Do I really need long wool underwear etc?

[linderbelle]

We board on 6/23 for our Norway cruise. A gal in our "Sons of Norway" group in the states who lives in Trondheim half the year and states the other half of the year has told me to really enjoy our cruise that I will need very warm clothing--she has said long wool underwear with a very warm coat and boots. She has made me think that I need to buy a very warm lined rain coat and have found one online. I know we took a Alaskan cruise the end of September--was the last run before repositioning and I did wear a down coat. I plan to be outside alot on the ship. What do you all think? We are going as far north as Honningsvag which is definitely up there!!

[Cakeyandbeano]

We were in the fjords including Trondheim, Tromso & Honningsvaag last July. We had very varied weather but no where did I need long wool underwear! Hoodies & jeans with trainers some days. Shorts & T-shirts (& sun cream) in Tromso, Honningsvaag was cold but a few layers with hoodie & coat with jeans were fine. I spent a lot of time on deck but was fine with a warm coat. Basically plan lots of layers but I would include t-shirts.

Enjoy your cruise.

[SarniaLo]

Where does your cruise go? If you stay in the southern part of Norway you really don't need warm underwear. If you go North, then anything can happen, although winter conditions are not likely.

I would advise anyhow a good waterproof and windproof jacket. The windproofing part is very important, because often it's the wind that will make you cold, particularly if you want to be outside on the decks on the ship. The jacket does not have to be warm, but take it one size up than your usual size. Then take various type of layers that you can put underneath, tshirts, light fleece shirt, warmer jumper, which you can alternate (or layer) depending on the weather (which can change rapidly). I would not take warm boots, maybe hiking shoes or trainers. Whether or not you need a long underwear depend on your sensitivity to cold, but I would think not.

[Pet Nit Noy]

I would advise anyhow a good waterproof and windproof jacket. The windproofing part is very important, because often it's the wind that will make you cold, particularly if you want to be outside on the decks on the ship. The jacket does not have to be warm, but take it one size up than your usual size. Then take various type of layers that you can put underneath, tshirts, light fleece shirt, warmer jumper, which you can alternate (or layer) depending on the weather (which can change rapidly). I would not take warm boots, maybe hiking shoes or trainers. Whether or not you need a long underwear depend on your sensitivity to cold, but I would think not.

 

Here I go again with my standard advice. Be sure to pack a hat, scarf, and gloves to extend the comfort range of whatever else you're wearing.

 

And just like SarniaLo's advice to use wind block jackets, the hat should be windblock, too.

 

Here are a few of the many brands that make this type of product:

Outdoor Research

Under Armour

Turtle Fur

LL Bean

Mountain Hardware

(I've owned one of these for almost 10 years. It is a well-traveled hat!)

[kaisatsu]

I agree with most of the above advice. A waterproof, wind proof jacket over various weights of layers will be the best option by far, since the weather is quite variable.

 

I also recommend bringing a lightweight hat and gloves since your head and hands can get cold quickly if you're standing around a windy deck for the scenery. I wouldn't say that you need a windproof hat though. (I didnt even feel like this was something I was missing in Antarctica!)

 

As for a wool base layer? If your cruise is taking you up to Longyearbyen, you're planning to do a long day hike without much shelter, and you're used to very warm climates, then maaaaybe. But even then you'd probably be fine with layers and windproofing, though I'd suggest adding a windproof pant shell as well.

 

P.S. If you ever do find yourself in the market for a wool base layer, Helly Hansen Warm is awesome!

[tring]

If you are sailing on the 23rd June as I understand, you need to remember that you will be there when there is 24 hours of daylight, so cold is nothing like the sort of issue it is in the winter, when you would need warm under trousers etc. (but not necessarily wool).

 

You should be able to click on your ports from here to get average temperatures etc.

 

http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/city.php3?c=NO

 

Basically you can expect an average max of 10C in the North and about 16C in Bergen, but the nights will not be much different as it will be light most of the time.

 

We have had some extremely good weather when in Norway, and even Spitzbergen and Greenland at that time of year. We were in the jacuzzi at the back of the ship when in Lonyearbyen, Spitzbergen, which is a lot further north than Honningsvag, (which is the northernmost point of mainland Norway for the person who asked). So worth taking the swimwear just in case.

