Honningsvåg Shore Excursion:North Cape Reindeer & Sami Experience
Norway
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Make the most of your time at shore and uncover the unique culture of northern Norway on this exciting tour. Discover Arctic culture, wildlife, and scenery as you explore the northern city stopping at a Sami fishing village, the town of Honningsvag, and a few viewpoints. Get up close to reindeer, see stunning fjords, and enjoy optional stops at galleries.
- Learn about Norwegian culture from your guide
- Visit a local Sami family and reindeer farm
- All entrance fees are included for your convenience
- You are guaranteed to make it back to your cruise ship
What's Included
- All Entrance fees
- Return Transport
- 1 hr 20 mins stay at the North Cape Hall
- A visit at a Sami family with traditional Sami outfits and reindeer
- Tour of local fishing village
- Food and Drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Fiskeriveien 4, 9750 Honningsvåg, Norway
Meet next to the tourist office.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 05/22/2026 - 09/02/2026
Monday - Sunday : 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- 05/22/2027 - 09/02/2027
Monday - Sunday : 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Itinerary
1
Nordkapphallen
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 35 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
3.4
based on 97 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Marilyn_H, Sep 2025
Bernadette was a terrific guide and bus driver. Excellent tour.
Suggestion: clearer instructions needed on meeting point as there was much confusion with many individuals as to the exact location and which sign to meet/ stand at.
Philip_D, Sep 2025
Great trip with a fantastic audio including great humour to explain the way of life. North Cape is well worth a visit inside and out
Robert_B, Aug 2025
It was a nice tour. When we reached the top, we should hav been told to see the move first. We spent a lot of time outdoors so we didn’t have enough time to complete the movie. We also didn’t have a lot of time at Sami Village. The tour should have ben an hour longer.
Paul_H, Aug 2025
The North Cape was very special. Hence my two stars. The commentary was funny and entertaining. That's the positive.
The Negatives are that firstly, the Sami Families and Reindeer visit is a very unhappy Reindeer tethered to a pole at the side of a road with a shack in a layby selling souvenirs. We refused to get out for the stop as we did not want to support this cruel exploitation of Reindeers.
Seeing them roam free was far better!
We were told we would have one hour at the cape. This would have been more than enough as there is little there. We were dropped of and the coach left to pick up another group. We were there 2 and a half hours and gort back to our ship 10 mins before boarding ended!
The communication prior to the trip was awful. We received no tickets and I had to phone Viator 3 times to find out if it was still running.
Sue_B, Aug 2025
This tour was disappointing. Inadequate instructions for the meeting point. We booked because the tour group was advertised as a maximum of 35 people, but you guessed it, 60 on the bus. The “tour” of the fishing village was a photo stop only. The visit to the Sami Family farm a stop to buy their souvenirs. The driver, Bernadette was friendly and the recorded commentary was funny. A positive note was that we had 2 hours at the Cape because the bus went back to pick up another tour group before returning us to Honningsvag. Fortunately we had superb weather but realistically there were probably better options for a basic bus trip.
Wendy_P, Aug 2025
This could possibly have been the worst experience I’ve ever had on a tour. I booked this tour through Viator online by speaking to a chat person named Jillian. I was very clear that we wanted a small group tour and asked if she could set that up for us in Honningsvag. She said she would put us on a minivan bus that would hold no more than 15 that we would have a 3 1/2 hour tour that would include meeting a Sami family with stops along the way to the North Cape for photo opportunities. When we showed up at the port to meet our tour, we were told we were on a large bus not a mini bus. That was just the start of the bad day. The large bus couldn’t get their audio guide to work on the way to the Cape and the supposed stop to meet a Sami family was a 5 minute stop for a picture of a poor reindeer tied up next to a shed of a building where an old Sami woman was selling trinkets. We did not meet a Sami family. We got no information about the Sami and there were no other stops to take pictures at points that might’ve been of interest. There were many times on the way up and the way down that we passed herds of reindeer and could’ve had the bus driver stop for a photo op, this did not happen. Our driver was rude and not helpful and mostly in flexible when we try to talk to him about our situation. Upon returned to our ship, we called.Viator to let them know how horrible the tour was and that we wanted a refund. We were denied a refund even after we escalated our claim. Viator did not stand by us as customers and allowed their vendor to misrepresent what the tour actually was. Needless to say.we would not recommend using Viator or North Cape tours. Buyer be ware.
