Havila Voyages 2026: Norwegian Coastal Express Cruise Packages from UAE | Travelwings UAE

Overview: Havila Voyages is one of two operators of the iconic 130-year-old Norwegian Coastal Express route between Bergen and Kirkenes, sharing the legendary 2,500-nautical-mile coastal journey with sister operator Hurtigruten. Havila operates four identical sister ships — Havila Capella (2021), Havila Castor (2022), Havila Polaris (2023), and Havila Pollux (2023) — designed specifically for the route and powered by LNG-electric hybrid propulsion with the world's largest battery packs at sea, enabling four hours of zero-emission silent sailing through Norway's most sensitive fjord environments. Each 122.7-metre ship carries 640 passengers (172 day-passengers plus 468 in 179 cabins). Travelwings UAE arranges Havila Voyages bookings as fly-to packages from Dubai (DXB) to Bergen (Norway's gateway port) via European hubs. The 12-day Classic Round Voyage covers 34 ports between Bergen and Kirkenes, returning via the same coastal route — a journey widely described as ""the world's most beautiful sea voyage.""

For UAE travellers who've already done the major cruise destinations and are looking for something genuinely different, the Norwegian Coastal Voyage on a Havila ship sits in its own category. It's not a conventional cruise — it's a working coastal service that calls at 34 ports between Bergen in southern Norway and Kirkenes in the Arctic Circle, mixing tourists, local commuters, and freight delivery. The result is an authentic Norwegian coastal experience that conventional cruise lines simply can't replicate. This page covers everything UAE travellers need to know about planning a Havila Voyages booking.

Who Is Havila Voyages?

Havila Voyages (also branded Havila Kystruten) was launched in 2021 as a new operator on the historic Norwegian Coastal Express route, breaking the 130-year-long monopoly that Hurtigruten had held over the iconic Bergen-to-Kirkenes service. Havila is a subsidiary of Havila Holding (a 2002-founded family-owned investment company headquartered in Fosnavåg, Norway), part of the wider Havila Group with longstanding ties to Norwegian maritime industry and shipping.

Havila Voyages and Hurtigruten now share the Norwegian Coastal Express route under a government-subsidised contract that maintains daily departures from Bergen northbound to Kirkenes (and southbound returns), connecting Norwegian coastal communities and delivering essential mail, freight, and passenger services to ports that have relied on the route since 1893. The route is operated by both companies in parallel, with ships from Havila and Hurtigruten passing each other in opposite directions along the coast — the famous ""passing"" moments are part of the route's character.

Havila's positioning differentiates from Hurtigruten through three things: a brand-new fleet (four identical purpose-built ships from 2021–2023), the most environmentally-advanced coastal cruise ships in the world (LNG-electric hybrid propulsion with the world's largest battery packs at sea), and a Nordic design and gastronomic philosophy focused on locally sourced cuisine and sustainable operations.

Which Havila Ships Sail the Norwegian Coast?

Havila operates four identical sister ships, all purpose-built for the Norwegian Coastal Express route:

Havila Capella — Launched 2021, the first ship in the fleet. Built at Tersan Shipyard in Yalova, Turkey. The maiden voyage represented Havila's entry into the Bergen-Kirkenes coastal service.

Havila Castor — Launched 2022, sister to Capella. Also Tersan-built. The first passenger ship to complete the Bergen-Kirkenes route emission-free — a milestone for sustainable coastal cruising.

Havila Polaris — Launched August 2023, sister vessel. Originally laid down at Barreras Shipyard in Vigo, Spain in 2019, with construction transferred to Tersan in Turkey after Barreras' financial difficulties. Officially named at Hammerfest in October 2024, with Norway's Minister of Fisheries serving as the godmother.

Havila Pollux — Launched August 2023, fourth and final sister. Same Spain-to-Turkey transfer history as Polaris. Officially named at Bryggen, Bergen in May 2024, with former Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg as godmother.

