On a sunny Saturday afternoon we decided to take a trip out to the islands in the Helsinki Archipelago, and discovered the harbour was very busy indeed. Here are some of the boats that ply their trade from the docks of the market place.
Iha Lines m/s Doris provides 90 minute cruises in the archipelago. She boasts an elegant dining saloon, a bar and a professionally equipped authentic ship kitchen on the first deck, with a summer cabinet and a bar on the middle deck and a huge sun deck on the top.
Aava Lines m/s Mistral
JT Lines m/s Amiraali is a spacious and tidy boat with plenty of seating both inside and on the sun deck. Suitable for cruises of big groups. M/s Amiraali’s interior was renovated in winter 2007-2008, and they can provide cruise catering for 80 passengers.
The Royal Lines tourist cruise takes visitors past many islands, by the beautiful shores of old city districts, famous historical buildings, churches, icebreakers, harbours, villas, saunas and the zoo. Historical Helsinki is available only on Royal Line’s vessels. A traditional archipelago buffet is also available. Extensive and interesting commentary in English.
Iha Lines m/s Hymy is a classic wooden cruiser with a sun deck and an idyllic saloon with sea view. Suitable for cruises within the archipelago area. This vessel is suitable for small cruises, receptions, and corporate events, as well as for island trips to the nearby green islands. The m/s Hymy was renovated in 2013, and offers top-quality catering according to clients’ wishes, with several ready menu options available.
The m/s Suomenlinna II is operated by Helsinki Regional Transport and runs between the Market Square and Suomenlinna at regular intervals all day. Your tram or bus ticket or pass is valid on the ferry.
In addition to the native boats, there were a few foreign vessels visiting Helsinki that day. Silversea’s Millennium Class ship Silver Whisper provides the amenities of a grand resort and the charms of a stylish boutique hotel, with world-class accommodations, shipboard conviviality and warm, individualized service, paired with the enhanced spaces and amenities of a larger ship.
Silver Wind is one of the most spacious and luxurious cruise ships of Silversea Cruises, providing the best and most memorable travel experience.
Insignia is the lead ship of the R class of cruise ships built for Renaissance cruises, and now owned by Oceania Cruises as part of its Regatta Class of ships.
There’s not a lot of room for error when the Gabriella is returning home from Tallinn, the channel between these islands is very narrow!
