The Havila Sauna
- RetiredCormac
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
I would say that the Havila sauna is a pretty cool place to hangout - but it isn't! It can get pretty hot in there - and makes for a lovely place to spend a while - especially when married together with the chilly weather conditions of a winter cruise.
TL;DR
The setup of the saunas is the same on each ship. In this blog post, we'll delve into the saunas available on Havila ships, describing the set up and how they tend to be used.
The saunas on Havila Voyages ships are designed to be sanctuaries of peace and relaxation. Low lighting and a modern look and feel - they hit the spot. Enjoying a sauna session while on board is not to be missed.
Havila ships embrace the traditional sauna experience, as you would expect dry heat and the use of wood - with the option to create steam by throwing water over the coals.
Location and Practical Advice
Here is the information that I wanted to see before boarding the ship;
There are two saunas on deck 8
One for men and one for women - clearly marked
Whilst advertised as open between 06:00 and 23:00, they didn't appear to shut, open 24/7, with a brief closure for cleaning
Each sauna area contains the sauna, a large shower area, and 8 lockable cabinets
Each sauna has two doors - internal and external, making it both accessible from within the ship and from the outside deck
The area is shared with jacuzzi users
They saunas are free to use - no reservation is required
There is no view
Each sauna will fit 4 comfortably, up to maybe 6 if you are friendly and not sprawled out
Using the Havila Sauna
Having personally spent quite a bit of time in the sauna, here are my tips;
Ensure it is hot - visit the sauna 30mins before you want to use it and ensure that it is turned on - you can boost it by pressing a clearly marked button.
A water bucket that can be filled in the showers is available so you can throw water over the hot coals to create more steam.
Have a shower before entering, and you'll definitely need one when you come out.
Pop out to the deck for a quick blast of refreshing cold air - there is no plunge pool, or overhead bucket of cold water.
Combine the experience with a jacuzzi.
Wear a swimming costume or not - its really up to you - but please do sit on a towel, and do check yourself if you do decide to go out on deck.
Sauna towels are available from guest services.
Stay hydrated and don't use the sauna if you have been drinking alcohol
Final Thoughts
The saunas on Havila Voyages ships are a great place to relax. Personally I found it a shame that male and female were separate as it was inconvenient as a couple - not knowing when the other had finished.
Make sure to set aside time during your journey to have a sauna - its a lovely relaxing and refreshing thing to do.
Happy travels!
For more posts relating to Havila Voyages - click here;