Common ship specifications across all four:
- 122.7 metres long, 22 metres wide
- Passenger capacity: 640 (172 day-passengers + 468 in 179 cabins)
- Crew: ~80
- Gross tonnage: ~15,500 GT
- 9 passenger decks
- LNG-electric hybrid propulsion: 2 dual-fuel engines + 4 Bergen gas engines (IMO Tier 3 compliant), plus the world's largest battery packs at sea
- Four hours of zero-emission silent sailing through sensitive fjord environments
- Designed by Havyard Ship Technology AS (a Norwegian maritime company founded in 2000)
- Cost approximately EUR 200 million / USD 230 million per ship

All four ships are identical in design and dimensions, with subtle variations in interior naming conventions (each ship is named after a star or constellation — Capella, Castor, Polaris, Pollux — with interior themes drawing on Nordic mythology and astronomy).

What Are the Norwegian Coastal Express Routes Available to UAE Travellers?

The Norwegian Coastal Express is fundamentally one route — Bergen to Kirkenes and back — operated on a daily basis with passengers choosing different segments depending on their travel preferences:

Classic Round Voyage (12 days):
- Bergen → Kirkenes → Bergen — The full 2,500-nautical-mile round trip
- 34 ports in both directions: Bergen, Florø, Måløy, Torvik, Ålesund, Geiranger (April–September), Molde, Kristiansund, Trondheim, Rørvik, Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Ørnes, Bodø, Stamsund, Svolvær, Stokmarknes, Sortland, Risøyhamn, Harstad, Finnsnes, Tromsø, Skjervøy, Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund, Honningsvåg, Kjøllefjord, Mehamn, Berlevåg, Båtsfjord, Vardø, Vadsø, Kirkenes (and the return southbound calls)
- Most ports are short stops of 10–45 minutes for cargo loading and local passenger transfers
- Major ports offer 2-3 hour stops with the opportunity for organised excursions

Voyage North (7 days):
- Bergen → Kirkenes — One-way northbound, ending in the Arctic Circle at the Norwegian-Russian border

Voyage South (6 days):
- Kirkenes → Bergen — One-way southbound, returning from the Arctic to southern Norway

Custom segments:
- Shorter coastal stretches between any two of the 34 ports, with the option to extend by continuing on the next Havila ship that arrives

Geirangerfjord access:
- April through September only, Havila ships sail into the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord — one of Norway's most photographed natural sites

Northern Lights season (October through March):
- Havila offers a ""Northern Lights Promise"" — if the Northern Lights aren't visible during your Classic Round Voyage in winter, Havila offers a complimentary 6- or 7-night Coastal Voyage at a later date

For UAE travellers, the Classic Round Voyage from Bergen is the most-booked format — twelve days covers the full route with time to fully experience both the spectacular fjord scenery of southern Norway and the Arctic landscapes of the far north. The shorter Voyage North or Voyage South suits travellers wanting to combine the coastal cruise with a separate land programme in either Bergen (for southern Norway exploration) or the Arctic Lapland regions (for separate Northern Lights, dog-sledding, or Sami culture experiences).

What's Onboard Havila Ships?

The Havila experience is built around sustainability, Nordic gastronomic authenticity, and immersive coastal observation rather than mass-cruise entertainment:

Cabins (179 per ship):
- All cabins have air conditioning, spacious shower bathrooms, towels and bath products, free Wi-Fi
- Most cabins feature sea views; some inside cabins also available
- Cabin categories range from Standard Inside through Premium Sea View, Junior Suite, and Senior Suite
- Nordic décor inspired by the surrounding landscapes — light fabrics, restful colours, designed for sleep with sea views and quiet
- Family cabins with sleeping configurations for 4-6 guests
- Single-occupancy cabins available without supplement on selected categories

Dining (locally sourced and Norwegian-led):
- Hildring restaurant — The main dining venue serving traditional Norwegian dishes from local producers along the coast
- Multi-course set menus based on regional Norwegian cuisine, with reindeer, Arctic char, king crab, brunost (Norwegian brown cheese), cloudberries, and local seasonal produce
- All food is sourced from producers along the route — the line's ""Coastal Kitchen"" concept means each port contributes to the onboard menu
- All unnecessary plastic is avoided as part of Havila's sustainability commitment
- Three meal services daily for full-board passengers
- The Havly Café — Casual venue for snacks, coffee, light meals

Public spaces:
- Panoramic observation lounges with floor-to-ceiling windows for fjord viewing
- Outdoor deck access throughout the journey for unobstructed wildlife and landscape photography
- Library and quiet reading spaces
- Children's play area with Nordic theme
- Sauna and outdoor hot tubs — A Nordic tradition aboard most Havila ships
- Boutique and souvenir shop
- Reception desk operating 24/7

