Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Norwegian Fjords cruises in March
Bright, snowy days and still-dark nights make March a sweet spot for winter voyages, and the Finnmarksløpet, Europe’s longest sled-dog race, starts from Alta. Coastal ships and UK-based aurora cruises are the main options. Pack serious winter gear for excursions, even though the sea air keeps the coast milder than inland.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 38°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Norwegian Fjords in March: Shoulder season
Bright, snowy days and still-dark nights make March a sweet spot for winter voyages, and the Finnmarksløpet, Europe’s longest sled-dog race, starts from Alta. Coastal ships and UK-based aurora cruises are the main options. Pack serious winter gear for excursions, even though the sea air keeps the coast milder than inland.
Across Norwegian Fjords cruise ports, March brings average highs around 38°F (4°C) and lows near 30°F, with about 5.2 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- May to September for fjord cruises; coastal voyages and northern lights sailings year-round
- Average high / low
- 38°F / 30°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 5.2 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights for the southern fjords; 12–14 nights to the North Cape; 12-day coastal round trips
What to pack: proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How March compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Best time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Norwegian Fjords weather in March
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 351 | 352 | 384 | 447 | 5311 | 6016 | 6418 | 6418 | 5815 | 499 | 415 | 373 |
| Low °F (°C) | 28-2 | 28-2 | 30-1 | 351 | 436 | 5110 | 5412 | 5412 | 5010 | 426 | 352 | 30-1 |
| Rain in (mm) | 7.3186 | 6.0153 | 5.2132 | 3.897 | 3.9100 | 4.6116 | 5.4136 | 6.2157 | 6.4162 | 6.9174 | 6.2158 | 7.7196 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 5 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geiranger | 39°F | 25°F | 7.3 in | 12 h |
| Flåm | 40°F | 27°F | 5.4 in | 12 h |
| Bergen | 41°F | 32°F | 8.2 in | 12 h |
| Stavanger | 42°F | 36°F | 5.3 in | 12 h |
| Ålesund | 40°F | 34°F | 5.0 in | 12 h |
| Olden | 38°F | 26°F | 6.7 in | 12 h |
| Tromsø | 31°F | 21°F | 4.8 in | 11 h |
| Honningsvåg (for the North Cape) | 32°F | 27°F | 3.0 in | 11 h |
| Trondheim | 38°F | 28°F | 4.6 in | 12 h |
| Oslo | 39°F | 27°F | 2.7 in | 12 h |
| Haugesund | 42°F | 38°F | 5.6 in | 12 h |
| Kristiansand | 41°F | 37°F | 3.8 in | 12 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in March
Norwegian Fjords in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Norwegian Fjords?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. Bright, snowy days and still-dark nights make March a sweet spot for winter voyages, and the Finnmarksløpet, Europe’s longest sled-dog race, starts from Alta. Coastal ships and UK-based aurora cruises are the main options. Pack serious winter gear for excursions, even though the sea air keeps the coast milder than inland.
What is the weather like on a Norwegian Fjords cruise in March?
Across Norwegian Fjords cruise ports, March brings average highs around 38°F (4°C) and lows near 30°F, with about 5.2 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Norwegian Fjords cruise in March?
Pack proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Norwegian Fjords?
May to September for fjord cruises; coastal voyages and northern lights sailings year-round. The best months are usually June, July, August.
Where else can I cruise in March?
March is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.