Norway Cruise with Kids: Everything We Learned (Complete Family Guide)

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When most people think about family cruises, they picture waterslides, tropical beaches, and endless pool days.

Norway couldn’t be more different.

Before booking our Norway fjords cruise with our 8-year-old daughter, I had so many questions. 

Would she be bored? Would it be too cold? Would the excursions actually be worth it?

And honestly…would a Norway cruise with kids even feel like a vacation? 

After spending a week sailing through some of the most breathtaking scenery we’ve ever experienced, I can confidently say this became one of our favorite family vacations.

It wasn’t perfect, and I’ll get to that, but it was unforgettable and absolutely worth it for our family. 

Here’s everything I wish someone had told me before booking a Norway cruise with kids, and I promise to be honest. 

Is a Norway Cruise Good for Kids?

If you’re trying to decide whether a Norway fjords cruise is a good family vacation, my answer is an enthusiastic yes, but with one important caveat.

A Norway cruise is very different from the Caribbean, Alaska, or even the Mediterranean. You’re not cruising for endless pool days, beach stops, or onboard cruise ship attractions. You’re cruising for the destination itself.

The Norwegian fjords are the attraction. And it’s important to pick the right itinerary with this in mind. 

Every morning brought a new view of waterfalls cascading down mountainsides, charming villages tucked into the valleys, or dramatic cliffs that looked almost too beautiful to be real. Instead of rushing from one activity to another, we found ourselves slowing down and simply taking it all in.

Our daughter loved spotting waterfalls from our balcony, exploring new towns, riding trains through the mountains, hiking (walking) to incredible viewpoints, and experiencing a completely different part of the world.

If your family enjoys exploring together, spending time outdoors, and making memories that not many people get to have, a Norway cruise is an incredible choice. 

What Is the Best Age for a Norway Cruise?

For many vacations, I don’t think there’s one “perfect” age. All the people who make comments about “your kids will never remember, why waste the money” drive me nuts because they are our memories too as parents! But, in this case, I will admit that some ages will naturally get more out of the experience than others.

Toddlers (2-4)

A Norway cruise is certainly possible with toddlers, but parents should be prepared for more planning and likely a little more “stuff”. Many excursions involve walking, uneven terrain, stairs, or transportation that isn’t stroller or car seat friendly. You’ll also need to be flexible with weather and nap schedules.

Elementary School (5-10)

In my opinion, this is the sweet spot. Our daughter is eight years old, and it felt like a nearly perfect age. 

She was old enough to appreciate the scenery, participate in excursions, enjoy hiking, and understand the history and cultures we experienced along the way. She also still had the excitement of spotting waterfalls from the ship and exploring each new port.

Tweens & Teens

Older kids will likely enjoy the adventure even more. Activities like kayaking, biking, hiking, ziplining, and adventurous activities become even more exciting as kids get older. But you also have to keep in mind how your kids feel about spending time with their families, if you are at the point where teens don’t want to be around all day, some level-setting about family participation may be helpful. 

Only speaking from experience of being a teen once myself and having several younger brothers. 

When Is the Best Time to Take a Norway Cruise?

Most Norway fjords cruises sail between Late April/May until late September. Each month has its own benefit, so it will strongly depend on your goals of the overall Norway cruise experience. 

Here’s what you can generally expect based on the month. 

May

• Fewer crowds on land and potentially on the ship as well
• Cooler temperatures throughout the length of the cruise 
• Snow is still visible on many mountain peaks

June

• Comfortable weather with lighter layers is more likely
• Long daylight hours, including the “midnight sun” 
• Wildflowers begin blooming across the fjord valleys 

July

• Warmest and more consistent temperatures
• School vacation season starts for Europeans 
• Longer lines in popular ports and for many excursions 
• Great weather for hiking and outdoor adventures 

August

• Similar to July but it starts to get slightly cooler in the evenings
• Depending on the locations of the start and end of your cruise, and even some of the ports, there may be many businesses closed or operating on a limited schedule due to holidays 

September

• Back to smaller crowds
• Cooler weather throughout the day and evening 
• Early fall colors begin appearing

We traveled in July and found the weather pleasantly cool compared to where we live in Florida. We experienced sunshine, clouds, light rain, and cool mornings/evenings, all within the same week, which made layering essential! 