 

A waterproof anorak type coat with a hood with a warm jumper underneath, gloves, scarf and perhaps hat, will be fine even in the worst conditions, which you may get at sea or if you do the trips to North Cape or up mountains. No specialised clothing is required, but I would take a pair of water proof over trousers, (which would also be wind proof), as it can rain quite a bit. I would not take a heavy coat, unless you can take a lot of luggage. A lighter one with a jumper, would be much more versatile. The ports at sea level are mostly in sheltered harbours so it is unlikely to be particularly windy there. The southern fjiords can be very sheltered sun traps, so make sure you do have some summer wear as well. Comfortable footwear is a must, I would wear sturdy sandals in the southern regions unless it was raining.

 

If you are travelling with one of the main cruise companies, the ships will go out in to the open sea between the ports, so you will be more exposed, but there will not be much scenic cruising to entice you out on deck anyway. It is only Hurtigruten or cruise companies like Fred Olsen who do the inside passage in Norway.

 

Remember it will not be cold inside the ship either and if the weather is that bad are you really wanting to spend that long on deck or are you more likely to be in an observation lounge?

 

Enjoy the holiday - Norway is beautiful.

Edited April 18, 2016 by tring

[Bowie MeMe]

I am going on Iceland and Greenland itinerary so going to be "up there" too. I found a simple down coat that is "stuffable" -- it has it's own bag about the size of a small folding umbrella-- and weights 8 ounces! I wore it for winter in Maryland and it was great. This might be a great coat for you -- can add fleece or sweater under this knee length coat. I always stuff a tie-on hat with ear flaps (fleece I think this year) and a pair of stretchable gloves (leather if I haven't lost them). You know if you are 'ALWAYS' cold type person. I am not but find far north or extreme south (think Cape Horn in South America) I am thankful for the warm wear. Another trick -- a rain poncho (-heavy duty ones of plastic like the Disney World ones with hoods) are also worth including in your purse or tour bag. Cuts the wind/protects from rain even if windy/serves as sit-upon ,picnic table, keeps camera and purse dry and even can change a grandbaby (or place under sheet to protect bed) and a place to sit on the beach. Multi-purpose and only weighs in at 2 oz. Appropriate outer wear means Mother Nature will not throw the snow at you:D

 

I agree that looking at the weatherunderground.com site is a great idea. Look at the temperature for several years both high and low on your day in a port. They vary and no way to tell which one will be yours on the day you will be there. For a Greenland port date, historical highs ranged from 34 degrees to 68 degrees for the date's high over a 10 year period -- 68 slacks and a fleece. 34 I would want a coat over that fleece.

Edited April 19, 2016 by Bowie MeMe

[RandB_Toronto]

You may be interested to know that accuweather is now providing forecasts for 90 days out!!! I would take those forecasts with a very large grain of salt (actually lots of grains of salt!) but they do provide historical averages for each day which is useful.

[kaisatsu]

Just to clarify for the OP, there is no scenic cruising on sea days, but many of the ports have long sail-in and sail-out stretches, and in places like Geiranger, that's one of the major highlights. I sailed Geirangerfjord on a cool breezy day once, and a lot of people without hat/gloves ended up going inside and watching through the windows.

Edited April 19, 2016 by kaisatsu

[tring]

Just one point since most people asking about this are from North America and there has been a comparison made to Alaska and the North American winters. It does need to be realised that although Alaska is further south than Northern Norway, it does not have the benefits of the Gulf Stream which makes a really big difference to our climate on this side of the Atlantic. Yes wateproof/windproof jacket gloves etc. and thin waterproof overtrousers could be useful, but a down coat sounds totally OTT in the middle of summer IMO for Norway. Regards Greenland, if it is mid summer, an expedition cruise would go to different sort climates to a cruise ship visiting one or two ports in the south of the continent.

 

Now, if you are heading to Norway in the winter for a Northern lights trip - that is another matter entirely. When the sun hardly rises, (if at all), you can be talking about -27C, which is what we got in Alta last March.

