Fjord comfort
When Havila Kystruten showcases the best of Norway, it does so from a Stressless® chair.
The newest ships belong to Havila Kystruten, the newcomer in the market. While building their ships in February 2020, representatives from Havila Group were invited to visit Ekornes' showroom in Ålesund. There, they had the opportunity to see a wide range of furniture offered by Ekornes Contract. Shortly afterward, the collaboration was established: Cabins, restaurants, and lounges would receive Norwegian quality comfort from Ekornes. Even the Captain’s bridge and the crew cinema have sets of Stressless® furniture.
The utmost comfort
- When we outfitted these ships, we had two major priorities: Using local suppliers and investing in high quality. Ekornes checked both of these boxes. Additionally, we wanted to offer our guests the utmost comfort while ensuring that the furniture could withstand long-term and heavy use. It's not easy to find all of this from a single supplier, but we found it right in our neighborhood, says Tonje Alvestad Ytrebø, Marketing Manager at Havila Group.
Once all four ships are in operation, around 6,000 passengers will travel with Havila Kystruten each month. The ships have positioned themselves as some of the most environmentally friendly in their category worldwide. In 2022, the "Havila Castor" made a historic voyage in the Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage area as the first silent and zero-emission ship. The ships can operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or battery power for up to four hours.
Brands hand in hand
- Yes, we have many passengers who come to us and praise the presence of so many comfortable chairs. This is especially true in the restaurants, where Stressless® Dining has provided all the chairs. People appreciate the ability to sit comfortably while being able to stretch their backs, enhancing the dining experience. In fact, I have heard some passengers say that they want to go straight home and replace their dining room furniture! The Stressless® comfort goes hand in hand with our own brand, which stands for quality throughout, says Tonje Alvestad Ytrebø.
