Comments on: Norway Coastal Cruise: Hurtigruten & Havila Voyages Explained

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 01:25:12 +0000

Thank you for this information. I went to Norway in 2023 and visited via Train and hikes. Using a bus here and there too.
Beautiful country- and Something about Bergen and the port made me want to get on a ship and head up further north! We had planned to fly to Trondheim but there was a fishing conference that exact same weekend and every hotel was full . Instead we flew over to Stockholm.
But while in Bergen which is where our Norwegian adventure ended .. one of the Hurtigruten ships was there and I can’t remember the name. I love the idea of all of it! I love the legacy of the route! I love that it is functional not just beautiful.
It’s a very far trip from the western United States but I’m planning to go in 2025 or 2026. Bergen to Kirkenes. Or possibly fly into Svalbard and depart from there. Or fly to kirkenes..etc. basically it seems like you can custom make any itinerary that you want because those ships stop in so many ports! Seems If you can meet a ship you can pretty much get on it.
companies have very good websites and I have also found more information on YouTube from a travel representative from Hurtigruten.
Thank you for the newsletter…

By: David Nikel

David Nikel — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 11:05:00 +0000

In reply to Karen. Hi, the Hurtigruten and Havila routes are identical. They provide exactly the same daily service, just on different days. When you book a longer tour, you'll see the option to add meals (although I think Havila includes them automatically)

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:21:00 +0000

Hi David
I find your articles very informative & I enjoy reading them. My husband & I are planning a trip in Oct-Nov
& we would want to experience the Havila cruise from Bergen to Tromso only. I know Hurtigruten has a 5-day tour from Bergen to Tromso but not sure about Havila. Do we have to pre-book our meals when booking the tour package with Havila? Or we pay onboard when ordering/purchasing the meals? Thanks

By: Randi McKinnon

Randi McKinnon — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 02:47:13 +0000

Hi David,
It’s me again with some more about me.
When I was a young one, I sailed one summer on the old (and now moth balled) ‘Finnmarken’ ship, Bergen to Kirkenes.
The stuart was my grand uncle and that’s how I got the job.
The work was very difficult for some one who had not done that before but a grand learning curve for some one who had not been in a job like that before!
My country is SOOO beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!

By: David Nikel

David Nikel — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 17:51:29 +0000

In reply to Gregory. Just bear in mind you’d need at least one night, maybe two, in Kirkenes (if doing the full route) if you want to experience the two different companies, as they depart on different days.

By: Gregory

Gregory — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 17:49:10 +0000

My wife and I are beginning the planning stage for a holiday in Europe for late November through December.
The plan is to use train travel to three or four Christmas Markets spending two nights at each stop.
Following that we would like to fly to Bergen; spend two nights then take one of the ferry company’s north and the other south. We think that would give us a great comparison.
Any suggestions?

By: Jude Boudreaux

Jude Boudreaux — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 03:51:20 +0000

Thanks so much for this! We’re doing research for a summer roadtrip that will include a few weeks in Norway and understanding the differences between the two lines is really helpful. I think we’ll drive up to Svolvaer and take the one way boat back down!

By: Mildred Howard

Mildred Howard — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 13:33:20 +0000

Unfortunately, due to ageing, I will never visit Norway. My ancestors originated in Norway. At one point I saw a place called DOBYN and have been unable to
locate it again. I look forward to receiving your publication, hoping some day
it will mention the place DOBYN. Keep up the good work!

By: Charles La Bella

Charles La Bella — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 19:00:15 +0000

In reply to David Bray.

David,

Thaink you for the wonderful article. Can you suggest a cruise from Bergen that encompasses the Lofoten islands?

I understand this might be a one way or possibly two separate trips.

I met a deck officer on the Hurtigurten and she stated that the best time was November.

Experiencing the northern lights would also be a priority, thank you.
Regards,

Chuck

By: Lawrence Hickenbotham

Lawrence Hickenbotham — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 16:28:03 +0000

Of course ,taking the identical trip on Hurtigruten and Havila and then comparing would be the most informative article along with pricing. We are scheduled to travel with Havila in May ’23 basing our decision largely on price and environmental considerations. Hoping for the best. Excited to see how Norway has changed after spending a year attending the university in Bergen some 50 years ago as well as connecting with old friends.