The Northern Lights. Norway. Bucket list stuff. As a first-timer to Norway, this was always going to be an amazing trip. Havila Voyages’ new and improved cruise ships offer a chance to explore the stunning Norwegian coast and all its beauty, whilst staying environmentally friendly.
High mountains, huge glaciers, islands, and the unique midnight sun are exquisitely characteristic of Norway and are the daily views on this 6-night sailing. Plus, the opportunity to spot the Northern Lights in the wintertime.
The MS Havila Capella
This ship is one of Havila’s newest and most modern, an award-winning ship with a spacious interior. Its capacity holds 640 passengers so there is plenty of space on board. The MS Havila Capella operates the coastal route Bergen–Kirkenes, which includes the ever-exciting opportunity to spot the Northern Lights. The décor of the ship is inspired by the sea, the sky, mountains and glaciers, bringing the beauties of the Norwegian coast on board.
The vibe on board is relaxed, easy and fun. There is a sense of anticipation and adventure along the whole cruise. Something important to remember is that MS Havila Capella is also a working ship. As well as transporting us guests, the ships also makes numerous short stops along the way, dropping off and collecting people and supplies. This really embodies what Havila Voyages stand for and all the stops are scheduled on the timetable. Stops can be 15minutes or a couple of hours so there is always a chance to hop off and take a quick look around.
A sustainable Havila
With a new line of cruises, there’s a chance to experience all Norway has to offer while protecting the environment. In the summer of 2022, Havila Voyages made history by operating the first zero-emission passenger ship sailing through the world heritage fjords (Geirangerfjord). Havila allows guests to set sail on a cleaner course. They offer an energy-efficient design in their ships, locally sourced ingredients when it comes to dining and reduced harmful emissions by 90%.
The ships are operated by agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and are considered critical infrastructure and an important contributor to the transport of goods and passengers along the Norwegian coast. Havila has invested more than £41million in its existing technology, and preparing its ships for the future. The new ships have several features that maintain sustainability. These features include improved battery packs, a surplus heat recycling process, and the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) which reduces CO2 emissions by 30%.
Havila Voyages’ ultimate goal is to operate its 12-day voyages emission-free, working closely with its sister company, Hav Hydrogen, to bring hydrogen to the passenger shipping market.
Travel in comfort and class
Havila’s ships offer comfort and style, aside from being environmentally friendly. MS Havila Capella has spacious cabins, an observation lounge and bar, a separate cardio and strength training gym, a sauna, an outdoor deck and two jacuzzis.
A daily itinerary of the voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes is provided, describing travels and excursions. Visits include spotting the world’s most beautiful fjords and crossing the Arctic Circle. Excursions have been designed to really experience traditional Norwegian cuisine, discover all that nature has to offer, and experience Norwegian culture and history.
Our Junior Suite
The cabins include the Lighthouse Suite, Junior Suite with a balcony, Panoramic Superior, Panoramic Deluxe, and Balcony Deluxe. The Lighthouse Suite has the greatest amount of offerings, with similar inclusions but in greater total size.
Our Junior Suite cabin offered a balcony view and was very spacious with a living room area, huge bed and balcony space for up to four guests. A great feature was the TV which was in the middle of the room and could be flipped around so that you could watch TV in bed or in the living area. There are super comfortable amenities including the softest lounging robes, a generously sized fridge and as a suite guest, the ability to enjoy breakfast in another dining room too. This room is a spacious offering, with room to yourself where you can have a coffee or read a book, feel the fresh air and be completely at peace.
All cabins aboard will include free Wi-Fi, a TV and a wardrobe, fitting between two and four people. The interior of the cabins follows a simple design, offering guests all they will need for a comfortable stay. Bathrooms and showers are included within rooms, and rooms are plenty spacious based on the number of people who plan to stay. They offer minimalistic décor, with stylish, Nordic-themed wall art and blue accented furniture.
Excursions and activities
The voyage began in Bergen, known to be the colourful capital of Western Norway. We had the chance to explore and wander the lively harbour’s charming streets and quays.
On Day 2, we hopped off the ship and had a walk around Ålesund, known for its art and nouveau architecture. We found Aksla Viewpoint on the map which was stunning. Free to visit, the viewpoint is 180 metres above sea level and there are 418 steps to climb, but the view is nevertheless spectacular. During the summer months, there is an option to continue on to the stunning Geiranger Fjord, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to witness its dramatic waterfalls and steep mountain landscapes.
Moving into Day 3, we visited the historic city of Trondheim, which was founded over a thousand years ago. The Nidaros Cathedral is the city’s major landmark. Furthermore, it is Norway’s national shrine and one of the largest cathedrals in northern Europe.
Journeying further north into Day 4, we celebrated crossing the Arctic Circle with a ceremony before exploring the Arctic regions. Witness the midnight sun during the summer months or see the Northern Lights illuminate the winter sky as we did on the final night of the voyage. Encounter the awe-inspiring power of nature with a visit to northern Scandinavia’s largest glacier, see the world’s strongest tidal current, and spot the majestic sea eagles.
