Havila Voyages: A sustainable Arctic cruise in Norway’s far north

Standing on the bow of the ship, the Havila Polaris, with the Arctic winds blowing across the wild Norwegian Sea, passengers brave the cold to witness the breathtaking views of the fiercely rugged coast.

Embarking on a voyage along the majestic northern coastline of Norway with Havila Voyages provides a first-hand experience of the extreme seasons and dramatic scenery that makes this country one of the most appealing Arctic destinations.

This coastal adventure runs all year round with daily sailings departing from Bergen, Norway. The landscape and the light change with the seasons – the mysterious polar night in the winter offers limited daylight hours and the land is a winter wonderland of snow and ice. In the summer, the midnight sun arrives where the sun barely sets in the northern reaches of the Arctic circle and the temperatures are much warmer. Passengers can even take a cruise during the festive season, making it an ultimate Christmas abroad experience.

The itinerary follows the traditional coastal trade route visiting villages and cities on the world’s most sustainable passenger ships. Havila Voyages is investing significantly to become a global leader in sustainable cruise tourism and is already marching toward achieving its aspiration to become carbon neutral and achieve zero emissions by 2028.

Joining this cruise through Norway’s stunning coastline allows travellers to immerse themselves in the breathtaking landscapes and make once-in-a-lifetime memories, while travelling sustainably to preserve the world heritage recognised natural splendour for those who follow.

The ship

The Havila fleet consists of four energy-efficient coastal cruise ships which house some of the largest battery packs on passenger vessels in existence.

These batteries can power the ship for up to four hours with zero emissions, cruising in almost complete silence – a very fitting way to explore some of the most pristine landscapes in the world. When not using battery power, the ships run on liquid natural gas (LNG) and the company is working toward using biogas in the future. It is evident that they are serious about preserving the environment for generations to come.

Each ship can carry 640 passengers, with 179 comfortable cabins or varying standards. Visitors from abroad are welcomed by the multilingual crew, along with a service for locals transiting between coastal ports. The ships still deliver cargo to some of the most remote ports and villages in the country, which harks back to the early days of the use of this trade route.

The itinerary

There is a northbound and southbound voyage which can be combined to make a full point-to-point trip (Bergen to Bergen). Passengers can also choose shorter voyages between key ports.

Havila Voyages’ daily departures allow passengers to adapt an itinerary to suit any travel plans. On board, guests are provided with the sailing timetable to prepare for all the stops and excursions along the way. The ship has an ever-changing seasonal excursion program that focuses on offering local experiences from local providers, ensuring that the economic benefit from visitors goes directly into the communities they visit.

These excursions come at an additional cost to the cruise but create a truly complete experience. Passengers are encouraged to book these excursions in advance as places are limited. Activities can include meeting the local reindeer and hearing from the indigenous Sami people about their traditions and culture, enjoying a Viking feast, driving a snow mobile into the wintery night, taking a tour to the northern-most point of Europe, gliding over the snow on a dog sled and catching king crabs on the ice.

There is an excursion desk available on board to book and learn about each activity, and a daily presentation showcases the program highlights from the day and what to expect for the next day or two.

The days are easily filled with onshore excursions and onboard activities, including dining experiences, relaxing at the bar, and simply taking in the incredible scenery of the Norwegian coast from one of the many outdoor observation decks.

The food

There are two restaurants on board: Hildring for fine dining (bookings required) and Havrand, which is a la carte. Passengers can also enjoy the Havly cafe which offers light meals and snacks. Plus, on the ninth floor, there is the Panorama Bar and an outdoor deck bar that opens when conditions are suitable. Food and drink are of high quality, with generous serves and dietary requirements easily catered for.

Another of Havila Voyages’ sustainability goals is to reduce food waste. Through the a la carte service direct to table, waste is reduced to just 58 grams per passenger per day. Guests can order as much or as little as they would like from the extensive seasonal menu. Food miles are also reduced by using high quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Drinks are served to the table with meal service, and there are tea and coffee stations located throughout the ship which are free of charge, alongside water stations with fresh drinking water.

The cruise experience

The ship is beautifully furnished and is fitted with comfortable seating lounges on all decks, including some nooks with cosy gas fireplaces. There is no shortage of onboard facilities – relax in the sauna and spa (operating in fair weather conditions), work out in the gym, try your hand at the puzzles and games, do some shopping in the gift shop, or even send a post card on board!

Onboard passengers are encouraged to make eco-conscious decisions such as switching lights off when not in their room, removing devices and chargers from power outlets, recycling waste, reusing towels and linen, making mindful use of water in the shower and bathroom sink, ordering food as needed, accepting room cleaning service every other day and using water refill stations.

There are also activities that take place on board, such as local delicacies prepared by the chef. Examples include mussels, fish soup or mulled wine in the evening on the outdoor deck. Some of these are complimentary, while incur a cost.

One of the unmissable activities when arriving into the Arctic circle is when the Norse Sea God ‘Njord’ invites guests be ‘baptised’ with the icy sea water trickled down the back of the neck, protecting travellers as they navigate the seas.

Some stops do not include an excursion but provide enough time for passengers to disembark and explore the port towns. Staff efficiently check passengers on and off the ship to ensure no one is left behind but the message is clear: “don’t be late, the ship won’t wait!”

As night falls, the sky playfully teases all on board with glimmers of light, hinting at what may evolve into a spectacular display of the ethereal Northern Lights. It’s a nightly ritual to stay up late, peering out of the floor-to-ceiling lounge windows into the murky darkness to see if they will appear.

A Northern Lights message service is available in cabins to alert guests of the appearance of the lights any time of the night. Luckily, it’s common in the wild winter for the aurora borealis to appear and dance across the sky.

A journey along Norway’s coast with Havila Voyages offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Arctic, discover the stories of its people and places, and travel responsibly to ensure this stunning destination is preserved for future visitors.

Disclaimer: The writer was a guest of Havila Voyages. Learn more about their voyages here.