Norway is one of my favourite places to cruise to – I have returned again and again. The weather can be unpredictable, to say the least, so you need to be prepared for all eventualities.
If you are planning a summer cruise to Norway, you may be wondering what you need to pack. In this article, we look at what I would take when I cruise there.
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You Need to be Prepared
I have cruised to Norway in May and had lovely weather every day – similar to an English summer’s day. I took an identical trip in June – and it rained every single day we were there!
The weather in Norway is unpredictable, but the scenery is stunning no matter what weather or season you choose to visit.
Packing Essentials:
The most important things I pack are a pair of comfortable waterproof walking boots or shoes with non-slip soles, a good quality jacket or a waterproof “Pac A Mac” to keep me dry.
Warm Waterproof Clothing:
- A BIG coat, with pockets for your hands.
- Something like this.
- A “Pac A Mac”
- A waterproof, lightweight coat that can fold into a small bag or pouch. Perfect to have in your backpack “Just in case”
- Gloves, hat and scarf – my hat, my gloves.
- Early mornings or trips up into the mountains may be far colder than you think!
Temperatures may vary by as much as 11 degrees between day and night during the summer months, so visitors should come prepared for both hot days and cool nights.
Although the temperature is pleasant, with an average temperature of 52 F (11 C) in May, 64 F (17.5 C) in July, and 54 F (12 C) in September – it often rains.
It is a good idea to check the weather forecast in advance. Although you need to be prepared for cold weather – you might find that it actually is hot! It has been known for temperatures to get up to around 30C/86F in the summer. You can just never tell…
Layer up would be my top tip. T-shirts, jumpers/sweaters, cardigans, coat or at the very least, a “Pac A Mac.” You can take off layers if you’re hot, or wear more if you’re cold…
In Fjord Norway the weather is constantly changing. Don’t be surprised if you get rain, sun, wind and even snow in the same day. Almost any time of year!
Visit Norway
Find out about my sailing to Norway in May onboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas here:
Waterproof Gear:
- Waterproof trousers.
- If you are booked on an excursion and it is raining, you might want to consider waterproof trousers to stop you getting soaked to the skin. You can find mine here.
- I mostly use these in winter in Norway but they can be useful in summer too.
Comfortable Shoes
Comfortable shoes are a must for any cruise! I pack three pairs for my seven-day holidays.
- A pair of trainers (sneakers or sports shoes) for wearing on the ship.
- A pair of sandals to wear to dinner in the evenings.
- Waterproof walking boots/shoes with grippy soles for exploring when I get off the ship.
Clothing for Outside Wear
This is what I took for outside wear in addition to my normal, everyday clothes
- A warm waterproof coat, or at least a Pac A Mac
- Waterproof trousers that were fleece lined. You can find them here
Consider taking a hat, gloves, scarf or neck warmer. You might find it cold if you are sailing early in the season, out early in the mornings, up mountains or taking a skylift.
- A Woolly hat – My hat.
- Thermal gloves – My gloves.
- A woollen neck warmer, with fleece lining – This was the best thing I bought.
CONSIDER PACKING SUNGLASSES It can be bright and dazzling, and I found it far more comfortable to wear sunglasses!
My Sunglasses can be found here.
Clothing for Onboard the Ship
Around the ship, I wore my normal everyday clothing. This included:
- 2x Jeans
- 7x normal T-shirts
- 2x Jumpers or sweaters
- 7x Socks and underwear
- 5x Smarter clothing to wear for dinner – dresses, sandals etc.
- Check your cruise line’s dress code and find out whether you need to “dress up” when onboard.
- 1x Trainers/sneakers
I Also Packed:
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste etc)
- Seasickness tablets
- Medicines – pain killers, stomach & headache pills, plasters – normal first aid equipment.
- Hairbrush/haircare
- Adapters – I like to use these worldwide adapters.
Find a full list of first aid and medications you may want to consider packing here:
Staying Healthy When You Cruise, Avoiding Seasickness – Medications and First Aid Items to Pack
I sometimes get seasick when I cruise. I haven’t often been seasick on a summer Norway cruise – although I felt sick on a P&O cruise on their ship Britannia.
I felt seasick on a P&O Fjords cruise – although that might have been due to the amount of food I’d eaten in the Beach House Restaurant just before the Captain announced the weather could get a little “lumpy!”
Find my top tips to prevent and treat seasickness here:
13 Actionable Tips to Prevent and Treat Seasickness on a Cruise
Don’t Forget Your Travel Documents
As with any cruise, make sure you bring all necessary travel documents such as your passport, boarding pass, and travel insurance information.
You may also want to bring a copy of your itinerary and any important phone numbers – such as those of the ship or the cruise line.
When taking travel documents off of the ship, it is sensible to keep them in a waterproof pouch or bag to protect them from the weather.
I use this Amazon basics document holder, as seen below, to keep all of my documents together.
A Camera Or Phone To Take Photo’s
You are going to want to take lots of photos on a Norway cruise, the scenery is breathtaking.
Although I have a DSLR camera, I tend to take my best photos with my iPhone. You can still get great images without expensive camera equipment.
Optional Extras
Binoculars
I personally don’t pack binoculars, but my parents always do when they cruise.
Sometimes, they just use them to look at the shore and the towns as we sail by, but mostly, they use them for cruise ship spotting!
Some cruise lines actually provide binoculars – usually in their suite cabins.
Books/Magazines
I usually bring some sort of reading material for when I am relaxing in the cabin.
On one of my Norway sailings, I was lucky enough to meet David Nikel, an expert on Norway who gives lectures on cruise ships.
You can buy his book here, this would make perfect reading material for a Norway cruise.
Find out about that winter, Northen Lights Norway sailing I took here:
Swimwear
I always pack my swimming things when I cruise.
Many cruise ships have indoor heated pools and hot tubs, which can be a great way to relax and unwind after a day of exploring.
I Often Bring Snacks
While meals are provided on the cruise, you may want to bring some of your own snacks.
I bring some “emergency” biscuits, which are handy if I am ever feeling a little delicate from my seasickness!
I bought some Norwegian versions of “Kit-Kats” in port! (A Kit-Kat bar is a British favourite – a Chocolate and wafer biscuit made up of four “finger” pieces)
Before You Go
Find out why your next cruise should be to Norway here:
7 Reasons Why Your Next Cruise Should be to Norway
Find out when is the best time to cruise to Norway – comparing seasons, prices etc here:
When is The Best Time to Cruise to Norway? Seasons, Price, Weather and More
Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide
Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.