Before we embarked on our first Norwegain Fjord Cruise in May. Ok so also our very first cruise full stop. I absorbed SO many blog posts on what to pack. Ultimately there is always some hindsight in play so I thought I would share my post cruise packing wisdom with you.
So What To Pack For A Family Cruise To Norway
Notes to start
- Naturally our cruise experience was Norway in May and whilst some items here will be specific to that; other than a few destination specifics, I really think you can adapt this list for any cruise.
- Cruising in the Norwegian Fjords can have very different weather depending on season. And or day! You could go from 2-20 degrees and the fjords are notoriously wet. The weather can be changeable even in the height of summer.
- This advice applies to cruise only holidays, not all information is relevant for fly cruise which has different regulations, restrictions and requirements due to flying.
- P&O, who we cruised with, and some of the other major big cruise lines offer Norwegian Fjords cruises from April to September. Though some smaller cruise liners do sail in the winter months. So essentially you’re looking at spring/summer.
- We cruised for 1 week (or really it works out 6 days if you take into account sailing away in the evening of the first day and disembarking the morning of the last, but 7 nights)
- We travelled as a family of four, 2 adults and 2 children age 9 & 13 in a deluxe balcony cabin type.
If you want all the nitty gritty details my post P&O Norwegian Fjord Cruise on Iona – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly might just be for you!
How Much Luggage?
There aren’t specific restrictions on how many bags you can bring on a cruise. Each suitcase however should be no more than 23kg for handling and health & safety of luggage staff. I would say here, just be aware that *most* cabins, and storage in them, are not vast so be mindful of how much space you want to take up with bags alone. Unless of course you have a suite and then I’m sure you can pack suitcases galore without worry! Lucky you.
For our family of four we packed two suitcases {which were stored under the double bed} and two hand luggage bags between us.
Hand Luggage
It’s kind of necessary to take hand luggage because your checked in suitcases will take a few hours after boarding to be delivered to your room. On return again the evening prior you leave your checked luggage outside your room to collect once you have disembarked. Therefore you will need a bag for essentials like medication, paperwork, devices, chargers, toiletries and nightwear. There aren’t additional hand luggage restrictions above what is relevant for checked in luggage. This can also be great to double up as a bag to take off the ship when exploring ports.
Storage
In the cabin of course space is at a premium yet every single bit of it has been utilised the best it can to find small areas of storage. What you can do is to take packing cubes, not only to pack but also to keep them in in the wardrobe and they were a great space saver.
There is a wardrobe with a long hanging section, shelves and a smaller hanging section and safe. Under the bed and a dressing table, cupbard and bathroom shelves.
Another little storage travel hack – you can take magnetic hooks for the walls as they are mostly made from steel and can be a great space saver for hats, umbrella, accessories or swimsuits. Go heavy duty and you wont regret it.
What To Pack
If you have read my P&O Iona The Good The Bad & The Ugly blog post I am sure this first one will not come as a shock. Like it did for us. Blindsided somewhat!
Medication
Of course we know if you have medication that you take, take that with you in your hand luggage, allergies anything you think you may need. What we didn’t think about…
- Calpol. Paracetamol, painkiller of choice or really any other required medication.
As we all know, sometimes children need painkillers, hit their toe, headache, leg pain, whatever it is parents everywhere reach for it. So it’s good to know, you will not find it on a ship. Or at least not the one we were on (P&O Iona). Not without seeing a (very expensive) doctor that is. Essentially, pack it, or ibuprofen, whatever you would usually use. We only needed painkillers but with this is mind I would be inclined to pack a whole childs first aid kit unless an overpriced plaster patch up job from a slippy deck is your idea of holiday spending money. We did take all other medications we just didn’t think about the Calpol. A real error for us and wholly unexpected. We ended up buying some in port.
- Seasickness Medication
Some cruise lines offer these for free at guest services should you need them, others provide with a small fee or sell them in the shops. I think if in doubt, take some with you.
That very specific nugget aside
Day Wear
Smart casual clothes for the ship and your usually holiday wardrobe list depending on destination.
We chose outfits that could be layered and mixed and matched to save on packing. We planned on getting off ship as much as possible so exploring comfort was key. When on the ship we enjoyed the outside onboard games and areas including swimming. Here I would say just ensure you take enough to allow a drying day! Especially swimwear, unless wrangling you and children into cold and wet swimsuits is your idea of a good time that is.
- Tshirts
- Long Sleeve Tops
- Jumper/Cardigan
- Rain Coat
- Hat
- Swimsuit x 2
Warm Layers & Waterproofs
We did go to Norway in May so it might be more specific to that but at sea the weather can be very changeable, wind, fog, and rain, and especially if you want to watch the early morning arrival into port it’s important to take warm layers.