What Is the Weather Like in Norway in July?

One of my biggest questions before our trip was whether we would be cold the entire time.

So were we?  Not at all, thankfully!! But we were grateful we packed layers because we needed them every single day. 

During our cruise, daytime temperatures were comfortable enough for light jackets or sweatshirts, while mornings and evenings often required another layer. Rain showers came and went quickly, and the weather could change dramatically throughout the day. And it did for at least half of our days on board. 

One example is during our sail into Geiranger it was chilly and very foggy. I was feeling a little bummed because we couldn’t really see the vastness of the fjord and it was colder than I usually prefer. I was reminding myself that even the opportunity to see the fjords in a fog was amazing.

But then…the sun burst through, the clouds cleared and we had to look straight above us to see the tops of the mountains. It was incredible. And within 10 minutes the weather was completely different! 

Instead of packing heavy winter clothing, I’d recommend bringing versatile layers that can easily be added or removed throughout the day. I’ll detail all the things I recommend packing in a section below! 

What to Pack for a Norway Cruise with Kids

Packing for Norway is much easier than you might think, as long as you focus on versatility of clothing rather than packing multiple outfits for each day.

As mentioned multiple times, LAYERS, LAYERS,  LAYERS. It’s so important to have everything from tank tops to heavier sweaters. 

We traveled Europe for a week before our cruise, and we try to be a carry-on only family, so we packed 2 weeks of clothing for each of us, lots of layers and variety in as much of a capsule wardrobe as possible. 

If you want to get a head start and look at much of what I packed all in one place, check out this Norway Cruise packing list. 

• Waterproof shoes. A must because you never know what the weather will be like from hour to hour. 
• Lightweight rain jacket. I have had this rain jacket for many years and it’s been wonderful! It’s not a fancy brand but it’s inexpensive, has pockets and a waist tie, and is the perfect length. 
• Small backpack for excursions. I have been through so many small travel backpacks and I keep coming back to this one. 
• Refillable water bottle. Always a must and always one of these. 
• Portable phone charger. Can you imagine seeing views for days and your phone dying? 
• Binoculars for wildlife and waterfall spotting
• Sunglasses. Personal preference for sunglasses but this style is my favorite. 
• Sunscreen. An absolute must, it may be chilly but it’s still sunshine on your face. Don’t forget your scalp!  
• Layers for changing temperatures. Have I mentioned this enough? 
• Motion sickness medication (even though our sailing was relatively smooth)
• Sweatshirts!! 
• Hiking pants or leggings. These are my new favorites! 
• A baseball hat (something I didn’t bring and wish I would have!)
• Cold-weather gear like a hat and gloves

I also shared a complete Norway cruise packing guide with everything we packed, what we never used, and what I wish we’d brought.

When Choosing Excursions…Less Is More

One of the biggest planning mistakes I almost made was trying to maximize every port. It gets expensive, and feels far from a vacation when trying to do all the things every day. 

In the end, my husband talked me out of it and I am so glad he did. 

Some of our favorite memories happened simply by slowing down and enjoying the scenery and quality time instead of rushing from one excursion to the next. We loved being able to turn each port into our own adventures. 

But to be honest, we did pack it all in at one of the ports and it was perfect. One fairly busy day, and all the rest were chill and allowed for the day to take us where it may. 

Based on our experience, I’d recommend balancing active adventures with slower days.

Personally, I booked our shore excursions myself rather than booking through the cruise ship. The prices were much higher, and getting around the ports we visited was very simple, with a short walk to activities, so I didn’t think the extra cost was worth it. I linked our excursions below! 

