Havila coastal voyage: what to expect on board

The Norwegian coastal voyage is one of the great unhurried journeys. Sailing between Bergen and Kirkenes along a coastline of islands, fjords and remote fishing communities, the Havila ships call at 34 ports in each direction, carrying locals, cargo and travellers in equal measure. It is not a cruise in the conventional sense, and understanding what it is, and what it is not, will help you get the most from the experience.

What kind of journey is this?

The Havila ships are working vessels as much as passenger ships. At each port stop, cargo is loaded and unloaded, local passengers board and disembark, and the ship moves on. Some stops last long enough to step ashore briefly and explore; others are short working stops where leaving the ship is not practical. This rhythm, purposeful and unhurried at the same time, is part of what makes the voyage distinctive.

There is no traditional cruise entertainment on board. What Havila offers instead is storytelling, local knowledge from the expedition team, extraordinary scenery around every bend, and the particular pleasure of watching Norway go about its daily life from the water. Travellers who come expecting a conventional cruise may be surprised. Those who come expecting something more authentic and quietly compelling tend to find it one of the most memorable journeys they have taken.

Havila's ships are among the most environmentally advanced coastal vessels in the world, fitted with large battery packs allowing them to sail on zero emissions through UNESCO-listed fjord sections. This is worth knowing both for the experience, the ship is noticeably quiet at certain points, and for the values behind it.

At certain points along the route, particularly through protected fjord sections, the ships run on battery power alone. The quiet is noticeable and adds to the atmosphere of the journey in a way that is difficult to describe until you have experienced it.

Before you board

Bergen departures

In Bergen, Havila ships sail from the Jektevik Terminal at Nøstegaten 30. Taxi drivers will know it if you ask for the Havila or Jektevik Terminal, and it is signposted locally. The terminal is approximately a twenty-minute walk from Bryggen, with a hill in between, so allow time or take a taxi if you have luggage.

The terminal opens for luggage check-in from 13:00. Passenger check-in begins at 15:00 and embarkation from 16:00. Cabins are available from 18:00, though they are sometimes ready earlier. Bring your passport and a credit or debit card. During embarkation you will pass through an area where you stop to watch the safety video before boarding.

We recommend spending the afternoon exploring Bergen before embarkation. The streets just behind the terminal heading toward the city centre are quiet, residential and very much the real Bergen rather than the tourist-facing waterfront. A pleasant way to spend a few hours before sailing.

Kirkenes & Tromsø departures

For southbound departures from Kirkenes, a transfer bus meets arriving flights and takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the terminal. The southbound voyage departs at around 12:30. Lunch is served on boarding. Your cabin will typically be ready when you arrive.

In Tromsø, the ship calls as part of the southbound route and boarding arrangements are similar in character to Kirkenes, with cabins typically available on arrival. Full timing details for your specific sailing will be confirmed by our team before departure.
Your destination specialist at 50 Degrees North will provide transfer and embarkation details for all ports before you travel.

Trondheim departures

For travellers joining the coastal voyage in Trondheim, as on our Norway by Rail & Sea itinerary, full terminal address, check-in times and embarkation details will be provided by your destination specialist before departure. Trondheim's compact city centre makes it easy to spend time exploring before boarding, and we will advise on the best way to reach the terminal from your hotel. If you have any questions about joining the ship in Trondheim, get in touch with our team.

Your first evening on board

After embarkation, you will need to activate your keycard at any point of sale on the ship, including reception, the café, bar or restaurant. Once activated, all purchases are charged to your room automatically. You will receive a statement the night before disembarkation. If everything is in order, no action is needed and your card on file will be charged. Reception can assist with any queries.

Settle into your cabin, find the panorama lounge, and head out on deck if conditions allow. The departure from Bergen or the evening sailing from Kirkenes are both worth being on deck for.

Your cabin

Standard seaview cabins on Havila's ships are spacious by coastal ferry standards, with unobstructed sea views, a sofa, desk, coffee machine and a modern ensuite bathroom. The design is clean and Scandinavian in character. Larger rigid suitcases may not fit under the bed depending on the cabin class you have booked. Storage space is available elsewhere on the ship if needed. Ask for assistance on arrival.

Life on board

Keeping track of the day

Each afternoon around 4pm, collect the next day's programme from the tour desk. This lists docking times, excursion meeting points, meal times, landmark passages and sign-up deadlines for optional excursions. Channel 7 on the cabin television carries daily programming in English with the same information. Onboard announcements keep you well informed throughout the day. If you go ashore at a port, note the departure time carefully, as the ship departs on schedule regardless.

Dining

Meals in the restaurant are served à la carte with table service rather than buffet style, which gives the onboard dining a more relaxed and unhurried feel. The menus draw on seasonally inspired Nordic ingredients. Breakfast and dinner are generally included depending on your booking. Lighter options and drinks are available in the café throughout the day. Check your specific booking for what is included.

Excursions

Optional excursions can be booked on board through the expedition team or signed up for via the daily programme. Booking the night before is advisable as popular excursions fill up. The expedition team will also brief you on what is coming up and what conditions to expect.

