Norway Coastal Cruise with Havila Voyages: Southbound from Kirkenes to Bergen

Thinking about a cruise along  Norway’s coast with Havila Voyages? We spent six days sailing southbound from Kirkenes to Bergen aboard Havila Pollux, and we're sharing everything we wish we'd known before we sailed. It's a practical guide to help you plan with confidence.

We cover how to get to remote Kirkenes (there's no Uber, no taxis waiting there to take you to town, and the airport bus may not line up with your flight). We also get into what's in the staterooms and what's missing, how dining works with assigned seatings and repeating menus, and whether the Hildring fine dining and the beverage packages are worth the money. Plus, why you'll want to download movies before you go, how rough the Norwegian Sea got, and the seasickness gear that kept Dan from needing those Havila-branded seasick bags.

Then we head into the ports. You'll hear why "over 30 stops" isn't what it sounds like, how to make the most of Tromsø at midnight, and the two excursions we'd recommend. One of them is the Trollfjord Sea Eagle Safari, where we spotted 17 eagles and watched our ship glide silently into the breathtaking fjord on battery power. We also cover the new Coastal Stopover program in Lofoten and the behind-the-scenes Insider Tour you can't miss.

Finally, we share our thoughts on who this trip is really for, and we answer the much-debated question about whether Havila is a cruise, a ferry, or a cargo ship.

Find the Tromsø Midnight Concert, our favorite binoculars, the travel adapter we swear by, seasickness remedies, and more below:

• Book the THON hotel in Kirkenes — we stayed there, and it was great. The shuttle to the ship terminal leaves directly from there:https://sometimessailing.com/iouz
• Book the Midnight Concert in Tromsø: https://sometimessailing.com/96gv 
• Here are some additional 5-star tours to do on your own in Kirkenes and Bergen before or after the cruise: https://sometimessailing.com/norway-viator 
• We stayed connected in ports and pre- and post-cruise thanks to our favorite travel Wi-Fi hotspot. Buy here: https://sometimessailing.com/solis-pod & read more about it here: https://sometimeshome.com/pocket-wifi-skyroam-hotspot/ 
• We know the best seasickness remedies (stock these items before you sail): https://sometimessailing.com/anti-nausea-medication-cruise-sea-sickness-solutions/
• Our favorite travel binoculars help you get up-close to the distant scenery cruise: https://sometimessailing.com/w7w7 
• Shop our packing list for the Sorels Mikkel wore the entire trip, along with other waterproof gear in our Shop My store: https://sometimessailing.com/shopmy 
• Buy the best travel adapter for Europe (including on the ship). We love the TESSAN Universal option: https://sometimessailing.com/univ-adapter 
• Listen to this episode to learn more about our travel adapter recommendations: https://pod.link/1802110861/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xOTU3ODY2Mg
• To learn more about the sustainability of Havila ships, listen to our episode about how Havila’s eco-friendly ships will affect your vacation: https://pod.link/1802110861/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xODg3MTI4Ng 

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