Perry_F, Jul 2025
Viator claimed in a message to us a couple of days before the excursion date that our tour was not operating that day and switched us to a stripped down version of the tour at a different time. However, when the tickets showed up in our basket, the original time was listed on the ticket so we went to the meeting place at the time on the ticket. Shortly after boarding the tour bus, the tour operator kicked us off the bus because we were supposed to be on the later tour as mentioned in the messages but NOT in agreement with the tickets we had received from Viator. During our discussions off the bus with the tour operator, we found out from the tour operator directly that Viator had oversold the upscale tour. The tour operator also said this is frequent problem they have with Viator. The tour was fine but the hassles we had to go through on the ground due to Viator overselling the upscale tour, giving us conflicting information on which tour and time we were supposed to be on, and then having to get off a tour bus we had been allowed to board left a sour taste with respect to Viator.
James_V, Jul 2025
Did not know what time my tour was. I found the tour guide a she was extremely friendly and patient. She felt bad that I did not know my scheduled time which was 3 hours later. The tour guide even sought me out at North Cape and asked I if had seen every thing and asked if I would like to take an earlier shuttle back to the ship.
Walter_L, Jun 2025
Many travelers from same cruise ship interested with this tour. The meeting point was crowded. Fortunately it was quite organized and we were on the bus shortly after. The bus driver was Bernstein. She was also the tour guide on the bus giving us lots of interesting and funny info. We had a blast. We went to see the reindeers first. In fact we saw two at the small shop. Plus we saw a bunch by the road side. Then we went to the North Cape. A bit windy but no rain. Everyone there was in high spirits. On the way back B took us around the town a bit and finally we stopped to go see the northern light show, and returned to the ship. Thoroughly enjoyed the excursion. Would recommend this to anyone.
Catherine_S, Jun 2025
I purchased an excursion to coincide with cruise ship being in port. North Cape Express with Sami family visit. Did not receive vouchers in a timely basis. Kept calling Viator. They would send messages & I would send messages. Kept being assured they were “on their way”. Then about five days before the excursion (already on ship but thankfully checking email) received an email saying my trip was cancelled but offered an alternative. So, with no choices left, I took the alternative (fewer features) trip. But, THEN I started getting vouchers for the ORIGINAL trip! Now I had NO idea what trip I was on or what time. Various vouchers had various times. (8:30, 11:15, 1:00). No clue what time I needed to get off the ship (tender port). So, got off in time for 8:30 to check in just in case. Found out we weren’t scheduled until 1:00! So, 4 hours to hang around town with no shops open yet.
Regarding the actual trip—— massive chaos at the check in point!!! Everyone just crowding. “Don’t worry folks we have room for all of you on multiple busses” — even though only one bus was sitting there!!! And when we got to North Cape— “I’ll pick you up right here—- just look for Natasha in the green jacket”. Ya right!!! Started searching parking lot shortly before pickup time —bus in different place and Natasha had removed her green jacket. So much for identifying feature!!!
I have used Viator numerous times with no problems but this vendor should be removed. DOES. NOT LIVE UP TO VIATOR STANDARDS in any regard. What a mess!!! Now I can’t wait to get home & see what they have done with my credit card!!!