Northern Lights alarm

If you are travelling during the aurora season, ask at reception on arrival how to activate the Northern Lights alarm for your cabin. When activated, the system alerts you silently if aurora activity is detected, allowing you to head on deck without having to stay awake watching the sky. It is a small thing that makes a genuine difference.

Connectivity and facilities

Reliable wi-fi is available throughout the ship. Ask at reception if you experience difficulties. The ships have jacuzzis on the upper deck and a gym on board. Note that the outdoor jacuzzis may be unavailable during rough weather or at certain points in the winter season. Towels and liquid soap are provided in cabins. Washing machines and tumble dryers are available on most ships for self-service laundry.

What to pack that you might not think of

A swimming costume. The ships have jacuzzis and gym facilities, though availability depends on weather and season.

Warm layers for on deck. The scenery is best experienced from outside, and the Norwegian coast can be cold even in summer. A windproof outer layer, hat and gloves will extend your time on deck considerably.

Light clothing for inside. The heating on board is very effective. Most travellers find they are significantly warmer inside than they expected, so a change of lighter clothes for evenings in the restaurant or lounge is worth packing.

Something for quiet evenings. A book, cards or a downloaded series will serve you well. The voyage is genuinely relaxing and the evenings are unhurried. This is not a complaint.

A small amount of washing detergent. If you are on a longer voyage and want to use the self-service laundry, this is easier than sourcing it on board.

Note on luggage size: Larger, rigid suitcases may not fit under the bed depending on your cabin class. Storage space is available elsewhere on the ship if needed. Ask for assistance on arrival.

Disembarkation

Arriving in Bergen

Luggage is delivered to the baggage belt in the terminal on arrival. You will be asked to vacate your cabin a few hours before arrival. Information about timing is provided on board the evening before.

Arriving in Kirkenes

At Kirkenes, there is no terminal building. Luggage is brought off the ship dockside. Leave your luggage near the lifts on your deck before midnight the night before arrival, or carry it yourself when you vacate your cabin before 8am. A direct bus from the ship serves both the hotels and the airport. The drive to the airport is approximately twenty minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go ashore at port stops during the voyage?

At some ports, yes. Stop durations vary considerably. Longer stops give you time to step off and explore briefly, while shorter working stops are not practical for going ashore. The daily programme lists port times so you can plan ahead. Always note the departure time carefully and return to the ship before it.

Is the Havila coastal voyage suitable for solo travellers?

Very much so. The communal spaces on board, including the panorama lounge, restaurant and observation decks, make it easy to meet fellow travellers. The expedition team also creates a sociable atmosphere around excursions and briefings. Many solo travellers find the voyage one of the most naturally social journeys they have taken.

What is the difference between Havila and Hurtigruten?

Both operators sail the full Bergen to Kirkenes coastal route, calling at the same 34 ports in each direction. The scenery, the rhythm of the journey and the fundamental character of the experience are the same on both.

Where they differ is in the ships themselves. Havila's vessels are newly built and fitted with LNG and battery hybrid systems, making them among the most environmentally advanced coastal ships currently operating on the route. The result is notably quieter sailing, particularly through the protected fjord sections where the ships run on battery power alone. Cabins are spacious and Scandinavian in design, and dining is à la carte with table service rather than buffet style.

50 Degrees North has chosen to sail with Havila on our Northern Lights small group tours because their approach to sustainability, comfort and onboard atmosphere aligns closely with how we design travel. For travellers joining the coastal voyage as part of one of our independent itineraries, the operator may vary depending on scheduling and availability, and both deliver a genuinely memorable journey along one of the world's great coastal routes.

Is there a dress code on board?

No formal dress code. Smart casual for the restaurant in the evening is appropriate, but the atmosphere is relaxed and Norwegian in character. Practical layers for on deck and comfortable clothes for evenings inside covers most situations.

Can I see the Northern Lights from the ship?

Yes, if you are travelling north of Bergen between late September and late March and conditions are clear. The ship's upper decks offer unobstructed views, and the aurora alarm system in cabins means you do not have to stay awake watching. Havila's ships also reduce light pollution on deck during aurora alerts to improve visibility.

How do I book excursions on board?

Excursions can be booked through the expedition team desk on board or signed up for via the daily programme collected each afternoon. Booking the evening before is recommended as popular options fill quickly. The expedition team briefs passengers on upcoming excursions and can advise on what suits different interests and fitness levels.

Coastal voyages with 50 Degrees North

The Havila coastal voyage features in several of our Norway itineraries, both as a standalone experience and as part of longer journeys combining the coast with the fjords, cities and Arctic regions. Below are some examples:

• Norwegian Coastal Voyage Southbound — the full Kirkenes to Bergen sailing
• Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound — Bergen to Kirkenes
• Norwegian Coastal Voyage Round Trip — the complete journey in both directions
• Norway by Rail & Sea — combining the Dovre Railway, Trondheim and an overnight coastal sailing from Trondheim to Bergen
• Experience the Northern Lights — small group journey from Oslo to Finnish Lapland including a northbound coastal voyage
• Chase the Northern Lights Express — southbound voyage from Kirkenes to Bergen as part of an Arctic and coastal journey

For help choosing the right coastal voyage itinerary, get in touch with our destination specialists.

Images: Havila Kystruten