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Also I think because of the high number of electric cars, the overall noise level is quite low. We don't really have to talk so loud while moving around in towns and cities as it's nothing to talk over (except those drunk, crazy or foreigners /jk)
Their drivers amazed me. When walking, we noticed drivers stopping for us while we were still a bit away from the crosswalk. I am so used to folks accelerating to get past before the pedestrian gets to the crosswalk. Impressive!
Its the law, you have too stop, so people are just used too stop if you see people going to cross, also Norwegians are not stressed like americans😅 life is pretty chill in norway
As a native of Ålesund, special thanks to cruise tourists who just don't go on the tours the cruise line sets up. A few summers ago, we tried to set up some concerts for the tourists, with Norwegian classical chamber music (Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull mainly) in one of the Art Noveau buildings in our town where we have restored the interior. Those who went said they really liked it, however we didn't have the budget to lobby/pay the cruise ships to put our concerts on their excursions, so many days it was very sparse, we could only advertise on the street. Also those hop-on hop-off buses are not great. They're pretty dodgy, skirting local regulations as much as they can, causing many problems. Ålesund is well-equipped to deal with lots of cruise ship tourists. Many smaller ports aren't really, so be considerate. Especially if you go north to Lofoten...
I cruised from Kirkenes to Bergen with Hurtigruten in 2017. I agree with you about the people being quiet. It made me proud of my heritage. My mom's family are all like that. The Cruise Director explained the Law of Jante - a Norwegian philosophy in which individuals do not try to stand out above others. Norway only has about 5 million people so it's easier to keep that attitude.
@@LifeWellCruised That "philosophy" is from a novel by the Norwegian/Danish author Aksel Sandemose and is called "Janteloven" ("The Jante Law"), about 100 years ago. He describes his harsh childhood in Denmark, his mother being from Norway.
I have done two cruises through Norway and it is my favorite place in the world (that I've seen so far). I'm hoping to take a trip (not cruise) there again, in the future, to see more of the interior part of the country. I was so inspired I've been taking lessons to speak Norwegian (not very useful in California though, lol). My main suggestion is to be prepared for all types of weather, it changes by the minute!
My wife has mobility issues so we didn’t do lots of walking. The coach drivers are the best in the world and took us down narrow roads alongside the fiords with skill! We got to see lots of countryside and spectacular scenery, including villages and the ancient stave churches. If you have mobility issues, don’t write Norway off. Just plan coach tours instead. Norway is gorgeous!!
Our daughter lives in Oslo. She says Norwegians say there is no such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing. So we pack for everything from swimsuits to mittens and use them all!
We went to Norway last summer for 2 weeks and it was very peaceful in all the ports...what a beautiful country! Loved every minute of our trip! We were on Rotterdam from Amsterdam.
Norwegian here, the key with clothing is layers. The weather and temperature can be really unpredictable, so being able to add or shed layers to adjust along the way will make you far more comfortable. For our lattitude, our climate is mild, but we are very far north so it should be taken into account. I live in the west, but here's how I tend to describe the months: January - March = Winter, April is pretend Spring (do not let it fool you), May is bipolar (you can get anything from snow to summer heat in May and you have no idea how the dice will roll on that one), June is milder May (still unpredictable, but at least you're safe from snow), July = Summer (usually your best chance of proper warmth), August = Summer that knows fall is approaching, September is generally fall (can get some residual warmth, but don't count on it), October is colder fall, November is cold fall/winter and December is full winter.
We sailed on RC “Jewel of the Seas” on their 13-night Arctic Norway itinerary (July 5-18, 2024). I think they had one of the best itineraries bc we had the southern & northern Norway Ports. We loved Flam, Olden & Geiranger the best. But it was so breathtaking - watching the ship sail thru the fjords from my bed. Loved the balcony! NordKapp was amazing, sunny but quite windy. On the Blue Puffin tour to NK, we saw Sami Tribe people and their reindeer. We packed in layers (with merlino wool) and got a load of laundry done 1/2 way through the cruise. We only booked 3 excursions with the ship, the rest we did local or hop on/off buses or trains. All 7 of us did Carry-On Only, but 1 guy had to bring his big suitcase. We had quite the surprise on July 19- when the massive world IT Outage happened. 4 of us got stranded in Iceland - it was sunny and almost 70 degrees. 2 were stranded in London; and the other 2 in Amsterdam. Actually, we had pretty good weather for most of the trip. Only used my umbrella once; but used my binoculars every day..🚢🚢
I was on that cruise May 30-June 11, 2024. I agree. I did the 8-night version in May 2023. I’ve been 3 other times on other cruises. I love Norway and I agree with this video.
Great points about Norway, Ilana. I did my second Norwegian fjords cruise just after your cruise and the weather had cooled off and there was some rain. I suggest clothes that allow you to layer according to the weather, which can change while you are out on an excursion for the day. I found the Hop On-Hop Off buses to be excellent in some of the ports, whereas other ports, like the major fjords, are best seen via excursions into the mountains, lakes, waterfalls, etc. A mask is definitely a necessity, although I would still find myself waking up in the middle of the night to look out at the wonder of the bright, middle-of-the-night skies.
I have been to Norway 3 times and returning next May . Love the atmosphere, the quietness and lifestyle. Travel extensively worldwide and continue to love the northern countries.
Really recommend you do a winter cruise with Hurtigruten. It is a fabulous experience into the Arctic Circle and if you go in February/March, you have a good chance to see the Northern Lights which are truly spectactular! You will not have to wonder about which clothes to take - take warm layers and warm, waterproof outer layers/boots and you will be good to go. By the way, the food on the ships is amazing and you can go reindeer sledding with the local Sami people which is also a not to be missed experience. ❤
Have cruised Norway 6 times and l can say without a doubt that the country and the population are fantastic. They are so polite and nearly everyone speaks English. Also they make the most delicious apple cake and serve it with cream. Apart from Canada it is the only other country l would have moved to to live there.
I loved experiencing that midnight sun. 10+ years ago we went to Northern Scotland and yes, when we got into our hotel room, we thought it was weird that the windows all the windows had not just one set of curtains to block out the light but two. so yes, it was weird to go to bed while it was still light outside but luckily in the room we couldn’t tell. Thank you for all you do.
Booked a cruise for August 2026. I travel with a wheelchair for long distances and walk for shorter distances with crutches. I have a strong teenager with me and we are looking forward to see the beautiful nature of Norway.
We have done 5 Alaska cruises. We are booked Fjords( Princess) in late April. I can not wait to experience the beautiful scenery and compare to AK. Thanks for sleep mask tip.
Same issue on cruise to Greenland and Iceland last week. I missed not having dark nights to stroll the promenade deck. Kept drapes closed to sleep. Packed for summer and New England winter weather. Layers and good water proof footwear are essential. Did 2 weeks with small suitcase, backpack and personal bag. Your advice and tips on cruising made it easier to plan and pack. Thank you.
Yep, that midnight sun! We were on a bus tour in northern Scotland late May. Our overnight in Thurso was at the same latitude as Juneau Alaska. We weren't prepared for the daylight so late ((and early) . The sleep mask is a great idea
My wife's family and I went to Norway on the Rotterdam in late July 2024. Norway is quite beautiful and definitely quiet as you say in the video. I really appreciated the sea day in the beginning as I was pretty tired after travelling transatlantic the day before. We only scheduled one excursion (Vøringfossen) which was quite spectacular. The rest of the time we just enjoyed the ports on our own. The trip back to Rotterdam also included a sea day which was nice as well. A really nice cruise indeed!
Spot on with your observations. I did a HAL cruise through the Norwegian fjords just last year July-Aug and loved it!! Especially Eidfjord & Geiranger! Never needed Norwegian cash at all, as most places actually prefer credit card, some even had signs “No cash purchases”. Just used USA $ for tips. HOHO buses re a great way to get around & see the sights at your own speed. Loved the quiet!
We sailed the Norwegian coast last year with Hurtigruten and fell in love with the country. One of the crew said that if we struck up conversations then Norwegians would happily respond and chat but would not necessarily initiate conversations. We found many of the people we met to be natural storytellers. Also we loved Cloudberry jam but Brown Cheese not so much.