 

I see there has been clarification of my comment about scenic cruising. Yes it is the sails in and out of ports that are worthwhile seeing and that is what I meant about missing a meal, (and poss. using a self service or room service). You could also get up in the early hours as it will be daylight, but we are a bit lazy in that respect!!

 

It depends on port times though - the captains usually say when there will be something worth seeing. We were told to get up at about one or two am one morning on one cruise to see the "midnight sun" and we were in a spectacular location to see it, with a perfectly clear sky. We were in the inside passage for that, but the larger cruise companies may arrange something similar. We sailed from behind the shade of a mountain into the sun and the reddish hues on the mountains around us (like sunset). We then went into the Troll Fjiord on our way south, but you will not go there on a large cruise ship. That captain did like his "party pieces", and did them very well.

Edited April 19, 2016 by tring

[Pet Nit Noy]

... a down coat sounds totally OTT in the middle of summer IMO.

 

Since Norway, Greenland, Iceland etc. are summer cruising itineraries, many US cruisers are leaving home towns where the temps are in the 90s (36 C). The difference between home temps and Northern latitudes makes cooler temps feel downright cold.

 

LL Bean provides a comfort rating for its products. Its ultra-light 850 down jackets has the highest down fill number among the various brands of ultra-lights. (The higher the number, the better the insulating properties. Most ultra-light brands have an 800 rating.) LL Bean's web site claims its 850 jacket is good for a temperature as low as 25 degrees F. At first glance that would make even a down jacket -- much less a coat -- seem like overkill, until people read the fine print.

 

The ratings are developed for people wearing "thermal underwear, fleece, jeans, and boots" and doing light activity. Few cruisers will be wearing all of the above which makes the jacket the right choice for a much higher range of temps.

[Bowie MeMe]

I am the one with the down coat post. I mention it as a good choice because it is basically two very thin pieces of rayon/nylon dense weave material with a very light down fill -- just enough down to get all over black pants :p It really isn't overkill considering I use it to go from 30's in Feb takeoff from Maryland then stuff it in the bag for 3 weeks of 90's in Brazil and Argentina, then on the deck going around Cape Horne where it REALLY seemed to be COLD! and then on the plane in bag Chile to Maryland and on the body for cold and rainy March day on drive home. Not talking huge down coat here but find this a great travel item for wildly varying temperatures. I hate huge coat in my cabin closet or having to get under the bed for coat on a very few days of cruise or carrying the coat through 90 degrees airport in warm destinations.

 

Temperature and clothing weight can get as many opinions as food and wine do! Live and let live.

[Bowie MeMe]

Since Norway, Greenland, Iceland etc. are summer cruising itineraries, many US cruisers are leaving home towns where the temps are in the 90s (36 C). The difference between home temps and Northern latitudes makes cooler temps feel downright cold.

 

LL Bean provides a comfort rating for its products. Its ultra-light 850 down jackets has the highest down fill number among the various brands of ultra-lights. (The higher the number, the better the insulating properties. Most ultra-light brands have an 800 rating.) LL Bean's web site claims its 850 jacket is good for a temperature as low as 25 degrees F. At first glance that would make even a down jacket -- much less a coat -- seem like overkill, until people read the fine print.

 

The ratings are developed for people wearing "thermal underwear, fleece, jeans, and boots" and doing light activity. Few cruisers will be wearing all of the above which makes the jacket the right choice for a much higher range of temps.

 

This is a wise post! Most folks can get a little geography challenged and need to look at a globe to see that you really are much more north than you think. Italy is about equal to Boston Mass in latitude. Add in the fact that Mother Nature does just as she wants. My only trip to St. Petersburg Russia in late June the temperature was low 90's and I was never so HOT! AC not to be found. Actual medical emergencies because of the heat wave. The next year on a cruise through Norway fjords the top temperature was in 50's. Plan for as much as you can with layers. Both trips wonderful by the way!

[pbnjrockette]

What exactly is a "jumper" ?

[Sauer-kraut]

What exactly is a "jumper" ?

 

Pullover sweater ;D

[pbnjrockette]

Pullover sweater ;D

 

Thank you!! Knew it just couldn't be the sleeveless dress type outfits worn by schoolgirls!

