Havila Castor ferry

The 2022-built MS Havila Castor cruise ship is the second Norwegian coastal cruiseferry operated by the Norwegian travel brand Havila Voyages (a wholly owned subsidiary of HAVILA KYSTRUTEN). The shipowner is HK Ship V AS (also wholly owned by Havila Kystruten).

The ship has a max capacity of 680 passengers (plus 76 staff/crew) and cargo capacity for 9 cars and 190 pallets (40 of which can be transported under freezing or cooling). She was inaugurated on May 10, 2022 (Maiden Voyage), after delivery was postponed from September 2021 and April 7, 2022, due to construction delays. The vessel operates year-round on Norway's coastal ferry route Bergen-Kirkenes (crossing time of 7 days), calling at 34 ports along the itinerary. This route is served by a total of 11 ships (7 by Hurtigruten, 4 by Havila) and the service is government-subsidized.

The vessel (IMO number 9865582) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI 257752000) and registered in Bergen.

Decks and Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Havila Castor staterooms (179 total) offer 468 berths (lower and upper beds), in addition to 172 seats for day passengers.

All passenger cabins are air-conditioned and feature carpet flooring, ensuite bathrooms (washbasin, WC, glass shower, mirrored cabinets, hairdryer), wall-mounted HDTV, multiple USB ports, free WiFi, bedside tables, wall-mounted reading lamps, wardrobe, writing table with chair, 2-seater couch, and an electronic safe (in the closet). The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries.

The boat has 9 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and 4 have cabins.

Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers and those with reduced mobility). The cruise ship also offers pet-friendly cabins (with linoleum flooring). Passenger cabins are interior and oceanview, in both economy and luxury categories. Luxury cabins are oceanview, larger in size, and fitted with lower fixed beds (a double convertible to twins), a double sofabed (or 2-seater sofa), a larger slide-opening wardrobe, and bonus amenities (mini-refrigerator, tea/coffee machine).

The ship additionally has 172 recliners (aircraft-type seats) in a Reserved Seating Lounge available for pre-booking.

Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the Lobby's Reception/Information Desk. All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 minutes before port arrival.

Shipboard facilities and amenities/dining, entertainment, wellness

Next are reviewed Havila Castor ship's facilities and venues by deck.

Deck 4

The Lobby Hall houses the ship's Atrium (base level 1 of 4), Reception Desk, ATM, Baggage Lockers, Restrooms (male, female), and Gangway (embarkation/debarkation area).

Relax Chairs - Havila Voyages' cruise ships have a separate room with aircraft-type seats (172 recliners in a Reserved Seating Lounge/Port to Port Lounge) which are available for pre-booking. Reserved Seating is mainly for domestic passengers who don't travel far and don't need a cabin.

On Deck 4 are also the Hospital/Infirmary and the Self-Service Laundry.

Deck 6

Midship is the Atrium (mid-level 3 of 4) with seating areas.

Havrand Restaurant (aft) is the Main Dining Room with menus featuring traditional Norwegian food specialties prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast, lunch and dinner feature four rotating regional Norwegian menus ("food universes") that change every three days. The food is complimentary, but beverages beyond breakfast are extra.

Havly Cafe (Bar / Cafeteria / Patisserie / Buffet Restaurant) is open from early morning until late. The a la carte menu includes Norwegian waffles, shrimp sandwiches, fish soup, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, cakes, pastries, coffee, and light snacks. Full-board guests pay unless they buy the Havly Cafe Package (unlimited selected cafe dishes + specialty coffee/tea; suite guests receive it free).

Conference Room/Cinema/Lecture Hall is a complimentary multi-purpose presentation room used for destination briefings (port talks on the ship's current itinerary), lectures (Norwegian culture, history, traditions), films, and group events.

Havila Shop is a small boutique/duty-free retail store selling alcohol (liquors, beers, wines), tobacco products, brand perfumes and cosmetics, sunglasses, designer watches and jewelry, clothes and accessories, confectionery, local foods, Norwegian souvenirs, knitwear, books, toiletries, travel essentials, and some pharmacy items.

Adjacent to the Shop is the Excursion Center/Shore Excursion Desk providing information, tour assistance, and booking of land tours and excursions.

The midship Hildring Fine Dining is a specialty restaurant at a surcharge per person, and dinner reservations are required. The venue's seasonal Norwegian tasting menus include premium seafood, king crab evenings, and 5-course dinner menus highlighting locally sourced ingredients. Subject to capacity, Hildring Fine Dining offers complimentary breakfast and lunch to Suite passengers.