How do you think it was to travel with the Hurtigruten? I’m Norwegian and recommend Hurtigruten to my American friends. Then you will get to places where cruise ships will not. You will also see much more of the daily life of Norwegians. The ship goes from Bergen to Kirkenes in the far north. The only thing I've heard my friends complain about is that they couldn't sleep because there were so many beautiful places they wanted to see. I therefore recommend taking the trip both north and south. 😊
@@karinorth1203 We did the journey from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen. It was simply stunning, we sailed on the 2nd of December and we felt we were sailing through a Christmas Card. Such a beautiful country that we loved exploring.
Have been to Kristiansand and it was very quiet in the city compared to North American Cities, We only did sountern Norway and now planing a northern cruise much like yours.
We sailed the Rotterdam last September on a 2 week Norwegian itinerary. Loved the ship and Norway. No Northern Lights for us. Had hoped we might be get lucky. Definitely bring good walking shoes. We hiked in about 4-5 of our port stops.
Clothes you'll need for a Norwegian summer cruise ; 🏞🚢🌫 Cotton underwear. Jeans or jeggings. Lined trousers/jeans. Tank top/camisole top. Blouse/shirt. Tee shirts. Both short and long sleeves. Cotton sweather. Wool sweather. Anorak. With hood. "Oil skin" jacket (wind proof). Scarves. Bobble hat. Mittens. Cotton socks. Thin wool socks. Two pairs of walking/trekking shoes. A pair of sandals. (No need for high heels. Think comfort).... Sunglasses. A medium size backpack. Umbrella. Love from Norway 👩🦳🇳🇴
We returned from our Norway cruise a couple of weeks ago. Yes, it did seem very quiet and extremely clean and lovely and picturesque. The midnight sun did not bother us as we kept our drapes closed when we were sleeping
You can buy sleeping mask in stores 😅 and also the northern light can be seen during the summer. I live in Oslo and saw it 2 weeks ago. Its just up north where the SUN is up 24/7 not in all of Norway. Welcome to Norway!❤
My wife and I just came back from a July 3-14th Iceland/Norway cruise on Norwegian Prima. Our ports of call were a little different from yours (Bergen, Geiranger and Alesund Norway. Plus Akureyri, Isafjordur and Reykjavik, Iceland. We also had stops in Brugge Belgium and Amsterdam.) I Most enjoyed the Norwegian stops. I have to agree that planning for weather is paramount. It rained every day of our cruise. I was told that it is quite normal to see some weather every day, so plan for it. Also make sure to bring some warm clothing as the temperature ranged from 9°C (48°F) to 18°C (64°F) on our trip. Our cabin had excellent blackout curtains which was paramount for any sleep as the sun didn't set for seven days of our 11 day cruise. The Norwegian fjords are quite spectacular and are very different from Alaska. Especially Geiranger with all the waterfalls coming down on both sides of the fjord. Sailing in and out should not be missed.
We were on the very next NCL cruise on the Prima, with the itinerary in the opposite direction, ending up in Iceland. We had sunny weather, except on the last day in Iceland. We did wish we had brought more cool weather clothing. Norway was our favourite segment of the cruise, and it was definitely worth sacrificing a little bit of sleep to see the voyage in and out of Geiranger.
We just returned from a RC 13-night cruise to Norway. The midnight sun was remarkable - even though I knew I should be tired, the sun gave me such energy. Our blackout curtains worked well, so no sleep masks were needed. I noticed that whenever the weather was rainy, foggy our overcast, it always cleared up by mid- to late afternoon.
I’ve not been to Norway, but I have been to Geneva, Switzerland, and one of the main memories I have was that it was extremely quiet, it was very peaceful.
Thank you for your recap. I feel like you described my Norway cruise in June. I was on the Celebrity Silhouette June 17 -24. I felt like Norway was so quite as well and so clean. I spent a day before and after in Amsterdam and so quite also. We left out of Rotterdam also. We had an interior room. I tend to get the best sleep ever. Our weather was cool at beginning of week and warner at the end. I had 2 jackets but definitely coukd have left one home. I woukd love to go again. You will walk alot. We had 4 ports and did a ton of walking.
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Finally booked our trip to Norway on HAL. May 2026 for 21 days.. So excited. Do you recall how early excursions were posted? HAL could do a better job at notifying passengers when excursions and speciality dining become available. Enjoyed the video snd thanks for sharing.
We went to Norway this April. The maximum temperature was only 6°c, (42°f). The lowest we had was 1°c (33.8f). We had two days of snow. The very next week on the same itinerary the passengers were basking out on deck with a temperature of 23°c (73°f). So yes the weather is very changeable.
That is my number one bucket list cruise. After just getting home from Alaska and the time change and also the fact that it was late so long I did have an eye mask that I used however. That looks like a gorgeous cruise Ilana.
Thanks for the heads up. We're booked on the Princess cruise doing the fjords. Very helpful info. Glad we booked our first interior on the Sky Princess. Not a fan of sleep masks or streaming sunlight at night. We're sailing to Bergen, Stavanger and two smaller towns I cannot spell in July of 2025.
@@susanbarnett761 we booked an inside cabin and slept well. Bergen is walkable. Visit the Hanseatic Museum for some unusual history. And take the funicular up the mountain for a view of the city - but go as early as possible because the line forms quickly, especially if there are multiple ships in port.
We were able to plan for most of these when we went in June and July. We first went out of Copenhagen which is even more expensive than Norway so we didn't notice as much. When we came back around after the UK, we did, lol. We fell for the Northern Lights... oh well. We did find that putting something against the bottom of the black out curtains helped to darken the room enough not to notice.
I'm also from a northern latitude country (Far North of Scotland) and warm weather is not something we pine for, it's just settled weather with no rain and being overcast/no rain/no wind is considered a good day where I'm from.
We went to The North Cape, and the sun never set. It was on the horizon all night. We had the infinite veranda on the Apex and it was perfect. The Weather was cool so we could watch the scenery without being cold and wind blown on a balcony. It was nice to open it when we were in ports.
Happy to say we now have booked our 3rd Norweigian fjord cruise for June 2026, once again on the Rotterdam. This time the ports and route are different. A very important tip and you are so correct that a credit card instead of cash is needed in Norway. We went to a public bathroom in one of the ports, and usage is by credit card only. Don't leave home without it. My tip for saving on exchange rates and saving on fees is to use a prepaid card that you can convert to any currency needed when travelling. My personal choices are Wise and N26.
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Howdy. We are booked on Rotterdam for May 2026 Norway trip. 21 day cruise. The future cruise person on our recent sailing recommended this length because of what I wanted to see. May I ask, were there any excursions on past sailings that you feel are must see trips? Safe travels.
For some ports, you can opt for a self-guided exploration, making a tour unnecessary. Upon disembarking, you'll find tour offices in many ports, offering excellent shore excursions at a fraction of the cruise line prices. When it comes to choosing the right shore excursion, consider your interests, physical abilities, and the time available. I personally find the Norwegian fjord cruise the most relaxing, enjoying the serene views from our balcony. In Bergen, we took the hop-on, hop-off bus to familiarize ourselves with the area. We got off and took the funicular up to the top for fabulous views of the city and ship. Then, we walked through the famous local fish market. We returned to the ship with all the 19th-century wooden shops in view. The first time we were in Alesund, we did the hop-on, hop-off to Aksla Viewpoint. Then, back in town, we walked around the waterfront and sat in a cafe to take in the views. The architect, flowers, and colorful buildings make for a memory maker. In Geiranger, we did a Holland America tour of the Norwegian Fjord Centre, Westeras Farm, and Flydalsjuvet Viewpoint. Our shore excursion from was a feast for the eyes while riding on Eagle Road, filled with twists and turns. The snow was melting, and I had never seen so many rundowns.The journey itself was a scenic wonder, and the glacier, when we finally arrived, was nothing short of impressive. It's a journey that will leave you inspired by the beauty of nature. In Eidfjord, we indulged in the 'Waffles and Waterfalls' tour with Holland America. The waffle portion was exemplary, served with local toppings and a stunning view. However, the highlight was the visit to the Hardanger Mountain Plateau, a breathtaking natural wonder, and the Vøringsfossen Waterfalls, a majestic cascade that left us in awe. These experiences are just a glimpse of what's in store for you. With plenty of time before your cruise, the exciting part is researching, watching videos, and deciding what activities you want to include in your itinerary. This preparation will leave you feeling excited and fully prepared for your upcoming adventure.
