Sailing the fjords of Norway is amazing. The scenery is stunning and there are many excellent excursions. But….“WHAT DO I PACK!”. We have sailed the fjords several times. I use a modified version of my What To Pack For Alaska list. 🙂 This list also works well for Iceland cruises. First off remember….it’s not the middle of winter! Just because you are heading to the great northern region of Norway, that does not mean it will be snowing and cold. Sure, it could rain and/or be windy (and therefore be a tad chilly) and you may get chilled while sailing into the fjords. BUT….once the ship stops, if the sun is shining, it can be very warm. If you are sailing in May or September, be prepared for cooler temperatures. Later in the summer, it can be warm and humid. The most useful suggestion I have is layers, layers, layers! Bring a lightweight waterproof jacket….heavy down coats are NOT required! Neither are UGGS! Seriously, light weight layers is the answer. The dress code onboard is generally “smart casual” during the day and most evenings, with optional “Evening Chic” nights where guests can dress up a bit more, though formal wear is not required. Ultimate Guide to Celebrity Cruise Dress Code Here are the items that have worked for me. Norway Fjords Packing List: 2 pairs jeans or other long pants (in case one gets wet) Leggings are very popular and are perfect for travel. Fleece lined and water resistant are a great option if you are sailing early in the season or later…or if you easily get cold. I recently sailed Norway in late May and was fine wearing regular leggings. 3-4 shirts to wear with jeans/pants/leggings. one or two pairs casual pants to wear onboard 1 nice outfit for formal/dress up nights 1 or 2 skirts and/or nice pants and shirts/sweaters to wear with them – choose colors that work well together to create more outfits (think capsule wardrobe). 1 or 2 hooded sweatshirts – pullover or zip up 1 waterproof jacket or warm vest… or poncho. This jacket is waterproof, lightweight and good for hiking and travel. It keeps you dry when you need it and packs down small. I have worn a vest under a rain coat for additional warmth. A waterproof poncho would also be very useful. This one folds up into a small packet, is lightweight, has a front zipper and pockets and is available in several colors! A good travel size umbrella can also be very useful. scarf, hat and gloves (for sailing into the fjords) 1 or 2 pair dress shoes/sandals 1 pair sandals for pool deck swimsuit and coverup (Many are probably thinking…seriously? a bathing suit? Yes! The ship’s pools will be open and the hot tubs will be running….enjoy them!) 2 pair good walking shoes (waterproofed is a good idea) I use this waterproof spray on my shoes. Hint…wet shoes can be smelly. I use these to remove odors, you get enough for 3 pairs of shoes. They also work really well in your suitcase to remove odors and keep the it smelling fresh. It’s also smart to protect your clothes from dirty shoes with shoe bags. Good sunglasses – the glare off the deck will be very strong. You will definitely want some good binoculars while cruising the fjords. Most ships provide some in your cabin but the quality is usually not very good. We bring a good travel size with us. Just discovered these amazing mosquito/bug repellent patches…so much nicer than using bug spray! Socks and underwear (duh) Workout clothes – if you plan to hit the gym When going ashore, it is nice to have a good bag. I like to use a crossbody bag, Protect your valuables from pickpockets and thieves. This bag is also RFID protected. Sunscreen (glare off boat can be strong) A travel first-aid kit .is a necessity. Pain killers (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) and a few bandaids…easier (and cheaper) than going to the ship’s doctor. This is a great first aid kit for traveling. Magnetic chip clips to keep papers organized…cabin walls are metal, so magnets will work. Stonger magnetic hooks are very useful to hang up coats and hats. Keep the cabin organized! After sailing many times and finally having our luggage go missing due to luggage tags being torn off, we now use cruise line luggage tag holders. Highly recommend. Many stores are not providing free bags with purchase in an effort to reduce waste. I take reusable grocery bags. Cabins have blackout curtains but light can still sneak through the bottom or sides. In Norway, the sun sets very late and rises super early. An eye mask is very helpful. Are you prone to motion sickness? These sea sick patches will make your cruise more enjoyable! AND….they are Captain Kate approved! These are the exact same ones she uses onboard, while flying and when in the car. I love these adapters by Hero. They have them for several different countries and are made in the US with a 100% money back guarantee and lifetime warranty. The ship will have US and EU outlets but for any hotel you stay in pre or post cruise, you will need one. Most cruise ship cabins have only a few electric plugs. You’re going to need additional outlets to charge electronic items like phones, computers, tablets, kindles, etc. USB ports are also useful. VERY IMPORTANT – Cruise lines don’t allow a regular surge-protected power bars from home (they will confiscate them). I recommend using one that plugs directly into the outlet without a cord. Many ports are confiscating those with cords, as they consider them extension cords. This is the one we travel with. Be sure to bring printed copies of travel documents – while most cruise guests rely on digital versions, it’s always a good idea to carry a printed copy of your itinerary, travel insurance details, and any booking confirmations as a backup. What cruise documents do you need? Planning Your Time Ashore WithContinueContinue reading “Norwegian Fjords Cruise Packing Tips”
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Bergen and Geiranger Norway
The final two stops of our cruise were in Norway….Bergen and Geiranger. Geiranger is a small tourist village in the western part of Norway. It lies in Stranda at the head of the Geirgangerfjorden. Home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, the Geirangerfjord area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site sine 2005. The Seven Sisters waterfall is located just west of Geiranger. Since we were there in July, the falls were not flowing very heavily…still…they were amazing. I can only imagine what they must look like in the spring! The entire fjord was lined with waterfalls. I have a weak spot for them, so took lots of pictures! This is third biggest cruise ship port in Norway and receives 140 to 180 ships during the four-month tourist season, which runs from May to early September. A floating dock has been installed to help cruise passengers get ashore quicker. These photos were taken from the dock. Geiranger is a very walkable town. There is a river that flows down the mountain, straight through town. They have built a walkway with stairs right next to the river. The climb is steep, but the views are incredible. After our day in Geiranger, we sailed to Bergen. Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. We docked in the industrial port area and had to take a bus to the city center, where we purchased the Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) bus. It is a great way to see the city and get the lay of the land! We drove past some really cool buildings, which have been preserved and now have new roles. The city of Bergen was traditionally thought to have been founded by King Olay Kyrre, son of Harald Hardrade in 1070 AD, four years after the Viking Age ended with the Battle of Hastings. Modern research has, however, discovered that a trading settlement was established already during the 1020s or 1030s. In the middle of the 14th century, North German merchants who had already been present in substantial numbers since the 13th century, founded one of the four Kontore of the Hanseatic League at Bryggen in Bergen. The buildings of that time period still remain on the docks in Bergen, a great place to walk and discover some of the history of Bergen. There are other old building still standing, such as this church we came across. The designs of the cobblestone streets were also intriguing. Bergen has a wonderful outdoor seafood market….Torget Fish Market. We were able to purchase several types of sausages…whale, elk and reindeer. There are several stalls selling these items, plus salmon caviar and a product called Kaviar. (The merchants are happy to give you a free sample!) Kaviar is a paste consisting mainly of lightly smoked cod roe that has a salty/sweet/fishy taste and a lurid pink/orange colour. Kaviar can be eaten at anytime, although it is typically consumed for breakfast or lunch on slices of knekkebrød (crisp bread), with perhaps some slices of boiled egg. Most people never spread kaviar with a knife; they just squeeze it straight from the tube and make satisfying arcs of pink goodness on pieces of crisp bread. Norway is a fascinating country. We have been to Oslo in the past, but never this side of the country. Next on the bucket list is to make it above the Arctic Circle in June, for the Summer Solstice. I hope you get a chance to explore Norway and discover all it has to offer.