About Norwegian Coastal Cruises With Havila
When it comes to cruises in Norway, the journey from Bergen to Kirkenes is the most iconic. For over 130 years, this coastal route was used to transport mail, goods and people between 34 ports on the country’s stunning west coast.
Nowadays, two cruise lines sail the route – Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages. Hurtigruten was first on the scene in 1893. But in 2021, Havila Voyages launched a new fleet with more spacious cabins and a focus on sustainability.
Highlights of a Havila cruise
Setting out on a coastal voyage is one of the best ways to experience Norway’s top destinations. These are just a few of the places you could go and things you could do along the way:
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Explore Bergen’s colourful, UNESCO-listed district of Bryggen
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Marvel at the natural beauty of Geirangerfjord on a day tour
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Stroll around the pretty fjord town of Ålesund, known for its architecture
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Delve into Viking history in Trondheim, Norway’s third-largest city
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Glide past the Arctic archipelago of Lofoten, where jagged peaks drop into the sea
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Learn about the Sámi way of life at a reindeer farm near Tromsø
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Stand atop lofty sea cliffs at North Cape, the country’s northernmost tip
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Go on a king crab safari from Kirkenes or snowmobile to the Finnish border
What’s included in a Havila cruise package with Nordic Visitor?
What’s included in your package depends on the tour you choose. Click the “What’s Included” tab on the tour page you’re interested in to see what you’ll get as standard.
Here’s an example of what a Norway package featuring a coastal cruise comes with:
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Private cabin with ensuite facilities
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Full board meals during your cruise
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On-land accommodation with daily breakfast
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Local transport, such as train tickets, domestic flights and car rental
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Detailed personal itinerary and travel guide with recommended attractions
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Access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip
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Taxes and service fees
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Carbon offsetting for the package
While domestic flights are included with some packages, please bear in mind that flights to and from Norway aren’t. This means you’re free to choose the route, travel dates and prices that are best for you.
Can I customise my Havila Voyages Norway tour?
Absolutely! Our travel experts have designed each package so you’ll have a seamless experience. But you can still make changes to your itinerary.
Tailor your trip by adding extra nights where you’d like to spend more time on land. Or why not treat yourself to an accommodation upgrade?
There’s also a range of handpicked activities and shore excursions for you to choose from. For example, you could go kayaking, take a seabird safari, or enjoy a guided food tour.
When’s the best time for Havila cruises in Norway?
In Norway, summers are mild to warm, and the landscape is lush and green. While winter brings cold temperatures and snow to much of the country. This means the best time to visit Norway depends on the experience you want to have.
With warmer and more predictable weather, the summer months of May through September are ideal for outdoor activities like hiking. And thanks to the midnight sun, you could get up to 24 hours of daylight in Arctic Norway on a summer tour.
If you want to combine your cruise with a self-drive tour of Norway, summer is the time to travel. This way, you can drive Norway’s roads when the conditions are at their best.
On the other hand, visit Norway in winter – October to April – to chase the northern lights and try activities in the snow.
At this time of year, you’ll find Northern Norway in particular is transformed into a sparkling white wonderland. So this is the perfect time of year to go snowmobiling and husky sledding. Or you could stay in an ice hotel like Kirkenes Snowhotel.
What’s the difference between Hurtigruten and Havila cruise ships?
Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages are the only two companies ferrying travellers along this beautiful stretch of coastline between Bergen and Kirkenes. Every day one ship departs from Bergen, sailing for Kirkenes. Seven out of every 11 days, this will be a Hurtigruten ship. On the other 4 days, it’ll be a Havila Voyages vessel.
No matter who you sail with, you’ll get to soak up magnificent coastal scenery. Here’s a round-up of what to expect.
Founded in 1893, many of Hurtigruten’s ships were once used to transport mail. Because of their original purpose, each ship varies in size and at 8–11 square metres (86–118 square feet), cabins are on the cosy side. It’s also worth knowing that while all rooms have port holes, coastal views can’t be guaranteed. That said, you can head to one of the lounges or restaurant areas with floor-to-ceiling windows for soaking up the scenery.
Launched in 2021, Havila’s fleet is newer. Expect modern 15 square-metre (161 square-foot) cabins with a port hole and small sofa for taking in the view. Each Havila Voyages ship is almost exactly the same, and you’ll have access to these leisure facilities onboard:
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Saunas
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Jacuzzi
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Gym
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Café, restaurants and bars
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Lounges with reclining chairs
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Shop selling souvenirs, books and more
Designed with sustainability in mind, these ships are world leaders in environmentally conscious cruise travel at this scale.
Each Havila ship has a large battery pack, which lets it sail for up to 4 hours with zero emissions. This means the fleet can sail through protected waters with minimal impact. What’s more, local produce makes up much of the delicious cuisine, and meals are served à la carte to reduce food waste.
Check this listing of cruise departures to find out whether a Hurtigruten or Havila ship is sailing on your preferred travel day.
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Fun fact: Havila’s 4 ships – Havila Capella, Havila Castor, Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux – are named after stars. This is because sailors once used the stars to navigate at sea.
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