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Havila Voyages fleet
Who should sail with Havila Voyages?
The reality is that anyone who wants to experience the beauty of the Norwegian coast will likely enjoy a cruise with Havila Voyages. That said, it is particularly well-suited to the following types of travellers:
Couples: Between scenic sailing, hot tubs under the stars and the chance to share bucket-list moments, it’s not hard to see why couples opt for Havila Voyages, particularly to mark special occasions like anniversaries or honeymoons.
Solo travellers: Havila Voyages’ small ships cultivate an atmosphere of relaxed sociability, where it’s easy to find like-minded companions. From time to time, the line also runs dedicated offers exclusively for those sailing independently.
Travellers over 50: Havila Voyages offers a compelling blend of comfort and adventure. The promise of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exquisite scenery and immersive excursions with clear guidance about how physically demanding each activity is make it an attractive option for 50-plus travellers.
Multi-generation groups: From relaxing saunas to adrenaline-spiking polar plunges, Havila Voyages has experiences that appeal to travellers of different ages, making it a great choice for parents sailing with their grown-up children.
Eco-conscious travellers: Read on to discover Havila Voyages’ industry-leading eco-credentials, which make it a sure-fire hit with travellers looking for a more sustainable way to see Norway.
What destinations does Havila Voyages visit?
Havila Voyages sails Norway’s coastline, following a route that has been vital for remote communities for over 130 years.
Itineraries it offers include:
- A northbound voyage sailing from Bergen to Kirkenes, stopping at 34 ports over seven days. Top ports include Ålesund, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø and Honningsvåg.
- A southbound voyage from Kirkenes to Bergen, tracing the same route in reverse over six days. This offers access to the same standout destinations such as the North Cape and the Lofoten Islands.
- A round-trip voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen, lasting 12 days and covering 2,500 nautical miles.
Additionally, you can find sail-and-stay or rail-and-sail options that allow you to experience Norway’s interior, alongside two or three-day sailings, which are perfect if you’re limited on time.
One thing to note is that because the cruise line also functions as a crucial form of transport for locals, select port stops are very short – lasting just long enough to embark or disembark passengers, cargo and post. In some cases, this can be as little as 10 minutes. However, as you’d expect, more time is scheduled for major stops like Tromsø, so you have time to explore.
What are Havila Voyages' ships like?
Havila Voyages has a fleet of four identical ships: Havila Capella (2021), Havila Castor (2022), Havila Polaris (2023) and Havila Pollux (2023).
What makes them truly extraordinary is their eco-credentials. Most notably, each ship carries large-scale battery packs, which can be charged with clean hydropower and used to cruise for up to four hours in near silence, with zero emissions. In combination with energy sources like LNG (liquid natural gas) and biogas, this is how the cruise line intends to achieve its ambitious sustainability aims.
Beyond its cutting-edge approach to eco-conscious cruising, there are a variety of other ways Havila’s fleet may surprise you. Aboard its intimate, 124-metre vessels, which are designed to sail the fjords and islands of Norway’s coast, you won’t find the 20-plus dining venues, casinos or swimming pools typical of mainstream lines.
Instead, expect sophisticated, Scandi-inspired interiors designed to help you make the most of the remarkable sea and landscapes through which you’re travelling. Picture natural materials, Nordic design and artwork by Norwegian artists. Best of all, the beautiful scenery is framed by expansive, floor-to-ceiling windows, so you never miss a thing.
What is included with Havila Voyages?
All the essentials are covered as standard on Havila Voyages cruises. Expect the following to be included:
- Accommodation: For instance, in a Seaview Superior or a Premium, Junior or Mini suite, depending on what you’ve reserved.
- Full board: This includes à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner served at the main restaurant Havrand.
- Essential drinks: Self-service coffee, tea and water are complimentary throughout the day.
- Wi-Fi: This is free of charge throughout your voyage, which is handy when you want to share pictures of the stunning scenery with friends and family.
- Activities: For example, this might include a mussel tasting on deck or an Arctic Circle crossing ceremony.
- Access to facilities: This includes the hot tubs, saunas and fitness centre.
Note that extras such as shore excursions and meals in the fine dining venue Hildring incur an extra fee. Tips are not included either, but you aren’t under any obligation to provide one unless you so wish. Great service is included in your fare.
What’s food and drink like aboard Havila Voyages?
Havila Voyages won the award for culinary excellence at the 2024 Wave Awards for good reason. It offers outstanding food and drink across its onboard venues:
Havrand Restaurant: This is the main restaurant on Havila ships, where guests take most of their meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served à la carte. Beyond elevating the service, this also minimises the food waste that often results from buffets.