Footwear
As we intended to explore a lot when docked, trainers were the order of the day. Not always super practical in the rain I agree but comfortable none the less. If you’re going to be getting off the ship at the ports and exploring or walking you want comfort, whatever that is for you. On the ship in the day it was either trainers or sandals and flip flops or slip on shoes.
- Trainers
- Dress/Smart Shoes
- Flip Flops, Sandals, Slip On Shoes
Essentials
- Underwear
- Socks
- Nightwear
Evening Wear
There was one celebration night where we all dressed up and very much enjoyed doing so. As we are not really buffet dinner people we also dined in the restaurants every evening which have an evening casual dress code. This essentially just means no shorts, trainers, or light denim so ensure you have enough evening outfits, or mix and match as we did.
If however you prefer to dine in the buffet or food hall of an evening, there is no dress code so dine in the comfort of your day clothes if you wish. What I did love about evenings on the ship was that some people dressed up very smart every evening and some didn’t. It felt really inclusive that way.
- Dress
- Shirt or Smart Top
- Trousers
- Jewellery
Activities
There are many activities on board a cruise ship and a tv in the room however if you like some time to chill in the cabin it’s always a good idea to take yours or your childrens favourite activities for some down time. Especially as there is no wifi unless you buy a package.
- Books
- Cards
- Travel Board Games
Toiletries
In your cabin there will be soap, shower gel and shampoo. Although not provided in your cabin as standard you can also request conditioner and body lotion free of charge from your cabin steward. If you prefer your own of course take your favourites.
- Sun Cream
- Insect Repellant
- Face Wash
- Moisturiser
- Make Up
Electronics
- Camera
- Charger for devices
- Hair Straightners or curling tongues
Food & Drink
Food and drink on a cruise is very widely available and plentiful at most times of the day. There are facilities in your room, a small chill fridge, a kettle and tea and coffee can also be obtained most of the day or night in the buffet restaurant but if you just love your own tea bags then you can take them with you!
Food. Especially if you happen to have a fussy eater. You can take a small amount of pre packaged, non perishable food and snacks like crisps, chocolate, nuts or oat bars. Fresh food (perishables) are not permitted, as goes with anything home made. Baby food is usually accepted. Taking food off the ship into Norway can be more heavily regulated to protect local ecosystems though the pre packaged items are usually ok.
Drinks wise you can pack up to 12 cans or cartons (preference over glass or plastic) of soft drinks in your hand luggage (not checked) per person. With alcohol it’s a bottle up to 1 litre of wine or Champagne only (no spirits) to enjoy IN your cabin, or off ship. A charge appplies if you take them out into the main areas onboard.
- Tea & Coffee
- Non perishable Snacks
- Soft Drinks up to 12 cans
- Up To 1 litre bottle Wine/Champagne
Miscellaneous
- Ear plugs
- Water Bottle
- Power bank for port days
- Bag (if not using hand luggage bag) to take off ship
- Binoculars for looking out at sea
- Umbrella
Essentials
- Passport
- Drivers license
- Local currency
- Bank cards
- Tickets – if required
What Not To Pack
Finally a few things that you really don’t need to take.
I would say there isn’t much specific that you don’t need, like many other types of holiday, I guess the only thing is, if in doubt, take it. You can’t get off a cruise ship and go back to get it (although most destinations of course have shops when you dock in port) but of course the cruise lines know this and items you need can be very expensive on board. So anything you would use on holiday or at home. Better to take more that you don’t need than have something you do!
That being said the few things you definitely don’t need (in my opinion and experience) is
- Basic Toiletries. Items like shampoo, conditioner, hand wash are all provided in the cabin.
- Towels. There are towels in the room and cabinets of pool towels around the pools with another for used towels.
- Hairdryer
- Plug adapters they will be the same as the country you sail from
- Lots of formal evening attire.
Of course if dressing up is your thing then absolutely go to town every night. It is lovely to see people dressed up every evening on a cruise. However you will not feel out of place should that not be your vibe and one more formal evening outfit for celebration evening is enough. This was our experience, do check your own cruise line specific policy.
Prohibited Items
Aside from the obvious items you would find prohibited in all forms of travel for safety like illegal drugs and weapons there are also other restricted items on a cruise.
- Irons, steamers
- Electrical appliances with heating elements such as kettle, blenders, bottle warmers (they allow hair tools)
- Extension cables
- Aerosols exlusing personal deodorant
- Lighter fluid except small personal lighter for smokers
- Alcoholic spirits or wine/champagne above 1 litre or more than 1 bottle per adult
- Perishables
So that is what to pack for a family cruise to norway in our experience, do let me know if theres anything else to add to the list!