Wildlife and observation:
- The route delivers some of the world's best whale watching (sperm whales, orcas, humpbacks)
- Sea eagle territory — Norway has Europe's largest sea eagle population
- Aurora Borealis viewing between October and March (with the Northern Lights Promise)
- Midnight Sun viewing between May and July north of the Arctic Circle (sunrise/sunset don't fully separate)

Cultural programme:
- The 2026 Havila Blues Cruise on Havila Pollux features a curated lineup of musicians performing during the voyage
- Selected sailings feature themed programmes — photography workshops, Nordic culinary masterclasses, Sami culture immersion

The defining quality of the Havila experience is the absence of conventional cruise-ship entertainment. There are no theatre productions, no comedy shows, no waterslides, no casinos. Instead, the journey itself is the entertainment — the changing landscape from southern Norwegian fjords through Arctic coastline, the local Norwegians embarking and disembarking at small ports, the practical service of mail and cargo delivery alongside passenger transport. UAE travellers who book Havila are choosing immersion in Norwegian coastal life rather than escape from it.

For UAE travellers comparing Havila against other Northern European specialist cruise options, the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) page covers the closest non-coastal alternative — NCL operates conventional larger-ship Norwegian Fjords and Iceland itineraries during the May–September summer season from Copenhagen, Reykjavík, and other Northern European homeports. NCL delivers the broader Northern Europe experience with full cruise-ship entertainment and the Free at Sea bundled fare; Havila delivers the authentic Norwegian coastal service experience that NCL cannot replicate. The two products serve fundamentally different Northern European travel preferences.

What's Included in a Havila Voyages Package from Travelwings?

A typical Havila Voyages package booked through Travelwings UAE includes:

• Cabin accommodation for the full sailing duration (6, 7, or 12 days)
• All main meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — at the Hildring main restaurant
• Locally sourced Norwegian cuisine across all meal services
• Tea, coffee, and water with meals
• Full deck access throughout the voyage for wildlife and landscape observation
• Sauna and observation lounge access
• Free Wi-Fi onboard
• Return flights from Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), or Sharjah (SHJ) to Bergen (via European hub airports — Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London, or Oslo)
• Pre-cruise hotel night in Bergen to align with the standard daily Havila departure from Bergen
• Airport-to-port and port-to-airport transfers in Bergen
• 24/7 Travelwings UAE customer support
• Tabby instalment options on eligible packages

Items typically outside the standard inclusion: alcoholic beverages, premium dining options, organised shore excursions at ports along the route (typically 1.5–3 hour stops with locally-led excursion options at additional cost), spa and beauty treatments, and gratuities (gratuities are optional on Havila — Norwegian service culture doesn't expect them, though they are welcomed).

How Much Do Havila Voyages Packages Cost from the UAE?

Havila pricing on Travelwings UAE reflects the premium positioning of the Norwegian Coastal Express:

• 12-day Classic Round Voyage (Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen, inside cabin) — From approximately AED 8,500 per person twin-share including return flights from Dubai to Bergen, pre-cruise hotel, transfers, the full voyage with all meals
• 12-day Classic Round Voyage (sea-view cabin) — From around AED 11,500 per person
• 12-day Classic Round Voyage (Junior Suite category) — From around AED 16,000 per person
• 7-day Voyage North (Bergen-Kirkenes one-way) — From around AED 6,500 per person
• 6-day Voyage South (Kirkenes-Bergen one-way) — From around AED 6,000 per person
• Northern Lights Voyage packages (October–March 12-day rounds) — From around AED 9,500 per person
• Geirangerfjord-inclusive sailings (April–September) — From around AED 9,000 per person

Pricing varies with season — December–February for Northern Lights season and June–August for Midnight Sun and peak fjord access sit at the top of the band; April, May, September, and October deliver the strongest value with mild weather and uncrowded ports.

For UAE travellers wanting to set the Havila pricing in context against a very different European cruising format, the Costa Cruises page covers the European-mainstream alternative — Costa's Italian-style Mediterranean voyages on Costa Toscana and Costa Smeralda operate on much larger ships at significantly different price points and an entirely different onboard atmosphere from Havila's working-coastal-service approach. The two products serve fundamentally different cruising preferences but both rank among Travelwings UAE's most-booked European cruise options.

