Silja Symphony Review - a Memorable Cruise Experience
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In late November, we wanted to visit Stockholm for one day. We hopped onboard Tallink's m/s Silja Symphony, a large ferry between Helsinki and Stockholm. Despite its strict schedule, the ferry offered us an experience akin to a leisurely cruise ship. To get insight into the ferry's interior and services, read our cruise's story and learn how we reviewed the ferry.
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Cruise to Stockholm Onboard M/S Silja Symphony
In late November, we decided to take another day cruise to Stockholm. We planned to spend our remaining Amex restaurant credits in the Oxenstiernan restaurant in Stockholm and, after that, to visit Stockholm's Christmas Markets. We had a discount coupon for Tallink Silja, so we chose to board Tallink's m/s Silja Symphony, a sister ferry to Silja Serenade which we had previously experienced. In this article, we detail our trip and review the ferry.
Day in Stockholm Cruise
A day cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm is a convenient and cost-effective way to visit Stockholm. The ferry arrives in Stockholm at 10 am and departs back to Helsinki at 5 pm, providing 6 hours of efficient time to explore the Swedish capital.
Information about Silja Symphony
M/S Silja Symphony is a big Finnish-built ferry that transports passengers and cargo between Helsinki and Stockholm. It was built in 1990 in Turku, Finland and the ferry is operated by Tallink. The ferry has almost 1,000 cabins and can carry 2,900 passengers in addition to cars and trucks. It is one of the biggest ferries sailing in the Baltic Sea, and it feels like a cruise ship.
Our Cruise Experience
Last year, we had a day in Stockholm cruise onboard m/s Silja Serenade. To complete our ferry review articles, we booked our trip to Serenade on m/s Silja Symphony, a sister ferry. Below, we review the services the ferry provided us.
Booking
Booking the trip on Tallink's website was straightforward. It functioned effectively and emailed the ticket immediately after the payment. However, it may not always offer the most affordable rates. Due to our discount coupon, booking through the official channel was the best option for us this time.
Given the numerous ferries between Finland and Sweden, we advice to compare prices. Ferryscanner is a practical tool for this, frequently finding the most affordable fares. Typically, weekdays outside the main season are the least expensive days to travel between Helsinki and Stockholm. Departing on Friday is usually the most expensive choice.
Departure from Helsinki
Silja Symphony departs from the Olympia Terminal in the South Harbour of Helsinki. It is accessible by tram and is just 10 minutes from the Helsinki Central Railway Station. Alternatively, if the weather is favourable and you have minimal luggage, walking is also viable, especially in the summer.
Upon our arrival at the terminal, we checked in using a self-service machine. The kiosk issued our boarding passes, and we were ready to board the ferry immediately. Boarding took approximately 15 minutes due to more passengers than usual.
Boarding the ferry was a pleasant experience, even though the terminal is old and small.
Exploring the Ferry
Soon, we were inside the ferry, and the first task was to find our cabin. We had booked a small Class A cabin with an outside window, bathroom and two beds. Classes B and C are similar but do not have windows, and Class C is located at the bottom of the ferry. There is also Promenade Class, which has a window to the ferry's central Promenade.
The lock of our cabin's door was broken. We immediately called the ship's reception by the phone in the cabin, and a friendly service man came in 10 minutes and fixed the lock. After that, we were ready to explore the ferry.
Since the ferry is quite old, now and then, there are minor things that need some repair.
Dinner at Fastlane
We were already hungry, so we began our ferry exploration by having a meal. On this occasion, we opted not to avail of the full-inclusive buffet and instead visited the ferry's self-service restaurant known as Fast Lane. We ordered burger meals with drinks, and within 5 minutes, our delicious meals were ready to be picked up. A meal cost about 25 euros/person.
The Fast Lane restaurant, like most of the ferry's amenities, was situated on the Promenade, which is a lengthy and tall corridor running through the ferry. This practical design contributes to a spacious and expansive feel aboard the ferry. We are surprised that the newer ferries departing from Helsinki are not following the same design.
Tall Promenade with glass roof makes the ferry bright.
Shopping at Tax-Free
After the meal, we felt it was a perfect moment to explore the ferry's duty-free store. It was Black Friday, resulting in a busier store than usual. Various sales were ongoing, and it seemed that everyone had the same idea of indulging in some shopping. The tax-free store was uncomfortably crowded, and we did not want to spend too much time there. Normally, people buy souvenirs, sweets, spirits, cigarettes and local products from the store.
Given that our primary intention was to visit Stockholm and not to shop extensively, we refrained from making excessive purchases. Instead, we bought some Christmas chocolates, snacks, and drinks to enjoy during our journey.
On the inbound journey, it was much more peaceful in the tax-free store.
