Travel Cruise News: Havila Voyages takes delivery of first ship- Havila Capella

Travel News: Havila Voyages takes delivery of Havila Capella - Three more ships to follow in 2022

Havila Voyages has taken delivery of its first state-of-the-art ship, Havila Capella, due to start operating along the Norwegian coast on 1 December.

The new Norwegian shipping company has ordered four new build vessels in total, designed to be the most environmentally friendly ships to operate from Bergen to Kirkenes. The second ship will be delivered in January with two further ships arriving in the summer of 2022.

The ships are operating as part of a ten-year Government contract to sail the historic route, with Havila operating four of the 11 vessels departing daily. The twelve-day voyage takes in 34 different coastal ports, passes through four UNESCO Heritage sites and crosses the Arctic circle twice.

The CEO of Havila Voyages, Bent Martini commented “We have been looking forward to this day for many months and are delighted to have taken delivery of our first ship. Launching a brand-new shipping company is a very special event to be part of, especially given this is the largest investment in tourism we have seen along the Norwegian coast.”

Martini also says he is looking forward to showing off the ship to his fellow Norwegians and to the passengers who will travel on her. “We can’t wait to share information about Capella, so on the journey from Turkey to Norway we will post movies and photos on social media, giving a sneak preview of the ship and life onboard.”

The Managing Director of Tersan Shipyard, Mehmet Gazioğlu also commented “We are really pleased that Tersan Shipyard was given the honour of constructing Havila’s passenger ships. Havila Capella and the following three ships, are hugely important projects for us.”

Each of the new ships will be fitted with the World’s largest battery packs, meaning they can sail through fjords and other vulnerable areas for up to four hours - quietly and emission free. The batteries will then be charged in the numerous ports along the route, using clean hydropower.

A myriad of other features are also designed to lessen the impact of their operations such as using energy generated from surplus heat, energy monitoring systems and the use of liquid natural gas.

Havila Capella will showcase a modern & stylish Nordic design, with décor that reflects Norwegian landscapes and uses natural materials.

The observation lounge is fitted with a glass roof and reclining chairs so guests can stay warm while enjoying uninterrupted views of the northern lights or midnight sun. Meanwhile, those who wish to feel the wind in their hair can marvel at the scenery from the spacious deck and promenade areas.

The on-board culinary experience will undoubtedly prove to be one of the highlights of the journey. The ships offer two restaurants and a café offering both traditional Norwegian dishes and modern combinations based on Norwegian ingredients. There are no buffets on-board. Those travelling on full board basis will be served a choice of dishes in the main dining room, while guests looking for something even more special can upgrade to the fine dining restaurant.

The ship will shortly embark on the journey from Turkey to Norway, accompanied by a team from Havila Voyages who will prepare the ship for her first voyage.

Bent Martini, along with other members of the Havila team, will establish a temporary office on board the ship when it arrives in Bergen to ensure they are on-site in the final weeks leading up to the launch.

Havila Voyages is a family run business headquartered in Fosnavåg on the Norwegian coast.