Silja Line Overnight from Stockholm to Helsinki?
Jun 8, 2014, 6:09 pm
#46
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT (2MM+); Steerage in most other airline programs; SPG GLD; heckuva guy
Posts: 520
Looking for a little advice on booking Viking vs Silja for this summer. Historically, Silja was the nicer option, but from what I've read lately, that is no longer the case. Still true? Is Viking better? If I am able to get a good deal on a Luxury cabin with balcony on Viking's Gabriella (2 passengers for a total of 2800 SEK/310 EUR one-way), should I take it?
Couple questions:
1. I'm in the US. Can a non-scandinavian resident join the Viking Club? I have a friend in Sweden, so I have a Swedish mailing address if need be, but I don't have a Swedish residency number.
2. I have seen that round trip "cruises" on Silja are definitely cheaper than one-ways, but that doesn't seem to be the case with Viking currently. I created a dummy Viking Club membership, and the price on the one-way Luxury cabin with balcony was definitely cheaper, but the roundtrip "cruise" Luxury cabin with balcony was not.
Any one aware of any discount codes or deals for either Silja or Viking?
Thanks!
Couple questions:
1. I'm in the US. Can a non-scandinavian resident join the Viking Club? I have a friend in Sweden, so I have a Swedish mailing address if need be, but I don't have a Swedish residency number.
2. I have seen that round trip "cruises" on Silja are definitely cheaper than one-ways, but that doesn't seem to be the case with Viking currently. I created a dummy Viking Club membership, and the price on the one-way Luxury cabin with balcony was definitely cheaper, but the roundtrip "cruise" Luxury cabin with balcony was not.
Any one aware of any discount codes or deals for either Silja or Viking?
Thanks!
Aug 9, 2014, 7:37 am
#47
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Netherlands
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 288
As I am planning to do a weekend trip from Stockholm to Aland in the first weekend of September, I hope I can get some updated info on the "cruise trick".
I am looking to do an overnight Stockholm-Mariehamn trip on the friday, as part of a cruise, stay a night in Aland followed by a single ticket back on Sunday morning.
- Is it still possible to use only half of a cruise ticket, especially if you are supposed to return on the same ship or have such a short connection (I've seen 15-20 minutes boat changes listed) that they may escort you from one ship to the other?
- Could I get off at Aland on a Sthm-Helsinki cruise that stops in Mariehamn, effectively using only a quarter of the trip?
- Also, is any system in place that registers cruise no-shows and/or cancels a separate return ticket when I have not used the whole cruise ticket?
Thanks for any updated insights!
I am looking to do an overnight Stockholm-Mariehamn trip on the friday, as part of a cruise, stay a night in Aland followed by a single ticket back on Sunday morning.
- Is it still possible to use only half of a cruise ticket, especially if you are supposed to return on the same ship or have such a short connection (I've seen 15-20 minutes boat changes listed) that they may escort you from one ship to the other?
- Could I get off at Aland on a Sthm-Helsinki cruise that stops in Mariehamn, effectively using only a quarter of the trip?
- Also, is any system in place that registers cruise no-shows and/or cancels a separate return ticket when I have not used the whole cruise ticket?
Thanks for any updated insights!
Aug 9, 2014, 8:06 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
Ok, let me try to answer in bold below.
Just to be clear: the portion Stockholm-Mariehamn is not an overnight as if you take one of the night ferries to Finland, you will arrive in Mariehamn at about midnight.
As I am planning to do a weekend trip from Stockholm to Aland in the first weekend of September, I hope I can get some updated info on the "cruise trick".
I am looking to do an overnight Stockholm-Mariehamn trip on the friday, as part of a cruise, stay a night in Aland followed by a single ticket back on Sunday morning.
- Is it still possible to use only half of a cruise ticket, especially if you are supposed to return on the same ship or have such a short connection (I've seen 15-20 minutes boat changes listed) that they may escort you from one ship to the other?
Yes, although regular o/w trips between Stockholm and Mariehamn without a cabin are very cheap anyway and on this shortish trip you don't need a cabin.
- Could I get off at Aland on a Sthm-Helsinki cruise that stops in Mariehamn, effectively using only a quarter of the trip?
Yes, although this would probably be the most expensive option - see answer above.