[angeleyes27]

We spent 2 1/2 weeks in Norway, Denmark and on a Baltic cruise. I took all long sleeves and long pants. St Petersburg, Russia was about 85 degrees and Norway and Denmark were between 85 and 90 every day. They had no air in our hotels and we were roasting so come prepared for all weather types

[RetiredFL]

I am going on Iceland and Greenland itinerary so going to be "up there" too. I found a simple down coat that is "stuffable" -- it has it's own bag about the size of a small folding umbrella-- and weights 8 ounces! I wore it for winter in Maryland and it was great

 

The type of jacket referred to is called a "puffer" and is apparently fairly new on the market. It really does compress down to almost nothing but ours does provide plenty of warmth. If you "google" "puffer jacket" you should find lots. I have been told the one made by Totes is very good.

[Bowie MeMe]

I thought puffer coat was slightly different. Mine was Michael Kohr (ooooh lala) bought at end of winter (FEB! yeah!) for less than $100 so I was pleased. Watch that some of these jackets coats are really just fashion and not "working" coat. Drop in to cruise topics beauty and clothes here on CC. Those mostly ladies know much more about fashion than this person!:p

[kaisatsu]

"Puffer" coat/jacket typically refers to the style of jacket that uses multiple quilted compartments for containing insulation, giving the jacket a look similar to a quilted down comforter or a segmented pool float. These come in vastly different materials and quality levels, which provide very different levels of warmth and protection.

 

There are some that are manufactured by outdoor companies that are made of very thin materials and ultra-lightweight down or synthetic insulation, and these tend to pack down quite small. They're similar in material and construction to ultra-packable back-country sleeping bags.

 

They also come in varying levels of thickness, so while some are designed with a much heavier-weight down fill that can be quite warm, there are also thinner versions with less insulation.

 

The level of warmth you want for a Norwegian coastal trip will depend on your own personal comfort level, but it's unlikely that anyone would want the highest-level ultra warm options. If you tend to be colder than most people (I am), you might consider a thin ultra-packable puffer that you could layer underneath a windproof/waterproof shell. However, I'm a big fan of versatility, and I find that a thick fleece* serves me better. With the outer shell, it provides enough insulation, and I can wear it like a sweatshirt when I'm inside or on a cold flight.

 

*If you want a fleece recommendation, the Outdoor Research Habitat jacket or hoodie has a basic fleece texture on the outside but the softest thing imaginable inside. Since it's so cozy, and I get cold on overnight flights, it has become my go-to travel layer. For extreme warmth, the Columbia Benton Springs fleece is lightweight (but a bit bulky). It's so warm that I'm not sure I'd recommend it for a Norway cruise unless you're going all the way to Svalbard or traveling at the very beginning or end of the season.

Edited April 22, 2016 by kaisatsu

[angeleyes27]

In major department stores, they sell cuddle duds, lightweight long underwear. I took them to Alaska. They take up zero room in a suitcase and really do keep you warm. Skiers use them

[linderbelle]

Thanks all--finally getting back here after a month of inactivity due to work. We probably are coming from high 90's temperatures being in Georgia, USA with high humidity and no never get used to the high heat and humidity. Looking forward to cooler temperatures. :-) After reading all the responses still undecided on what to do--it's the one suitcase allowed which is a killer when you are gone for almost 3 weeks.

 

Thank you for all your responses as it truly helps alot.

 

Linda

[Pet Nit Noy]

In major department stores, they sell cuddle duds, lightweight long underwear. I took them to Alaska. They take up zero room in a suitcase and really do keep you warm. Skiers use them

 

Chances are major department stores won't have this type of product on the shelves at this time of year (in the US). I recommend you go online to check out the brand Winter Silks. Silk thin options ranging from camisoles to full length long Johns . Great product. I always pack a couple of camisoles to wear under my tops in the ofte-cool restaurants/dining room

[Marseydotes]

I will second the suggestion to check out Winter Silks. Just judged a dog show outdoors in misty 40-to-50 degrees with my silk long johns and camisole under my clothes. Comfortable and warm!

[linderbelle]

Thanks all.