Day 07 - Honningsvåg, Norway

July 27, 2018 - This morning, Viking Sky is docked in Honningsvåg, Norway. Honningsvåg is the northernmost city in Norway and overlooks the Barents Sea.

Viking Sky docked in Honningsvåg, Norway

This afternoon, we board a motorcoach for the Viking included tour, "Drive to North Cape." Officially positioned at 71°10'21'',  North Cape is the northernmost point in Europe that can be reached by car. A caravan of motorcoaches from the ship begin the drive up the steep mountains toward the cape. A brief stop at a Sami outpost offers some souvenir shopping opportunities.

Sami outpost and cultural center

Unfortunately, we have too little time to spend here. There is a Sami family that lives here and "work" with reindeer, but I am not sure what that means.

Sami man with reindeer

We only have about ten minutes at this stop and most people spend that time scooping up souvenirs in the little makeshift shop. We re-board the motorcoach for the remaining drive up to North Cape. When we arrive, we were surprised to find a sprawling tourist center with lots of cars, motorcycles and tour buses already there.

Rickee outside of the visitor center at Nordkapp (North Cape)

The views here are spectacular, especially on this sunny and unseasonably warm day. We really lucked out on the weather!

View from North Cape

We did the touristy thing by getting in line to have our photo taken at the globe structure. Tourists hand off their cameras to strangers in line to shoot photos of each other.

The visitor center is very large, and has a well-stocked gift shop, a snack bar, a museum and a cinema. When we first arrived, I was wondering how we were going to spend nearly two hours here. When it was time to leave, I wondered where the time had gone. The excursion to North Cape is a definite must for anyone visiting Honningsvåg.

Circular stone carvings

When we arrived back at the pier, officers and crew holding red umbrellas were lined up to welcome us back on board.

We board Viking Sky just in time for lunch at World Cafe. The featured dish today is King Crab salad made with fresh King Crab the chef purchased in Honningsvåg!

Yes, those are actual King Crab on display

After lunch, we attend an afternoon lecture by kilt-wearing Dr. Mike Gibson titled "Poles Apart," comparing the lives of two famous Norwegian explorers: Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. It was quite interesting.

Dr. Mike Gibson

After the lecture, it was time for us to experience Afternoon Tea at Wintergarden (Deck 7). We remember how enjoyable Afternoon Tea service was on Viking Sea, so we had to make sure Sky was up to standard. Good news! Viking Sky Afternoon Tea is as good as we remember. Wait staff serve delicious scones with strawberry preserves and clotted cream. A multi-tiered tray contains all sorts of finger sandwiches and other sweet temptations. There is a menu with a wide selection of teas.

Afternoon Tea at Wintergarden

There was no way we could eat dinner after enjoying Afternoon Tea, so we decided that, while most other guests were dining, we would enjoy the scenery and an adult beverage in the Explorer's Bar on Deck 7 Forward. Periodically, I would have to step outside to take a photo of the breathtaking mountains.

View from Explorer's Lounge

At 10:15 this evening, Viking Sky Senior Officers invited guests to a Midnight Sun Celebration on Deck 9 Forward (Sports Deck) for caviar and champagne.

Guests gather on Deck 9 Forward for Midnight Sun Celebration

Executive Chef, Thomas Noack, is on hand to serve up caviar with all of the traditional accoutrement.

It has been a spectacular day aboard Viking Sky. We visited the Top of the World, attended an interesting lecture, enjoyed a delicious Afternoon Tea and had caviar and champagne under the Midnight Sun! Tomorrow, Viking Sky will be in Leknes (Lofoten), Norway.