ADVERTISING FEATURE
Chasing lights
Few places rival northern Norway for watching the sky shift to a shimmering palette of colour. Havila Voyages’ astronomy sailings add unmatched expertise to the journey
If the recent solar eclipse had your clients gripped with excitement, seize the opportunity to recommend a northern lights sailing with Havila Voyages. Thanks to a peak period of aurora activity, astrotourism is booming – and as more travellers are opting for the Nordics as they seek out cooler destinations, now is the time to team up with the dedicated experts in northern lights cruises. In fact, Havila Voyages is so confident it can deliver your clients an aurora sighting that it offers a Northern Lights Promise: if guests don’t see the lights, they’ll receive a complimentary six or seven- day sailing the following winter.
SEE THE SKY DANCE Since 2021, Havila Voyages has been one of only two cruise lines entrusted by the Norwegian government to operate the historic route through the Arctic auroral zone between Bergen and Kirkenes, sailing away from light pollution on shore to give guests an even greater chance of a sighting. Havila’s 12-day Round Voyage travels from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, calling at 34 ports and passing Lofoten, Geirangerfjord, Tromsø and North Cape.
A choice of shorter options are available including the seven-day Voyage North DQGbVL[ GD\ 9R\DJH 6RXWK On board, the ever-changing menu is inspired by the Norwegian coast – think fjord-fresh halibut and brown crab – while shore excursions run by locals range from arctic floating and reindeer sledding to spotting puffins and gannets in North Cape.
SCIENCE AT SEA It’s not just about seeing the aurora, though – it’s about understanding it. Guests can also join dedicated Astronomy Voyages featuring lecturers from the Royal Astronomical Society, with talks on subjects ranging from comets and Viking astronomy to aliens and the impact of AI on space exploration. Havila’s four environmentally responsible vessels combine liquefied natural gas, biogas and some of the largest battery packs installed on passenger ships. Charged while docked, the batteries allow ships to sail silently and emission-free for up to four hours through vulnerable environments, such as the nine-mile-long Geirangerfjord. When not running on battery power,
the hybrid ships emit 37% less carbon dioxide and 87% less nitrogen oxides than the coastal ships that were operating in 2017, and no sulphur oxides. On board, locally sourced ingredients and measures to reduce food waste continue Havila’s sustainability philosophy.
NORTHERN LIGHTS PROMISE
Havila Voyages can offer aurora- seeking clients peace of mind on its 12-day Round Voyages, sailing October 1-March 31. Not only are
the ships mobile observatories with a northern lights alert system, so they
won’t miss a sighting, but if the aurora doesn’t show, they will be offered a free six or seven-day voyage to try again the next winter. T&Cs apply.
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havilavoyages.com/offers/astronomy-sailings RU
havilavoyages.com
PICTURES: Marius Beck Dahle; Martin Giskegjerde/Oclin
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