Havila Voyages: round-trip winter astronomy cruise

Day by day itinerary

• Day 1 » Depart for Bergen

  Your trip begins with a flight to Bergen. On arrival, head to your city centre hotel, either by taxi, shuttle bus or the tram. You’ll then have the remainder of the day to explore Bergen at leisure, perhaps exploring the Christmas Market (open 22 November – 22 December 2024) depending on your time of travel. It’s a charming, fairly compact city that’s easily explored on foot, with a fabulous mix of cultural attractions, easy access to spectacular nature and lots of excellent places to eat and drink, making it the perfect starting point for your Norwegian winter adventure. 
  

  Stay: Thon Orion, Bergen

• Day 2 » Depart Bergen

  After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll have time to see a little more of Bergen today before your evening cruise departure (20:30). Be sure to take a wander among the timber alleyways of Bryggen, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed wharf, which provides a fascinating insight into Bergen’s past as a crucial trading hub of the Hanseatic League from the 14th to the mid-16th century. It’s also well worth setting aside some time to take the Floibanen funicular (or a steep walk, if you fancy the more strenuous route) to the observation point at Mount Floyen for terrific views overlooking Bergen and the mountains that surround the city.

  Later on, it’s time to board your Havila ship and settle into your comfortable and stylish cabin before enjoying your first dinner onboard. All meals are served at Havrand restaurant, which places a strong emphasis on fresh, seasonal produce from local producers – but you’ll also have the option to experience a five-course gourmet experience at the Hildring fine dining restaurant for an additional supplement. Throughout your cruise, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the wonders of the universe through a series of richly informative lectures provided by an esteemed astronomer from the Royal Astronomical Society who will cover a fascinating range of topics in an easily accessible manner, such as the science behind the Northern Lights, comets, constellations and human exploration in outer space. The individual times of each lecture will be provided closer to your trip. 

  Stay: Havila Voyages

  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 3 » Alesund, Geirangerfjord & Molde

  After sailing north overnight, you’ll soon arrive in Alesund, a city renowned for its elegant, waterfront Art Nouveau architecture. Take the opportunity to explore and learn about its history on a guided walking tour, or perhaps join a kayaking excursion to see the city from the water. There’s also the option to join a boat tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway, lined by steep, snow-capped mountains and cascading waterfalls. It’s a truly awe-inspiring sight in winter, and with fewer crowds than during the peak summer months. Upon re-embarking the Havila ship in Alesund, your cruise continues north towards Molde. 

  Stay: Havila Voyages

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 4 » Trondheim

  Your next port of call is Trondheim, Norway’s former capital during the Viking era and its third-largest city today. Here, you’ll have time to disembark for a guided walking tour, in which you’ll visit the resplendent Nidaros Cathedral, stroll across the Old Town Bridge (Gamle Bybro), admire the brightly painted wharves that line the Nidelva River and explore the historic neighbourhood of Bakklandet, whose cobbled streets are lined with a colourful array of traditional timber houses. Once back onboard, you’ll sail back along the Trondheim Fjord out to sea, passing a plethora of small islands en route towards Rorvik. 

  Stay: Havila Voyages

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 5 » Crossing the Arctic Circle & Lofoten Islands

  It’s a significant moment in your journey today as you cross the Arctic Circle, passing several small villages before arriving in the city of Bodo, European Capital of Culture 2024. Feel free to disembark for a short hike or a bus tour to see the world’s strongest tidal current (Saltstraumen) and capture photographs of its mesmerising maelstroms up close. You’ll then continue north to the Lofoten Islands, whose jagged granite peaks and colourful fishing communities are home to some of the most dramatic and picturesque stretches of coastal Norway. You’re now in prime Northern Lights territory, so keep an eye out as soon as it’s dark outside and have your camera at the ready. 

