Silja Line Overnight from Stockholm to Helsinki?
Aug 25, 2012, 8:25 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 48
Probably too late now but I have found it is MUCH cheaper buying on for example the Swedish Tallink site in the Swedish language than in English. Same goes for Viking Line.
There's also specials on offer which aren't available on the English site. A couple of translations can save you quite a bit. Also, as mentioned, never book a one-way. Always book a cruise as they're cheaper.
There's also specials on offer which aren't available on the English site. A couple of translations can save you quite a bit. Also, as mentioned, never book a one-way. Always book a cruise as they're cheaper.
Aug 27, 2012, 7:27 pm
#18
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Highland PArk,IL,USA -- AA Lifetime Platinum, IHG Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,366
I could really use some help. I just changed my aa award that was ORD-HEL and back over Thanksgiving. I was reading the silja and thought the cruise was two days one way to ARN with a 24 hour stop at an island.
After reading this it seems it is a round trip. Not sure what i am doing and I just change my award ORD-HEL and ARN-ORD. AA was nice enough to do that for me without a change fee.
In my research I was going to do the Commodore with an outside view (hope a window and not a port hole).
I will be with wife and 4 year old.
If anyone can help me understand I would greatly appreciate it. I have no issues using Viking if they have a similar two day trip to ARN not 2 day round trip concept.
After reading this it seems it is a round trip. Not sure what i am doing and I just change my award ORD-HEL and ARN-ORD. AA was nice enough to do that for me without a change fee.
In my research I was going to do the Commodore with an outside view (hope a window and not a port hole).
I will be with wife and 4 year old.
If anyone can help me understand I would greatly appreciate it. I have no issues using Viking if they have a similar two day trip to ARN not 2 day round trip concept.
Aug 28, 2012, 1:42 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 536
Both Silja and Viking ferries between Helsinki and Stockholm do overnight voyages and stay in the port for a day. They make a stop in Marienhamn, Åland in the middle of the night so they can sell tax free in their onboard stores, since Åland is outside the EU tax area, much like the English Channel islands. Most people actually going to Åland use daytime ferries which in Finland leave from Turku and Naantali.
With Helsinki-Stockholm ferries the cruise means that you spend a day in your destination city and take the same ship back in the evening. But the cruise is often much cheaper than one-way ticket, so people often buy a cruise also when travelling just one way. The difference is probably smaller or even other way around with higher class cabins, so chack the prices before booking.
With Helsinki-Stockholm ferries the cruise means that you spend a day in your destination city and take the same ship back in the evening. But the cruise is often much cheaper than one-way ticket, so people often buy a cruise also when travelling just one way. The difference is probably smaller or even other way around with higher class cabins, so chack the prices before booking.
Aug 28, 2012, 7:14 am
#20
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Highland PArk,IL,USA -- AA Lifetime Platinum, IHG Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,366
Both Silja and Viking ferries between Helsinki and Stockholm do overnight voyages and stay in the port for a day. They make a stop in Marienhamn, Åland in the middle of the night so they can sell tax free in their onboard stores, since Åland is outside the EU tax area, much like the English Channel islands. Most people actually going to Åland use daytime ferries which in Finland leave from Turku and Naantali.
With Helsinki-Stockholm ferries the cruise means that you spend a day in your destination city and take the same ship back in the evening. But the cruise is often much cheaper than one-way ticket, so people often buy a cruise also when travelling just one way. The difference is probably smaller or even other way around with higher class cabins, so chack the prices before booking.
With Helsinki-Stockholm ferries the cruise means that you spend a day in your destination city and take the same ship back in the evening. But the cruise is often much cheaper than one-way ticket, so people often buy a cruise also when travelling just one way. The difference is probably smaller or even other way around with higher class cabins, so chack the prices before booking.
It seems there are options to come back, 10K one way award, train or bus (not sure how a train or bus can get between these points
).If a one way cruise gives the experience than I would just stay there.
Aug 28, 2012, 9:50 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 536
Thanks, at first reading this I was disappointed I changed my return from ARN but I want to spend some time there, not just half a day. I can either just get off and not take ride back, do a one-way, or come back and find a way back to ARN. Do you think the cruise is worth a trip back and the trouble of getting back to ARN, in terms of something that is cool?
It seems there are options to come back, 10K one way award, train or bus (not sure how a train or bus can get between these points).
If a one way cruise gives the experience than I would just stay there.
It seems there are options to come back, 10K one way award, train or bus (not sure how a train or bus can get between these points
).If a one way cruise gives the experience than I would just stay there.
