Europalink ferry

MS Europalink is a Ro-Ro passenger ferry operated by the Finland-based company FINNLINES. The ship accommodates up to 925 passengers and 366 cars (or 280 trailers/trucks). Launched in 2007, she currently operates the Sweden-Germany route Malmo-Travemunde (crossing time ~9 hours).

Before September 2023, the ferry was deployed on the Finland-Sweden route Naantali-Kapellskar via Langnas Aland (crossing time 8-9 hours). Port Naantali is approx 15 km (9 mi) west of Turku.

The Malmo-Travemunde service was also operated prior to January 2022.

The vessel (IMO number 9319454) is currently Sweden-flagged (MMSI 266456000) and registered in Stockholm.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Europalink has 207 cabins with a total of 575 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and have en-suite bathrooms. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. All cabins are located on decks 7, 8, and 9, and are available in nine categories (inside and outside). Sizes range from 10 m2 (110 ft2) Interior Cabins to 38 m2 (410 ft2) Suites. For families with children, there are spacious staterooms equipped with a double bed and a bunk bed.

• (2, on deck 8) OS4 Owner Suite (4 passengers, 1 double bed, 2-person/double sofabed, large windows, size 38 m2 / 410 ft2)
• (2, on deck 9) JS4 Junior Suite (4 passengers, 1 double bed, 2-person/double sofabed, large windows, size 32 m2 / 345 ft2)
• (on decks 7-8-9) Outside LUX Cabin (4 passengers, 1 double bed, 1 single bed, 1 bunk bed, size 16-20 m2 / 170-215 ft2)
• (34, on decks 8-9) A4 - Quad Outside (4 passengers, 2 lower single beds, 1 sofabed, 1 bunk bed, size 16 m2 / 170 ft2)
• (2, on deck 9) A3D - Triple Outside (accessible; 2 lower single beds, 1 bunk bed, size 16 m2 / 170 ft2). These staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers).
• (62, on decks 7-9) A2 / A4S - Quad Outside (2-4 passengers, 2 lower single beds, plus 2 bunk beds in A4S, size 10 m2 / 110 ft2)
• (99, on decks 7-8-9) AB3 / AB4 - Quad Inside (3-4 passengers, 2 lower single beds, 1 or 2 bunk beds, size 10 m2 / 110 ft2)
• (on decks 7-8-9) FA2B / MA2B - Shared Outside (2 lower single beds, size 10 m2 / 110 ft2)
• (on decks 7-8-9) FB3B / FB4B / MB3B / MB4B - Shared Inside (2 lower single beds, 1 or 2 upper beds, size 10 m2 / 110 ft2)
• All cabins are fitted with a refrigerator, TV (satellite reception), telephone, electronic safe, hairdryer, trouser press, small writing table with chair, private bathroom (WC/shower), and air-conditioning.
• The ship has a total of four Suites. Suite fares include dining packages, 1 bottle of sparkling wine, 1 box of chocolate-covered marshmallows, minibar beverages, 1 drink coupon per person, and skincare products.
• Deluxe/LUX Cabin fares include 1 bottle of water and 1 bottle of wine (Bottega Gold Prosecco Brut).

The ship also offers reclining seats (airline-type, leather armchairs) located on Deck 12.

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 minutes prior to homeport arrival.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities on Europalink include:

• Buffet (self-service restaurant with hot and cold meals; included in the one-way ferry price). Water and milk are included with all meals. A selection of juices is offered at breakfast and brunch.
• Cafe Bar (next to the buffet restaurant), the ship's patisserie/cafeteria selling sandwiches, cakes, pastries, hot/cold drinks, wine by the glass, beers, and other alcoholic beverages.
• Conference Room (12 seats) that can be booked for private group events (training, lectures, company meetings). Fully equipped with modern presentation audio-visuals, including a wall-mounted large TV and ClickShare Wireless.
• Reserved Seating Lounge on Deck 12 with 61 air seats (Pullman seats/fully reclining leather armchairs).
• Kids Playroom, an indoor playground/soft play area with large windows, games, toys, books, a large TV for cartoons, ball pit, supervised activities, and themed character entertainment (Mrs. Lady, Miss Maid, Mr. Star, "Icebreaker Snow").
• Video Games Room (arcade machines)
• Teen Lounge (graffiti-painted walls, table football)
• Sailor's Shop, a duty-free store selling gifts and souvenirs, alcohol (spirits, wines, beers), tobacco, name-brand perfumes, cosmetics and skincare products, fashion clothing and accessories, leather goods, designer sunglasses, jewelry, toys, confectionery, gadgets and electronics, books, magazines, newspapers, convenience goods, and travel essentials.
• Fitness (Gymstick Gym; open 7 am–10 pm; age limit 15 years) equipped with a treadmill, cross-trainer, rowing machine, exercise bikes, benches, fitness balls, and premium dumbbells.
• Spa (Massage Room, two Sauna Rooms for men and women, one large jacuzzi) located on Deck 11. Massages are available in 30-, 45-, and 60-minute sessions. Both saunas are open throughout the voyage and are included in the ticket price (free of charge).
• Free Wi-Fi (limited coverage on Deck 11)
• ATM/cash machine (next to the Information Desk/Reception on Deck 7)
• Pets’ Exercising Area
• Terrazzo Outer Deck, the ship's Sun Deck served by its own Bar Lounge. The outdoor area is fitted with deckchairs and protected by a windshield that keeps it warmer in windy weather and provides sun protection in summer. Serving as a second Sun Deck is the ship's Heli Deck with a helipad (helicopter landing area used in emergencies).

