Northern Lights Yarn Cruise

This morning’s included guided sightseeing tour of Bergen will introduce us to the highlights of Norway’s charming second city known as the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’. We will enjoy time at leisure for lunch and explore the traditional handicraft stores on the historic Bryggen waterfront.

In the late afternoon, we board , MS Havila Capella (November 2026), or the MS Havila Pollux (December 2026 & 2027) to start our northbound coastal voyage. This evening’s dinner is a buffet of delicious Norwegian dishes. This is served as we sail along Hjeltefjord, the same route taken by Vikings as they ventured to the Shetland Islands and beyond.

Our day starts in the beautiful Nordford with a delicious breakfast. Craft with your expert as we sail past West Cape into the open sea before navigating through skerries and islands to reach Ålesund. Use your free time to admire the highly ornate buildings decorated with turrets, spires and gargoyles in Norway’s Art Nouveau town, join one of the optional excursions offered by Havila (additional cost), or explore the local yarn stores (opening days/times apply).

This morning use your free time to explore Trondheim. The centrepiece of this ancient city is Nidaros Cathedral, founded by Norway’s Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997.You can also join one of the optional excursions offered by Havila (additional cost).or visit the numerous yarn shops (opening days/times apply)

In the afternoon, continue crafting with your expert as the ship sets a northwest course, passing the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and numerous charming islets and rocky outcrops. After passing through Stokksund, the ship will set sail towards Rorvik

Today we cross the Arctic Circle! This invisible line is situated at 66 degrees and 33 minutes north, marking the border to the Arctic region, where the hunt for the Northern Lights begins! Step ashore during your free time in Bodø or join one of the optional excursions offered by Havila (additional cost). We continue our cruise alongside the magnificent granite peaks of the Lofoten Wall that reaches up to 1000m high. Tucked between majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches, Lofoten is a truly unique experience. The charms of the Lofoten Islands are revealed in the small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian ambience.

During the morning hours, we briefly dock at Risøyhamn, Harstad and Finnsnes. The ship then continues to Tromsø, also known as the ‘Capital of the Arctic’. Many epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point, and you may like to spend your free time here on your own mini polar expedition on an optional husky dog ride (additional cost).

After an afternoon in Tromsø, we will continue our journey. Whilst the ship sails, you will be able to continue crafting with your expert whilst waiting for the opportunity to see the Northern Lights.

Knit or crochet at ‘the top of the world’ before calling into Honningsvåg. This small, remote town is the gateway to the spectacular North Cape – your opportunity to join one of the optional excursions offered by Havila (additional cost) or explore this northernmost city in Norway at leisure. The ship continues north, sailing into the heartland of the indigenous Sami people. We will pass their ancient sacred site, Finnkirka rock formation, as we approach the tiny fishing village of Kjollefjord.

The vistas become more dramatic as we approach Kirkenes. We arrive in nearby Vadsø early in the morning and, just after breakfast, we arrive in Kirkenes. Kirkenes lies just a few miles from the Russian border. The town marks the end of this wonderful voyage and, after disembarking the ship, we will enjoy an included guided sightseeing tour of the area, where local road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian. In Kirkenes we stop for lunch at the famous Snow Hotel. We check into our hotel this afternoon where this evening’s farewell dinner is served.