Richard_M, Jun 2025
The North Cape Tours bumped all those who purchased through viatar as they resold all tickets to walk up people. We were canceled from first choice accepted a back up then pushed from an 11:15 to 1pm tour making return too close for our comfort. They were rude and dismissive. They could not say a nice word about viatar, whom we have always had good experiences with. They tour operators admitted that viatar bought tickets and that they resold the tickets. We watched as the first excursion that we were told was canceled left. Then we were rudely told as we were boarding our bus that we were on 1pm even though ticket clearly said 11:15.
While trying to resolve the issue one lady came over and said to ignore us and move on to "full pay" customers.
I do not recommend North Cape Tours!
SteveU, Jun 2025
This was a well planned and thorough excursion. Our driver was the most competent we’ve seen in a while and she had great commentary. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour of the North Cape.
Kathleen_W, Jun 2025
This company handled a messy booking situation with excellence. 4 family members traveling together. Viator canceled one of our bookings. North Cape Tours did everything they could to correct the mistake and assured us we would all travel together. We did and had a great visit to Nordkapp. Tour advisors at the Meeting Point, Bus driver and all were friendly, helpful and made an initial anxious situation pass smoothly. Thank you North Cape Tours, highly recommend this company.
Harley_K, Jun 2025
Wonderful tour to North Cape. Very cold when you get to point. Many reindeer to see on way up and back from ship. Bernadette did a great job
Deon_W, Jun 2025
Meeting instructions were good. Got on one of two coaches for 45 minutes trip to the Cape. Stops for pictures and a very staged look at a Sami man and his reindeer. Just another excuse to sell trinkets?
Beautiful but rugged scenary on the way.
Arrived at the Nordkapp centre, told by driver to be back in one hour, even though documentation promised "minimum of one hour and 20 minutes at the Nordkapp hall". had pictures taken at the very windy North Cape. Went go into the building but the codes on the tickets weren't recognised, tried the main entrance, same there. Had to go to reception to be given working tickets, taking 15 minutes of our hour!
10 minutes in gift shop left us with 25 minutes. Had to decide between a much needed coffee, or the film show. Went downstairs to the film show but found we had to wait 10 minutes for the film to end and restart. When it did, it ran for a few minutes, then paused to allow another load of visitors in.
By the time the 15 minute film ended, we were late. Rushed back to the coach, to be admonished by the driver and other passengers.
One hour is enough if the tickets work, you could see clearly when the film is starting and that the film isn't paused
I paid for 1 hour 20 minutes at the most important part but didn't get it! Not impressed!
Carol_N, Jun 2025
Not an actual guide. Pre recorded. Bus driver spoke about a few things but could not hear him. Only allowed 5 minutes in Sami Village but needed 10 min
Robert_B, Jun 2025
Very disorganized at the start. Lots of people running around looking for the right bus. There was a sign with a 406 meeting point, but were directed to three different spots/busses before we found the right one. The visit to the Sami family was extremely disappointed--consisted of a 5 minute stop to take a picture with one Sami holding the reins of a reindeer.
Rhonda_N, Aug 2024
What a fantastic trip, the bus driver/ guide Natasha was awesome, great commentary, North Cape amazing, and plenty of time to take it all in, Sami so was interesting as was the so at Svarsvag. Would thoroughly recommend this tour
IAN_S, Aug 2024
Excellent trip to the North Cape, very informative and a great visitors centre with plenty to see and do.
Kathy_E, Jul 2024
We could not go on the tour as described as we were never given a departure time. I asked for that but no one ever responded. When we got off ship we were told we had a 2:30 departure returning at 6 pm but we already had a dinner reservation made in August 2023 for the Eden restaurants on Celebrity Apex so while we may have been brought back on time there was no time to shower and change to be at our reservation. We were very disappointed there were only two departure times 1 and 2:30. Why not after the shipped docked?. I will say that the North Cape tours representative that helped us found a departure leaving in a few minutes with space available so we transferred over to that tour although the Sami Village was not included. I find it better to deal directly with the tour operator and not an intermediary like Viator
Ronald_R, Jun 2024
North Cape tours are the most unorganized tour company I have ever used. No communication from them on tour time. At the site where we boarded the bus, it was totally chaotic. Boarding the bus was a push and shove ordeal. After visiting North Cape, no return bus and different times given. Very nerve racking! I feel that they didn’t care about our tour to North Cape. I feel we should be given compensation back for this horrific tour. We were NOT HAPPY with this whole process from start to finish!!
