Aurora Botnia ferry

The 2021-built MS Aurora Botnia ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel owned and operated by the Finnish company WASALINE. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,000 passengers, 300 cars, and 100 trucks (or 50 trailers). The vessel (IMO 9878319) is Finland-flagged (MMSI 230040000) and currently serves the Finland-Sweden ferry route Vaasa-Umea (crossing time 3.5-4 hours).

Wasaline's Vaasa-Umea service began on January 3, 2013, with the ship Wasa Express (1981-built, IMO 8000226).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Aurora Botnia has 68 cabins (double and quad occupancy, max 4 passengers), located on two decks. All staterooms are air-conditioned and feature en-suite bathrooms (toilet, washbasin, shower) and smart TVs. The stateroom categories/types are:

• B4-Inside (18 quad cabins)
• A4-Outside (29 quad cabins)
• H2-Handicap (2 double wheelchair-accessible cabins for guests with disabilities)
• P4 (5 quad “pet cabins” for passengers traveling with dogs/cats, with linoleum flooring)

Each cabin is equipped with wall-mounted bunk beds (one doubling as a sofa), a mirrored vanity table (desk with chair and round mirror), an open closet for clothes and luggage, en-suite bathroom (angled sink, wall-mounted toilet, shower cubicle, hairdryer), and keycard access. WASALINE provides complimentary bed linens, towels, toiletries, and WiFi.

The ship also offers Reserved Seating (76 total seats) available for pre-booking. These seats are in two bar lounges: Business Lounge (34 seats on Deck 8) and Comfort Lounge (42 seats on Deck 7). Reserved seating includes beverages (coffee, tea) and newspapers.

All passengers must vacate their cabins 30 minutes prior to homeport arrival. Passenger check-in closes 1 hour before departure.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities on the SILJA MySTAR ship include:

• (Deck 7) Wasaline Shop – a combined boutique and convenience store offering beverages, perfumes, cosmetics, fashion accessories, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, Finnish and Swedish merchandise, gourmet sweets, alcohol (spirits, wines, beers), tobacco, toys, electronics, gifts, and books.
• (Deck 7) Kids Playroom – an indoor playground equipped with games, toys, TVs (for cartoons, kids’ shows, and video games), and a dry slide. Fun activities are supervised by certified youth staff.
• (Deck 7) A La Carte Restaurant – serves 3-course meals and also functions as a Steakhouse and Wine Bar. The seasonal wine list features popular brands from France (including Champagne Palmer, Chateau Maucoil), Italy, Spain, Germany (Garda and Pfalz), and New Zealand.
• (Deck 7) Wasaline Cafe – offers a variety of beverages (including branded coffee), snacks, and quick bites.
• (Deck 7) Information Desk (Reception), ATM/cash machine. A nurse is available via Reception. Small lockers are provided for valuables.
• (Deck 7 forward) Comfort Lounge (42 seats) – furnished with recliner/aircraft-style seats.
• (Deck 8 forward) Business Lounge (34 seats) – equipped with low tables and eco-leather armchairs, served by a dedicated bar.
• (Deck 8 aft) Pet Lounge and Sundeck area; forward is the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse.
• (Deck 9 midship) Heli Deck – a helipad for emergency helicopter landings.

All dining venues are licensed and can accommodate special dietary needs.

Wasaline’s whale mascot “Wenni the Harbour Porpoise” is featured on the Sundeck and in most public areas.

Live music performances by local artists are hosted in the lounges on most crossings.

WiFi is available throughout the ship and is free for all passengers during the voyage.

Emergency instructions are displayed in cabins, on TV screens, and at muster stations. Life jackets are issued at assembly stations. Elevators must not be used during emergencies.

WASALINE deals and pricing

Current packages offered by WASALINE include:

• Ski packages – in partnership with Are Village SkiStar Vacation Club (Finland), and in Sweden (Hemavan: 9 ski lifts, 27 slopes; Tarnaby: 5 ski lifts, 13 slopes).
• Cruise and hotel packages – available from both Umea and Vaasa.

Ferry ticket prices range between EUR 15-154. Children aged 0-5 travel free. Commercial vehicles must be booked as freight. Motorbikes with sidecars are charged as cars (up to 6 m).

• Adults – EUR 36
• Children (ages 6-17) – EUR 15
• Seniors/students – EUR 27
• Pets – EUR 5
• Vehicles (max 6 m length, 2.5 m height) – EUR 55
• Car campers/minivans (max 9 m length) – EUR 110
• Vehicles (max 12 m) – EUR 154
• Vehicles over 12 m – EUR 187
• Motorcycles – EUR 35; Bicycles – EUR 7
• Car packages – from EUR 135 (1 car + 4 passengers)
• Reserved seating – Comfort Lounge: EUR 9; Business Lounge: EUR 14
• Cabins – Outside: EUR 54-55; Inside: EUR 47-48
• Day cruise cabins – Outside: EUR 65; Inside: EUR 58
• Day cruises – Adults: EUR 41; Children: EUR 20 (ages 6-17)
• Day cruise car package – EUR 160 (1 vehicle + 4 passengers)

Group discounts are available for bookings of 20 or more passengers. Students and seniors also receive discounted fares.

The company's loyalty program offers savings of 5% (Silver) and 10% (Gold).

Car decks

Access to the lower garage deck is provided by two ramps: aft (15 m / 50 ft) and forward (6 m / 20 ft). These ramps are used for loading/unloading passenger and cargo vehicles, which are stored on two separate garages (Decks 3 and 5), each with two entry/exit lanes to speed up the flow of traffic.

Vehicle storage capacity:

• Deck 3 – 737 lane meters
• Deck 5 – 770 lane meters

Car deck safety procedures include:

• Passengers needing special assistance should contact the Information Desk (open 24/7).
• Apply the handbrake, leave the vehicle in park or 1st gear, turn off the ignition and all electronics. Shut off any gas cylinders. Lock the vehicle.
• Only bring essential hand baggage and valuables with you.
• Note your vehicle's location and deck/stairway number before leaving.
• Access to vehicle decks is prohibited during the voyage.
• Smoking is not allowed on vehicle decks, in cabins, or lounges.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
• Do not start the engine until instructed, to prevent air pollution.

For technical specifications and service history, see the ship's Wiki section.