Norway Cruise in September

There is quite a bit of difference between temperatures in early September and late September when average temps drop several degrees. For example, the average daytime high in Alesund is 60 degrees on September 1, 56 degrees on September 15, and 54 degrees on September 30. The average rainfall during September is about 6 inches in Alesund.

While in Alesund three years ago at the very end of August the temps were in the 70’s, so averages for an entire month are not going to be predictive of what you will experience—especially in Norway where the weather can widely vary from hour to hour.
You might want to take a look at www.TimeandDate.com for detailed weather histories on your three ports.

It was a mix of San Francisco and Dublin but colder. Definitely windy.
I was there in mid-September 2024 in Bergen. Rainy on off most days and cold. Definitely mid 40s to mid 50s. I did a day trip and cruise in Flam. It was sunny and I would had been able to be without a coat except it was windy on ferry deck as we cruised. But warmer on the sun.

Thank you Kenko and Joy

I will be in Norway right around mid September, thinking about the 13th, 14th and 15th off the top of my head.

Maybe I will be lucky or maybe I'll be unlucky. But it sounds like it may not be too bad.

I will hopefully have the right clothes for whatever the weather is.

And thank you for the link, Kenko ....

bostonphil7 - I think you will be fine. For me, I traveled with a carry-on only to Copenhagen, Bergen and Stockholm. I went prepared for Bergen and brought layers and a hooded raincoat with minimal fur lining. What I wasn't prepared for was the heatwave in Copenhagen. I only wore sleeveless shirts during my 4 days there.

Think about clothes that are quick drying, a rain coat/jacket (warmer anorak) and layers. And shoes with good grip as it gets very slippery with the rain, but you are probably a pro at that given your past cruises.

We were in Norway for 18 days during September of 2023, and I can only recall one day where it rained hard for a couple hours mid-day. Unfortunately it was in the town where my grandfather was born, so it limited what I could do and see there. We were in Alesund for two nights and we didn't have any rain (except maybe when we were sleeping). My grandmother was from Alesund, so we spent the day walking around the town. We stayed one night in Aurland and had no rain even though it was a bit dreary.

From my pictures, it looks like I usually wore a long shirt shirt and something over it (hoodie, vest, or raincoat). I lost my beanie around Geiranger and did buy another one, even though I don't see it being worn in any pictures.

I was expecting mostly rainy weather, but that's not what we got.

It isn't possible to predict the weather for this September, let alone 2027. It might be hot, cold, wet, windy, sunny, and quite possibly all of those things on the same day. The clothes you take for Iceland will work for Norway, which should include multiple base layers and a waterproof outer shell with a hood.

Thank you Joy

I have only taken one other cold weather cruise. think I might have to buy a few pieces of clothing especially shoes but I got plenty of time and it is doable

Thank you mnannie

I believe that Alesund will be one of our ports.

I love looking back at pictures and see what I was wearing. Says so much about the weather.

Thank you CL

I believe tht I am going to have to get. a few pieces of clothing but will stick to the thrift shops for everything but shoes.

I will be monitoring the weather this September just to get an idea of what I might be able to expect.

I'll be doing a coastal cruise early this coming September, planning on long johns, a fleece vest, a down puffer jacket, hooded Gore-Tex parka, watch cap, gloves, etc. Considering wool socks. (I draw the line at rain pants though, since I'll be either onboard or in cities.) This is more than I brought last June to Iceland and Greenland, it's what I wish I'd brought.

Thank you Dick

Looks like I will have to do some shopping. Glad that I have lots of time.

I looked at windbreakers on Amazon and pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive they were. Still I will be shopping thrift stores first. I do not have much need for lined windbreakers in Texas.

Why wool socks? Why the wool?

Wool keeps the moisture away from your skin, and it wicks much better than cotton, which tends to soak in water. It's much better for cold and wet climates. Living in Minnesota, I have tons of wool socks, and I wouldn't dream of wearing anything else in the winter when I am outside.

I looked at windbreakers on Amazon and pleasantly surprised at how
inexpensive they were.

A windbreaker is not always waterproof. Read the reviews closely because even if the seller claims it is waterproof the cheap ones usually are not. Focus your thrifting on coats made from GoreTex or coated nylon fabrics.

As Mardee noted, wool is a preferred material for cold/damp weather and outdoor adventures. For your purposes it's likely unnecessary to invest in expensive socks you won't wear again at home. Just pack enough socks that you can have a pair or two drying if you get soaked.

The wool socks are because wool wicks sweat away and keeps you warm. So no blisters, and warmth.

I would be very cautious with any windbreaker. You want waterproof, not just mere water-resistant. There is a huge difference and it is worth the extra cost. Take al look at REI especially during their sales. They have a good waterproof jacket that is their own brand and you can get it for about $80 on sale. It is very lightweight, so perfect for layering, which means you will get much more use out of it, plus you will stay dry.

Hi folks

I have so much to learn. Good thing I have a lot of time.