When Is the Best Time to Take a Havila Voyage from the UAE?

Havila operates year-round with strong seasonal variation:

Summer (May–September):
- Midnight Sun season north of the Arctic Circle — June and July deliver continuous daylight (the sun doesn't fully set)
- Geirangerfjord access — Havila sails into the UNESCO Geirangerfjord April through September
- Mildest weather (10–18°C in southern Norway, slightly cooler in the north)
- Strongest wildlife viewing (whales, sea eagles)
- Longest port stops at busier daytime hours

Winter and shoulder (October–March):
- Northern Lights season — September through April, with peak viewing November through February
- Aurora Borealis Promise — Havila guarantees Northern Lights or offers a complimentary return voyage
- Lower passenger volumes
- Snow-covered Arctic landscapes at the northernmost ports
- Colder temperatures (-5°C to +5°C across most ports)
- Strongest Northern Lights viewing on Voyage North or Classic Round Voyage

Shoulder months (April, May, September, October):
- The strongest value-to-experience ratio
- Mixed wildlife seasons (some Northern Lights still possible, fjord access still open)
- Softer pricing than peak summer or peak Northern Lights weeks

For UAE travellers, December through February delivers the most distinctive Norwegian Coastal experience (Northern Lights, snow-covered scenery, traditional Norwegian winter atmosphere). May, June, July delivers the peak summer experience (Midnight Sun, full daylight, busiest port atmosphere). April and September offer the best balance of weather, value, and uncrowded ports.

How Do You Book a Havila Voyage from the UAE?

Booking a Havila Voyage through Travelwings UAE follows a slightly more specialised process than typical mainstream cruise bookings, given the route's working-service nature and seasonal variation. Browse the available Havila sailings on this page, contact the Travelwings cruise desk with your preferred dates, voyage format (Classic Round, Voyage North, or Voyage South), cabin category, and any specific port preferences. The team confirms live availability against Havila's inventory, locks the cabin, and sends an all-in AED quote covering return flights from Dubai to Bergen (via Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, or other European hubs), pre-cruise hotel in Bergen, transfers, the full voyage with all meals, and any add-ons (organised shore excursions, beverages packages, premium dining).

The broader Travelwings UAE cruise portfolio brings every cruise line into a single comparable view with price ranges, route coverage, and ship details — useful for travellers comparing the Havila coastal experience against entirely different cruise formats and price points.

All prices, inclusions, availability, and offers shown are indicative and subject to change without notice based on seasonal demand, supplier terms, and travel dates. Final pricing is confirmed at the time of booking with Travelwings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Havila Voyages

1. How much does a Havila Voyage from the UAE cost?

Havila Voyages packages on Travelwings UAE start from approximately AED 8,500 per person twin-share for the 12-day Classic Round Voyage (Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen) with inside cabin, including return flights from Dubai to Bergen via European hubs, pre-cruise hotel in Bergen, transfers, and the full voyage with all meals. Sea-view cabins start from around AED 11,500 per person, Junior Suite categories from AED 16,000 per person. Voyage North (7-day Bergen-Kirkenes one-way) starts from around AED 6,500 per person.

2. What is the Norwegian Coastal Express?

The Norwegian Coastal Express is a 130-year-old coastal service operating daily between Bergen in southern Norway and Kirkenes in the Arctic Circle near the Norwegian-Russian border. The route covers approximately 2,500 nautical miles each way (5,000 nautical miles round trip) and calls at 34 ports in both directions. The service originally began in 1893 as a working coastal route delivering mail, passengers, and freight to coastal communities — and continues that working function today alongside the tourist passenger experience.

3. How is Havila Voyages different from Hurtigruten?

Havila Voyages and Hurtigruten both operate the Norwegian Coastal Express route under a government-subsidised contract that maintains daily departures. The two companies share the route, with ships passing each other on opposite directions. Havila (launched 2021) operates four brand-new identical ships (Capella, Castor, Polaris, Pollux) with the most environmentally advanced LNG-electric hybrid propulsion at sea. Hurtigruten operates an older, larger fleet with a longer route history. Havila's distinctive positioning is the newest fleet, the most sustainable ships, and the Nordic-design and locally-sourced gastronomic philosophy.

