Finlandia Review - Relaxed Sailing between Capitals
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Our trip took us from Tallinn to Helsinki on Eckerö Line's m/s Finlandia. While it may not be the most modern ferry on the waves, Finlandia still provides a comfortable and up-to-date experience. This review dives into our experience on the ferry, including the highlights and any downsides we encountered. Keep reading and find out what impressed us aboard the m/s Finlandia.
Covered in the Article
M/s Finlandia - A Ferry of Eckerö Line
M/s Finlandia is a ferry built in 2000 in South Korea. Eckerö Line bought the ferry in 2012 and since then, the ferry has been sailing between Helsinki and Tallinn. Finlandia can accommodate 2,080 passengers and 610 cars. It sails 3 times a day from the Finnish capital, Helsinki, to Tallinn.
Eckerö Line has another ferry called m/s Finbo which sails also between Helsinki and Tallinn. This ferry is mainly for cargo but it can take passengers too. We recommend Finbo for people travelling with a car between Helsinki and Tallinn who want to avoid city centres.
Finnish Ferry Operator from the Åland Islands
Eckerö Line is a ferry operator from the Åland Islands. The company was founded in 1995 and has operated a few ferries. Currently, Eckerö Line has only the previously mentioned two ferries.
Our Sail from Tallinn to Helsinki
In April, we had a day-in Tallinn cruise. We sailed to Tallinn onboard m/s Viking XPRS and came back with m/s Finlandia in the evening.
Eckerö Line uses the same port in Tallinn as the Viking Line, making this arrangement practical. Their Terminal A in Tallinn is only a 10-minute walk from the centre so the location is optimal.
After 6 hours in Tallinn, we had to arrive back at the terminal 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. We had made the check-in online with Eckerö Lines's well-working app so we could board the ferry immediately with the QR code. It was interesting to notice that the ferry's doors were closed almost immediately after our boarding, so arriving at the latest 30 minutes before the departure is important.
During our cruise, the sea was quite calm which made the trip smooth. Big waves on the Gulf of Finland are not uncommon so on windy days, prepare for a rolling ferry. The journey took 2 hours and 30 minutes. The fastest ferries cross the gulf in 2 hours.
In Helsinki, Finlandia arrived at the West Harbour which has a new modern ferry terminal. Tallink's Megastar and MyStar ferries use the same terminal in Helsinki. It takes only 10 minutes to reach the centre of Helsinki from the West Harbour by tram.
Our Thoughts of m/s Finland
First Impression
It was not the first time onboard Finlandia so we knew what to expect. However, we were a little surprised that the ferry looked more worn and outdated than before. The reason may be that the ferry is getting old and its frequent use has left wear and tear. Even though the other ferry companies have more modern ferries, it was still a pleasure to sail onboard Finlandia.
Especially, older people love travelling on m/s Finlandia.
Restaurants, Pubs and Cafes
Finlandia has many cafes, a few restaurants and a delicious buffet.
Since we had eaten in Tallinn, we skipped the buffet which is travellers's favourite. Eckerö Line, like the other cruise companies, offers a full-inclusive restaurant called Buffet Eckerö with cold and warm food and desserts. In addition to versatile Finnish-style food, drinks are complimentary including wine and beer. The buffet is a good choice if you are feeling hungry and want to taste Finnish food with fish. The buffet is located on deck 8 and its price currently is about 34 euros. The luckiest will get a window seat to enjoy the sea view.
Those who wish to order food from a list, we recommend Bistro&Cafe Satama on deck 8. You can enjoy small snacks like hamburgers or order simple warm food from a few options.
There are multiple bars and pubs onboard. Bar Laituri on Deck 9 is an open-air bar serving mainly drinks. Naturally, it is only open when the weather is suitable. Bar Nosturi on decks 7 and 8 is the biggest bar in Finlandia. It serves drinks, coffee and snacks in a relaxed environment. It is also the place where the ship's entertainment happens. Pub Telakka, Bar Naissaar and Bar Paja on deck 8 are other options to enjoy drinks and snacks.