Our favorite experiences included:

• Riding the famous Flåm Railway through the mountains. There was a very unexpected surprise on our journey that I don’t want to spoil for others. I suggest doing the round trip option, unless your kids are a bit older and could handle the zip line & bike ride. (the best deal is booking directly through Norway’s Best!)
• Exploring Geiranger’s incredible scenery via a bus tour and a boat tour. This day was a major highlight for our whole family.
  • We booked the bus tour to get views from the top of the mountains and it was stunning! I searched and searched until I found one that included multiple viewpoints and feel like we found the perfect option. Keep in mind, there are lots of hairpin turns, which may not be ideal if you get nauseous easily. 
  • Rib boat tours are a MUST! This was such a cool and unique experience and our guide was amazing. This was the best way to see the waterfalls!  
• I highly recommend taking time in each port to just walk around and explore! 
• Watching the sail-ins and sail-outs from the ship from the top deck. Absolutely breathtaking and a free experience.
• Heading back to the ship a little early to enjoy time in the hot-tub overlooking the fjords. It was something easy but turned into one of those unforgettable experiences, especially because we had it to ourselves for a while.  

Norway is one of those places where the journey is a major part of the full experience, so don’t feel like you need to go overboard (no pun intended!) with planning. 

Things That Surprised Me About A Norway Cruise 

Even after months of planning, there were several things that completely surprised me. And several things that turned out exactly as I expected, like the constant eyes watering because seeing this part of God’s creation was just so COOL! 

The scenery never gets old. I expected beautiful views, but I didn’t expect to be glued to the windows for hours each day. Every fjord feels different, and every turn reveals another waterfall, mountain, or tiny village. We had a balcony room and slept with the curtains opened because there were views nearly 24 hours a day. 

The waterfalls are everywhere. Pictures truly don’t do them justice. And apparently we were there during a “low” waterfall season because it had been so warm a few weeks before that much of the snow had already melted. Some of the waterfalls are massive and dramatic, while others seem to be tiny lines from the tops of the mountain down into the water. 

The daylight is incredible. Like I mentioned above, in July, the sun stays up incredibly late, giving families more time to explore without feeling rushed, especially on days where we were in port until fairly late.

Norway feels incredibly clean and safe. Every town we visited was spotless, easy to navigate, and welcoming to families. And because the ports were so walkable, it was easy to navigate and feel comfortable doing so. 

No amount of time is enough. If you want to see everything Norway has to offer, a cruise is hardly going to touch the surface on a weeklong cruise. But that’s okay- it isn’t meant to show you everything from Northern Norway down to Bergen or Stavanger.

We are planning a separate trip to drive through the country and hopefully see the Northern Lights and the Arctic Circle, but this was a great first experience! 

Does the Cruise Line Matter?

We experienced Norway aboard MSC Euribia, and while the itinerary itself exceeded every expectation we had, our onboard experience was more mixed.

There were aspects we really enjoyed, including the beautiful ship design, the impressive use of space, and the incredible staff. 

However, there were also several things that didn’t work particularly well for our family, especially compared to other cruise lines we’ve sailed.

Rather than trying to fit those thoughts into this guide, I’ll be sharing a detailed review of our MSC experience separately so families can decide whether it’s the right cruise line for their own travel style.

Regardless of which cruise line you choose, I’d encourage you to prioritize the itinerary over the ship. Norway is one of the few destinations where what’s waiting outside your balcony often becomes the highlight of the entire trip.

A few things I considered when going with MSC were price, how far into the fjords our ship would go, beginning and ending location, and most importantly, the itinerary. 

Other things that some families may want to consider is if they will use the water parks, if there are childcare services for young children, if there is a tender port on the itinerary, or what there is to do if there is bad weather. 

I’ll dive more into this in another post, but a few things I wish I would have looked into more was how the kids’ club on MSC cruises works, what family-friendly activities are available, and what the age group distinctions are. 

If you’re still deciding which cruise line to book, you’re not limited to MSC. Several major cruise lines sail Norwegian fjords itineraries, including Royal Caribbean cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Cunard, with each offering a slightly different onboard experience and itinerary.