Show at Starlight Club
Starlight, the nightclub of the Silja Symphony, features bars, a stage, and a casino. While the ferry offers free entertainment, there is a cost for drinks. We enjoyed an hour at the nightclub, tasting beer and Finnish lonkero while watching a cover band performing evergreen hits. Starlight is where the main entertainment of the ferry happens and is also a place for dancing. The club is at the ferry's bow, offering a nice view outside.
We wanted to feel fresh the next morning and decided not to stay awake too long. That is why we headed to sleep in our cabin early.
Breakfast Buffet at Grande Buffet
We start our day in the morning with a hearty maritime breakfast at the Grande Buffet restaurant. The buffet was situated below the Promenade, and the selection was extensive. Regrettably, it was also crowded, but numerous unoccupied seats and tables were still available.
As usual on the Finnish ferries, the buffet offered a wide assortment of cold and hot dishes suitable for breakfast, including coffee, tea, and other hot beverages. Unfortunately, there were long queues, and the restaurant's layout was not practically designed for many customers. A little patience was needed, but we got a stomach-filling breakfast.
Time in Stockholm
After breakfast, it was time to exit the ferry and explore Stockholm. Silja Symphony arrived at 10 am at Värtahamnen Terminal in Stockholm, so we took a metro from Gärdet station to the centre. It is also possible to walk to the centre in one hour if the weather is good enough.
On this occasion, we visited Stokcohlm's Old Town to experience its Christmas Market and then proceeded to another Christmas Market at Skansen. Following these outdoor activities, we enjoyed a delicious lunch, but time quickly passed, prompting us to return to the ferry to begin the inbound journey.
Other Services on the Ferry
There were numerous other amenities aboard the Silja Symphony that we didn't have the chance to experience this time. The Promenade boasts several high-quality restaurants and bars. At the ferry's top is a disco called New York Club & Lounge, where you can enjoy karaoke when the night is still young and party later. For those seeking relaxation, a visit to the ferry's spa is a recommended option. Spending time on the outer decks is a delightful choice in the summer, but during the winter, people primarily go outside for smoking.
The big selection of the services is why many people come to this ferry just for relaxing. They do not even exit the ferry at Stockholm but enjoy its amenities. A day in Stockholm cruise is an inexpensive way to unwind even though you can easily spend hundreds of euros on the ferry if you avail of all the services you like.
Rating
We rate m/s Silja Symphony as a 4-star ferry, similar to our rating of m/s Silja Serenade. These ferries are nearly identical and provide the same level of service. Despite their age, they have been renovated multiple times and are still in good condition. They offer greater comfort compared even to newer ferries. Travelling aboard m/s Silja Symphony was a delightful experience, and we can recommend it to everyone.
Which Is the Best Ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm?
Four ferries sail between Helsinki and Stockholm. Tallink operates m/s Silja Symphony and m/s Silja Serenade, and the ferries are identical. m/s Viking Gabriella and m/s Viking Cinderella are operated by Viking Line and have different designs. Despite being of similar age, the ferries offer distinct experiences.
We appreciate Tallink's Stockholm ferries' pleasant design, featuring the tall Promenade through the ship. This design creates a lively atmosphere akin to a large shopping mall and a combined hotel. Conversely, m/s Viking Gabriella is smaller and more traditional, a quality many, including ourselves, appreciate. The different concepts make it challenging to compare the ferries. M/S Viking Cinderella is a new addition to the route, and although it is also old, we have heard many positive reviews about it.
If we were to select the best ferry between Helsinki and Stockholm, we might lean towards m/s Silja Symphony. However, the competition is tough.
Common Questions
- What are the differences between m/s Silja Symphony and m/s Silja Serenade?
- There are not any real differences because they are sister ferries.
- Who operates m/s Silja Symphony?
- An Estonian company, Tallink, operates the ferry.
- How much does a ticket to m/s Silja Symphony cost?
- A ticket from Helsinki to Stockholm and back costs 20 to 200 euros per person, depending on the travel class and day.
- Where to book a ticket to m/s Silja Symphony?
- We recommend comparing prices on Ferryscanner.
- Is m/s Silja Symhony a modern ferry?
- The ferry looks modern even though it is more than 30 years old. It has been renovated multiple times.
- Is there a restaurant onboard?
- Sure, there are many of them. Also, there are nightclubs, discos, spas, casinos, and much more.
- Why to sail on m/s Silja Symphony?
- M/S Silja Symphony is one of the biggest ferries on the Baltic Sea and provides high-quality services.
Bottom Line
We knew what to expect when we boarded m/s Silja Symphony. The ferry fulfilled our expectations, and we had only a little to complain. The broken door lock was unfortunate, and the passengers in the cabin next to us were noisy. Luckily, all the services provided by the ferry worked well, and the crew was friendly.
The weather was good, and the winds were calm. Sometimes, the Baltic Sea is surprisingly stormy. Even though the ferries can operate in rough weather, the sail may become uncomfortable. If you become seasick easily, the shorter route from Turku to Stockholm may be better.
Have you sailed onboard m/s Silja Symphony. Was your experience pleasant? Comment below.
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