This is a repost from a post I did on a cruise forum, for those interested in visiting my country Norway in General and/or my city Kristiansand in specific:
Hi guys! Chris from Kristiansand, Norway here. (I am also British/Welsh, but Norway is where I am born,raised and currently live). I wanted to give you all some general advice and tips for Norway.
1. Tipping - Norwegians dont really give or receive tip. It is not frowned upon, but our wages are high and Tipping is not necessary (but ofcourse should you receive excellent service you could definitely tip them, however a good review on tripadvisor or Google f.i. would make a stronger impact)
2. Asking for directions and so on. You will mostly get help from us Norwegians, but it is not only our country that is perceived as cold by foreigners. Many Norwegians are reserved, but when we warm up to you you got a friend for life. So try not to take it to hard if a Norwegian person avoids you..
3. Food. First of all Norway is definitely a Potato country.
We have 3 ânational dishesâ all contain potatoes
KjĂžttkaker (mince meat pattys served with potatoes,brown sauce,mashed peas and lingonb3rry jam)
FÄrikÄl (mutton,kale, and whole black peppers) served with potatoes and rutabaga
Kompe/Komle/Raspeball (potato balls) served with rutabaga, salt meat and melted butter
(If you go to Oslo âBondeheimen/Kaffistovaâ is the place to go for traditional food)
Our most curious food for foreigners is probably brown cheese which is sweet with a caramelly taste (made from biproduct of cheese production). Also our chocolate is world famous, people usually bring with them Freia milk chocolate abroad, I however prefer Stratos (tell me if you like it!)
Also ofcourse Norway is the biggest exporter of Salmon, so if you like Sushi you will get the real deal in Norway (yes in Japan you get Norwegian salmon at the best Sushi restaurants!)
4. Culture. We have a lot of traditional culture in music, clothes and agriculture. You can see some of it on national holidays,otherwise in museums. Norway is also a liberal country and for instance same sex marriages are allowed, we even have a ordinated priest who is non-binary
5. Religion - which brings me to this. We have around 48% Christians, 40% Atheists/Agnostics and 12% other religions.
Excursion ideas:
Whether you find a rc excursion, third party or organize yourself, here are some ideas.
Stavanger:
Kongeparken (Theme park with a farm theme).
Lysefjorden/Prekestolen (beautiful scenery)
JĂŠren (Beautiful landscape and farms, also the homeplace of Erling Haaland the world famous footballer)
Sandnes garn - a Greta place to buy yarn and knitting equipment
Figgjo - Porcelaine of all sorts
Kristiansand:
Dyreparken (Norways biggest zoo)
Aquarama (aquapark in case you go on a ship without it)
Bystranda/Hamresanden/HĂžllesanden - 3 great beaches (Kristiansand is the best summer spot in Norway, and it is like a mini Barcelona, disclaimer: I am from Kristiansand city.)
OdderĂžya - small Island comnected to city centre (right by cruise terminal)
Kilden - theatre and opera house (right by cruise terminal)
kunstsilo (opens may 2024!) - art museum with the largest european collection of contemporary art! (Right by cruise terminal)
fiskebrygga - fish market (right by cruise terminal)
Ravnedalen - Beautiful park
Myren Gaard - Another beautiful park
Kristiansand Festning - fortress that was crucial during ww2
Kanonmuseet - ww2 canon museum
Arendal/Arendelle - if you travel with kids the city from the Frozen movies (yes they sre set in Norway) is 45 minute drive from Kristiansand.
Vennesla bibliotek - world famous Library
( if you are going to Kristiansand, msg me, I could give you SO many more ideas 
)
Bergen:
Akvariet (aquarium),
Bergen Urban zoo (reptiles) - urban zoo is right next to cruise terminal
Oslo:
Freia (chocolate factory where you get to make and taste loads of lovely chocolate). Feel free to ask mote about specific ports and so on when you know your ports of call.
Munch museum art museum
The castle - we have a King and he has a castle!
The Opera - amazing building
Trondheim:
Nidarosdomen - (world famous Church)
Rockheim - (rock museum)
North Norway:
I have not been here much, but Lofoten is well worth a visit, so is the Polar circle
Other places:
General the west coast is great, I always reccomend western or northern Norway as opposed to eastern Norway (in the summer the south is amazing!)
I have probably forgot LOADS! Feel free to comment with your ports of call in Norway and I will give you nore ideas.
-Chris-