Day 5 marked our arrival in Tromsø, a city with a rich history associated with hunting, fishing, and polar expeditions. Tromsø is also a gateway to the land of the Sami, Norway’s indigenous people. Meeting the Sami and learning about their culture, including their unique connection with reindeer, is a truly unforgettable experience. We chose to do the dog sledding and huskies excursion which was amazing. In the camp, you can meet 300 huskies, learn more about dog sledding in the wilderness, the dog breed and how the dogs are trained. The training takes years and involves trust and cooperation both between the dogs and between the dog and the dog handler. The dogs are so friendly and happy. After this, we embarked on a six-kilometre trail pulled by 9 dogs around the snowy icy wilderness. Magical.
By Day 6, the ship will have travelled as far north as possible: by land and sea. In the polar landscape, nature is at its harshest and most desolate, but between bare plains and rugged cliffs, people cling on and reap nature’s bounty. We visited The North Cape, known as the end of the Earth. The North Cape plateau rises a steep 307 metres straight up from the Arctic Ocean. You are standing on the European Continent’s most northerly point, looking out across a horizon so long that you see the Earth curve on a clear day.
At the end of the voyage, on the last day, we arrive in Kirkenes, near the border of Russia, where excursions to visit the border are offered. A chance to explore the infamous Snowhotel is another excursion offered, where everything is crafted from ice and snow: a truly unique landmark to explore. Sadly this was our final stop and our time to return home.
Dining and Drinks
The onboard dining experience was one of the highlights of the journey, with each port along the coastal route offering its own specialities and local recipes. The best thing is that the voyages have full board included with a lot of variety. Havila has four food universes: the fjords, polar region, Arctic, and archipelagos. As we sailed through the different coastal regions, menus changed delicately and we experienced the diverse flavours of the Norwegian coastline.
The main dining room is Havrand, with an open, elegant and relaxed atmosphere. Hildring offers fine dining, and Havblikk is a more exciting bar and lounge experience. Each with a different atmosphere and excellent variety. In 2008, the Norwegian chef, Gunnar Hvarnes, won the Olympic gold for his cooking skills. 12 years later, Norway stood on the podium once again, only this time with Hvarnes as the coach and team leader. This leads to Havila’s concept: sustainable, pure and simple dishes.
The menu concept in Havrand includes breakfast items such as eggs from Sunnmøre with orange plums, Prager breakfast ham from free-ranged pigs, aged Norwegian brown cheese and freshly baked bread. A combination we loved was the brown cheese with blueberry jam – very Norwegian and brown cheese is a must try when visiting Norway with a creamy, sweet and full flavour. Lunch included a wide range of Nordic tapas style plates with our favourite being the fish soup which was available every day. Imagine a creamy soup with such depth of flavour. When it comes to dinner menu items, you can compose your own 3-course dinner with a wide range of fish, salads and Norwegian-inspired dishes like reindeer, fresh fish and popular favourites like steak.
There is a well priced fine dining option with a five course set menu. This is a must try experience and was served in Hildring, a smaller more intimate dining room with the best ingredients that Norway has to offer. We experienced King Crab from Varanger, a scallop from Hitra, pan-fried turbot and a rack of lamb from Dovrefjell.
Havblikk Bar had one of the most impressive drinks selections at sea for a relatively small ship. A drinks package is a great idea as over 95% of the drinks on the menu were included. There was an incredible depth of quality in the included drinks variety from over 20 cocktails, champagne, aged single malts to a range of Norwegian aquavits and gins. Every night before dinner, we visited bar manager Per who is a skilled mixologist. Ask for his signature cocktail, a Norwegian-inspired sour made with passion and poise.
The Northern Lights Promise
Of course, one of the most sought-after experiences along the cruise is the chance to observe the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights appeared on our final evening and it was really magical. There is a feature on the phone in the room where you can set the phone to deliver announcements into the room. At 10:30 p.m. on the last night, an announcement came on. We were in bed but managed to throw on any clothes we could find – a robe, a jacket, tracksuits. Anything. We rushed out to witness the magnificent Northern Lights which appeared for an hour. The atmosphere was electric as we witnessed the colours and shapes filling the sky above.
Havila is confident they can deliver a special Northern Lights experience, and with this confidence comes a Northern Lights promise: any guest booking a twelve-day cruise will be eligible for a free six or seven-night voyage if the natural phenomenon doesn’t appear during their trip From 1 October to 31 March, on the Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen round trip. Full terms and conditions can be found on Havila Cruises’ site.
Memories that will last a lifetime
The 6 night experience with Havila Voyages was a really brilliant way to experience Norway for the first time. There is a sense of relaxed luxury that made this such a memorable cruise. Sailing mostly around the coastline, there was always a sense of that connection with the land and the rich heritage that the coastline brings to Norway. If you want relaxation, a great choice of things to do on and off the ship and the majestic beauty of The Northern Lights, Havila Voyages is the choice for you.
To find out more, visit: havilavoyages.com
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All imagery courtesy of Havila Voyages.