MSC Norway Cruise: 12 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going

If you’re planning an MSC Norway cruise, there are a few things you should know before you go.

I recently took a 14-day Norway cruise on MSC Preziosa with my husband and kids, sailing from the end of June into July.

It was an amazing trip, but there were definitely things I wish I had known ahead of time. Some of these tips could save you hundreds of dollars, and others could make your port days and shore excursions a lot easier.

So here are 12 things I wish I knew before going on this Norway cruise.

Book Your Shore Excursions Before the Cruise

This is one of my biggest money-saving tips.

If there is a shore excursion you really want to do, I would book it before you sail.

First, you can get a better pre-cruise price because the cruise line offers an early-booking discount on shore excursions. 

Second, if you’re booking through the U.S. website, you’re paying in U.S. dollars.

Once you’re onboard, shore excursion prices are listed in euros. Depending on the exchange rate, that can make the onboard price even more expensive for Americans.

For example, I booked our Olden kayaking shore excursion before the cruise for $125 per person.

Once we were onboard, the same shore excursion was 130 euros per person. 

At an exchange rate where 130 euros was about $151, that’s a difference of roughly $26 per person.

For our family of four, I saved around $100 just by booking that one excursion before the cruise.

And there’s another really important reason to book early.

Popular shore excursions do sell out.

There were a few ports where I didn’t book a shore excursion ahead of time, and I regretted it because by the time we decided what we wanted to do, some of the shore excursions we were interested in were already sold out.

So if there’s a shore excursion you know you really want to do, don’t wait. Book it before the cruise.

Get a Balcony If You Can

Norway is one of those cruises where I think a balcony is worth it.

The scenery is such a major part of the trip.

You will sail past fjords, mountains, waterfalls, and small towns.

And it is nice to be able to step outside whenever you want without going up to a public deck.

For our family of four, we wanted the balcony experience without paying for two balcony cabins.

So my husband and I booked a balcony cabin, and we booked a nearby inside cabin for our kids.

Normally, all four of us would stay in one cabin.

But this cruise was 14 days, and for us, that was just too long for four people to share one room.

Booking two cabins gave us more space, an extra bathroom, and a little separation.

But we still had one balcony that everyone could enjoy for the views.

If you’re traveling as a family, I would definitely price out one balcony cabin plus one nearby inside cabin.

For us, it was a good way to get more space and still enjoy a balcony without paying for two balcony cabins.

Do Not Assume Uber Will Be Available in Every Port

Do not assume Uber will be available in every Norwegian port.

Tromso was a good example. Uber was not available there, so we had to use a local taxi app instead.

We used the app to get to a mall because we needed to buy hiking shoes, and then we used it again to get to the cable car.

It worked well once we knew what to use, but it is something I wish I had researched before getting off the ship.

So before each port day, take a few minutes to look up the local transportation options.

Find out whether there are taxis, buses, shuttles, or a local taxi app.

And especially if you are going farther from the port, make sure you know how you are getting back to the ship before you leave.

The Midnight Sun Is Amazing

We went from the end of June into July, and one of the most memorable parts of our cruise was the midnight sun.

The light just seemed to go on forever.

Instead of getting dark at night, we would see these beautiful golden, pink, and orange colors over the water.

There were nights when we looked outside at midnight and it still felt like sunset.

It was beautiful.

And this was another reason I loved having a balcony.

We could step outside very late at night and still have incredible views.

But if seeing the Northern Lights is one of your main goals, you need to go late September through March, when the nights are long and dark enough to see them.

Crossing the Arctic Circle Is a Big Deal

Because our cruise went so far north, we crossed the Arctic Circle, and the cruise line actually made a big event out of it.

There was a celebration onboard with a parade featuring Neptune, the god of the sea, and it felt like a real party rather than just another sea day.

We also received a certificate commemorating the Arctic Circle crossing.

I thought that was such a nice touch because crossing the Arctic Circle is one of those travel milestones that really does feel special.

The crew made the moment feel like something worth celebrating.

So if your itinerary crosses the Arctic Circle, check the daily schedule so you do not miss the celebration.

And definitely keep the certificate.

It makes a fun souvenir from the trip.

You Do Not Need a Shore Excursion in Every Port

Some Norway ports are very easy to explore independently.

Stavanger is a great example.

The port is small and walkable, and there were plenty of independent tour operators right outside the ship.

You could book things like fjord cruises locally instead of going through the cruise line.

But there is one important catch.

Get off the ship early.

I would have breakfast and then head off the ship almost immediately.

The independent tours can fill up, especially the fjord cruises.

If you wait too long, you may miss the departure time or find that the tour you want is already full.

Lots of Complimentary Champagne and Drinks

One thing that surprised me was how often the crew handed out complimentary champagne and drinks during our cruise.

One night at dinner, they came around with free champagne.

Then on the last night of the cruise, before dinner, complimentary drinks were being served at bars and lounges throughout the ship.

And because we were onboard over the Fourth of July, the American passengers were invited to a special Fourth of July party, where they served complimentary drinks there too.