Sue_E, Jun 2024
Advertised as 1hr 20mins at Cape, visit to reindeer farm& Sami family with visit to fishing village. We spent 2hrs 20mins at Cape then pick up was another 30mins. Reindeer ‘farm/family’ was one man, one reindeer and ‘shop’ for 10 minutes and no stop at fishing village. Disappointed!
Andrew_R, Jun 2024
The tour was not at all as advertised.
It was listed as 8a to 3p. It in fact was way shorter, 9a to 12:30p.
The tour essentially was a bus trip with a few brief photo stops.
There was no onboard bus guide, but simply a phone app narration.
The “Sami families” portion was a stop for 10 minutes at a Sami souvenir stand with a woman selling souvenirs and a man standing with a harnessed reindeer.
Very disappointing.
ROBERT_L, Jun 2024
The programed narration was fabulous-one of the best I have ever heard. Enjoyed the visit to Nordpoint. The visit to the Sami hut and "reindeer" was a joke-not worth the price. I was expecting to see more than a stuffed reindeer. These were the same sentiments expressed by a majority of passengers on the bus. If I had known what the Sami stop was about I would have booked a different tour. Very disappointed.
Kimberly_S, Jun 2024
The North Cape part of the trip was good and booking this tour was the best way to get up there. The reindeer part and Sami Families Tour was just so-so. A few reindeer on the side of the road and a short stop to see them at a native place that also sold local homemade souvenirs. The bus was late picking us up at both ends. All total, we were waiting 45 minutes.
That part wasn't great. The commentary on the way up/down, while pre-recorded, was really good. The dry sense of humor of the talker was entertaining.
I do recommend the tour because as mentioned above, good way to get to the North Cape.
Patsornaments, May 2024
On our way up our driver was excellent, great spotting of wildlife for us, and loved the narration. On the way back our driver said nothing and the speaker system was not working and we could not hear the narration in the rear of the bus. Would have liked to have an extra hour at the cape, we were unable to see the video as we had to leave.
Anatoliusz_L, May 2024
Sami Families Tour is just a gift shop.
Had problems with local provider. Couldn't download tickets, called them multiple times nobody picked up the phone. Tourist information staff tried to help. But in the end we were running from bus to bus checking if they had our names on their list. Very stressful.
Stephen_B, May 2024
Really enjoyed the tour. The North Cape was a fantastic place to visit
. The issue was time management by the bus drivers.
The bus up was not in the parking lot at the departure time. We left 17 minutes late. Our driver didn’t announce the return time in fact I didn’t hear him speak. He relied on the automated commentary. It was nicely done, but the volume was low.
The major issue was the return. The meet up time was 2:30. Again the bus was late! We didn’t leave until 3:00 and our onboard time was 4:30. Our driver changed before leaving and was changed again in transit. The trip down included three stops. Just as we approached the bus stop shortly after 4, the driver continued to drive through Honningsvåg. When he stopped by the park by the church, he asked if anyone wants to get out. You can hear everyone say, we need to get back to bus stop. Got back to our stateroom at 4:30
Sheryl_G, May 2024
Loved seeing reindeer as we drove to the North Cape. No one should miss The North Cape if they are in this part of Norway!!
The excursion team seemed a bit disorganized, we wound up having three different bus drivers over the course of the journey. Perhaps just early season ironing out.
All in all, I’d recommend!!
richard_b, Aug 2023
The incredible driver Fred who handled a health emergency with skill and compassion. This was followed by a very knowledgeable guide Benjamin assisted by Fred to make this a rewarding and interesting tour. Do not miss the artists studio.
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