Grew up in Boston but have been in Texas since 1972. However I lived in San Francisco and it got down to the 40's with.a freezing. cold rain. My research shows that it might be like that in Iceland when I am there. Maybe Norway also? Remember I will be there mid September.not January.

Are wool socks soft because I think of wool being itchy?

Hi Bostonphil7

Your Austin REI might have a re-supply section where members trade in, for a store credit, items they no longer need/use. It can be a great way to find gently used gear for a reasonable price... and you can try it on.

Whatever you find for a rain jacket make sure it's large enough to be comfortable with your warm layer(s) underneath. My rain jacket is a size larger than I normally wear and accommodates a fleece jacket or wool sweater perfectly without feeling like a stuffed sausage.

You have time to watch for bargains and forum enablers are ready to help LOL

I usually have a problem with wool but my smartwool socks are fine. I bought 3 pairs for travels when my feet might get wet. Others will weigh in, I’m sure. They are fine on all but hot days. I tried one pair before buying more.

Smartwool and Darn Tough socks are not itchy to my sensitive skin, but I know they bother other people. However I would encourage you to focus your attention waterproof outerwear and good shoes as if those two things don't work well your socks will be the very least of your problems.

I would suggest going to Sierra.com and looking for wool socks there, like Smartwool and Darn Tough, and there's a number of other brands. They're deeply discounted, so you should be able to find some bargains. Sierra used to be Sierra Trading Post and then it was bought by TJ Maxx, so it's in the same type of format.

There's a link to their website going to the Smartwool socks page: https://www.sierra.com/s~smartwool/women~d~5324/

I don't know how far San Antonio is from Austin, but there are two Sierra stores there that you might want to check out. I would definitely check there before buying socks anywhere else, as they really do have a lower price. You can also find Smartwool socks discounted at Nordstrom Rack.

I had forgotten about Sierra. It's a great place to find bargains in rain jackets also. My friend purchased this one to wear in Scotland and she was very happy with it. We live in a semi-arid climate and she didn't want to spend a lot for a rain jacket she might never wear again.

https://www.sierra.com/eddie-bauer-cloud-cap-stretch-20-parka-waterproof~p~8narp/?filterString=womens-rain-and-wind-jackets~d~599%2F

Thanks to Mardee for the Sierra suggestion!

DianeSLA

I have shopped at REI, once

I might have some things to trade in

Good price on the jacket and very attractive also.

Mardee

The socks were very attractive and looked comfortable.

I wonder if I can get them on Amazon. I have gift cards and Prime Day is coming.

But I need to get to some of my thrift stores.

San Antonio is about 60 miles away. I have never been there despite living in Austin since 1972. And once i get there by an express bus, I would need to take other buses to get to anywhere else.

This is such an incentive to go thrifting.

To everyone

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions and tips.

I would not know a lot of this stuff.

I have been on a Baltic Cruise one September and done two Alaska cruises also in September but think that Iceland and Norway might be colder and wetter. I do not remember needing to buy any special clothes for the Baltic or for Alaska. And when I look at pictures, I am comfortable with what I brought from home. Was bundled up in Helsinki and St Petersburg. In Alaska, we had some pouring and icy rain.

I have been watching you tube videos.

A key word is going to be "waterproof".

I have a lot of rain jackets and 1 rain coat (that's what I brought to Norway). My newest jacket is from Goodwill (perfect shape) and was only $10.99. The next newest is. a Frogg from a fleet store, It was on clearance for about $18.00.

Another one was a new Columbia (less than $50) that I wore in Ireland. When it rained hard I wore rain pants, too, so my legs stayed dry. With a rain coat you don't have to worry as much about that.

If you have socks that work for you, take them. I have a lot of Darn Tough socks, but too heavy of a weight sock changes the fit of my shoes. Those heavy pairs are the ones I wear with my winter boots. I lived the first 60 + years of my life using wool socks only for skiing, skating, and playing in the snow as a kid. I wouldn't buy wool socks for just one trip.

thank you mnannie

Living in Northern Minnesota, you must get a lot of wear from the cold weather clothes you bought

Thank you for your input

REI does not do trade-ins.

As for weather, Iceland is going to be MUCH colder than San Francisco! The wind cuts right through you, and is nothing like SF. Think of SF on the coldest day it has ever had, and then double it.

Alaska does not have the wind, so even though it is northern like Iceland.

mikeliz REI does indeed to trade ins for co-op members. Here's the general info
https://www.rei.com/used/trade-it-in and specific info for the Austin store https://www.rei.com/stores/austin-gateway However BostonPhil you may not be able to trade in or purchase items if you're not an REI member. You would need to check with your store specifically to confirm, a lifetime membership is $30.

Thank you both for your comments and input

I am probably going to stick with thrift stores because I have very little use for cold weather clothing in Texas. I actually have heavy warm pants that I never wear here but will get a chance to finally wear them.

I have plenty of scarves, hats and gloves but going to need a water proof coat and water proof shoes.

CL—how did I not know that?! We’ve been members for over 30 years. I do see a lot of limitations, but it is good to know, thank you!