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@@veronicashine1812 thank you for the information. Can’t wait for the cruise to happen. Safe travels
I flew from Australia to do an all inclusive cruise with Saga (a British cruise line for the over 50's) called 'in search of the Northern Lights' We cruised March this year from Portsmouth England to Norway and back. It was fantastic. We saw the lights for 5 consecutive nights, both uninterrupted at sea and over the Town of Alta which was spectacular having the Alta harbour as a backdrop. The Fjords were majestic too but the lights were our main reason to take this cruise. Coming from Australia where March is one of out hottest months , to Norway where it got down to -15 c was not as bad as we had anticipated as we had prepared well and Saga gave each passenger an Arctic jacket (to keep) which was brilliant in the snow but will never be worn back home unless Australia re enters the ice age. A must see in Norway is the ice hotel which gets rebuilt every year because it melts as the weather improves. A tip for cruisers worried about the cold is to buy some heat packs before you go. They cost very little online and they have small hand warmers and larger body pads. Wear them under your clothes or mitts and they stay warm for about 10 hours which is longer than most shore excursions. For the more adventurous there's a company called Hurtigurten which offer multi port Northern Lights cruises with the promise of a free 7 day cruise if you dont see the lights.
Beautiful video! We were on Royal’s Anthem from Southampton to the Fjords in May and were surprised with great weather. After packing waterproof shoes, my Norwegian Fisherman’s sweater (which is still in the plastic dry cleaner wrap) and coat, the teenage boys were taking off their T shirts at the Furnicular overlook in Bergen. Had been to Norway before on a land tour of Scandanavia years ago. The Norwegian people are wonderful. Yes, it is super expensive. Denmark is more expensive than Germany, Sweden even more so and Norway the most. Let me add an important update on the upcoming FJORDS CLOSURE! Norway has pushed back the closure to all but zero emission cruise ships to 2035, however, by the original deadline on Jan 1 2026, ONLY LNG powered cruise ships will be allowed into the UNESCO Fjords. Many of the major cruise lines are building these but only a few have entered service. As such there will be far fewer Fjords cruises starting in 2026. Go in 2025 if you are able, Geiranger Fjord is a must see! Thank you Ilana!
Northern lights season is Late September until March. Then it’s dark enough a longer time in the night to observe them. And of course north of the polar circle is absolutely best
When my friend and I did our Norway cruise, one the airport-to-ship transfer from Amsterdam-Schiphol to the cruise ship terminal in Rotterdam, we overheard a couple saying they looked forward to seeing the northern lights. Now my friend and I live on roughly the same latitude as Copenhagen, Denmark, which is further south than any place in Norway we visited. And in May, when we did our cruise, we knew the sun was going to go down late. And the best and only time of day to catch any northern lights at that time of year was going to be about 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. My friend looked at me and said, "I think they are going to be disappointed." So, yes, if a person wants to see the northern lights in Norway, travel before the beginning of April or after the end of September, when the nights are longer than the days. Another thing with viewing the northern lights. Try and do it away from city lights. While it is not impossible to see the northern lights in a city, for the best experience, you really need dark skies with little or no light pollution.
You also need solar storms. They're causing the Aurora Borealis... The Norwegian weather report some times warn about increased solar activity. We've had the Northern Lights here in Oslo as well. Though not like the stuff I've seen way north, in Bjørnevatn Finnmark, around Christmas. All quiet. Ink black sky. Ablaze with dancing curtains of green and tuquoise. Sending shivers down my spine.... Love from Norway 👩🦳🇳🇴
I also did a Norway cruise on the Rotterdam, but about a month later than you (July 19 for 14 nights). Regarding the cash thing, I did bring some Kroner and used what I had left as part of the tip I left for the room stewards at the end of the cruise. I held on to my leftover Euros because I know I'll have a use for it on an upcoming trip next year. Regarding shore excursions, I think it was important to go exploring beyond the port area in many of the ports as there's quite a bit of beauty to be seen. However, if one wants or needs to keep the cost down, many of the port areas were beautiful and there were reasonable hikes in many of the ports that were accessible without having to spend any extra cash. We were in some of the ports long enough that it was possible to do an excursion in the morning and go exploring the port area on foot in the afternoon. Regarding Norway being expensive... Though this may get into a bit of a touchy area in regards to cruisers not being welcome in some places, I didn't really spend any additional money while I was off the ship. I found I was able to get all of my meals on the ship (which meant a few really late lunches) and I generally avoid going into the gift shops because I'm quite honestly more interested in enjoying the views. Most of the excursions give you very limited time at each stop which forces you to choose between shopping or enjoying the scenery and I'll pick the scenery every time. That does leave me feeling a bit guilty about not directly supporting the local economy, but some of the shore excursion money and port fees goes to the local economy. I did generally gives the tour guides or bus drivers a tip at the end of an excursion, but it ended up being about the same as I would give them anywhere else. The cruise itself was definitely on the pricey side, but I found that the shore excursion prices were similar to what I paid for similar excursions in elsewhere. The climate thing really shouldn't have come as a surprise as, just like for Alaska, the general recommendation for Norway I found in all of my research was to bring layers to cover just about anything from near freezing to hot and sunny to rain. That said, I did slightly underestimate just how cool it was going to be and ended up not quite as warm as I would have liked to be on one of the boat excursions I took. We did get lucky on our cruise and had beautiful weather for most of the trip, so my rain shell was only used once as a windproof layer in that one case where I wasn't quite warm enough.
We did Norway last September with HAL, it was so great. Living in Europe, we were in Norway already in the 80's (by car!) and in Oslo alone on a weekend trip. HAL did a great service last year, so we booked another cruise with them to Iceland, Scotland and England, which took place last month, in July. But thus time they disappointed us and we will not be cruising with them.
About the quietness factor…I’ve not been to Norway but I noticed this in parts of northern Germany. I was touring a village area with a distant relative and it struck me how quiet the whole village was even though there were plenty of people going about their business. In an odd way I found that the quietness commanded a respect for the whole experience. It’s difficult for me to explain. Maybe it was the awe I was feeling that my ancestors came from such a beautiful place.
June this year has been colder than normal with below average temperatures. This has been the case for north western Europe this year because of the position of the jet stream. The month was marked with weather akin to that of Scandinavia which is wet and cold. In Norway you can experience 3 seasons in one day so layers are essential. The northern lights was visible in the UK during May which is unusual as we are normally too far south. I was expecting Norway to expensive but was not prepared for just how expensive it really was. The price for even small items was shocking but Norway is pretty affluent and locals don't think anything of it. The one thing not to do ashore is to try and buy alcohol. Apart from the weakest beer it can only be bought from specialist shops run by the government and tends to be pretty pricey. Norway along with much of Scandinavia has had issues with issues with drunkenness hence the sale of booze being tightly controlled. A cruise really is the only affordable way to visit the country. Norway is definitely not like Alaska when it comes to wildlife. Killer whales can get that far north but they are not common. Perhaps the most likely thing that you may notice are sea birds. It has an eco system similar to New Foundland with some species found either side of the Atlantic. There are some magnificent sea bird colonies but you have to look for them. The bald eagle is replaced by the white tailed eagle but it is a bird of the coasts is not found in the fjords. In the smaller ports there is plenty around but it tends not to be the in your face type wildlife and you have to know where to look. At Flam I had a rather distraught redshank because I had got a little too close to its next.
this was actually not a place we considered going to until I saw all your videos and what you posted on Instagram..... now I'm slightly obsessed ! it looks absolutely amazing. Weird question, were you able to see the Northern Lights on your trip, or was it just too light ?
These are great tips. Going there in September, we won’t have to deal with the Midnight Sun as we’ll be closer to fall equinox. But I did experience the midnight sun on my Baltic Sea cruise in July. If you ever do a Baltic cruise, don’t bother with the Swedish crown: you can pay with credit cards everywhere. The other countries use Euros so you’ll be fine. I can’t wait to get there.
Two things to mention: Midnightsun is and Northern lights are more prevalent the further north you are cruising In Norway. Also the midnight sun is during summer months. In the winter, it is dark 24/7, In the northern parts of Norway.
Also the northern lights are normally seen at 2.00 in the morning. We are Scottish and we also enjoy the quiet life. We also sleep with the curtains open but as I said we are Scottish and went to sleep as children with the sun still up, it all depends what you are used to.
