, despite her age: the Norwegian firm Vestland, which already owns two other former Hurtigruten vessels — the Nordstjernen and the Ragnvald Jarl (both built in 1956). On March 1st, acting on behalf of Vestland Marine, the Liberian company “Maritime Nine Invest” became the new owner of the Serenissima. In June, sailing via Brest and through the Kiel Canal, the former Harald Jarl quietly made her way under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the Baltic Sea, arriving in Gdynia, Poland, on June 23rd. There, she is currently being prepared for the upcoming summer season in Svalbard. According to the shipowner, the vessel’s overall condition only requires cosmetic upgrades.
Serenissima_Andrea_Lounge_2024_Vestland_Classic_Cruises_Ruth_Moritz_5
SERENISSIMA_Andrea_Lounge_Noble_Caledonia
But why a third ship, if Vestland already owns the Nordstjernen and the Ragnvald Jarl? The Nordstjernen was disqualified due to her open lifeboats dating back to the 1950s, which can no longer be used in the Norwegian Arctic for safety reasons, but also cannot be replaced due to historical preservation regulations. As for the Ragnvald Jarl, Vestland acquired her in early March 2020 — just before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, her refurbishment has progressed only slowly; the extensive modernization works, currently underway in Gdańsk, are not expected to be completed before 2026.
Bound by a contract with Hurtigruten to provide a vessel for the popular short trips to Svalbard, the Serenissima entered the scene. The ship previously belonged to Premier Cruises, a shipping company based in Mariehamn on the Åland Islands, which maintained business relations with the Russian owners of the river cruise ship Volga Dream. A direct sale of the Serenissima to Norway was therefore not possible due to Russia sanctions related to the war in Ukraine. As a result, an intermediary company with shareholders from Germany, Chile, and Norway was brought in. Vestland Marine, however, is responsible for the vessel’s technical management and has full autonomy regarding future chartering and in-house cruises.
Serenissima_Hurtigruten_Svalbard
Serenissima_Gdynia_2024_Vestland_Classic_Cruises_Ruth_Moritz_3
One thing is clear: maintenance costs for a vintage ship like this are high, so it must be fully utilized. The same was true for the Nordstjernen, which in 2024 again ran sold-out North Sea and Baltic cruises in the off-season under Vestland Classic Cruises — and the same will apply in the future to the Serenissima. The target audience for both ships is naturally the same: lovers of classic maritime charm, who are happy to do without luxury and aren’t deterred by steep staircases, narrow corridors, or creaky wooden decks. They also appreciate conversation with fellow travelers — something inevitable on a ship less than 100 meters long with a capacity of just 99 passengers.
The interiors of the Serenissima, refurbished in 2002 and 2013, feature a cozy country-style design, far removed from the spartan ambiance of her postal ship days and equally distant from the luxury of modern expedition cruise ships. Her 53 cabins are mainly located on decks 3 and 4, while the upper deck (deck 5) houses the public areas: the Andrea Lounge at the stern, the restaurant midships, and the Harald Jarl Lounge at the bow. And that’s about it.
Serenissima_August_24_Hurtigruten_Svalbard_Paulina_Hinz
Serenissima_Cabin_704_August_24_Hurtigruten_Svalbard_Paulina_Hinz
Serenissima_Restaurant_2024_Vestland_Classic_Cruises_Ruth_Moritz_4
The fact that Vestland Classic Cruises is breathing new life into three former Hurtigruten postal ships — the Nordstjernen, the Ragnvald Jarl, and now also the Serenissima — can truly be seen as a stroke of luck. Passenger ships of this type and age are nearly extinct, and even rarer are the companies with the money, love, and patience to preserve them. Vestland has both the crew and the expertise in-house; all that’s missing now is a travel agency or tour operator to market and sell these charming little ships starting in 2025. Because, as the company says, all three Hurtigruten veterans are “open to new challenges” — and how many 60-year-old cars or airplanes could you say the same about?
Don’t miss the latest cruise news, updates, and reviews on Cruising Journal.
