Norway Coastal Cruise in Winter | Havila Voyages Daily Diary
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- Опубліковано 17 лют 2024
- I’ve just come to the end of 12 days on the Norwegian coastal route in the winter. I’ve seen the very best, and the worst, of what Norway has to offer in the winter and I’m going to show you everything, day by day.
The Norwegian coastal route is a unique travel experience. Every day of the year, a ferry sets sail from Bergen calling at 34 ports from big cities to tiny Arctic villages on its way to Kirkenes, where it turns round and calls at almost all of them again on the way back to Bergen. The full roundtrip takes 11 nights.
Over the past 130 years, many different companies have served the route. Today there are two companies sharing the daily departures: Hurtigruten and Havila. I took this winter cruise with Havila Voyages on the fantastic, six-month old coastal cruise ferry, Havila Polaris. The route is identical to the Hurtigruten coastal route but the ship is virtually brand new.
▶ Learn To Pronounce All 34 Ports:
• Norway Coastal Route: ...
▶ Havila Polaris Ship Tour & Cabins:
• Havila Polaris Ship & ...
▶ Things To Do In Bergen (Before The Voyage!):
• Bergen Norway: Things ...
▶ Read My Trip Diary:
www.lifeinnorway.net/norway-c...
▶ Norway Coastal Cruise: Hurtigruten & Havila Voyages Explained:
www.lifeinnorway.net/norway-c...
▶ Follow us on our adventures around Norway:
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Oh look at that "Captain Hudson" is onboard !!! How fun is that !!! It wasn't a SEA-Day but it was a SEE-Day !!! Captain Hudson took a spill, maybe it wasn't a good night for him either !! It was a beautiful trip indeed.
He did really enjoy the trip - he saw some fantastic northern lights - but he wasn’t so good with the rough seas. He asked that next time we travel, we don’t have a cabin right at the front of the ship. Aye aye, captain!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@EmmaCruisesEmma, I just finished watching your wonderful cruise in Norway 🇳🇴 and it was really enjoyable!
I did the roundtrip voyage on Havila Dec 2023 and I loved it so much! I went as a solo traveler, and I think it's a terrific value to see that much of Norway. Usually travelling as a solo isn't particularly cost effective on a sea voyage. I'd love to go back in early spring or in autumn, but I am so glad I picked winter as my first trip there. Thanks for sharing.
That’s a good point ref the value. And there are amazing solo deals in winter for sure! Thanks for watching 🙌
This video is amazing David! What an amazing cruise this was. ❤🎉
It was a memorable trip, for sure! I can't wait to do it all again at a different time of year. For research, of course! Thanks for watching 🙌
@EmmaCruises I first learned of Havila through you, headed here to learn more about it :)
Looking forward to my first visit to Norway in June. Loved seeing the snow. Great video.
It’ll all look different in June! Have a great trip and thanks for watching 🙌
What an amazing, informative, and helpful video. Thank you David. We did a similar Hurtigruten voyage 10 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Your winter voyage looked so enjoyable; we definitely want to do that one now.
You’re very kind! The winter voyage is well worth it. February and March are the best times as theres so much more light to enjoy the scenery 🤍
Great video, we did the northbound cruise in October’23 - it was absolutely outstanding - your video bought back amazing memories of our experience on Havila Pollux. A bucket list adventure for sure.
I’m glad to have helped 😁 Thanks for watching 🙌
Really nice job, David. Well shot, nicely sequenced, and the narrative really holds it together. Also good to see Capt. Hudson made the trip with you. Really tough luck you had to deal with Ingunn. No fun.
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated! I quite enjoyed having to deal with the storm and seeing how the crew dealt with all the changes. It’s all part of the experience on the Norwegian coastline!
So happy to see this as we are going in December ❤ thank you!
I hope you have a fantastic time! Thanks for watching 🙌
Fantastic video and wonderful information, thank you David!
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing this video of the stunning cruise to Kirkenes from Bergen! 😃
And thank you for watching! 🙌
Thank you! Awesome video!
Thank you so much! I really enjoyed putting this one together 😎
Thank you David for taking us to this fantastic cruise experience with you. I enjoyed watching it very much. ❤️
You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching 🙌
Husband and I loved the video! Looking forward to more. Thanks!