The forward Bow Lounge is a quiet panoramic lounge featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the Observation Deck Bow/Bow ViewPoint (a forward-facing, open-air terrace/sunbathing area with padded loungers). Bow Lounge doesn't provide dedicated food service. The venue is complimentary and ideal for reading, wildlife watching, and enjoying the scenery. Children's Playroom is adjacent.

Deck 7

Midship is the Atrium (upper level 4 of 4), and aft is the Observation Deck (outdoor area).

Gyms - the ship has 2 fitness areas (portside and starboard, Cardio and Strength/Weights), both with ocean views from floor-to-ceiling windows. The machines are arranged in front of the window, allowing passengers to train while watching the passing scenery along the Norwegian coastal itinerary route. Both Gyms are fitted with Cybex machines. The fitness equipment includes free weights, weight benches, treadmills, and exercise bikes.

Deck 8

The fore-located Navigation Bridge (aka Wheelhouse) and the adjacent Captain's Suite and officers' quarters are not accessible to passengers.

The Cloakroom is an indoor wellness area (with 2x Wardrobes/Lockers/Changing Rooms, 2x Saunas, 2x Restrooms, all separate - male and female) attached to the Aft Outdoor Deck/Sundeck (with a sunbathing area and 2x hot tubs/Jacuzzis).

Men's Sauna is starboard; the Women's Sauna is port side. The sauna rooms are open 6 AM through 11 PM. The outdoor jacuzzis are open between 6 AM and midnight (weather and maintenance permitting).

The aft pool deck is served by the Havbris Bar (pop-up bar).

On Deck 8 are the ship's 6x service boats (2x Rescue Boats and 4x Tenders/Lifeboats) and the two Lighthouse Suites with balcony Jacuzzis.

Deck 9

Panorama Deck is a midship sundeck area open to passengers for strolling and relaxation.

The fore-located Havblikk Bar & Lounge is the ship's Observation Lounge featuring comfortable recliners, floor-to-ceiling windows (unobstructed 270-degree views), forward-facing slanted windows, a glass roof, full bar service, and 3x restrooms (male, female, accessible).

The Havblikk Lounge serves a variety of beverages, including cocktails, beer, wine, Aquavit (a traditional Scandinavian distilled spirit flavored with herbs and spices), coffee, and light snacks. Drinks and snacks are priced individually.

Aft is the Helideck - a helipad/helicopter-landing platform used for emergencies.

Large parts of the top deck are covered with solar panels, generating part of the ship's electricity.

The WiFi coverage is shipwide.

One elevator/lift and stairs interconnect all decks.

Emergency instructions are displayed in all staterooms, on TV screens, and at muster stations. Life jackets are distributed at muster stations. In emergencies, elevators may not be used. Smoking is prohibited throughout the ship.

Car deck

MS Havila Castor has only one garage deck (for cars and palletized cargo). The following cargo deck-related safety procedures apply:

• Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in Park or 1st gear. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from your car.
• Access to the cargo deck during the voyage is prohibited.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
• To avoid air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

Havila cruise itinerary/"Norwegian Coastal Express" ferry route

Next is the itinerary map showing the 12-day "Norwegian Coastal Express" route operated by both Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages (since 2021).

The list of all ports along Havila's northbound "Norwegian Coastal Express" ferry route includes Bergen (turnaround port/homeport), Alesund, Floro, Geiranger (Stranda), Maloy (Vagsoy), Molde, Torvik (Heroy, Leinoya Island), Kristiansund, Rorvik (Vikna), Trondheim, Bodo, Bronnoysund (Bronnoy), Nesna, Ornes (Meloy), Sandnessjoen (Alstahaug), Stamsund (Vestvagoy Island), Svolvaer (Vagan, Austvagoya Island), Trollfjorden (Hadsel), Finnsnes (Lenvik), Harstad (Hinnoya Island), Risoyhamn (Andoy Island), Skjervoy, Sortland (Langoya Island), Stokmarknes (Hadseloya Island), Tromso, Berlevag, Hammerfest, Honningsvag (Mageroya Island, Nordkapp / North Cape), Kjollefjord (Lebesby), Mehamn (Gamvik), Oksfjord (Loppa), Batsfjord, Vardo (Vardoya Island), Kirkenes (turnaround port/homeport).

Since 2021, the shipowner Havila Kystruten (a subsidiary of the 2002-founded Havila Shipping ASA, headquartered in Fosnavag, Norway), together with Hurtigruten, has provided regularly scheduled, government-subsidized Norwegian Coastal ferry service between the homeports of Bergen and Kirkenes. Havila Kystruten's fleet consists of four sisterships (same-designed cruiseferries) built in pairs by two shipbuilders—Barreras Shipyard in Vigo, Spain (Polaris and Pollux) and Tersan Shipyard in Yalova, Turkey (Capella and Castor).