The Christmas season aboard a Havila Voyages coastal cruise ship is something truly special.
The ships are embellished with beautiful Christmas trees, glitter, and other Christmas decorations, setting the cozy, warm atmosphere which we desire so fervently in the Christmas holidays. Feel free to taste any of our traditional Norwegian Christmas dishes, such as “lutefisk” or a Christmas platter of Norwegian “pork chops”, lamb ribs and the special sausage “mørr” from Sunnmøre. Or you can choose something else from our rich Havila Food Stories menu.
If you're looking to celebrate the Christmas holidays and New Year's with us, we've planned something truly special! Expect live music, guest activities, and much more. Learn all about our Christmas cruises right here.
December sailings
Havila Pollux
From Bergen:
- 30 November
- 11 December
- 22 December
From Kirkenes:
- 6 December
- 17 December
- 28 December
Havila Castor
From Bergen:
- 3 December
- 14 December
- 25 December
From Kirkenes:
- 9 December
- 20 December
- 31 December
Havila Polaris
From Bergen:
- 5 December
- 16 December
- 27 December
From Kirkenes:
- 11 December
- 22 December
- 2 January
Havila Capella
From Bergen:
- 27 November
- 8 December
- 19 December
- 30 December
From Kirkenes:
- 3 December
- 14 December
- 25 December
Christmas Magic and Activities
Gingerbread City in Bergen
18. November - 31. December 2023
The world's largest gingerbread city is located in Bergen. This year, it is housed at Kode Permanenten, near Byparken on Nordahl Bruns gate. Thanks to contributions from kindergartens, schools, companies, and thousands of private individuals, Bergen boasts the world's largest (and maybe most charming) gingerbread city.
Christmas Market in Trondheim
3.– 20. December 2023
Welcome to a Christmas experience unlike any other.
The Christmas Market 2023 will host over 90 exhibitors selling handmade products in the brightly-lit Snow tents and traditional wooden stalls scattered around the center of Trondheim. Locally-grown ingredients and edible gifts can be found in the Local Food tent. Why not join our Christmas walk in Trondheim to experience both the city and the market?
Northern Lights Gazing
December is an attractive time for Northern lights gazing, and we believe that the best place to see it is at Sea! No light disturbance, and the constant sailing make a round trip the perfect opportunity to get an extraterrestrial experience. Our Northern Lights Promise is also a reason to go!
Christmas houses and shops
Several ports have their own Christmas houses and shops. Some of them are even open all year! Artico Christmas house is only a five minutes walk from the port in Honningsvåg. and in Skarsvåg close to the North Cape you can visit their cozy Christmas house at our Hot & Cold on top of the World-excursion.
Meet Rudolf and his mates
In Tromsø you can visit the reindeer and his team, and even go for a ride! Join us for an immersive journey into the heart of Sami culture with a reindeer sledding experience and a visit to a Sami gamme.
Find your voyage
Round Voyage
Bergen → Kirkenes → Bergen
Voyage North
Bergen → Kirkenes
Voyage South
Kirkenes → Bergen
TRAVELING SOLO THIS CHRISTMAS?
50% Solo discount on Seaview cabins
Experience Christmas in Norway with a view! Enjoy your very own Seaview cabin with 50% solo-discount for departures 100 days ahead!
Cosy activities ashore
Program for the Christmas and New Year's Celebrations
Christmas Eve
- Breakfast and lunch at the Havrand Restaurant
- Traditional Norwegian Christmas celebration with activities for guests
- Church services in ports, where possible
- Serving of Christmas mulled wine, Christmas cakes, and Christmas porridge. Perhaps Santa will pay a visit?
- Reading aloud of the Christmas Gospel
- Traditional Christmas menu at the Havrand Restaurant
- Cake serving at the Havblikk Bar & Lounge
Christmas Day and Boxing Day
- Breakfast and lunch at the Havrand Restaurant
- Church services in ports where possible on Christmas Day
- Serving of Christmas mulled wine and Christmas cakes
- Traditional Christmas menu at the Havrand Restaurant
New Years' Eve
- Breakfast and lunch at the Havrand Restaurant
- 5-course menu at the Havrand Restaurant
- Sparkling wine served outdoors on Deck 8 at midnight
Live Music on All four Ships
On any of our four ships, you'll meet professional musicians who are looking forward to entertaining guests throughout the entire Christmas season, including New Year's.
Piano entertainer Gil Silverbird, who was part of the 2022 Christmas cruise, will board the Havila Castor in Bodø on Friday, December 22nd, and travel north to Kirkenes before heading south again. He will conclude his journey in Bergen on Sunday, January 1st.
Learn more about Gil Silverbird.
