Brand Backstory
Imagine sailing through some of Norway’s more vulnerable fjords with only the sound of water cascading along the mountainside or the gentle squawk of birds above. That near-silence isn’t accidental. It’s the result of battery-powered sailing that allows Havila Voyages’ ships to operate with zero emissions for up to four hours at a time.
The family-owned, sustainability-focused coastal cruise company sails Norway’s traditional coastal route, pairing quiet innovation with decades of maritime heritage. The story dates back to 1957, when founder Per Sævik bought his first fishing boat at the age of 16 with the money he saved working on other boats from the age of 12. Now at over 80 years of age, Sævik still remains very much involved. As chairman of the board, his goal is to take care of Norway’s surrounding nature and local environments.
Ship Snapshot
Already among the most sustainable sailings along the Norwegian coast, Havila operates four identical ships that are currently powered by a combination of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and large battery packs, which reduce CO₂ emissions by 35%. With some of the world’s most environmentally friendly coastal ships, they remain proudly Norwegian-owned, continuing to sail the historic route that has connected coastal communities for more than 130 years.
While their complete twelve-day route covers all 34 ports from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, guests have the option of choosing a variety of routes depending on how many days they’d like to travel. I ventured out on their three-day southbound voyage, which began in Tromso, through the Lofoten Islands, and continued to the colorful city of Trondheim. We sailed through a myriad of islands along the Helgeland coast, past the narrow Trollfjord, and toasted our passing along the Arctic Circle. With the option of several excursions at each port, we ventured ashore to visit the “Hurtigrutemuseet” to learn the history of the coast, shrieked as our rib boat sped out to find sea eagles, and hiked to the mountain hole of Torghatten. Along the way we had the chance to visit several small communities and cities, chatting with locals, sampling delicacies with our guides, and admiring the colorful houses.
Onboard Amenities
With numerous indoor/outdoor observation decks around the ship, most of my days were spent admiring the coastlines and connecting with surrounding nature. After a quick blast of Norwegian air, I’d unwind in one of the cozy lounge spaces with a cup of tea, watching fellow guests quietly work on their puzzles. The outdoor jacuzzis are the ideal spot to admire the glow of the Northern Lights or snow-capped mountains, while the sauna offers a warm refuge from the icy weather. That’s what I enjoyed most about my time sailing with Havila- we were truly given the opportunity to just be and experience the Nordic lifestyle even onboard.
For gathering, the ship has two restaurants, a cozy café, a panoramic bar, and an outdoor bar on the deck. There’s also two well-equipped fitness rooms, books to borrow, a self-service laundry room, and a Havila shop stocked with weather-appropriate clothing, travel essentials, local souvenirs, or handcrafted jewellery and artifacts.
Staterooms
The fleet spans a range of cabin categories– from Interior and Seaview staterooms to Junior Suites and the luxe Lighthouse Suites with expansive private balconies– with 179 cabins per vessel hosting up to 468 passengers. In the fall of 2025, the brand introduced a new cabin category, Seaview Superior King, offering larger beds and extra comfort- without the need to upgrade to a suite.
I stayed in one of their seaview superior rooms, which featured a large window, desk area, and a comfortable sofa. For a little luxury, suites are offered in premium, junior, and mini– many with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows and others with private balconies and outdoor soaking tubs.
What’s Included
Included with every Havila Voyage are complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, and access to all public facilities– including both fitness rooms, as well as the sauna and Jacuzzi on Deck 8. Travelers have the option to book the cabin or meals a la carte or to proceed with meal plan packages (that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with the option to upgrade one or more dinners to the fine dining option Hildring. What I like about Havila is the ability to customize your itinerary through their variety of voyage options. The 12-day round voyage ranges from $1,500-$9,000, depending on the travel month and room type. The coastal express voyages run from 6-7 days and start from $1,300. The northbound short voyages run for 3 days and start at $500, while the southbound short voyages range from 2-5 days. There’s also around 70 shore-side excursions to choose from, with varying prices depending on seasonality
Food & Drink
I’m not sure what I was expecting from a coastal cruise, but it certainly wasn’t this. Staying true to Havila’s message of showcasing the best of Norway in a sustainable way, breakfast at Havrand Restaurant wasn’t piles of food going to waste- instead, there was a selection of cheeses, jams, cold cuts, vegetables, fresh fruit, and baked goods. Additionally, a rotating menu is presented at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, allowing guests to pick and choose from small plates that highlight the flavors of the region– think everything from Norwegian fish soup and seaweed caviar to duck breast and Scandinavian venison. With smaller dishes, the goal is 75g per guest-night onboard. For an intimate dining experience, Hildring is the ship’s fine-dining restaurant serving the best Norwegian flavors. I honestly didn’t think it could get much better, until I was sampling reindeer from Finnmark paired with wine and sweeping views of the islands.
Fast Facts
Location: The coast of Norway
Vibe: A relaxed and immersive feel mixed with outdoor adventure.
Rating: Five-star
Starting Rate: $500/person depending on route and season
Room Count: 179 cabins and suites
Our Favorite Thing About The Ship:
Dining: Havrand is the main restaurant where breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served. Havly Cafe is more on-the-go, with lunch/dinner meals, snacks, and pastries. Intimate and elegant, Hildring is the fine-dining restaurant onboard serving the freshest ingredients. Havblikk bar & lounge’s glass roof and 360 windows are ideal for fjord watching with a drink. But, don’t forget about Havbris outdoor bar that pops up every now and then under the Arctic sky.
Amenities: Sauna, jacuzzi, various lounge and observation areas, self-service laundry, two fitness center rooms, WiFi, and an onboard store.
Norway