For families, I wouldn’t choose a cruise line based on the ship alone. Instead, compare the itineraries first, then consider the onboard experience that best matches your travel style. 

Research things like:

• Which ports does the itinerary visit, and how much time do you have in each?
• Does the ship sail deep into the fjords or spend more time at sea?
• Are there tender ports that may make getting ashore with young children more challenging?
• What activities are available for kids on sea days?
• How do the kids’ clubs operate, and what ages are grouped together?
• If the weather is rainy or cold, will your family still have plenty to do onboard?

For our family, the itinerary was the deciding factor, and I don’t regret that choice for a second. In fact, after experiencing Norway, I’d still tell families to prioritize the destinations over the ship. That said, if we return to the Norwegian fjords, I’d spend more time comparing the onboard family experience and finding the best family-friendly ships across cruise lines before booking.

I’ll be sharing a dedicated guide comparing the best cruise lines for a Norway cruise with kids of all ages, including what I’d look for next time and how I’d choose differently based on our experience.

My Best Tips for a Norway Cruise with Kids

If I could go back and give myself advice about a Norway cruise in general, here’s what I’d say:

1. Book a balcony if it fits your budget. This was an absolute must for us and I am so glad we did it. We had to change our cruise dates 2 months in advance so we lost the ideal balcony location, but overall we still had a balcony and it was well worth it. 
2. Wake up early for scenic sail-ins. Or basically don’t sleep at all because it’s beautiful for 5 of the 7 days of this cruise. 
3. Bring binoculars. I wish we would have had room for binoculars! We used the zoom on our phones so often, but it would have been really nice to have actual binoculars. 
4. Pack layers instead of bulky coats. Definitely skip the bulky coat if you are traveling June – August. You won’t need it for longer than a few hours in the morning or evening and it takes up a lot of space- in your luggage and in the stateroom. 
5. Research shore and ship excursions carefully. Look into everything from height and age restrictions, length of time, departure and arrival points, how long you have during each stop of the excursion, etc. 
6. Wear comfortable walking shoes every day. Waterproof if possible! You are going to get some steps in walking around the fjords and on the ship. I hit 20k steps on one of our days! These are hands down my favorite waterproof tennis shoe! I’ve worn them on many vacations and they are great on all types of terrain. 
7. Bring a portable charger for long excursion days. This was helpful even on the ship. 
8. Encourage your kids to keep a travel journal or collect postcards from each port. Our daughter buys a small notebook at the start of each trip to keep track of her notes from each day, draw while we’re on excursions, etc. We started this when she was 5 and it’s stuck! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Norway too cold for kids? Not in the summer. With the right clothing and layers, we found July to be very comfortable for sightseeing and outdoor adventures. But we have also done a multi-country tour through Christmas Markets with kids, so we may not be the right family to tell you if this is too cold. 

Do kids enjoy Norway cruises? Absolutely. While there may be fewer “theme park” style activities than some Caribbean cruises, the natural beauty, excursions, wildlife, trains, and charming villages make Norway a memorable destination for children.

How active are the excursions? It depends on what you book. Norway offers everything from scenic train rides to challenging hikes. Families should pay close attention to activity levels when selecting excursions.

Before this trip, I felt a little hesitant that maybe Norway wasn’t the right trip for us until our daughter was a bit older. It was a longer journey for us to get there, and it really was all about the spectacular views and not as much about the excitement on the cruise, like when we sail in the Caribbean. 

But it actually became such a special trip for all of us! 

It wasn’t about checking attractions off of a list or racing from one thing to another, it was about having a slower adventure and exploring new places together. 

From watching waterfalls from our balcony, the panoramic views during the midnight sun from the top deck, the Flåm railway adventure and the mountain scenery, this trip reminded us that some of the best family vacations can have simple days and family time. 

If you are wondering whether a Norway cruise is worth it with kids, my answer is absolutely. 

Just remember that  it isn’t going to be your typical cruise vacation, but it’s still magical.