How to pack for a Norwegian Coastal Voyage
Pack lightly but smartly for a Norwegian Coastal Voyage. This guide will help you plan your voyage and what to bring for your Hurtigruten or Havila voyage for all seasons.
The coast of Norway varies in temperature depending on how far north you go. The further north, the colder it gets. In the south you’ll find mild and often wet weather in Bergen and as you travel northwardly, the weather cools. Wind also makes a big difference to the temperature when you are travelling out on the water. Weather wise, we recommend looking at our local weather website or for expected daylight hours, check Time and Date.
Just a note on the cabin sizes on your voyage: Consider how big your luggage is as it might not fit into some of the cabins available to book on the voyage. There are additional storage rooms where you can store your luggage for the duration of your voyage. There is also a laundromat on board which you can use.
What to pack for a Norwegian Coastal Hurtigruten or Havila Cruise:
Here are some essential items to bring along with you, whatever the season:
- Binoculars
- Camera and memory card
- Comfortable everyday shoes
- Wool sweater or fleece
- Passport and/or ID card (this also applies to Scandinavian citizens)
- Sun protection
- Sunglasses
- Credit cards
- A hooded rain-proof wind cheater jacket that zips up: This is perfect for cool, wet days or windy voyages on local ships/ boats/ ferries.
- Mid layer jacket
- Wind and water proof trousers
- Woollen underwear
- The dress code aboard the Hurtigruten ship is relaxed and casual, and you are not expected to dress formally for meals.
- The dress code for Havila voyage is also casual. There are no formal nights that require dressing up.
- Swimwear - don't miss the frequent chances to jump into hot tubs and saunas along the coast of Norway.
Only in winter, spring and autumn
It can get quite cold along the coast this time of year. Make sure to pack warm clothes:
- Winter boots with good grip
- Thick winter jacket
- Warm hat and gloves
- Woollen socks
- Scarf
- Woolen sweater or fleece
We suggest buying crampons on arrival as whether you need them or not, depends on the ice conditions.
Only in summer
A Norwegian summer is often affectionately called a “green winter” by the locals, but fear not: a Norwegian summer covers a wide range of weather during the months June through to August. In the past few years Norwegians have enjoyed an unseasonably warm late-July and August, while June and early July resembles spring with cool, overcast days.
- Fleece sweater
- Sandals
- Light jacket (water-resistant)
- Light woollen socks
- Hiking shoes
- Light scarf
- T-shirts
- Thin hat and gloves
- Shorts
credit: Georg Dietrich Kunzendorf, Hurtigruten and Havila Marius Beck Dahle