Planning a family cruise to the stunning Norwegian Fjords? You’re in for an unforgettable adventure but it’s important to pack smart. From unpredictable weather to family-friendly activities, this guide will help you prepare with essential tips and a complete packing list to make sure you’re ready for anything.
If, like us, you are new to cruising you might be worried about what to pack. A cruise to Norway is well-known for the ever-changing weather, even if you go in the middle of summer. Packing is very different compared to going somewhere hot like Barbados! We travelled with P&O Cruises in August 2024 on our first cruise and learned some lessons about knowing what to pack for a cruise. Some things we over packed, and some things we didn’t pack at all and regretted!
Layers are key
The weather in Norway can be a bit strange, even in the middle of August. We experienced freezing cold temperatures, glorious sunshine and awful rain, most of which happened all in the same day. You might have shore experiences booked such as a trip to the briksdal glacier or the Loen Skylift. You will definitely want to pack good walking shoes or walking boots, a light jacket and even a winter hat and gloves. You’ll find you are cold one minute and really warm the next! Don’t forget a good backpack to help you carry any extras.
Life on board
We sailed on Iona and found that everywhere on the cruise ship was quite warm. This was a big difference compared to when we were in a port. Aside from evening wear, we were able to wear casual dress during the day and even at night depending on where we wanted to eat.
Most of the time John would wear dark denim (to make dining easier) along with a smart but short sleeved shirt while I wore regular summer dresses. Walking around in a strappy dress was fine most of the time and I sometimes wanted a light cargian on an evening. Erin mostly wore anything to stay comfortable, such as leggings and short sleeved t-shirts. It was rare any of us wore a jacket or jumper on board.
There are swimming pools on board so you will also want to bring along beachwear or swimwear in case you want a dip in the pool. This is a great idea for something to do on sea days.
Celebration/ black tie evening
Many cruise lines offer a celebration night or black tie evening at some point during your cruise. There might even be 2 of these if you travel for 2 weeks. Once you’ve booked your cruise, you will generally be able to see which night these are on by looking at your itinerary, as long as any dress code restrictions.
P&O’s evening attire requirements are quite simple. Men will need to wear either a tuxedo, military attire, or a smart dinner suit with tie. The important part here is that they will need a jacket and shorts are not allowed. Women are able to wear a smart dress, ball gown, cocktail dress etc. For children under 16 the dress code didn’t apply.
Not all restaurants require this dress code so if you don’t fancy dressing up, you don’t have to and there will be somewhere you can eat.
Snacks on board are expensive!
Although snacks are not included in the price of your cruise, just like drinks, you can buy them on board when you want. However, there aren’t many choices and they are expensive! You can take most snacks on board with you to enjoy in your cabin or take out on excursions with you.
We took a small suitcase full of things like Pringles, chocolate bars and snacks we knew our daughter would like. You are also allowed to take as many soft drinks as you like on board. We took quite a few cans of coke to have in our cabinduring our evenings on board the ship. These will be fine inside your luggage if well packed or you can take them on as hand luggage when you board.
The walls are magnetic
Something that made a huge different for us was knowing in advance that the walls in the cabins are magnetic. Although there is quite a lot of storage space in the cabin, some things would have been awkward to get to. I bought some magnetic hooks to take with us, which were perfect for things like long dresses, jackets or handbags! Another idea is to get some hanging storage for things like shoes to make them easy to get to and put away.
If in doubt, pack it!
One of the great things about sailing from Southampton is that the luggage allowance is great. You can take as many cases as will fit in your cabin as long as they don’t weigh more than 23kg. Once you’re on board, you can’t go back and get anything. Although it may seem like you are packing a lot, I would rather know that I’m covered!