Thanks so much for watching and for the comment! 🙌
Thank you for such a lovely video.
You're welcome. Thanks for watching! 🙌
Thanks for this outstanding review !
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching 🙌
Excellent content and insightful story telling!
Thank you so much! I really enjoyed making this one and I think that always helps :)
So going to do this, thanks for posting.
I really do recommend it! Personally I'd love to do the trip again in the autumn. Thanks for watching 🙌
That was amazing !!! Thank you for sharing it with us... :):):)
You're welcome! Thanks for watching
To be honest: I ENVY you!!!! What a wonderful trip from day one to the last minute. I was lucky enough to visit Tromso in December 2019 before COVID. and I look forward to returning to Norway or Lapland in general (I have been in Rovaniemi in 2008) that I consider my corner of this world. (Paradox: I am from the other end of the world - Argentina). Thank you for this very enjoyable video.
It was a wonderful trip, yes absolutely! I hope you get a chance to return to this side of the world 😊
Great cruise and landscape of Norway.
The landscape is sensational and this voyage is a great way to see it, that’s for sure. Thanks for watching 🙌
I really enjoyed it! I’m going to watch again with google maps open to really see the route. I’ve looked at Havila online and look forward to seeing your ship tour. Happy to see Captain Hudson, too.
That is such a good idea! Next time I do a video like this I will have to include more maps 🥳
I've also been north of the Arctic Circle in winter, but it was in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. It can be brutally cold, but I have Eskimo blood in me. And we Eskimos like it a little cooler... But I do hope that I can take the 12 day round trip Norway Coastal Cruise on one of the Havila Ferries. It looks fantastic.
: )
I highly recommend it! And I’d love to do Alaska too someday. Thanks for watching 🙌
A beautiful video! I've been on some of this route, to get to Lofoten, but in the summer.
I want very much to return!
Thanks so much! The summer is an amazing time to travel for sure, but I do think there’s something truly special about the winter time, despite the short days and risks of bad weather. I look forward to doing another trip in the summer, sometime! And maybe the autumn too 😊 Thanks for watching 🙌
What a great video. I have been looking at doing this trip myself. Visited a Norway last year for the first time. What a beautiful country. You are so lucky to live there.
Thank you! It’s a very worthwhile trip, but there are so many options for a great trip to Norway. Thanks for watching! 🙌
Amazing video.Would love to do this trip.
Thanks for watching! 🙌
Thank you so much for this amazing video! I'm considering the possibility of this same voyage - being from the US, it will be a significant investment - but so beautiful! Thank you for all the information.
It certainly will be beautiful! You’re doing the right thing by researching as it’s definitely not for everyone. Have a great trip if you choose to do it, and thanks for watching! 🙌
White out wow. Love to meet the husband. thank you for your quick tour. Jim
Thanks for watching! Mr Life in Norway will be staying behind the camera though :-)
Very enjoyable video. I still rate our Mar 2013 trip to Tromso and the north, driving on studded tyres in the snow and ice, as the most memorable of any. I keep telling people that it's the most stunning place in Europe and makes a fascinating change from the usual sun holidays. Hope to do the southern fjord area and Lofoten in the autumn
That’s a great way to put it! I’d also love to experience the coastal route in the autumn. Thanks for watching 🙌
very interesting experience
Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙌
@@lifeinnorway1 you're welcome
Very nice video. I spent three nights in Bergen, but wish I had had more! Looks like a much nicer ship than the Hurtigurten ship I was on.🤗Cruised 5 days and nights from Bergen to Kierenes. Interesting the wait time you had when boarding. Don’t know how they sail in the winter…and I’d be afraid of motion in the front of the ship. “Fireplace” lounge looks very nice!
The ships are beautiful and I’d sail again with them in a heartbeat. Thanks for watching! 🙌
Nice video. Thank you. We're considering going this October. Hoping to see more 'color' and less snow and also the northern lights. Although the snow cover is gorgeous, I feel having less of it will brighten up the city and we'll appreciate it more.
I'd love to do the trip in the autumn, you'll also have a bit more light then, especially if it's early October. Have a great trip, and thanks for watching!
New subscriber. Emma sent me. I’ve taken this trip on the Richard With many years ago. Looking forward to your channel.
