HMS Gåssten

Step up to the furnished top deck with binoculars and a glass in hand to take in the full panorama. In summer, the ‘white nights’ stretch long into the evening, offering chances to spot sea eagles, orcas, humpback whales, seals, and seabirds against the Arctic coastline. In winter, wrap up in blankets and watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky, stars reflected on the still waters below.

At the heart of the vessel, the saloon is a space designed for gathering. Wood panelling, L-shaped seating, and a hand-crafted oak table with a banquette surround create a place to relax, read, play games, or enjoy seasonal menus prepared by your chef. Situated below the bridge, it offers 270-degree views of the coastline, bringing the outside in.

HMS Gåssten was launched in 1973 as M31, a Swedish Naval minesweeper and one of the last wooden-hulled warships built. Her solid oak hull was designed to evade magnetic mines as she patrolled the Baltic and Gulf of Bothnia for 26 years, clearing Second World War ordnance from the Cold War’s aquatic frontline. It’s also rumoured that King Carl Gustaf of Sweden completed his military service on board.

Koselig (pronounced ‘koosh-lee’) is the Norwegian word for comfort and contentment, capturing the warmth, generosity, and cosy spirit of Scandinavian ‘hygge’ and ‘fika’.