A lightweight jacket can help much ,and for off trail hiking good shoes or light sturdy boots also., Palmesus Festival this year got much rainy,but the stores sold much rain capes and sold out their rubber boots also .
if u want to see Northern lights in Norway do cruises From trondheim and further north in the Winter. Norrthern lights are more common the higher up you are. And in Winter half of the year Much of northern Norway has no daylight at all so u can see Northern lights 24/7 when it actually happens. But during summer much of Norway has Daylight again alot of the time. And Northern Norway only has daylight or long sunset in summer. Being from Trondheim in Norway Bergen is actually much darker in summer.
Northern light is seasonal, but the chances to see it increases the further north you go. There are northern light in south of Norway too - but it is rare and not the sameas in the north. In fjord cruise, i would not expect to see it. If that is a central expectation - bgo to Tromsø or thereabout.
Recently we visited my wife’s distant relatives in a small city outside of Oslo. For the most part, Norwegians are reserved and polite. They can be pleasantly, but courteously obstinate. There’s a widely circulated bumper sticker that reads: “You can tell a Norwegian, but you can’t tell them much!” 😂 And I can attest to that as my wife (and my In-laws) are of Norwegian heritage!🥱🎉
I'm going to Norway (I am British) and I have been avidly watching your cruise videos. I thank you for all the information as it does make me feel that I won't be quite so blind sided. However, it will be my first cruise, but hopefully not my last. I was interested in the fact that you didn't sleep well due to the sun. I feel I might have an edge there as I am (and have been) a night nurse for over 40 years. Therefore I have had to adapt to sleeping during the day. When I was a student nurse (so still getting used to night duty) instead of a sleep mask I used a clean pair of black tights. Tied around my eyes. Trust me... I was a sight to behold staggering out to the toilets in our night duty block with the tights pushed up, one eye open to find my way. Yes, this was a *VERY* long time ago. Over 50 years. (Yep, still working, but definitely looking at retirement.)
JJ Cruise released their Norway video and they mentioned some of their fellow cruisers were unable to spend their euros at the ports. It may not be the same at every Norwegian port. I think it's prudent to have Norwegian kroner.
Had to laugh, I did the same thing with packing. I had warmer clothes packed and triple checked the weather again and it had changed. Tossed in a few extra shorts and told my family to do the same. Our trip was last week, end of July, and we started the day with light jacket but ended with just t-shirts.
It is the same in Estonia - it is considered rude to be loud on the streets, in public places, in bus. If you are loud, heads will turn, because it is uncommon - people will either think you are drunk or from some other nationality. Some nations just are more quiet and reserved. I was visiting Rome one summer and I got so tired of loud voices and noise on streets. When we came back to Estonia, I was standing in a supermarket queue, and sighed in pleasure, about how quiet it was and how nicely people kept distance. Noone was breathing down your neck or nudging you with their cart or shopping basket or talking loudly. It felt good to be back home. :) It may be indeed cultural thing. What you describe strange, it feels normal to others :)) I now want to visit Norway, have not been there before. The high prices have been one reason.
I leave my curtains open every night too and on my Alaskan cruise I found I only slept very few hours each night. The other thing I noticed was I had the worst jet lag I have ever had. It lasted for a week and I just couldn’t sleep once I was home (Australia)
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If you think Norway is expensive, you’ll be shocked if you go to Iceland. Another amazing country (lots of it reminded me of Arctic Quebec - except that they have amazing geysers and volcanic lakes), but my goodness, it was expensive! ❤️
Be aware there might be establishments in Norway that are not very happy to take cash. Also, please don't give any Norwegians (guides etc) Euros or US dollars. Some might find it OK, but they're not usable in Norway. Also, no midnightsun before you've crossed the Artic circle at roughly 66° north. Even though the circle isn't actually a physical line, you need to get a bit further north than for example Ålesund.
It appears the Norway excursions listed as "Strenuous" are indeed strenuous, so, I gotta train for the Olympics to enjoy Norway. Half-kidding. There's this two-glacier hike I want to do, and I'm going to have to train for walking several km uphill on uneven terrain. Some comments about the excursion were along the lines of, "I normally hike 18 mi a week and thought this was difficult" and "some young people couldn't finish."
I'm thinking of doing Norway thru Gate 1 which includes a rail tour and a Hurtigruten cruise, which is a small ship. I wonder whether that would be better than a larger ship cruise
As a Norwegian, I would strongly recommend it. With Hurtigruten you will get to places where cruise ships do not. You will also see much more of the daily life of Norwegians.
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Is an Aft facing cabin good? We’ve done it before up the Ca coast and weather was good and seas not bad. Worried about Norway sears being rough and really feels the ocean movement. Hope to book on HAL upcoming Alaska trip for a 2026 sailing. The ship looked busy! Thanks for sharing and safe sailings.
No black out curtains? Maybe because I worked for a Danish company, and been to Sweden and Norway, I'm used to the cultural and climate differences and wouldn't compare it to Alaska. However, 10 years ago you did need their currency. Interesting about the sea kayaking, I wouldn't have picked that but I do know Norwegians LOVE to hike.
I just got back from a Norway cruise on the Rotterdam last week. One thing i learned is if you forget some warm clothes there are always some really nice sweaters available in the shops in port. Yeah they are expensive though 😞 i paid $260 for mine. On top of that the sales tax is really high too. However, as a tourist you can get a partial refund of the sales tax refunded to your credit card. You need to ask for some special reciept at the store. At the end of the cruise they had some representative come on the ship and do some paperwork and they scanned your credit card and in a few weeks you are supposed to get a refund. Just something to keep in mind for next time.
@@Randomdude21-eif you are onlh visiting the country, you can get the sales tax (moms in Norwegian) returned as Patrick described perfectly👍🏼 That goes for most European countries.
Can you rent arctic wear as it seems a lot of money to invest in items you never need again...ie: thermal pants, coat, gloves etc. We want to go in winter to see the Northern Lights
![My HONEST Opinion After 7 Days on a Norway Cruise [Holland America Rotterdam]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qd7blqrRJSM/mqdefault.jpg)
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In Norway, if someone is loud, they are usually drunk, crazy or foreign...
@@abcabcboy 😂
Also I think because of the high number of electric cars, the overall noise level is quite low. We don't really have to talk so loud while moving around in towns and cities as it's nothing to talk over (except those drunk, crazy or foreigners /jk)
The saying is drunk, crazy or American. 😅
@@Ridiculina Nah. We're just somewhat quiet. We only raise our voice when we're drunk or in a loud room.
About Norwegians being quiet. It's a pragmatic notion: If we sit at the same table in a restaurant, we don't necessarily see the need to scream...
Americans are recognized everywhere for speaking very loudly. I'm not sure it's the Norwegians being quiet. :D
That’s why i’m going to Norway! The quietness and good behaviour! And beautiful places!
Their drivers amazed me. When walking, we noticed drivers stopping for us while we were still a bit away from the crosswalk. I am so used to folks accelerating to get past before the pedestrian gets to the crosswalk. Impressive!
Its the law, you have too stop, so people are just used too stop if you see people going to cross, also Norwegians are not stressed like americans😅 life is pretty chill in norway
@@Randomdude21-e yes it's about being chill and the drivers attitude taught in driver school, always being considerate to others
As a native of Ålesund, special thanks to cruise tourists who just don't go on the tours the cruise line sets up. A few summers ago, we tried to set up some concerts for the tourists, with Norwegian classical chamber music (Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull mainly) in one of the Art Noveau buildings in our town where we have restored the interior. Those who went said they really liked it, however we didn't have the budget to lobby/pay the cruise ships to put our concerts on their excursions, so many days it was very sparse, we could only advertise on the street.
Also those hop-on hop-off buses are not great. They're pretty dodgy, skirting local regulations as much as they can, causing many problems.
Ålesund is well-equipped to deal with lots of cruise ship tourists. Many smaller ports aren't really, so be considerate. Especially if you go north to Lofoten...
@@Mnnvint thanks for sharing this :)
I cruised from Kirkenes to Bergen with Hurtigruten in 2017. I agree with you about the people being quiet. It made me proud of my heritage. My mom's family are all like that. The Cruise Director explained the Law of Jante - a Norwegian philosophy in which individuals do not try to stand out above others. Norway only has about 5 million people so it's easier to keep that attitude.
@@sonjab6127 that’s very interesting- thanks for sharing this
The Jante Law is in Denmark, Sweden and Norway from when it was all under the same rule. It is a really interesting cultural point.
@@LifeWellCruised That "philosophy" is from a novel by the Norwegian/Danish author Aksel Sandemose and is called "Janteloven" ("The Jante Law"), about 100 years ago. He describes his harsh childhood in Denmark, his mother being from Norway.