Welcome aboard! I’ve also done Hurtigruten ships a few times, I just love the coastal route 🥰 Thanks for watching!
❤ beautiful 😍
It sure is! 💙
Thank you for your video. I would love to do a similiar trip
❤
You're welcome! And yes, you should :)
Thank you for sharing. We did the BKB trip in December on MS Nordkapp. Be interesting to see how you feel Hurtigruten compares to Havilla ? We loved our trip, the arctic winter and captivating Norway. We were generally lucky with the weather but couldn’t make it to Nordkapp on our excursion because the road was impassable. Look forward to seeing more of your videos.
Well the route is identical of course, so the only real differences are the ships and the dining. The ships are brand new and therefore the cabins are larger and more comfortable. Dining is fixed and there is no buffet, which has its positive and negative sides. I’m thinking of making a video comparing the two providers, actually.
@@lifeinnorway1 I will look forward to seeing that comparison video, we plan to do the trip again or maybe one of Hurtigruten’s other trips
Thank you so much for such a great overview. I've subscribed as we're considering taking this trip in late October/November. I'm wondering if the movement of the ship is typical for this vessel or just because of the storm. If future videos could discuss whether these boats have stabilizers (like cruise ships) that would be wonderful. Thanks again for such spectacular detail!
I felt the movement a lot because my cabin was right at the front of the ship. Others with cabins in the middle felt very little. You're likely to feel some movement in October/November as it's a small ship in the Arctic. Thanks for watching - and subscribing!
Thanks for sharing the very informative Havila coastal winter cruise experience. I’m planning a trip with my wife on Havila coastal voyage in Nov 2024. Would that be the season for winter storms ? .. we hope not, as we look forward to catching sight of the aurora. Thanks again and many more travels !
Storms are possible along the Norwegian coast at any time of year, but the risk is higher from October through to Easter of course. Have a great trip!
Love your Captain Hudson. I am planning this trip/cruise for next year. I appreciated your video. Have you sailed with Hurtigruten?
Yes, many times! I love the route in general regardless of the company. The timetables are exactly the same of course so the only difference is the ships and dining options. I much prefer the Havila ships but for dining both companies have their advantages and disadvantages.
I see that you have Hudson the traveling cat with you. I am watching from British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦.
Greetings Canada! Yes, one of the Hudsons always insists on coming along!
Thank for the video!! My fiance and I are thinking about doing the ferry from Tromsø -> Bergen in November. In your opinion, would this be a good route for seeing the fjords and scenery? I know November is not the best month, but it is the only time that works for us unfortunately. Do you think we would we be able to fit in an excursion in the Lofoten Islands?
Thanks for such an informative video, just wondering how is it for a single person, meal times etc would you end up being on your own alot?
Great question! I travelled on my own and I chose to sit alone for dinner. However, you can choose to table share if you like. On such a small ship it is very easy to meet people, and there are usually lots of solo travellers. If there’s a solo traveller deal (often is in off-season) there will be many more.
I really enjoyed your video. You mention that you live in Norway I'd love to find out more about your experience of living there as myself and my husband are interested in moving there but we are worried finding employment might be difficult as we aren't young, sadly. Please could you share your experience regarding this issue. I look forward to upcoming content xxx
You can find loads of info on our website at www.lifeinnorway.net :)
Hi David what a great review of our voyage, it was good chatting to you on board and I agree with everything you said about the trip, it was awesome and we will probably do it again! Your aurora photos are way better than mine - what camera do you use?
Hi! Thanks for watching and commenting! 🙌 I use an iPhone 14 Pro, but there was only a 5-10 minute spell when the aurora was super strong to get the photos/video that I did. It was a case of being out on deck at the right time :)
Learned something new today, and then added that new thing to my bucket list! Thanks!
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching 🙌
Hi, great video. What’s the best month to do this? From my research for the summer I can tell that doing the trip by land/ flight costs the same as the cruises.
Do you have any thoughts on pros/ cons of cruise vs land?
The summer is great as it never gets dark, but it’s also very expensive at that time of year. Spring and Fall are probably a good combination of things to see versus price.
Brilliant video!! Now im torn between booking these and Hurtigruten. Do they go right up to rhe far north of rhe country??
