Trace the wild and rugged Norwegian coast from north to south on this scenic winter cruise with Havila Voyages, keeping an eye out for the Northern Lights as you go. Expect stylish and spacious cabins, fabulous meals and a whole host of optional excursions to choose from, such as snowmobiling, scenic hikes and guided bus tours. Your journey begins deep inside the Arctic Circle in Kirkenes, passing the North Cape before making stops in Tromso and the Lofoten Islands, where jagged peaks rise dramatically out of the icy waters of the Norwegian Sea. Continuing south, there are opportunities to visit Trondheim’s majestic Nidaros Cathedral, explore the UNESCO-protected Vega Islands and travel along the spectacular Atlantic Road between Kristiansund and Molde, en route to the Art Nouveau delights of Ålesund. Your final stop is Bergen, where you’ll have the chance to ride the Floibanen funicular and explore the historic Bryggen wharf.
Havila Voyages: Norway winter cruise from Kirkenes to Bergen
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Discover Norway’s coastal delights in winter on this north-to-south cruise with Havila Voyages
» 8 day coastal cruise
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £1,570 pp incl. flights
Day by day itinerary
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Day 1 » Depart for Kirkenes
Your trip begins with a flight to Oslo, from where you’ll take an internal connecting flight to Kirkenes, a small town tucked away right up in the far northeast corner of Norway, deep within the Arctic Circle. On arrival, an included shuttle transfer will bring you to your hotel on the waterfront, with views overlooking the fjord. From around 21 November - 21 January, Kirkenes experiences Polar Night, as the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon throughout the depths of winter. The long hours of darkness create an extended window of opportunity to spot the Northern Lights casting their ethereal green glow, which can be frequently seen here when the skies are sufficiently clear.
Stay: Thon Hotel Kirkenes
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Day 2 » Board Havila & overnight onboard
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel this morning before making your way to the ferry terminal – either on foot (around 20 minutes) or by taxi (less than five minutes). Board the Havila ship and make yourself comfortable in your cosy cabin accommodation as your voyage begins, cruising past the wild, windswept coastline of the Varanger Peninsula, where towering cliffs plunge into the icy waters of the Barents Sea. After passing the remote fishing outposts of Batsfjord and Berlevag, it’s time to enjoy your first night onboard, including a delicious three-course dinner featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients from Norwegian producers. Before calling it a night, remember to take a look outside to see whether the aurora is dancing in the night sky.
Stay: Havila Voyages
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 3 » Pass the North Cape en route to Tromso
This morning, as you approach the northernmost tip of mainland Norway, you’ll have the option of disembarking at Mehamn for an exhilarating snowmobiling tour, gliding across the frozen wilderness to Kjollefjord, where you’ll board the ship to continue your journey. You may also be tempted to hop off for breakfast at the North Cape, and perhaps join an optional sightseeing tour of Hammerfest, a town with a long and storied history, en route to Tromso. Dubbed Norway’s ‘Capital of the North’, it’s by far the largest city in the region and home to a plethora of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Take the opportunity to experience the city’s buzzing nightlife scene, and if you fancy, enjoy a midnight concert at Tromso Cathedral.
Stay: Havila Voyages
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4 » Optional excursions & Lofoten Islands
Today’s journey takes in some of Norway’s most dramatic coastal scenery, as you weave a route between islands characterised by jagged peaks, white sand beaches and steep-sided fjords. Along the way, there’s a whole host of optional excursions on offer, including a guided bus tour of the Vesterålen archipelago, a sea eagle safari in Trollfjorden, a brewery visit and beer tasting session, and a guided bus tour to the picturesque village of Henningsvaer in the Lofoten Islands. Rising out of the Norwegian Sea like gnarled granite teeth, the Lofoten Islands and their idyllic timber-clad villages, are a truly majestic sight – so be sure to have your camera at the ready.
Stay: Havila Voyages
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 » Bodo, Bronnoysund & Rorvik
You’ll leave the Arctic Circle behind today, sailing south past Bodo (European Capital of Culture 2024) and Ornes, between an array of islands, skerries and tiny islets, before arriving at Bronnoysund. You may choose to disembark along the way for a guided speedboat tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vega Islands, where the tradition of housing eider ducks in purpose-built shelters has been running for hundreds of years. From Bronnoysund, there’s also the option of learning all about the region’s rich salmon fishing heritage, or taking a hike to Torghatten, a mountain instantly recognisable by the hole running straight through the middle of it. Your final stop of the day is Rorvik, a colourful port town that’s home to the excellent Norveg Coastal Museum.
Stay: Havila Voyages
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6 » Trondheim, the Atlantic Road & Ålesund
As you sail through the wide open Trondheimsfjord, you’ll have the option to disembark at Trondheim, Norway’s third largest city and former Viking capital, for a guided tour of the mightily impressive Nidaros Cathedral. Next up is your chance to experience perhaps Norway’s most impressive coastal road – the Atlantic Road – which links several small islands and skerries along an awe-inspiring eight kilometre stretch between Kristiansund and Molde. A guided tour of the nearby Bergtatt Marble Mine is also a worthy addition to this portion of the trip. Up next is Ålesund, your final stop of the day, where elegant, pastel-coloured Art Nouveau architecture provides an endless stream of photo opportunities.
Stay: Havila Voyages
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 7 » Arrive in Bergen & disembark Havila
On the final leg of your Havila voyage, you’ll sail through a diverse coastal landscape of mountains, fjords and islands as you approach your ultimate destination, Bergen. After disembarking the ship, a shuttle transfer will take you to your hotel in the city centre. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at leisure, and there’s no better place to start than the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hanseatic wharf, Bryggen, whose warren of old timber buildings now houses an array of galleries, handicraft stores and cafes. A return ticket for the Floibanen funicular, which takes you up Mount Floyen for superb views overlooking Bergen, is included as part of your trip. In the evening, take your pick from Bergen’s abundance of enticing restaurants and bustling bars.
Stay: Clarion Collection Havnekontoret, Bergen
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 8 » Return to UK
Depending on your flight time, you may have some more spare time today to explore Bergen a little further. If you didn’t do so already on day seven, this is an ideal opportunity to ride the Floibanen funicular. The old fish market, Bergenhus Fortress, and the Ulriksbanen cable car, are among the city’s other top attractions. It’s then time to head to the airport – either by taxi or by light rail – to catch your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Discover Norway’s coastal delights in winter on this north-to-south cruise with Havila Voyages
» 8 day coastal cruise
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £1,570 pp incl. flights
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