Hello. Im Norwegian, and I live in Oslo. Welcome to Norway!
@@ivarnordlkken8082 thanks so much!
I have done two cruises through Norway and it is my favorite place in the world (that I've seen so far). I'm hoping to take a trip (not cruise) there again, in the future, to see more of the interior part of the country. I was so inspired I've been taking lessons to speak Norwegian (not very useful in California though, lol). My main suggestion is to be prepared for all types of weather, it changes by the minute!
My wife has mobility issues so we didn’t do lots of walking. The coach drivers are the best in the world and took us down narrow roads alongside the fiords with skill! We got to see lots of countryside and spectacular scenery, including villages and the ancient stave churches. If you have mobility issues, don’t write Norway off. Just plan coach tours instead. Norway is gorgeous!!
Thank you, I have the same issue, but traveling with my fit teenager, so booked a cruise for 2026 to Norway.
Our daughter lives in Oslo. She says Norwegians say there is no such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing. So we pack for everything from swimsuits to mittens and use them all!
@@richardgotshall2703 lol, I could imagine this easily
Yup, that's correct.
Can you imagine how much we Norwegians pack when we go on summer holiday?
I’ve heard the same from a couple that live in Wisconsin 😂
@@karinorth1203 det er sant da😅
We went to Norway last summer for 2 weeks and it was very peaceful in all the ports...what a beautiful country! Loved every minute of our trip! We were on Rotterdam from Amsterdam.
Norwegian here, the key with clothing is layers. The weather and temperature can be really unpredictable, so being able to add or shed layers to adjust along the way will make you far more comfortable. For our lattitude, our climate is mild, but we are very far north so it should be taken into account. I live in the west, but here's how I tend to describe the months:
January - March = Winter, April is pretend Spring (do not let it fool you), May is bipolar (you can get anything from snow to summer heat in May and you have no idea how the dice will roll on that one), June is milder May (still unpredictable, but at least you're safe from snow), July = Summer (usually your best chance of proper warmth), August = Summer that knows fall is approaching, September is generally fall (can get some residual warmth, but don't count on it), October is colder fall, November is cold fall/winter and December is full winter.
We sailed on RC “Jewel of the Seas” on their 13-night Arctic Norway itinerary (July 5-18, 2024). I think they had one of the best itineraries bc we had the southern & northern Norway Ports. We loved Flam, Olden & Geiranger the best. But it was so breathtaking - watching the ship sail thru the fjords from my bed. Loved the balcony! NordKapp was amazing, sunny but quite windy. On the Blue Puffin tour to NK, we saw Sami Tribe people and their reindeer. We packed in layers (with merlino wool) and got a load of laundry done 1/2 way through the cruise. We only booked 3 excursions with the ship, the rest we did local or hop on/off buses or trains. All 7 of us did Carry-On Only, but 1 guy had to bring his big suitcase. We had quite the surprise on July 19- when the massive world IT Outage happened. 4 of us got stranded in Iceland - it was sunny and almost 70 degrees. 2 were stranded in London; and the other 2 in Amsterdam. Actually, we had pretty good weather for most of the trip. Only used my umbrella once; but used my binoculars every day..🚢🚢
I was on that cruise May 30-June 11, 2024. I agree. I did the 8-night version in May 2023. I’ve been 3 other times on other cruises. I love Norway and I agree with this video.
Great points about Norway, Ilana. I did my second Norwegian fjords cruise just after your cruise and the weather had cooled off and there was some rain. I suggest clothes that allow you to layer according to the weather, which can change while you are out on an excursion for the day. I found the Hop On-Hop Off buses to be excellent in some of the ports, whereas other ports, like the major fjords, are best seen via excursions into the mountains, lakes, waterfalls, etc. A mask is definitely a necessity, although I would still find myself waking up in the middle of the night to look out at the wonder of the bright, middle-of-the-night skies.
Will be cruising the Norwegian fjords in October. I think I will definitely pack my winter jacket!
You need to! And Rain jacket! October is cold!
@@brutarvr5110 Thank you!
I have been to Norway 3 times and returning next May . Love the atmosphere, the quietness and lifestyle. Travel extensively worldwide and continue to love the northern countries.
Loved Norway! It’s so beautiful.
Really recommend you do a winter cruise with Hurtigruten. It is a fabulous experience into the Arctic Circle and if you go in February/March, you have a good chance to see the Northern Lights which are truly spectactular! You will not have to wonder about which clothes to take - take warm layers and warm, waterproof outer layers/boots and you will be good to go. By the way, the food on the ships is amazing and you can go reindeer sledding with the local Sami people which is also a not to be missed experience. ❤
March and September seem to be the most popular months for actually seeing the Northern Lights.
Have cruised Norway 6 times and l can say without a doubt that the country and the population are fantastic. They are so polite and nearly everyone speaks English. Also they make the most delicious apple cake and serve it with cream. Apart from Canada it is the only other country l would have moved to to live there.
Just got back from cruise to Norway. What a beautiful country!
I loved experiencing that midnight sun. 10+ years ago we went to Northern Scotland and yes, when we got into our hotel room, we thought it was weird that the windows all the windows had not just one set of curtains to block out the light but two. so yes, it was weird to go to bed while it was still light outside but luckily in the room we couldn’t tell. Thank you for all you do.
Booked a cruise for August 2026. I travel with a wheelchair for long distances and walk for shorter distances with crutches. I have a strong teenager with me and we are looking forward to see the beautiful nature of Norway.
We have done 5 Alaska cruises. We are booked Fjords( Princess) in late April. I can not wait to experience the beautiful scenery and compare to AK. Thanks for sleep mask tip.
Same issue on cruise to Greenland and Iceland last week. I missed not having dark nights to stroll the promenade deck. Kept drapes closed to sleep. Packed for summer and New England winter weather. Layers and good water proof footwear are essential. Did 2 weeks with small suitcase, backpack and personal bag. Your advice and tips on cruising made it easier to plan and pack. Thank you.
Yep, that midnight sun! We were on a bus tour in northern Scotland late May. Our overnight in Thurso was at the same latitude as Juneau Alaska. We weren't prepared for the daylight so late ((and early) . The sleep mask is a great idea
My wife's family and I went to Norway on the Rotterdam in late July 2024. Norway is quite beautiful and definitely quiet as you say in the video. I really appreciated the sea day in the beginning as I was pretty tired after travelling transatlantic the day before. We only scheduled one excursion (Vøringfossen) which was quite spectacular. The rest of the time we just enjoyed the ports on our own. The trip back to Rotterdam also included a sea day which was nice as well. A really nice cruise indeed!
Spot on with your observations. I did a HAL cruise through the Norwegian fjords just last year July-Aug and loved it!! Especially Eidfjord & Geiranger! Never needed Norwegian cash at all, as most places actually prefer credit card, some even had signs “No cash purchases”. Just used USA $ for tips. HOHO buses re a great way to get around & see the sights at your own speed. Loved the quiet!
@@debbieball1650 that’s awesome! Thanks so much for sharing your experience 👏
Generally speaking you don't need to tip in Norway, though of course tourist-oriented places will be very happy if you do.
We sailed the Norwegian coast last year with Hurtigruten and fell in love with the country. One of the crew said that if we struck up conversations then Norwegians would happily respond and chat but would not necessarily initiate conversations. We found many of the people we met to be natural storytellers. Also we loved Cloudberry jam but Brown Cheese not so much.
How do you think it was to travel with the Hurtigruten?
I’m Norwegian and recommend Hurtigruten to my American friends. Then you will get to places where cruise ships will not. You will also see much more of the daily life of Norwegians. The ship goes from Bergen to Kirkenes in the far north. The only thing I've heard my friends complain about is that they couldn't sleep because there were so many beautiful places they wanted to see. I therefore recommend taking the trip both north and south. 😊
@@karinorth1203 We did the journey from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen. It was simply stunning, we sailed on the 2nd of December and we felt we were sailing through a Christmas Card. Such a beautiful country that we loved exploring.
Have been to Kristiansand and it was very quiet in the city compared to North American Cities, We only did sountern Norway and now planing a northern cruise much like yours.
We sailed the Rotterdam last September on a 2 week Norwegian itinerary. Loved the ship and Norway. No Northern Lights for us. Had hoped we might be get lucky. Definitely bring good walking shoes. We hiked in about 4-5 of our port stops.
Clothes you'll need for a Norwegian summer cruise ;
🏞🚢🌫
Cotton underwear.