4. What are the Havila ships like?

All four Havila ships are identical sister vessels: 122.7 metres long, 22 metres wide, 640 passenger capacity (172 day-passengers + 468 in 179 cabins), 9 passenger decks, LNG-electric hybrid propulsion with the world's largest battery packs at sea. Each ship has the Hildring main restaurant, the Havly Café, panoramic observation lounges, outdoor decks, sauna, hot tubs, and Nordic-themed interior design. The four ships are named after stars and constellations (Capella, Castor, Polaris, Pollux) — Havila Castor was the first passenger ship to complete the Bergen-Kirkenes route emission-free.

5. Is a Havila Voyage right for me?

A Havila Voyage suits travellers who want an authentic Norwegian coastal experience rather than a conventional cruise. There are no theatre productions, no waterslides, no casino. Instead, the journey itself is the experience — 34 ports along Norway's coastline, mixing tourist passengers with local Norwegian commuters, with locally-sourced Norwegian cuisine, fjord and Arctic landscape observation, and Northern Lights or Midnight Sun viewing depending on the season. The voyage suits couples, solo travellers, photography enthusiasts, wildlife observers, and travellers wanting genuine cultural immersion. It does not suit travellers prioritising big-ship entertainment, families with very young children seeking conventional kids' clubs, or travellers wanting active swimming pool and waterpark amenities.

6. When is the best time for a Havila Voyage?

For Northern Lights season, book a Classic Round Voyage between October and March — November through February is peak. Havila offers a Northern Lights Promise: if the lights aren't visible during your voyage, Havila offers a complimentary return Classic Round Voyage at a later date. For Midnight Sun and warmest weather, book between June and July when the sun doesn't fully set north of the Arctic Circle. For best value with mild weather and uncrowded ports, April, May, September, and October are the strongest shoulder months. The Geirangerfjord call is only available April through September.

7. Do I need a visa to take a Havila Voyage?

UAE residents typically need a Schengen visa to embark at Bergen, since Norway is part of the Schengen Area. The visa is straightforward for most UAE passport holders, with standard documentation requirements. The Travelwings cruise team can advise on the specific visa application process and timing. Confirm requirements based on your specific passport and travel dates.

8. What's the difference between Voyage North, Voyage South, and Classic Round Voyage?

The Classic Round Voyage is the full 12-day Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen round trip — the most popular format and the best value per port visited. Voyage North is a 7-day one-way sailing from Bergen northbound to Kirkenes, ending in the Arctic. Voyage South is a 6-day one-way sailing returning from Kirkenes back to Bergen. UAE travellers wanting maximum coverage typically choose the Classic Round; travellers combining the cruise with a separate Norwegian Lapland land programme often choose Voyage North to disembark in Kirkenes for onward Arctic adventures.

9. Are Havila ships eco-friendly?

Yes — Havila operates the most environmentally advanced cruise ships in the Norwegian Coastal Express service. The fleet uses LNG-electric hybrid propulsion with the world's largest battery packs at sea, enabling four hours of zero-emission silent sailing through sensitive fjord environments. Havila Castor was the first passenger ship to complete the entire Bergen-Kirkenes route emission-free. All unnecessary plastic is avoided onboard, and the locally-sourced food programme minimises freight footprint by sourcing produce from the coastal communities the ship calls at.

10. Can I book a Havila Voyage on Tabby instalments?

Yes — Travelwings UAE offers Tabby ""book now, pay later"" on eligible Havila Voyages packages, splitting the total across instalment payments. Final balance is typically due 75 to 90 days before departure. Confirm specific instalment terms with the Travelwings cruise team at the time of booking.

11. What ports do Havila ships call at?

Havila Classic Round Voyage calls at 34 ports in both directions, including (in northbound order): Bergen, Florø, Måløy, Torvik, Ålesund, Geiranger (summer only), Molde, Kristiansund, Trondheim, Rørvik, Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Ørnes, Bodø, Stamsund, Svolvær, Stokmarknes, Sortland, Risøyhamn, Harstad, Finnsnes, Tromsø, Skjervøy, Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund, Honningsvåg, Kjøllefjord, Mehamn, Berlevåg, Båtsfjord, Vardø, Vadsø, and Kirkenes. Most port stops are short (10–45 minutes) for cargo and local passenger transfers; major ports (Ålesund, Trondheim, Tromsø, Honningsvåg) offer longer 2–3 hour stops with organised excursion options.