Menus change regularly to reflect the particular region through which you’re travelling. For dinner, expect a three-course affair with dishes such as Norwegian veal with whipped brown butter, seaweed caviar and Arctic char from Velfjord.
Hildring: This is an intimate fine dining restaurant, which incurs an additional fee. Typically, it alternates between meat and seafood menus. Expect up to six courses, featuring dishes like pan-fried turbot with butter sauce and caviar, reindeer from Finnmark, and herb crumble with sea buckthorn cream and cloudberries.
Occasionally, themed dinners are also offered, such as king crab night.
Havly Café: This 24/7 venue serves up hearty staples, baked goods, sandwiches and hot and cold dishes. This is not included in your fare as standard, but you can purchase items individually or invest in a Havly Café package before sailing.
Havblikk Bar & Lounge: This is the social hub of Havila ships, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows that make it ideal for fjord-front views and scoping out the Northern Lights.
Havbris Bar: This pop-up bar is located outside on deck eight, right by the hot tubs and saunas. It’s often where events like sail-aways, mussel tastings and the Arctic Circle crossing ceremony take place.
What are Havila Voyages' shore excursions like?
Havila Voyages offers a broad range of excursions, typically with options in English. Each is guided by a local expert and designed to make the most of the season in which you’re sailing.
- Here are a few popular options:
- Reindeer sledding & Sámi visit
- A North Cape plateau excursion
- Dog sledding in the Arctic
- King crab fishing in Kirkenes
- A midnight concert in Tromsø Cathedral
- A sea eagle safari by RIB
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FAQs
When is the best time to take a Havila Voyages cruise?
Havila Voyages offers departures all through the year. When to go is really a matter of preference, as each season reveals a distinct aspect of the Norwegian coast. Summer is particularly popular because of the opportunity to experience the midnight sun and enjoy easier access to landscapes that can be harder to reach during the winter months.
That said, the colder seasons have plenty to offer, too, from Christmas markets and reindeer sledding to hunting for the Northern Lights.
Does Havila Voyages offer any themed cruises?
Yes. Most notably, it offers astronomy sailings with experts from the Royal Astronomical Society. Each astronomy cruise features a series of lectures on topics such as the Northern Lights and myths inspired by constellations.
You’ll also find Christmas voyages, which include opportunities to meet Rudolph and his friends, see the world’s largest gingerbread city and enjoy carol concerts.
Havila Voyages also occasionally offers speciality cruises such as a Roots and Blues cruise, with daily concerts from a wide range of artists.
How do I book shore excursions with Havila Voyages?
You can book them before you board by logging into MyVoyage or on board by contacting the excursions desk. Pre-booking is advisable as the most popular excursions can fill up ahead of time.
Occasionally, excursions are cancelled, for instance, due to severe weather. In these cases, you will receive a full refund.
Is Havila Voyages family-friendly?
Children are allowed on Havila Voyages, but there are few facilities specifically geared towards families. There is a modest play corner on Havila ships, but do not expect kids’ clubs or entertainment for little ones.
Does Havila Voyages cater to guests with disabilities?
Yes, all four ships in Havila Voyages’ fleet are adapted for passengers with limited mobility. Several staterooms across cabin categories are adapted for wheelchair accessibility. Common areas and corridors are also designed with accessibility in mind, and lifts are available.
For guests with hearing impairments, tele loops are installed at reception, the café and the main restaurant. You can additionally request a vibrating alarm to place under your pillow to wake you in case of emergencies.
While pets aren’t generally allowed, guide and service dogs accompanying blind or severely visually impaired guests are welcome. In such cases, travellers must provide appropriate documentation confirming the animal is certified as a guide or service dog. They are permitted in all common areas apart from restaurants.
There is also braille on railings and in various common areas.
Am I guaranteed to see the Northern Lights on a Havila Voyages cruise?
The Northern Lights are infamously fickle, and factors like cloud cover can prevent you from seeing them. However, if you sail for long enough during the auroral season, chances are you will see them. After all, Havila Voyages’ routes take you directly under the auroral oval. In your cabin, you can also enable a Northern Lights Alert system, so you know you won't miss them.
Havila Voyages is so confident in your chances that they offer a Northern Lights Promise. If the aurora borealis is not spotted on a 12-day round-trip voyage departing between 1 October and 31 March, you will receive a free six or seven-day voyage.
Visit Havila Voyages’ website for full T&Cs.
How can I contact Havila Voyages?
You can reach the line’s customer service centre at +44 3455 280 026 (UK) or +47 7000 7071 (international).
You can also email them here.
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