Havila and Hurtigruten both run their ships on exactly the same route, just on different days. The coastal route goes all the way up to the north and round almost to the Russian border (Hurtigruten also do some other trips on different ships)
@@lifeinnorway1 thank you for the information. Would like to go up to the far north and lofoten islands
Did you pay extra for a food/drink package or did it come with the cruise? Im debating to go end of November for my birthday, I want to see the northern lights. This is a great video also.
When you book a cruise package (which they call "voyages") food is included. Drinks packages are available but they are pre-paid discounts rather than unlimited drinks.
Thanks so much for this video! It's very comprehensive and soothing, too. The food looks delicious! When you said "a sweet pastry... or two" I like to imagine all five of those were yours lol.
I have a quick question or two: for someone who is more used to typical large cruise lines (ex. Carnival, Norwegian, etc.) is the 'ferry'/cargo aspect of Havila particularly different, inconvenient or bothersome, in your opinion? Do you think they might find a Havila ship to be slightly cramped or busy? It seems spacious, and what with also having far lower capacity than the larger lines it's difficult to judge. And also, since you ran into a storm, do you think the choppy seas would be more noticeable on the smaller ships? Ex. when you said you were kept awake by ship movement, was this something a bigger ship would've prevented? For context, I've a family member wanting to take a once-in-a-lifetime cruise like this, and I'd like it to be perfect for them!
It is completely different from a cruise, even from a small cruise line. If your family member expects the level of entertainment, attention, and service on Carnival, Norwegian, etc, then I’d think very carefully before booking them on to a working ferry! Thanks for watching 🙌
@@lifeinnorway1 Thanks so much for the reply!
Thoroughly enjoyed this video David, how much does the voyage cost ?
It depends hugely on the time of year, demand, and any relevant deals. Winter is about NOK 12,500 pp for inside and NOK 20,000pp for seaview, with solo traveller deals often available. In the summer prices are higher especially for the seaview cabins.
Thanks David, so that's about £940 + return flights to bergen from UK + Hotel the night before would probably come to around £1500 .... about right,,??
@@johnnybob1972 I have no idea about GBP right now! It's easy enough to find the prices on the Havila website. It's generally more expensive than a cruise, but a very different experience.
Sorry if i missed it but what were the exact dates that you took this cruise? The weather wasn't that bad and some of the days had nice clear views. What would you say is best month to visit in winter to see the snow cover, good clear views and northern light?
Hi! It was Jan 29 to Feb 9. February and early March I would suggest. Thanks for watching! 🙌
Oh I would love that but way too cold for my rheumatoid arthritis.
You should definitely consider the summer!
I thought it will be night dark during morning or day time in Winter. Which month of winter is this video taken?
Early February
I visited Norway in 2003 by cruise Hurtigruten MS Trollfjord sailed to Geiranger fjord and Narrow fjord in list UNESCO World Heritade in 2005
Trollfjord is one of the handful of Hurtigruten ships I haven't been on yet :) Thanks for watching!
Is it worth doing the cruise in mid-December when the days are very short and the weather is very cold and stormy?
It was very cold and stormy when I took it, which was part of the reason I wanted to do it! It’s obviously very dark in December but if you go early or mid December, you’ll also see Christmas lights etc. Ultimately, it’s up to you!
@@lifeinnorway1 Aight I'll probably want to go in Easter instead having looked into daylight hours. Thx for the advice
8:30 Man, do these unnecessary vind turbines piss me off.
- Really enjoying the video though 😄
Wind turbines certainly are a controversial topic in Norway right now. Thanks for watching! 🙌
Is this cheaper than a normal cruise? I'd love to do it.
No, not really. It's comparable, maybe slightly more depending on your cabin, time of year, length of your journey, etc etc. Because it's a ferry contracted by the Norwegian government, the employees are under Norwegian employment conditions. That drives up cost compared to the lower-paid Asian crew on cruise ships.
❤My husband and I can only dream-he is immune compromised 👍🏼
I’m pleased you were able to enjoy the journey anyway, even if it had to be through UA-cam ❤️ Thanks so much for watching 🙌
What is the primary language spoken on this line?
Most local passengers are Norwegian speaking, most voyage passengers are English or German speaking. Crew speak Norwegian and English at a minimum.
Your husband? Are you kidding?
Meaning?