List of essentials to pack for your upcoming cruise:
Clothing
- Base Layers (for warmth):
- Thermal tops and leggings for layering
- Long-sleeve shirts or t-shirts
- Lightweight t-shirts for warmer days
- Mid Layers (for insulation):
- Fleece jackets or vests
- Jumpers or cardigans
- Outer Layers (for protection):
- Waterproof, windproof jacket with a hood
- Waterproof trousers (for excursions)
- Autumn/ winter coat (for cold days)
- Casual Wear:
- Jeans, comfortable trousers or leggings
- Casual tops (short and long sleeve)
- Lightweight dresses (for onboard or warmer days)
- Tights
- Formal/Evening Wear:
- Semi-formal attire for cruise dinners
- Dresses, collared shirts and smart trousers
- Cocktail dresses, smart dresses or ball gowns
- Sleepwear:
- Pyjamas for all family members. The temperature in cabins can be controlled
- Slippers or cosy socks
- An eye mask (although the cabins were very dark at night on Iona)
- Swimwear:
- Many cruise ships have swimming pools and hot tubs so be sure to take a swimming costume, shorts and goggles if you want them
Footwear
- Walking/Hiking Shoes:
- Comfortable, waterproof hiking boots for excursions
- Trainers for casual wear
- Walking sandals are great in warmer weather
- Waterproof Shoes:
- Waterproof slip-ons or shoes for rainy days
- Onboard/Indoor Shoes:
- Sandals or flip-flops for lounging on the ship
- Dress shoes for formal dinners
Outerwear & Accessories
- Cold Weather Accessories:
- Winter hats
- Gloves
- Scarves
- Sun Protection:
- Sunglasses
- Sun hats for excursions
- Sun cream
- Daypack/Backpack:
- Small, lightweight backpack for excursions
- Small bags for on board the ship. You’ll never need to carry much around with you
- Umbrella:
- Compact, windproof umbrella
Toiletries & Personal Items
- Basic Toiletries:
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash (although these are provided too)
- Hairbrush
- Deodorant
- Razor/shaving kit
- Skincare products (moisturizers, lip balm with SPF)
- Medications:
- Prescription medications (in original bottles)
- Seasickness remedies (bands, patches, or tablets)
- Over-the-counter pain relievers (for adults and children). These can be expensive to buy on board
- Plasters, antiseptic wipes, and small first-aid kit
Entertainment & Electronics
- For Kids:
- Colouring books, crayons, and small toys
- Magentic games are great for in the cabin
- Books, tablets, or e-readers (pre-loaded with games/movies)
- Headphones for entertainment devices
- For Adults:
- Books, e-readers, or magazines
- Camera and extra memory cards/batteries
- Travel chargers, power banks, and charging cables
- Travel adapters (if needed)
- For the Family:
- Portable games (cards, travel-sized board games)
- Binoculars (for fjord viewing)
Travel Documents & Money
- Essential Documents:
- Passports for all family members
- Cruise tickets and boarding passes
- Travel insurance documents
- Copies of travel documents (physical and digital)
- Onboard & Shore Spending:
- Local currency for ports (small amounts). We didn’t need this at all in Norway but some people like to have some with them.
- Credit/debit cards (notify bank of travel plans)
Excursion-Specific Gear
- Hiking/Outdoor Excursions:
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Reusable water bottles (collapsible bottles save space)
- Waterproof camera or GoPro for adventure activities
- Cold Weather Gear:
- Hand warmers (for cold days)
- Rain Protection:
- Waterproof backpack cover
- Quick-dry travel towels (small size)
Miscellaneous
- Laundry Supplies:
- Travel-sized laundry detergent or laundry sheets
- Drier sheets
- Foldable drying rack or string (for air-drying clothes in the cabin)
- Laundry bag – make it easy going to and from the laundry room
- Snacks:
- Pre-packaged snacks
- Travel-Sized Cleaning Supplies:
- Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer
Cabin Essentials
- Organisers:
- Packing cubes to organize small cabin spaces
- Over-the-door organizers for toiletries or shoes
- Magnetic hooks will save you loads of space and make use of the walls
- Nightlight:
- Small nightlight or clip-on reading light for the cabin
- Reusable Water Bottle:
- Refillable water bottles to reduce plastic use onboard
More posts about cruising as a family
- Family dining on Iona
- Packing tips for cruising the Norwegian Fjords
- Staying in a balcony cabin on Iona
- P&O Cruises: What is there for kids to do?
- Port: Stavanger
- Port: Hellesylt
- Port: Olden