- Also, is any system in place that registers cruise no-shows and/or cancels a separate return ticket when I have not used the whole cruise ticket?
No.
Thanks for any updated insights!
I am looking to do an overnight Stockholm-Mariehamn trip on the friday, as part of a cruise, stay a night in Aland followed by a single ticket back on Sunday morning.
- Is it still possible to use only half of a cruise ticket, especially if you are supposed to return on the same ship or have such a short connection (I've seen 15-20 minutes boat changes listed) that they may escort you from one ship to the other?
Yes, although regular o/w trips between Stockholm and Mariehamn without a cabin are very cheap anyway and on this shortish trip you don't need a cabin.
- Could I get off at Aland on a Sthm-Helsinki cruise that stops in Mariehamn, effectively using only a quarter of the trip?
Yes, although this would probably be the most expensive option - see answer above.
- Also, is any system in place that registers cruise no-shows and/or cancels a separate return ticket when I have not used the whole cruise ticket?
No.
Thanks for any updated insights!
Aug 9, 2014, 8:53 am
#49
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Netherlands
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 288
Hello tsastor,
Thank you for your quick reply, much appreciated and glad to read that one can "escape" from the ship at any time convenient to ones' schedule and wallet. Great!
The options for me are:
The 16:30-23:40 STO-MH ferry is only available at SEK 380 if booked loose, not in cruise. Still quite steep considering the return single ticket is onyl SEK 100.
With regards to overnight travelling: Viking is offering a sailing with a 18:00 departure from Stockholm, arriving in Mariehamn 7:30 the next day (Viking Cinderella). This can be booked as part of a cheap cruise including cabin and would save me a hotel night. It surprised me, but it's offered so must be available. This option costs SEK 250 as part of a cruise, but SEK 860 (!) if booked separately!
So, mosty likely will go with the overnight cruise out and single ticket back...
Thanks again!
Thank you for your quick reply, much appreciated and glad to read that one can "escape" from the ship at any time convenient to ones' schedule and wallet. Great!
The options for me are:
The 16:30-23:40 STO-MH ferry is only available at SEK 380 if booked loose, not in cruise. Still quite steep considering the return single ticket is onyl SEK 100.
With regards to overnight travelling: Viking is offering a sailing with a 18:00 departure from Stockholm, arriving in Mariehamn 7:30 the next day (Viking Cinderella). This can be booked as part of a cheap cruise including cabin and would save me a hotel night. It surprised me, but it's offered so must be available. This option costs SEK 250 as part of a cruise, but SEK 860 (!) if booked separately!
So, mosty likely will go with the overnight cruise out and single ticket back...
Thanks again!
Aug 9, 2014, 9:58 am
#50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
Hello tsastor,
Thank you for your quick reply, much appreciated and glad to read that one can "escape" from the ship at any time convenient to ones' schedule and wallet. Great!
The options for me are:
The 16:30-23:40 STO-MH ferry is only available at SEK 380 if booked loose, not in cruise. Still quite steep considering the return single ticket is onyl SEK 100.
With regards to overnight travelling: Viking is offering a sailing with a 18:00 departure from Stockholm, arriving in Mariehamn 7:30 the next day (Viking Cinderella). This can be booked as part of a cheap cruise including cabin and would save me a hotel night. It surprised me, but it's offered so must be available. This option costs SEK 250 as part of a cruise, but SEK 860 (!) if booked separately!
So, mosty likely will go with the overnight cruise out and single ticket back...
Thanks again!
Thank you for your quick reply, much appreciated and glad to read that one can "escape" from the ship at any time convenient to ones' schedule and wallet. Great!
The options for me are:
The 16:30-23:40 STO-MH ferry is only available at SEK 380 if booked loose, not in cruise. Still quite steep considering the return single ticket is onyl SEK 100.
With regards to overnight travelling: Viking is offering a sailing with a 18:00 departure from Stockholm, arriving in Mariehamn 7:30 the next day (Viking Cinderella). This can be booked as part of a cheap cruise including cabin and would save me a hotel night. It surprised me, but it's offered so must be available. This option costs SEK 250 as part of a cruise, but SEK 860 (!) if booked separately!
So, mosty likely will go with the overnight cruise out and single ticket back...
Thanks again!