Aug 30, 2012, 8:30 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EWR
Posts: 884
The open-jaw return is probably a better option.
The main reason anyone goes on the true cruise is to buy tax-free booze on the way there and put it in one of the fridge-lockers. Then drink it on the way back.
Going back "just" to catch a return flight I would personally say is a waste of time if you aren't there for the party, which if you are with a child, probably isn't the case.
The main reason anyone goes on the true cruise is to buy tax-free booze on the way there and put it in one of the fridge-lockers. Then drink it on the way back.
Going back "just" to catch a return flight I would personally say is a waste of time if you aren't there for the party, which if you are with a child, probably isn't the case.
Aug 31, 2012, 12:08 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
I think you are vastly exaggerating the "booze" factor. A lot of people come with their children, for the entertainment, food etc.
Still, in this case I agree one way is enough to get the experience.
Aug 31, 2012, 7:59 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EWR
Posts: 884
Even so, they take the boat back to get home.. Seeing the same Tina Turner impersonator two nights in a row is pretty excruciating.
Sep 1, 2012, 4:06 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 536
At least among the Finns, the booze-cruising has shifted mostly to Estonia from where there is no import limits and prices are cheaper than in Stockholm-ferries' tax free stores. But naturally many people will take an advantage of the cheaper alcohol prices if they happen to have some other reason to go to Sweden or Finland by boat. But it is now lot quieter than say 20 years ago. And the cheapest cabins and corridors below the car deck are probably still quite a party center.
Nowadays it is quite easy to keep away from the party crowds in those ships if you are not into cuch thing. Of course if you really want to have a drink at the bar at 2am, you probably cannot avoid seeing people who have had one or ten too many. The staff usually does a decent job in keeping some kind of order in quieter areas.
Nowadays it is quite easy to keep away from the party crowds in those ships if you are not into cuch thing. Of course if you really want to have a drink at the bar at 2am, you probably cannot avoid seeing people who have had one or ten too many. The staff usually does a decent job in keeping some kind of order in quieter areas.
Sep 11, 2012, 11:05 am
#26
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Highland PArk,IL,USA -- AA Lifetime Platinum, IHG Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,366
I ended up calling Minnesota TA listed on their website (Viking). For Thurs departure they have an outside room with 4 bunk beds at $170 AI, larger window but pretty high up (so can't see while sitting down). Seemed fair to me, the round trip was more money. No food included, I am taking advise of avoiding the buffet and doing restaurant.
One thing I collect from my travels, this is countries 48 and 49, is a bottle of liquor for the country. Have not done research for liquor that is for each country but is it better to buy Finland and Sweden bottle on this ship or while in country?
Any ideas on cool looking bottles that are made in Finland and Sweden. I still have all the bottles, they never get opened.
One thing I collect from my travels, this is countries 48 and 49, is a bottle of liquor for the country. Have not done research for liquor that is for each country but is it better to buy Finland and Sweden bottle on this ship or while in country?
Any ideas on cool looking bottles that are made in Finland and Sweden. I still have all the bottles, they never get opened.
Nov 18, 2012, 8:01 am
#28
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Highland PArk,IL,USA -- AA Lifetime Platinum, IHG Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,366
I ended up calling Minnesota TA listed on their website (Viking). For Thurs departure they have an outside room with 4 bunk beds at $170 AI, larger window but pretty high up (so can't see while sitting down). Seemed fair to me, the round trip was more money. No food included, I am taking advise of avoiding the buffet and doing restaurant.
One thing I collect from my travels, this is countries 48 and 49, is a bottle of liquor for the country. Have not done research for liquor that is for each country but is it better to buy Finland and Sweden bottle on this ship or while in country?
Any ideas on cool looking bottles that are made in Finland and Sweden. I still have all the bottles, they never get opened.
One thing I collect from my travels, this is countries 48 and 49, is a bottle of liquor for the country. Have not done research for liquor that is for each country but is it better to buy Finland and Sweden bottle on this ship or while in country?
Any ideas on cool looking bottles that are made in Finland and Sweden. I still have all the bottles, they never get opened.
Nov 19, 2012, 6:24 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 536
Taxi is probably easiest. The Cityterminalen terminus of the "airport bus" is not far from Sheratonh though. If the weather is good, I often just walk to Slussen T-bana station and continue from there, but it is about 15 minute walk. You can also catch a local bus to Slussen, but you need to get the ticket in advance and I'm not sure where to get it. Probably from the terminal.
Nov 19, 2012, 10:28 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
The bus nowadays continues to Cityterminalen and the ticket can be bought onboard.
You can also take the local bus but that involves a short walk.