  Stay: Havila Voyages

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 6 » Tromso

  Venturing deeper into the Arctic, passing by mighty mountains, narrow fjords and remote, windswept beaches, you’ll arrive in Tromso – the largest city in Norway’s far north. A guided bus tour and a journey on the Fjellheisen cable car offers an ideal introduction to this Arctic metropolis, capturing its rich history, eye-catching architecture and impressive natural surroundings. Alternatively, you might be tempted by a reindeer sled ride and the opportunity to learn all about the region’s Sami culture, or you could head out on a snowshoeing or cross-country skiing adventure. The city itself has plenty of fascinating museums, excellent bars and restaurants and shops which you are also more than welcome to peruse at leisure before re-embarking the ship for the next leg of your cruise.

  Stay: Havila Voyages

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 7 » Honningsvag & North Cape

  The next section of your cruise sees you pass the towering cliffs of the North Cape which plunge down into the icy waters of the Barents Sea at the northernmost point of mainland Norway. Glide across this vast, untamed landscape on a snowmobile ride or an ATV safari, or join a snowshoeing and ice fishing trip. There’s also the option of warming up in an Arctic sauna and, if you’re feeling particularly brave, taking a bracing dip in the Barents Sea. 

  Stay: Havila Voyages

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 8 » Kirkenes

  Your cruise reaches its furthest point today, arriving in the frontier town of Kirkenes, right up in the far northeastern corner of Norway, 400 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle. There’s a whole host of thrilling activities to enjoy here, from husky sledding and snowmobiling to visiting the Snowhotel and fishing for king crabs on a frozen fjord. And of course, at such northerly latitudes, there’s a strong chance of seeing the Northern Lights if the skies are clear after dark.

  Stay: Havila Voyages 
  

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 9 » Tromso

  The vast, relatively flat landscapes gradually become more mountainous as you begin the southward component of your voyage, passing the North Cape again. There’s a chance to disembark for a Polar Night snowmobiling adventure in the Arctic wilderness and a sightseeing tour of the far-flung town of Hammerfest before arriving back in Tromso, where you may be interested in visiting the cathedral for a midnight concert of Norwegian and Sami folk music and hymns. 

  Stay: Havila Voyages

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 10 » Lofoten Islands

  Continuing south from Tromso, you’ll pass the wild and sparsely populated islands of Kvaloya and Senja en route to the Vesteralen archipelago and finally the Lofoten Islands. In Svolvaer, you may be tempted to join a tour of a local brewery (with a beer tasting session) or a night time walk around the medieval fishing village of Vagar, in which you’ll gain a fascinating insight into the area’s past.

  Stay: Havila Voyages

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 11 » Crossing the Arctic Circle to Rorvik

  You’ll leave the Arctic Circle behind today as you sail past Bodo overnight and on towards Bronnoysund, where you have the option of hiking to Torghatten (a distinctive mountain with a hole running through its core) or learning all about the region’s salmon fishing industry on a tour which includes the opportunity to try some for yourself, fresh from the source. It’s then on to the colourful port town of Rorvik before continuing south overnight. 

  Stay: Havila Voyages

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 12 » Trondheim & Kristiansund

  If you didn’t already do so on the northbound leg of your journey, there’s another opportunity to explore Trondheim today, either at your own pace or on a guided tour of Nidaros Cathedral. You’ll then sail back along the Trondheim Fjord and on to Kristiansund, which offers a chance to explore the mesmerising underground world of the Bergtatt Marble Mine en route to Molde. 

  Stay: Havila Voyages

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 13 » Bergen

  Passing through Alesund overnight, you’ll meander through a varied coastal landscape of mountains, countless small islands and fjords before arriving back where it all began in Bergen. Disembark in the afternoon and head to your city centre hotel where you can reacclimatise to being back on land, enjoy some waffles and make the most of one last night in Norway’s delightful second city – a perfect chance to rest, recharge and reflect on your journey. 
  

  Stay: Thon Orion, Bergen

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Day 14 » Return to UK

  After breakfast and, depending on your flight time, another chance to explore more of Bergen, head back to the airport to catch your flight home. 
  

  Meals: Breakfast