Did some similar things this summer for SEK 0, but that involved my own boat
Aug 15, 2014, 12:32 pm
#51
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: AA EXP, Starwoods Gold, Delta Silver
Posts: 12
Hi!
Not sure if I'm trying to get the same experience as most of the people in this thread, but all of the information has been super helpful. Have a few questions related to these cruises that I'm hoping someone can help with.
A friend and I are looking for more of the "party-cruise" experience. We are tentatively planning on traveling overnight (one-way) from Helsinki to Stockholm on Thursday, September 4th. From what I've gathered so far, we would probably want to book Viking and maybe one of the lower-cost cabins to be around more of the twenty-something drinking crowd.
My question is mainly: given the time of year (early September), the night (Thursday), and the route (Helsinki > Stockholm), would we encounter a younger crowd with a decent party atmosphere? I've read that younger adults will be back in school/work by that time of year, so I'm a little concerned that we're not going on a Friday or Saturday night. Would Thursday night still be a good time.
Would love to hear anyone's thoughts on the matter. Thanks in advance!
Not sure if I'm trying to get the same experience as most of the people in this thread, but all of the information has been super helpful. Have a few questions related to these cruises that I'm hoping someone can help with.
A friend and I are looking for more of the "party-cruise" experience. We are tentatively planning on traveling overnight (one-way) from Helsinki to Stockholm on Thursday, September 4th. From what I've gathered so far, we would probably want to book Viking and maybe one of the lower-cost cabins to be around more of the twenty-something drinking crowd.
My question is mainly: given the time of year (early September), the night (Thursday), and the route (Helsinki > Stockholm), would we encounter a younger crowd with a decent party atmosphere? I've read that younger adults will be back in school/work by that time of year, so I'm a little concerned that we're not going on a Friday or Saturday night. Would Thursday night still be a good time.
Would love to hear anyone's thoughts on the matter. Thanks in advance!
Jan 30, 2019, 3:53 pm
#52
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,021
I am looking at traveling Stockholm-Tallinn or Helsinki as a solo traveler on either Viking or Tallink Silja. If I book for just me, will I get the entire room to myself or is it possible they will put other passengers in with me? I am getting conflicting info.
Jan 31, 2019, 4:10 am
#53
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: *G, used to be with TK but left due to their corruption and political ties
Posts: 4,406
On the ferry companies' homepages it is very clear if you're booking a cabin or a shared cabin - it says so in the cabin name. So unless you're booking shared/berth then you're getting a full cabin. On the Stockholm-Helsinki route Silja's cabins are bigger and the ship is nicer but I generally find Viking to have better food and friendlier staff.
Jan 31, 2019, 5:44 am
#54
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,016
On Silja Line, if you book "B-class, male place from shared 4 person cabin" with a price per person then they will put other passengers in the same cabin. If it says "B-class" with a price per cabin, then you will get the whole cabin for yourself.
Feb 1, 2019, 2:16 am
#55
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
I don't think Viking Line does direct Stockholm-Tallinn.
Feb 1, 2019, 6:17 am
#56
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,016
Feb 3, 2019, 8:29 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: *G, used to be with TK but left due to their corruption and political ties
Posts: 4,406
Are you absolutely sure there is a Vikingline ferry going Stockholm-Mariehamn-Helsinki-Tallinn? I highly doubt it. Do you have a link for more info?
Feb 3, 2019, 9:59 am
#58
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Basically while they would otherwise be "parked" in Helsinki from 0915-1800, they spend the time going to Tallinn and back.
Feb 4, 2019, 2:04 pm
#59
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,016
Go to vikingline.se, select cruise (kryssning) from Stockholm on the 25th of July. You will now be presented with a list of all available cruise offers on that date, one of them being a trip to Tallinn. Same as the price for going to Helsinki but with the difference that you will stay on the ferry from leaving Stockholm until returning to Stockholm.
Feb 5, 2019, 2:13 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: *G, used to be with TK but left due to their corruption and political ties
Posts: 4,406
Go to vikingline.se, select cruise (kryssning) from Stockholm on the 25th of July. You will now be presented with a list of all available cruise offers on that date, one of them being a trip to Tallinn. Same as the price for going to Helsinki but with the difference that you will stay on the ferry from leaving Stockholm until returning to Stockholm.