On our grand tour of Northern Europe, we took the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn. This was on the Eckerio Line and the ship we took was M/S Finlandia. The ferry travels to Tallinn in Estonia four times a day, and returns to Finland four times. The journey is two hours.

Tickets cost us €22 each, but we decided to splash out and get a cabin for €44. Initially, the idea was that it would just be a place to store our bags whilst we enjoyed the ship, but it was so much better than that.

Office Cabin

Our cabin was on the seventh deck, and had a window. It was a very large porthole of around 1m, and gave us great views. Unfortunately, for most of the trip, there was no view, but it was good to have!

Our cabin on the M/S Finlandia actually had three beds, and also an office desk. The beds were made, with sheets and towels, but folded away.

Once we had dropped our bags in the cabin, and utilised the private bathroom (but not the shower), we decided to explore the ship.

M/S Finlandia

The ship has three levels for cars, two levels of cabins, a level for shops, restaurants and bars, and then sun deck.

Our cabin was actually located next to the “Captain’s Lounge”, but we decided to look around.

There was a bar that was split over two levels of the front of the ship, with a dance floor and stage, and stadium seating. This was serviced by a bar at the top. Many people were hanging out here for the short 2 hour journey.

We explored further and found that there were people everywhere. People were trying to find somewhere to sit and hang out, and for those not luck enough to find a seat, they were sitting or standing in landings and corridors.

Dining options

Some people had taken seat at bars, and some in the restaurants. There were several options for dining, mostly buffet or select your own dishes style.

Around the ship, there were a few luggage lockers – only big enough for small hand luggage! As we had seven weeks of luggage, we were so very pleased that we had a cabin!

The voyage

Once we left port in Helsinki – 15 minutes late because they were ‘waiting for some passengers’, we were in the Baltic Sea quickly. The voyage was mostly flat and level, and only a few thumps as the large ship smashed through some waves.

We passed the time with a seating at the all-you-can-eat buffet with breakfast, and then before we knew it, the journey was over!

Announcements were made, and then there was a flow of people off the ship to our destination port of Tallinn in Estonia. Our next adventure awaited us!