There’s no doubt the northern lights are awe-inspiring and spectacular. Unfortunately, they can be unpredictable, and despite careful planning, the aurora doesn’t always appear when you expect. Havila Voyages, a leading eco-conscious Norwegian cruise operator, now offers a guarantee so guests have a better chance to witness the phenomenon.
Havila Voyages guarantees that guests sailing the Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen roundtrip between Oct. 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 will see the northern lights from the coast during the 12-day voyage on one of its four premium ships. If passengers do not see the lights during that trip, the company provides a complimentary six- or seven-day return cruise in an inside cabin with meals for the following season’s Northern Lights Promise period, either roundtrip from Bergen to Kirkenes or vice versa, giving guests another opportunity to view the aurora.
© Havila Voyages
Norway’s dramatic coastline—lined with islands, fjords, glaciers and mountains—offers abundant outdoor activities such as dogsledding, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and kayaking, making it an excellent fall and winter destination. Low light pollution along much of the coast provides ideal conditions to observe the aurora borealis, a display created when geomagnetic storms on the sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field and send charged particles into the atmosphere. The current and upcoming years are expected to bring stronger solar activity, which increases the likelihood of aurora sightings.
The 12-day Bergen–Kirkenes roundtrip calls at 34 ports, bringing passengers close to natural highlights and coastal communities and allowing visits to bucket-list stops like Lofoten, Geiranger and North Cape. The Northern Lights Promise applies to guests who activate the ship’s Northern Lights Warning System at least once while on board; this system alerts passengers when the crew detects auroral activity.
© Havila Voyages
Havila’s newest ships—Capella, Castor, Polaris and Pollux—feature interiors inspired by the sea, sky, glaciers and mountains. The onboard dining emphasizes sustainability and regional culinary traditions from the communities along the route. The main restaurant, Havrand, rotates among four regional menus that change every few days to reflect the section of coast being sailed. Hildring is a fine-dining concept that focuses on Norway’s fresh ingredients in an intimate setting, while Havly café offers simple meals and snacks.
There are multiple vantage points on board for viewing the midnight sun or the northern lights, including reclining chairs beneath a glass roof and a heated Jacuzzi warmed by recovered engine heat. With a passenger capacity of just 640, Havila’s ships provide space and comfort to watch nature’s display. Most of the 179 cabins have sea views and range from compact to spacious, accommodating up to four guests.
Pricing for the 12-day Bergen–Kirkenes roundtrip begins at €1,232 per person.