Michael O.
Lovely ship, great crew, ethereal scenery
Enjoyed the Havila Kystruten from Tromsø to Trondheim. I had taken only car ferries in the past (Dover to Calais, Portsmouth to Cherbourg), so this was my first overnight experience aboard a ship. First, the disclaimer: I'm not a cruiser, not a traveler who wants to be led around on a leash, not somebody who has any interest in cosplay dining experiences or all the flimflam of mega-ship cruising. I'm an American from the Midwest who has been to Norway a few times and was looking for a way to see the country's spectacular west coast, see some new and smaller cities, and enjoy a couple of excursions. With that background, I will say that the experience was just magical. I interacted with the crew in scheduling dining, in booking excursions, and in ordering a drink or two. In all respects, they were competent, responsive, knowledgeable, efficient, and authentically friendly. Just what I would have expected from Norwegians. The accommodation itself was superb. The cabin (exterior but without balcony) was spacious and extremely comfortable. The desk area allowed me to get some work done very efficiently, and the wifi was flawless both in my cabin and on deck. The heated bathroom floor was a nice plus, though hardly a necessity during August. Closets and drawers were spacious, and the bed was a dream. The ship was extremely quiet. During the entire trip of 3 days, I never felt a bump, tilt, or vibration. It glided serenely along the coast, past what must be simply the most beautiful scenery on the planet. We had two sunny and warm days that could not possibly have been more hospitable. The whole thing was just beguiling. I booked two excursions. One (to the Vega Islands) was superb. The other (to a Lofoten fishing village) was pretty unremarkable. (It involved a bus tour, and I am definitely not a bus touring type.) In short, I have only superlatives to offer. The experience was peaceful, restorative, and really all that I could have hoped. A very fair value. And I will definitely take Havila again--next time, I hope, from Bergen to Kirkenes.