We were surprised that there was no traditional a la carte restaurant onboard but so many pubs and bars.
Tax-Free Store
Eckerö Line's tax-free store is called Eckerö Market & Parfymeria. The store is located on deck 6. We visited the market and bought some candies and drinks. The selection was usual: sweets, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, simple food and souvenirs. Compared to Tallink, the store offered fewer clothing options.
The stores in Helsinki - Tallinn ferries are one of the main reasons why people have day cruises. In addition to enjoying the ferry services, passengers can buy cheaper products than in Finland. This is especially true if you are looking for alcoholic products.
The market was moderately priced but the staff were not the friendliest. For example, when we were paying at the cashier, the crew were talking to each other and not making contact with us.
Cabins
The cabins are located on decks 6 and 5. Since the majority of people sail in the daytime, they seldom book a cabin. A cabin is not automatically included in the ticket price but you have to pay extra for it. Finlandia does not do overnight cruises so the demand for cabins is low.
If you wish to relax on your way to Tallinn or you are having a 6-hour mini cruise, booking a cabin can be a nice extra. The cabins are simple featuring beds and a private bathroom. Some of them have outside windows.
How to Book a Ferry Ticket
Browsing between the offerings of various ferry operators on a single route can be a daunting task. Our suggestion is to use Ferryscanner for an overview of different fares available via one quick search. Remember to follow these crucial steps when booking:
- Search ferries for your intended route.
- Select the desired ferry service. Fill and double-check all booking information.
- Understand the terms for cancellation.
- Add any additional services you may require. The same service may cost more later.
- Finalize your booking using a payment card.
Head to Ferryscanner and book your sail.
Entertainment
Finns have often a mini-cruise to Tallinn meaning that they sail to Tallinn and immediately back. The idea is only to enjoy the ship's service like eating, having drinks and doing shopping. This is the reason why ferry companies arrange entertainment onboard. The entertainment happens usually in Bar Nosturi, but during our cruise, nothing was happening there. It seems Eckerö Lines has reduced costs and there is entertainment only on weekends on public holidays.
Typical entertainment includes shows, singers and bands.
Other Services
M/s Finlandia does not have a sauna, spa or services tailored to children. Compared to other ferries on the same route, m/s Finlandia offers fewer options on how to spend time onboard.
Finland has a lounge that costs about 30 euros/way. The concept is similar to airport lounges: the entrance fee includes a peaceful atmosphere and complimentary snacks and drinks.
In addition to the ship's lounge, business passengers can book a conference room on the ferry.
Outer Decks
During our sail, it was possible to access the outer decks even though parts of them were closed. This is something that you want to do only in summertime when the weather is nice. For example, during our spring trip, it was not so warm yet and Bar Laituri on deck 9 was not open. It was also windy outside, so we did not want to spend much time there. On a summer day, it is a pleasure to breathe fresh sea air on the outer decks.
Rating
We rate m/s Finlandia as a 3-star ferry between Helsinki and Tallinn. The ferry is a little old but still modern enough and offers versatile services. The price level is affordable and on average the staff are friendly. However, the ferry can't beat the competitors' more modern ferries on the same route. We would say that Finlandia is a good choice if you want to have a relaxed little slower cruise and you are not looking for the newest ferry. In contrast, the price level is cheaper.
Where to Book Tickets?
There are two ways to book a ticket to m/s Finland: You can visit Eckerö Line's website or compare tickets on Ferryscanner which practically shows also competitor prices making price the comparison easier.
Bottom Line
Our sail back from Tallinn onboard m/s Finlandia was a pleasant experience. We knew what to expect so the ferry fulfilled our expectations. Still, we would say that our outbound journey on m/s Viking XPRS was more comfortable.
Finlandia is an excellent choice for those who want to have a slow cruise with simple service. The service onboard is mainly targeted at people who like eating and drinking. It is also possible to do simple shopping. In the summertime, spending time outside is pleasant too.
Have you sailed on m/s Finlandia? What did you like about the ferry? Comment below!
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