I really was not expecting that.

It made the cruise feel festive, and I thought the cruise line did a nice job creating little celebration moments throughout such a long itinerary.

Of course, I would not book a cruise expecting free drinks every night, because these kinds of events can vary from sailing to sailing.

But on our cruise, there were definitely more complimentary drinks and champagne than I expected.

Attend the Port Talks

I know a lot of people skip cruise-line port talks, and I usually do not think you have to attend every presentation either.

But on this Norway itinerary, I found them really helpful.

Svalbard was the perfect example.

If I had not attended the port talk, I would not have fully understood how different Svalbard was from the other stops.

That was where I learned more about polar bears in the area and why safety really mattered.

It was also what made me realize that we needed better hiking shoes for our fossil-hunting shore excursion.

We actually ended up going to a mall in Tromso during the cruise to buy hiking shoes.

So especially for unusual ports like Svalbard, I would go to the port talk.

You will learn important tips about wildlife, transportation, weather, walking conditions, and safety.

Shore Excursion Descriptions Can Be Too Vague

This is one thing I really wish the cruise line did better.

The shore excursion descriptions were not always detailed enough, especially when it came to what to wear, what kind of shoes you needed, and what equipment would actually be provided.

Our fossil-hunting excursion in Svalbard is a perfect example.

The description recommended hiking shoes.

But after doing the excursion, I really think hiking shoes should have been required.

This was not an easy walk.

We were walking over rocks, mud, snow, and ice, and some parts were very challenging.

There was actually someone on our excursion wearing loafers.

Thank goodness that person did not fall, because the terrain was definitely not what I would call loafer-friendly.

Even regular sneakers with very little traction would have made me nervous.

So saying hiking shoes were simply recommended really understated how difficult the terrain could be.

Then we had almost the opposite experience with our kayaking excursion in Olden.

Before the excursion, I was worried because rain was in the forecast.

I kept wondering whether we needed raincoats and how we were going to stay dry while kayaking.

It did end up drizzling.

But when we arrived, the tour operator gave us full-body waterproof suits.

Once we had those on, the light rain did not matter at all.

I really wish I had known that ahead of time because I spent way too much time worrying about what we should wear.

And here is the frustrating part.

Even the shore excursion desk did not seem to know exactly what equipment would be provided.

That was really the problem.

You could read the description, ask questions onboard, and still not get a clear answer.

So pay close attention to the activity level, and for more active shore excursions, I would definitely err on the side of wearing hiking shoes.

Cruising in Europe Feels Different From Cruising in the United States 

If you have cruised MSC from the U.S. before, do not expect the exact same experience in Europe.

On our Norway cruise, most of the passengers were European. Americans were definitely in the minority.

The food was different too.

There were a lot more European dishes like sausages, schnitzel, cold cuts, and Mediterranean- style roasted vegetables, including things like eggplant and zucchini.

So if you are expecting a lot of familiar American comfort foods, you will not find as many of them.

And definitely do not skip dessert.

I honestly thought the desserts on our European cruise were better than what we have had on cruises from the U.S. 

Embarkation Works Differently

This may feel a little unusual if you are used to cruising from the United States.

On most U.S. cruises, everyone boards the ship on the same day and then gets off together at the end of the sailing.

In Europe, it works differently.

Passengers embark or disembark at different ports during the same itinerary. So you could be halfway through your cruise while someone else is just beginning theirs.

On our Norway cruise, we did see some passengers getting on and off at a few of the larger ports.

It was not nearly as noticeable as on Mediterranean cruises, where you can see passengers embarking and disembarking at almost every stop.

But it is still something you may notice on a European sailing.

Not Every Norway Itinerary Goes to Svalbard

One thing that is important to know is that not all Norway cruise itineraries are the same. 

For example, if you want to go all the way up to Longyearbyen in Svalbard, close to the North Pole, you really have to look at the itinerary carefully.

Most Norway cruises focus much farther south on the fjords and more traditional Norwegian ports.

Svalbard sailings are much rarer.

So if that is somewhere you really want to visit, make sure you look closely at the actual itinerary before booking.

Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise

Family Vacation 101 participates in affiliate programs including the Amazon Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Travel Must-Haves

Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.

Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.

Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.

Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.

Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.

Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.

Cruise Planning Essentials

Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.

Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.

Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.

Cabin Comfort & Organization

Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).

Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!

Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.

Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.

Toiletries & Laundry

Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.

Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.

Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.

TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.

Health & Wellness

Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).

Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.

Packing & Storage

Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.

Packing cubes –  I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.

Foldable duffel bag –  I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space. 

Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra. 

Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.

Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.

Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.

Beach Essentials

Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.

Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.

Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.

Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials

Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.

Collapsible beach buckets and toys –  You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.

Get Your FREE Cruise Packing List

Sign up once and you will get access to ALL exclusive content on this website. After unlocking the printable, just save the printable image and then print it. Use it to help you pack for your cruise vacation. I hope you like it!

Download my free Cruise Packing List printable.