Jeans or jeggings.
Lined trousers/jeans.
Tank top/camisole top.
Blouse/shirt.
Tee shirts. Both short and long sleeves.
Cotton sweather.
Wool sweather.
Anorak. With hood.
"Oil skin" jacket (wind proof).
Scarves.
Bobble hat.
Mittens.
Cotton socks.
Thin wool socks.
Two pairs of walking/trekking shoes.
A pair of sandals.
(No need for high heels. Think comfort)....
Sunglasses.
A medium size backpack.
Umbrella.
Love from Norway 👩🦳🇳🇴
We returned from our Norway cruise a couple of weeks ago. Yes, it did seem very quiet and extremely clean and lovely and picturesque. The midnight sun did not bother us as we kept our drapes closed when we were sleeping
We went on Celebrity Ascent to Norway, right at the end of covid. The beauty and stillness of the fiords were amazing.
You can buy sleeping mask in stores 😅 and also the northern light can be seen during the summer. I live in Oslo and saw it 2 weeks ago. Its just up north where the SUN is up 24/7 not in all of Norway. Welcome to Norway!❤
My wife and I just came back from a July 3-14th Iceland/Norway cruise on Norwegian Prima. Our ports of call were a little different from yours (Bergen, Geiranger and Alesund Norway. Plus Akureyri, Isafjordur and Reykjavik, Iceland. We also had stops in Brugge Belgium and Amsterdam.) I Most enjoyed the Norwegian stops. I have to agree that planning for weather is paramount. It rained every day of our cruise. I was told that it is quite normal to see some weather every day, so plan for it. Also make sure to bring some warm clothing as the temperature ranged from 9°C (48°F) to 18°C (64°F) on our trip. Our cabin had excellent blackout curtains which was paramount for any sleep as the sun didn't set for seven days of our 11 day cruise. The Norwegian fjords are quite spectacular and are very different from Alaska. Especially Geiranger with all the waterfalls coming down on both sides of the fjord. Sailing in and out should not be missed.
We were on the very next NCL cruise on the Prima, with the itinerary in the opposite direction, ending up in Iceland. We had sunny weather, except on the last day in Iceland. We did wish we had brought more cool weather clothing. Norway was our favourite segment of the cruise, and it was definitely worth sacrificing a little bit of sleep to see the voyage in and out of Geiranger.
We just returned from a RC 13-night cruise to Norway. The midnight sun was remarkable - even though I knew I should be tired, the sun gave me such energy. Our blackout curtains worked well, so no sleep masks were needed. I noticed that whenever the weather was rainy, foggy our overcast, it always cleared up by mid- to late afternoon.
I’ve not been to Norway, but I have been to Geneva, Switzerland, and one of the main memories I have was that it was extremely quiet, it was very peaceful.
I am from Norway, and yes switzerland is simular too Norway in many ways:)
Thank you for your recap. I feel like you described my Norway cruise in June. I was on the Celebrity Silhouette June 17 -24. I felt like Norway was so quite as well and so clean. I spent a day before and after in Amsterdam and so quite also. We left out of Rotterdam also. We had an interior room. I tend to get the best sleep ever. Our weather was cool at beginning of week and warner at the end. I had 2 jackets but definitely coukd have left one home. I woukd love to go again. You will walk alot. We had 4 ports and did a ton of walking.
Finally booked our trip to Norway on HAL. May 2026 for 21 days.. So excited. Do you recall how early excursions were posted? HAL could do a better job at notifying passengers when excursions and speciality dining become available. Enjoyed the video snd thanks for sharing.
Your videos are so very helpful! Do you ever plan group cruises?
We went to Norway this April. The maximum temperature was only 6°c, (42°f). The lowest we had was 1°c (33.8f). We had two days of snow. The very next week on the same itinerary the passengers were basking out on deck with a temperature of 23°c (73°f). So yes the weather is very changeable.
Thank you for the tips! I have a Norway cruise booked for June of next year. It’s been high on my list for a long time!😊
That is my number one bucket list cruise. After just getting home from Alaska and the time change and also the fact that it was late so long I did have an eye mask that I used however. That looks like a gorgeous cruise Ilana.
We have a trip booked for next August so I appreciate this content and will rewatch it closer to my trip - very helpful thank you
Thanks for the heads up. We're booked on the Princess cruise doing the fjords. Very helpful info. Glad we booked our first interior on the Sky Princess. Not a fan of sleep masks or streaming sunlight at night. We're sailing to Bergen, Stavanger and two smaller towns I cannot spell in July of 2025.
@@susanbarnett761 good idea. You can definitely spend lots of time on deck or inside near windows when you want
@@susanbarnett761 we booked an inside cabin and slept well. Bergen is walkable. Visit the Hanseatic Museum for some unusual history. And take the funicular up the mountain for a view of the city - but go as early as possible because the line forms quickly, especially if there are multiple ships in port.
great tips thank you! We are going on a Norway cruise this month and are so excited!!
!
We were able to plan for most of these when we went in June and July. We first went out of Copenhagen which is even more expensive than Norway so we didn't notice as much. When we came back around after the UK, we did, lol. We fell for the Northern Lights... oh well. We did find that putting something against the bottom of the black out curtains helped to darken the room enough not to notice.
Thank you ,Ilana you got me through my first cruise .
That looks beautiful, I'm glad you were able to go to Norway. I would love to go sometime.
@@petreymom just beautiful! Definitely recommend
I'm also from a northern latitude country (Far North of Scotland) and warm weather is not something we pine for, it's just settled weather with no rain and being overcast/no rain/no wind is considered a good day where I'm from.
Thank you! I’m actually looking at the Holland America cruise next July to Norway!
You have to go further north to see the Northern Lights, even in winter / early spring.
Please do a winter cruise and report on that
We went to The North Cape, and the sun never set. It was on the horizon all night. We had the infinite veranda on the Apex and it was perfect. The Weather was cool so we could watch the scenery without being cold and wind blown on a balcony. It was nice to open it when we were in ports.
come in december, try to find the sun..
Happy to say we now have booked our 3rd Norweigian fjord cruise for June 2026, once again on the Rotterdam. This time the ports and route are different.
A very important tip and you are so correct that a credit card instead of cash is needed in Norway. We went to a public bathroom in one of the ports, and usage is by credit card only. Don't leave home without it. My tip for saving on exchange rates and saving on fees is to use a prepaid card that you can convert to any currency needed when travelling. My personal choices are Wise and N26.
Howdy. We are booked on Rotterdam for May 2026 Norway trip. 21 day cruise. The future cruise person on our recent sailing recommended this length because of what I wanted to see. May I ask, were there any excursions on past sailings that you feel are must see trips? Safe travels.
For some ports, you can opt for a self-guided exploration, making a tour unnecessary. Upon disembarking, you'll find tour offices in many ports, offering excellent shore excursions at a fraction of the cruise line prices. When it comes to choosing the right shore excursion, consider your interests, physical abilities, and the time available. I personally find the Norwegian fjord cruise the most relaxing, enjoying the serene views from our balcony.
In Bergen, we took the hop-on, hop-off bus to familiarize ourselves with the area. We got off and took the funicular up to the top for fabulous views of the city and ship. Then, we walked through the famous local fish market. We returned to the ship with all the 19th-century wooden shops in view.
The first time we were in Alesund, we did the hop-on, hop-off to Aksla Viewpoint. Then, back in town, we walked around the waterfront and sat in a cafe to take in the views. The architect, flowers, and colorful buildings make for a memory maker.
In Geiranger, we did a Holland America tour of the Norwegian Fjord Centre, Westeras Farm, and Flydalsjuvet Viewpoint. Our shore excursion from was a feast for the eyes while riding on Eagle Road, filled with twists and turns. The snow was melting, and I had never seen so many rundowns.The journey itself was a scenic wonder, and the glacier, when we finally arrived, was nothing short of impressive. It's a journey that will leave you inspired by the beauty of nature.
In Eidfjord, we indulged in the 'Waffles and Waterfalls' tour with Holland America. The waffle portion was exemplary, served with local toppings and a stunning view. However, the highlight was the visit to the Hardanger Mountain Plateau, a breathtaking natural wonder, and the Vøringsfossen Waterfalls, a majestic cascade that left us in awe.
These experiences are just a glimpse of what's in store for you. With plenty of time before your cruise, the exciting part is researching, watching videos, and deciding what activities you want to include in your itinerary. This preparation will leave you feeling excited and fully prepared for your upcoming adventure.
