Havila Voyages to offer Norwegian coastal cruises

Havila Voyages has ordered four new-build ships to operate voyages from Bergen to Kirkenes, as part of a 10-year government-funded contract to sail the historic route.

The first ships, Havila Castor and Havila Capella, will start sailing from spring 2021 with Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux due to follow in 2022.

The operator is promoting its voyages as being the “more environmentally responsible way to explore the Norwegian coast”.

Havila’s ships will be fitted with “the world’s largest” battery packs, allowing them to sail through fjords and other vulnerable areas for up to four hours “quietly and emission free”.

Matthew Valentine, Havila’s country manager, said: “2020 has not been an easy year for the travel industry, especially the cruise sector.

“We clearly didn’t plan to launch a new cruise line during a worldwide pandemic, so it is really heart-warming to have received such a positive response from the UK travel trade.”

Havila’s prices start from £241 per person for a two-day trip from Trondheim to Bergen cabin-only, while the six-day southbound voyage from Kirkenes to Bergen starts from £497pp and the 12-day round trip costs from £829pp on full-board basis.

“We have some exciting plans for the launch of Havila Voyages and I’m delighted to once again be working with operators and agents from across the UK,” added Valentine.

“We know that the success of our business will rely on us building strong trade partnerships, so I look forward to catching up with as many industry colleagues as possible in the near future.”