Recently, I returned from my third European cruise. Having primarily sailed throughout the Caribbean as a child, I've become a more destination-focused cruiser in my adulthood. However, instead of exploring the sun-soaked Greek Isles or warm Mediterranean, my partner and I traded in our summer dresses and flip-flops for jeans and sneakers and headed north to Norway.
This cruise was unlike any other I'd been on before. With it being my first trip to Northern Europe, I didn't quite know what to expect. Although I had previously cruised with Celebrity in Europe, I called at bustling ports like Santorini and Mykonos. Norway was the complete opposite. Instead of visiting crowded European cities, we explored quaint villages and marveled at the natural scenery.
It's definitely a country I'd love to visit again, but there were a few things I wish I had known beforehand. Here are 8 tips that would have helped me prepare for my first Norway cruise.
The weather was inconsistent
Similar to the unpredictability of weather in Alaska, the conditions in Norway can change quickly without warning. Because of this, packing a versatile wardrobe is essential. For example, it was wet and chilly while we were in Olden. However, our day in Kristiansand was sunny and warmer than expected — I didn't even need to wear a jacket!
The conditions can change even faster depending on the elevation and proximity to the water. As we boarded our boat in Stavanger for our 3-hour fjord cruise through Lysefjord, we were baking in the direct sun, but by the time we set sail, we were zipping up our jackets as the temperature dropped and the wind picked up.
At night, you won't want to be bundled up for dinner in the dining room or a theater show. We found that it was often warm throughout the ship, and we dressed similarly to how we would for evening activities on a Caribbean cruise.
It wasn't as scenic as I thought
The biggest disappointment of the cruise was the lack of scenery. Although there were specific moments that lived up to the hype, much of the voyage sailed through open water with mountain ranges in the far distance.
I assumed it would be like an Alaskan cruise departing from Seattle: the first and last days would offer basic ocean views, but once in the fjords, we'd witness more dramatic landscapes. Instead, I was shocked by the long stretches of nothing but sea and sky.
That's not to say we didn't see any mountains, but there were far fewer than expected. The best scenery was when we were departing Molde, as well as sailing away from Stavanger.
Overall, I'd say that sailing through Alaska's Inside Passage was more visually appealing. As such, I'd make sure you're booking an itinerary with better ports. I would have loved to visit Geiranger instead of Molde, for example.
Just like the Caribbean, not all Norwegian ports are created equally, which I foolishly believed when I booked our sailing on Celebrity Eclipse. The ports on Celebrity Apex from Southampton, like Flåm and Geiranger, would have lived up to expectations.
You could buy wine inside the Amsterdam cruise terminal
Before my cruise on Celebrity Eclipse, I had never seen a port that sold wine for passengers inside the terminal before embarkation. I had always stopped at a local supermarket en route to the port, rather than relying on this last-minute convenience.
Because we had a Premium Drinks Package, we weren't worried about carrying bottles of wine onboard to save money. Still, I was surprised that this was an option.
Celebrity allows passengers to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne with them on embarkation day. It's a smart hack for cruisers who want to save money while enjoying a glass during dinner or an evening show.
For example, in the Amsterdam terminal, bottles were being sold for €15. They also had packs of bottled water for €12. However, onboard, a standard class of Chardonnay at the Sunset Bar was $12 (before the mandatory service charge).
Limited casino hours
Our hours in port were pretty standard compared to other cruises I've been on. For example, we'd often arrive in the mornings by 9:30am and depart no later than 5:30pm. However, I was surprised that the casino would stay closed for hours after our departure.
Our latest port day was Stavanger, with an all-aboard time of 6:30pm. On a Caribbean cruise, you might expect the casino to open by 7:30pm, but it stayed closed until 10:00pm — way past my bedtime!
Sea day hours were more normal, but if you're someone who enjoys trying your luck before dinner or a show, prepare for later openings.
I wasn't prepared for the midnight sun
Walking out of a show in the dark theater into hallways illuminated by natural light was jarring, and it definitely disrupted our sleep schedule.
Even at midnight, it often felt like mid-afternoon. We'd close our balcony curtains, but the soft light of the midnight sun still seeped into our cabin. I'd find myself more awake than usual after a long day ashore, spending valuable time tossing and turning instead of resting for the next day.
Although I wouldn't go as far as saying I regret our balcony cabin, I wish I had come prepared with sleep masks.
Read more: I upgraded to a balcony cabin on a Celebrity cruise, and it was worth the $4,000 price tag
The North Sea wasn't as bad as I envisioned
Whenever I think of the North Sea, "Hoist The Colours" by The Wellermen pops into my head (blame one too many hours on TikTok!).
Having heard horror stories about rough seas and seasickness that affected even seasoned cruisers, I braced myself for the worst. However, my partner and I concluded that we've faced rougher weather in the Caribbean!
Although there were a few unpleasant patches, our weeklong sailing was relatively smooth. The ship handled the sea like a true champ! Still, we came prepared with plenty of Dramamine and motion sickness patches.
Read more: The 10 Roughest Seas In The World For Cruise Ships
Excursions were expensive
Having previously cruised to Europe, I wasn't taken aback by the pricey excursions. Instead, my partner and I devised our own game plan to avoid paying hundreds of dollars for tours through Celebrity.
To start, we didn’t schedule something for every single day. While in Molde and Kristianland, we wandered at our own pace, grabbing pastries from local bakeries, trying fresh strawberries, and admiring the wooden homes. Not only did this save us a ton of money, but it also gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace.
Then, we booked third-party tours for our port days in Stavanger and Olden. Altogether, the excursions cost $460, whereas Celebrity wanted nearly $300 per person for transportation to the Briksdal Glacier and Loen Skylift alone!
Something else to be aware of when traveling to Norway is that the tours are more focused on nature, rather than major thrills like in the Caribbean.
For instance, we hiked through the Jostedal Glacier National Park to see the Briksdal Glacier and took a 3-hour boat cruise in Stavanger through Lysefjord — no ATV rides or ziplines in sight!
Although Norway doesn't offer the same adrenaline-pumping excursions as other destinations, the landscapes, fjords, and charming villages make up for it.
The ports were very accessible
Overall, I was surprised by the accessibility in the ports. They were easy to navigate, and points of interest were reachable via a short walk or tram. In Kristiansand and Olden, for example, there were local companies offering tram tours directly from the pier.
Additionally, at the Jostedal Glacier National Park, you could pay for a Troll car to take you closer to the glacier. The walk wasn't bad, but the incline could be difficult for some. However, the transportation is an extra cost, coming in at around $30 per adult for a round-trip ride.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