All lounges are fitted with large TVs.

The ship has no infirmary (doctor's office) and does not provide medical services for passengers. However, there are always crew members trained in first aid.

All emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on the TV screens, and at the ship's assembly (muster) stations. Lifejackets are issued at the assembly stations. In an emergency, the use of elevators/passenger lifts is forbidden.

FINNLINES ferry deals

On the Finland-Sweden route, FINNLINES ticket prices include two buffet meals (Kapellskar-Naantali) and one buffet meal (Kapellskar-Langnas Aland). Ticket sales on the Sweden-Aland route (Langnas-Kapellskar) end 6 hours prior to departure. On the Aland-Finland (Langnas-Naantali) route, ticket sales end 4.5 hours prior to departure.

Duty-free shopping is available only on Sweden-Finland crossings with itineraries that stop at the Aland Islands.

Baltic Sea ferry cruise deals by FINNLINES are offered only on routes between Germany and Finland (Travemunde-Helsinki). FINNLINES cruise deals offer free travel for the third and fourth passengers in a quad cabin with two adults (in one booking). On the Finland-Germany routes, neither recliner seats nor shared cabin beds can be booked for children under 13 years old.

Except on Finland-Sweden routes, meals are not included in the fares. Discounted dining packages can be purchased upon booking. Meals can also be purchased separately onboard. Meal prices include drinks (water, milk, juice, coffee, tea). On Finland-Germany routes, the "Dinner Superior" package includes, in addition to water, milk, juice, coffee, and tea, draught beer, wine by the glass, and selected soft drinks.

Children traveling alone or in a group (without a legal guardian) must present written consent from their parents/legal guardian. Teenagers (14-17 years old) may travel alone but are charged the adult fare. Children under 14 years old must have a named legal guardian responsible for them during the crossing.

Passengers booking longer ferry deals (return, roundtrip, or multi-leg voyages) receive a 20% discount on all crossings following the first trip. The discount requires booking all itinerary legs at the same time. If the first part of the voyage is canceled, the return or multi-leg discount will be removed from the new first section.

Star Club members (the company's "Finnlines Star Club" loyalty program) enjoy the following discounts:

• 3% off all ferry fares (passenger, cabin, vehicle)
• exclusive loyal-customer discounts (received via email) a few times a year
• up to 20% off selected onboard beverages (in the ship's bars and restaurants)
• 5% off onboard shopping (confectionery, perfumes, skincare products, accessories, souvenirs) in the Sailor's Shop
• additional loyal-customer discounts on onboard food, drinks, and shopping

Star Club membership discounts are granted on all campaign fares as well.

Pets on the ship

All FINNLINES ferries allow pets onboard. However, passengers traveling with pets must book a pet cabin, and only on morning and daytime departures. The maximum number of pets per cabin is two. Along with pet cabins, the ship also provides an outdoor walking area and tree stumps.

• All pets must be declared at the time of booking.
• Pets are not allowed in public areas (including bars, restaurants, and saunas).
• Leaving animals in vehicles during the voyage is forbidden.

Pet fares (per animal, one-way) are as follows: Travemunde-Helsinki (EUR 70), Travemunde-Malmo (EUR 20), Kapellskar-Langnas Aland-Naantali (EUR 20).

Car decks

As freight, FINNLINES ships transport semi-trailers, lorries (with or without a driver), cars, motorcycles (only as freight, without a driver), caravans, camper vans (without a driver), cargo containers, mobile machinery, agricultural machines, boats (on cradles), as well as forest and steel industry products.

Private vehicle passenger services (cars, motorcycles, vans, and camper vans with drivers) are offered only on the routes Helsinki-Travemunde, Naantali-Langnas Aland-Kapellskar, and Malmo-Travemunde.

Car-deck safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring assistance should visit the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in Park or first gear. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from your vehicle.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
• Access to vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges, is forbidden.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.

To avoid air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

The ship operator Finnlines (fleet; founded in 1947; headquartered in Helsinki, Finland; part of the Grimaldi Group) provides passenger and Ro-Ro ferry services predominantly in Northern Europe (the Baltic Sea and the North Sea). Finnlines ferries connect Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, the UK, and Spain.