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 prior to port arrival.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Havila Castor ship offers:

• Lobby Hall (Reception Desk, Luggage Lockers, Gangways/embarkation–debarkation)
• Main Dining Room (MDR) Restaurant with menus featuring traditional Norwegian specialties prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
• Cafe Bar (Cafeteria/Patisserie/Buffet Restaurant)
• Panorama Bar Lounge, the ship’s observation lounge with comfortable recliners, floor-to-ceiling and forward-facing slanted windows, glass roof, and full bar service.
• Reserved Seating Lounge offering comfortable reclining/Pullman seats and bar service.
• Duty-Free Shop retailing alcohol (liquors, wines, beers, including Norwegian brands), tobacco, brand perfumes and cosmetics, sunglasses, designer watches and jewelry, clothing and accessories, electronics and gadgets, toys, confectionery, gifts, and souvenirs.
• A La Carte Restaurant serving complimentary meals to guests booked in Junior Suites (breakfast only) and Presidential Suites (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
• Conference Hall, a venue providing information about the ship’s itinerary, ports, and Norwegian culture and history.
• Bow Lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the Bow ViewPoint (forward-facing outdoor terrace).
• ATM/cash machine located next to the Information Desk (Lobby Reception).
• Shipwide WiFi coverage.

The cruise ship has two gyms (fitness areas with sea views) fitted with Cybex machines, arranged in front of the windows so travelers can train while watching the passing scenery. The gyms’ equipment includes free weights, weight benches, treadmills, and exercise bikes.

An Outdoor Deck has 2 Jacuzzis. Passenger-accessible Sun Decks offer plenty of open-air spaces, including a sunbathing area (bow location) with loungers. The Cloakroom area (with a Sauna Room) is adjacent to the two Jacuzzis.

On the top deck are the Navigation Bridge and the Helideck (aft-located helipad/helicopter landing area used in emergencies). Large parts of the top deck are covered by solar panels generating some of the ship’s electricity.

Emergency instructions are displayed in all staterooms as well as on all TV screens and at assembly points (muster stations). Life jackets are issued at the assembly stations. In an emergency, the use of elevators/passenger lifts is prohibited. Smoking is forbidden 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).