@@veronicashine1812 thank you for the information. Can’t wait for the cruise to happen. Safe travels
You too.
Booked for next June. Had heard the weather can change and to pack layers. Thanks for mentioning the sun as I hadnt researched that.
I flew from Australia to do an all inclusive cruise with Saga (a British cruise line for the over 50's) called 'in search of the Northern Lights' We cruised March this year from Portsmouth England to Norway and back. It was fantastic. We saw the lights for 5 consecutive nights, both uninterrupted at sea and over the Town of Alta which was spectacular having the Alta harbour as a backdrop. The Fjords were majestic too but the lights were our main reason to take this cruise. Coming from Australia where March is one of out hottest months , to Norway where it got down to -15 c was not as bad as we had anticipated as we had prepared well and Saga gave each passenger an Arctic jacket (to keep) which was brilliant in the snow but will never be worn back home unless Australia re enters the ice age. A must see in Norway is the ice hotel which gets rebuilt every year because it melts as the weather improves. A tip for cruisers worried about the cold is to buy some heat packs before you go. They cost very little online and they have small hand warmers and larger body pads. Wear them under your clothes or mitts and they stay warm for about 10 hours which is longer than most shore excursions. For the more adventurous there's a company called Hurtigurten which offer multi port Northern Lights cruises with the promise of a free 7 day cruise if you dont see the lights.
Beautiful video! We were on Royal’s Anthem from Southampton to the Fjords in May and were surprised with great weather. After packing waterproof shoes, my Norwegian Fisherman’s sweater (which is still in the plastic dry cleaner wrap) and coat, the teenage boys were taking off their T shirts at the Furnicular overlook in Bergen. Had been to Norway before on a land tour of Scandanavia years ago. The Norwegian people are wonderful. Yes, it is super expensive. Denmark is more expensive than Germany, Sweden even more so and Norway the most. Let me add an important update on the upcoming FJORDS CLOSURE! Norway has pushed back the closure to all but zero emission cruise ships to 2035, however, by the original deadline on Jan 1 2026, ONLY LNG powered cruise ships will be allowed into the UNESCO Fjords. Many of the major cruise lines are building these but only a few have entered service. As such there will be far fewer Fjords cruises starting in 2026. Go in 2025 if you are able, Geiranger Fjord is a must see! Thank you Ilana!
Northern lights season is Late September until March. Then it’s dark enough a longer time in the night to observe them. And of course north of the polar circle is absolutely best
We booked our first cruise to Norway😂 Fjords area the other day for Jun 2026 during Solstice. This video is very useful. TFS
Good info. Hope one day I make the trip
Excellent tips always so helpful and love it 🩵🌞🌞🛳️🌊🌺🌊🛳️🌞🌺🌺🌊🛳️🌞🩵🌊🌊🌺🌊🌞🩵🌊🌺🌊🌞🌞🌞🌞🩵🌊🌺🌊🛳️🌞🛳️🩵🌊🌊🌊🌞🌊🌊🩵🌺🛳️🌺🩵🌞🌞🌞🌞
When my friend and I did our Norway cruise, one the airport-to-ship transfer from Amsterdam-Schiphol to the cruise ship terminal in Rotterdam, we overheard a couple saying they looked forward to seeing the northern lights. Now my friend and I live on roughly the same latitude as Copenhagen, Denmark, which is further south than any place in Norway we visited. And in May, when we did our cruise, we knew the sun was going to go down late. And the best and only time of day to catch any northern lights at that time of year was going to be about 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. My friend looked at me and said, "I think they are going to be disappointed." So, yes, if a person wants to see the northern lights in Norway, travel before the beginning of April or after the end of September, when the nights are longer than the days. Another thing with viewing the northern lights. Try and do it away from city lights. While it is not impossible to see the northern lights in a city, for the best experience, you really need dark skies with little or no light pollution.
You also need solar storms.
They're causing the Aurora Borealis...
The Norwegian weather report some times warn about increased solar activity.
We've had the Northern Lights here in Oslo as well.
Though not like the stuff I've seen way north, in Bjørnevatn Finnmark, around Christmas.
All quiet.
Ink black sky.
Ablaze with dancing curtains of green and tuquoise.
Sending shivers down my spine....
Love from Norway 👩🦳🇳🇴
I also did a Norway cruise on the Rotterdam, but about a month later than you (July 19 for 14 nights). Regarding the cash thing, I did bring some Kroner and used what I had left as part of the tip I left for the room stewards at the end of the cruise. I held on to my leftover Euros because I know I'll have a use for it on an upcoming trip next year.
Regarding shore excursions, I think it was important to go exploring beyond the port area in many of the ports as there's quite a bit of beauty to be seen. However, if one wants or needs to keep the cost down, many of the port areas were beautiful and there were reasonable hikes in many of the ports that were accessible without having to spend any extra cash. We were in some of the ports long enough that it was possible to do an excursion in the morning and go exploring the port area on foot in the afternoon.
Regarding Norway being expensive... Though this may get into a bit of a touchy area in regards to cruisers not being welcome in some places, I didn't really spend any additional money while I was off the ship. I found I was able to get all of my meals on the ship (which meant a few really late lunches) and I generally avoid going into the gift shops because I'm quite honestly more interested in enjoying the views. Most of the excursions give you very limited time at each stop which forces you to choose between shopping or enjoying the scenery and I'll pick the scenery every time. That does leave me feeling a bit guilty about not directly supporting the local economy, but some of the shore excursion money and port fees goes to the local economy. I did generally gives the tour guides or bus drivers a tip at the end of an excursion, but it ended up being about the same as I would give them anywhere else. The cruise itself was definitely on the pricey side, but I found that the shore excursion prices were similar to what I paid for similar excursions in elsewhere.
The climate thing really shouldn't have come as a surprise as, just like for Alaska, the general recommendation for Norway I found in all of my research was to bring layers to cover just about anything from near freezing to hot and sunny to rain. That said, I did slightly underestimate just how cool it was going to be and ended up not quite as warm as I would have liked to be on one of the boat excursions I took. We did get lucky on our cruise and had beautiful weather for most of the trip, so my rain shell was only used once as a windproof layer in that one case where I wasn't quite warm enough.
Thanks for the information have a cruise booked for next year 😮
We did Norway last September with HAL, it was so great.
Living in Europe, we were in Norway already in the 80's (by car!) and in Oslo alone on a weekend trip.
HAL did a great service last year, so we booked another cruise with them to Iceland, Scotland and England, which took place last month, in July.
But thus time they disappointed us and we will not be cruising with them.
About the quietness factor…I’ve not been to Norway but I noticed this in parts of northern Germany. I was touring a village area with a distant relative and it struck me how quiet the whole village was even though there were plenty of people going about their business. In an odd way I found that the quietness commanded a respect for the whole experience. It’s difficult for me to explain. Maybe it was the awe I was feeling that my ancestors came from such a beautiful place.
Thanks for reminding everyone about the midnight sun. I can't sleep if i have too much light coming through the window.
June this year has been colder than normal with below average temperatures. This has been the case for north western Europe this year because of the position of the jet stream. The month was marked with weather akin to that of Scandinavia which is wet and cold. In Norway you can experience 3 seasons in one day so layers are essential. The northern lights was visible in the UK during May which is unusual as we are normally too far south.
I was expecting Norway to expensive but was not prepared for just how expensive it really was. The price for even small items was shocking but Norway is pretty affluent and locals don't think anything of it. The one thing not to do ashore is to try and buy alcohol. Apart from the weakest beer it can only be bought from specialist shops run by the government and tends to be pretty pricey. Norway along with much of Scandinavia has had issues with issues with drunkenness hence the sale of booze being tightly controlled. A cruise really is the only affordable way to visit the country.
Norway is definitely not like Alaska when it comes to wildlife. Killer whales can get that far north but they are not common. Perhaps the most likely thing that you may notice are sea birds. It has an eco system similar to New Foundland with some species found either side of the Atlantic. There are some magnificent sea bird colonies but you have to look for them. The bald eagle is replaced by the white tailed eagle but it is a bird of the coasts is not found in the fjords. In the smaller ports there is plenty around but it tends not to be the in your face type wildlife and you have to know where to look. At Flam I had a rather distraught redshank because I had got a little too close to its next.
this was actually not a place we considered going to until I saw all your videos and what you posted on Instagram..... now I'm slightly obsessed ! it looks absolutely amazing. Weird question, were you able to see the Northern Lights on your trip, or was it just too light ?