After traveling the world and captivating audiences since the age of six, Gil has made a name for himself as a piano entertainer in Norway.
Gil is celebrated for his humor, upbeat attitude, and positive energy. His passion for music is evident, a quality that resonates with his audiences. His style, a blend of R&B and pop-rock, is distinctly influenced by his Native American heritage. Gil Silverbird's performances are filled with heart and soul. If you ever find yourself in a piano bar where Gil is performing, you're in for a memorable experience.
Piano entertainer Ian Henry will join Havila Castor on its southbound route from Tromsø on Thursday, December 21st. He will have a total of 13 performance days on board before disembarking in Trondheim (southbound route) on Thursday, January 4th..
Learn more about Ian Henry.
Learn more about Ian Henry.
Ian Henry, a renowned piano entertainer from the United Kingdom, has captivated audiences in hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, piano bars, and at various private and corporate events globally. He began his musical journey at six, studying organ and singing. During his early years, he was a frequent participant in TV and radio broadcasts and featured on numerous records produced by the St Albans Cathedral Choir. By the age of 13, he was recording regularly with EMI at Abbey Road Studios.
In the late seventies, after leaving the Cathedral and School, Ian embarked on a career as a keyboard player, which soon led to the formation of “KANDI,” a successful keyboards, drums, and vocal duo. This venture saw him performing across the U.K., sharing stages with notable cabaret stars of that era.
As his career evolved, Ian developed a distinctive blend of humor and wit, steering his performances towards comedy and cabaret. His unique style and musical talent gained him popularity across Europe, the United States, and Bermuda.
Upon returning to the U.K., he ingeniously combined comedy with his musical prowess, giving rise to the now-famous Dueling Pianos concept. This concept was embraced by Rank Leisure's “Jumpin Jacks” chain and numerous independent theme bars nationwide. He also formed "Double Impact," a popular function duo, with his talented vocalist wife, Gill Henry (known in the UK as Teri Jae).
In 2005, Ian relocated to Spain, enjoying a pleasant climate and quickly establishing himself as a sought-after entertainer for hotels, restaurants, and private parties. He divides his time between Spain and performing in piano bars throughout Europe, and continues to entertain on cruise ships in Norway and other international destinations.
Piano entertainer Emily Siebert will board the Havila Polaris in Kirkenes on Friday, December 22nd, and disembark at the same port on Monday, January 2nd.
Learn more about Emily Siebert.
Learn more about Emily Siebert.
Emily has been engaging audiences since her childhood in Connecticut, USA, showcasing her talents in singing, comedy, and character impersonations. Her journey into the performing arts began early, evolving from onstage performances to becoming a competitive dancer. Over 15 years, she captivated audiences across the East Coast of the United States with her dance performances.
Pursuing her passion further, Emily studied journalism and theater at a Connecticut university. Her adventurous spirit then led her to South America, where she contributed to a drama therapy program.
Her career has taken her around the globe, performing on cruise ships and in theaters worldwide. Emily has established herself as a premier dueling pianist in the American entertainment scene. Her shows, known for their interactive nature, feature song requests from audiences, blending seamlessly with her comedic flair and theatrical expertise.
Emily Siebert stands out as a gifted musician and entertainer, known for her sharp wit and engaging humor.
Piano entertainer Buddy Justineau will join the Havila Pollux on her Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, starting Friday, December 22nd.
Learn more about Buddy Justineau.
Learn more about Buddy Justineau.
Originally from Macon, Georgia, Buddy served as a military musician in the United States Air Force for ten years before relocating to the Boston, Massachusetts, North Shore area. There, he refined his piano skills and studied singing, which led to his career as a piano entertainer.
Since 1992, Buddy has been playing across Scandinavia, Europe, and on cruise ships, with a song list of over 2,000 titles covering a wide range of music from the past 100 years. He is known for his professional approach, sense of humor, and creating a pleasant atmosphere at his performances.
Living in Bergen, Norway since 1997, Buddy's ability to adapt has been valuable for his clients. He's skilled at playing both soft background music and lively dance tunes. He enjoys taking song requests and engaging with his audience. His musical range includes Pop, Rock & Roll, Disco, Soul, Country, group singalongs, and Jazz, demonstrating his extensive experience and love for music.
Find your voyage
Round Voyage
Bergen → Kirkenes → Bergen
Voyage North
Bergen → Kirkenes
Voyage South
Kirkenes → Bergen
TRAVELING SOLO THIS CHRISTMAS?
50% Solo discount on Seaview cabins
Experience Christmas in Norway with a view! Enjoy your very own Seaview cabin with 50% solo-discount for departures 100 days ahead!