These are great tips. Going there in September, we won’t have to deal with the Midnight Sun as we’ll be closer to fall equinox. But I did experience the midnight sun on my Baltic Sea cruise in July. If you ever do a Baltic cruise, don’t bother with the Swedish crown: you can pay with credit cards everywhere. The other countries use Euros so you’ll be fine.
I can’t wait to get there.
Midnight sun in the Baltics? That can't be true. It may be bright for a long time in the evening, but it is not called the midnight sun.
@@karinorth1203 I think it is called "white nights", where the day is long but not like a real midnight sun!
Two things to mention: Midnightsun is and Northern lights are more prevalent the further north you are cruising In Norway. Also the midnight sun is during summer months. In the winter, it is dark 24/7, In the northern parts of Norway.
Also the northern lights are normally seen at 2.00 in the morning. We are Scottish and we also enjoy the quiet life. We also sleep with the curtains open but as I said we are Scottish and went to sleep as children with the sun still up, it all depends what you are used to.
northern light occurs on all daytimes. Even in july..But only visible when dark.
Last week of june and first of july can be much rain and colder days .
I think you just never know. You really need to be prepared for almost any weather
A lightweight jacket can help much ,and for off trail hiking good shoes or light sturdy boots also., Palmesus Festival this year got much rainy,but the stores sold much rain capes and sold out their rubber boots also .
if u want to see Northern lights in Norway do cruises From trondheim and further north in the Winter. Norrthern lights are more common the higher up you are. And in Winter half of the year Much of northern Norway has no daylight at all so u can see Northern lights 24/7 when it actually happens. But during summer much of Norway has Daylight again alot of the time. And Northern Norway only has daylight or long sunset in summer. Being from Trondheim in Norway Bergen is actually much darker in summer.
June is the time for midnigthsun
Northern light is seasonal, but the chances to see it increases the further north you go. There are northern light in south of Norway too - but it is rare and not the sameas in the north. In fjord cruise, i would not expect to see it. If that is a central expectation - bgo to Tromsø or thereabout.
Recently we visited my wife’s distant relatives in a small city outside of Oslo. For the most part, Norwegians are reserved and polite. They can be pleasantly, but courteously obstinate. There’s a widely circulated bumper sticker that reads: “You can tell a Norwegian, but you can’t tell them much!” 😂 And I can attest to that as my wife (and my In-laws) are of Norwegian heritage!🥱🎉
I'm going to Norway (I am British) and I have been avidly watching your cruise videos.
I thank you for all the information as it does make me feel that I won't be quite so blind sided. However, it will be my first cruise, but hopefully not my last.
I was interested in the fact that you didn't sleep well due to the sun. I feel I might have an edge there as I am (and have been) a night nurse for over 40 years. Therefore I have had to adapt to sleeping during the day.
When I was a student nurse (so still getting used to night duty) instead of a sleep mask I used a clean pair of black tights. Tied around my eyes.
Trust me... I was a sight to behold staggering out to the toilets in our night duty block with the tights pushed up, one eye open to find my way.
Yes, this was a *VERY* long time ago. Over 50 years. (Yep, still working, but definitely looking at retirement.)
I use sunglasses with some black tape inside the glass. Works well!
JJ Cruise released their Norway video and they mentioned some of their fellow cruisers were unable to spend their euros at the ports. It may not be the same at every Norwegian port. I think it's prudent to have Norwegian kroner.
That’s interesting, thanks for sharing
The summer solstice happed with your cruise.
Research the solstices and equinoxes.
Your support prevywebaid and your encouragement has always been the driving factors in my life thank you sir
Had to laugh, I did the same thing with packing. I had warmer clothes packed and triple checked the weather again and it had changed. Tossed in a few extra shorts and told my family to do the same. Our trip was last week, end of July, and we started the day with light jacket but ended with just t-shirts.
Saw Northern Lights in September 2023 in Flam
It is the same in Estonia - it is considered rude to be loud on the streets, in public places, in bus. If you are loud, heads will turn, because it is uncommon - people will either think you are drunk or from some other nationality. Some nations just are more quiet and reserved. I was visiting Rome one summer and I got so tired of loud voices and noise on streets. When we came back to Estonia, I was standing in a supermarket queue, and sighed in pleasure, about how quiet it was and how nicely people kept distance. Noone was breathing down your neck or nudging you with their cart or shopping basket or talking loudly. It felt good to be back home. :) It may be indeed cultural thing. What you describe strange, it feels normal to others :)) I now want to visit Norway, have not been there before. The high prices have been one reason.
The best cruise in Norway is on the Hurtigruten
I leave my curtains open every night too and on my Alaskan cruise I found I only slept very few hours each night. The other thing I noticed was I had the worst jet lag I have ever had. It lasted for a week and I just couldn’t sleep once I was home (Australia)
😂😂 Norwegians aren’t that quiet… it’s you being loud 😆
QUESTION: First, I love your channel and you helped my husband & me prep for our first cruise ever this past spring! I notice that you use Amazon affiliate links and I’ve even purchased and used some of the products you recommended. I have a small channel and I’ve been looking into Amazon affiliate links and I can’t seem to find if I am required to mention these products in my videos, or if I can just put the links in my description without discussing them in my videos. I am aware that I am required to put a disclaimer with the links, I just can’t seem to find an answer to this question. Since you seem pretty familiar (pro, really) with the Amazon Affiliate program, I was wondering if you might know the answer. If not, no worries! I know this is completely off topic, but I appreciate your time!
If you think Norway is expensive, you’ll be shocked if you go to Iceland. Another amazing country (lots of it reminded me of Arctic Quebec - except that they have amazing geysers and volcanic lakes), but my goodness, it was expensive! ❤️
Be aware there might be establishments in Norway that are not very happy to take cash. Also, please don't give any Norwegians (guides etc) Euros or US dollars. Some might find it OK, but they're not usable in Norway.
Also, no midnightsun before you've crossed the Artic circle at roughly 66° north. Even though the circle isn't actually a physical line, you need to get a bit further north than for example Ålesund.
It appears the Norway excursions listed as "Strenuous" are indeed strenuous, so, I gotta train for the Olympics to enjoy Norway. Half-kidding.
There's this two-glacier hike I want to do, and I'm going to have to train for walking several km uphill on uneven terrain. Some comments about the excursion were along the lines of, "I normally hike 18 mi a week and thought this was difficult" and "some young people couldn't finish."
I'm thinking of doing Norway thru Gate 1 which includes a rail tour and a Hurtigruten cruise, which is a small ship. I wonder whether that would be better than a larger ship cruise
As a Norwegian, I would strongly recommend it. With Hurtigruten you will get to places where cruise ships do not. You will also see much more of the daily life of Norwegians.
Is an Aft facing cabin good? We’ve done it before up the Ca coast and weather was good and seas not bad. Worried about Norway sears being rough and really feels the ocean movement. Hope to book on HAL upcoming Alaska trip for a 2026 sailing. The ship looked busy! Thanks for sharing and safe sailings.
No black out curtains? Maybe because I worked for a Danish company, and been to Sweden and Norway, I'm used to the cultural and climate differences and wouldn't compare it to Alaska. However, 10 years ago you did need their currency. Interesting about the sea kayaking, I wouldn't have picked that but I do know Norwegians LOVE to hike.
I just got back from a Norway cruise on the Rotterdam last week. One thing i learned is if you forget some warm clothes there are always some really nice sweaters available in the shops in port. Yeah they are expensive though 😞 i paid $260 for mine. On top of that the sales tax is really high too. However, as a tourist you can get a partial refund of the sales tax refunded to your credit card. You need to ask for some special reciept at the store. At the end of the cruise they had some representative come on the ship and do some paperwork and they scanned your credit card and in a few weeks you are supposed to get a refund. Just something to keep in mind for next time.
Sales tax? Everything is included in the prices in Norway🧐
@@Randomdude21-eif you are onlh visiting the country, you can get the sales tax (moms in Norwegian) returned as Patrick described perfectly👍🏼 That goes for most European countries.
Thank you
Can you rent arctic wear as it seems a lot of money to invest in items you never need again...ie: thermal pants, coat, gloves etc. We want to go in winter to see the Northern Lights
I did a cross Atlantic in September a couple of years and had 2 days in Iceland. No northern lights, due to weather. 😢