Finlandia ferry

MS Finlandia ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel owned and operated by the Finnish company ECKERO LINE. The ship has a max capacity of 2080 passengers and 665 cars (or 115 trucks/trailers). The vessel was launched in 2001 and currently operates on the Finland-Estonia Island ferry route Helsinki-Tallinn (crossing time 2 hours 15 min).

Cabins

As cruise ferry, Finlandia has a total of 200 cabins with 1190 berths (beds). All passenger cabins are located on decks 6-7, air-conditioned and with en-suite bathrooms (washbasin, WC, shower). All staterooms are located forward and above the garages (car decks). Staterooms are available in 2-, 3- or 4-bed categories (inside and outside). The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Standard cabin amenities include single beds (twins and bunk beds), wardrobe, writing table with chair, alarm clock radio, flat TV (satellite reception).

"Pet Cabins" are floored with linoleum. Valid health cards for pets are required. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers).

The ship additionally has 400 reclining seats (fully-reclining Pullman armchairs/air type seats) available in two Reserved Seating Lounges, both with large TVs and bar service (snacks, fresh fruits, beverages - coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, wine).

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

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Finlandia ship offers:

• Dining options include Self-Service Restaurant EckeroBuffet (600-seat buffet-style restaurant, also offering early breakfast) and 2-deck Cafeteria (self-service Snack Bar/patisserie/coffee shop/drinks). Onboard food is prepared with locally-sourced products. Buffet restaurant's menu always has several freshly cooked dishes (cold and hot) and desserts. Buffet dining is a package deal that includes meals and beverages-soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea, water, domestic beers, house wines (white and red). The Cafeteria offers fast food (light snacks, sandwiches, cakes) also ECKERO LINE's famous meatballs and grilled dishes.
• The ferry additionally has 2 Bars (Paja, Naissaar) and 2 pubs (Telakka, Jatkasaari). During months, ECKERO LINE additionally opens an outdoor bar (on Sun Deck) with tables and over 400 seats.
• Nosturi is a show lounge with live music entertainment and floor-ceiling windows. The lounge also doubles as disco club, offering passengers the opportunity to dance to international and Finnish music.
• (Deck 8 midship) Conference Centre has meeting rooms with a capacity from 8 to 110 guests. The rooms are fitted with comfortable seats and coffee tables.
• Video Games Room is a teen lounge with arcade machines.
• Children's playground is the ship's kids' room equipped with toys, games, indoor climbers, full-size boat. Kids playroom is adjacent to the Cafe, so parents can enjoy their coffees while the kids have fun.
• Shopping Center (POPUP Shop on Deck 8, and Eckero Market on Deck 6) is a combined boutique and general store selling gifts and souvenirs, alcohol, tobaccos, perfumes, cosmetics, clothing, sportswear, toiletries, electronics, toys, books, magazines, sweets, beverages.
• (Deck 9) Sun Deck (Solarium) is an outdoor, open-air area with 4-seat tables, deckchairs and Lido Bar (400-seat bar serving the sundeck area with drinks and snacks). Deck bar is opened only during summer.
• Also on Sun Deck are located the ship's Navigation Bridge (forward, with adjacent officers quarters) and helipad (midship, helicopter landing platform used in cases of emergency).
• (Lobby Deck 6) ATM/cash machine is located next to the Reception (Information Desk). At Information Desk can also be purchased ECKERO ferry tickets, tobacco products, newspapers.
• Wi-Fi and Internet are available at extra cost. Mobile phone chargers and Ipad rentals are also offered.
• The ship has kennels for domestic pets. Valid health cards for pets are required. During embarkation and disembarkation, dogs must be leashed and muzzled. Passengers with pets always disembark last.

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

ECKERO LINE ferry cruises

ECKERO LINE operates the Tallinn-Helsinki route (and the reverse Helsinki-Tallinn) with 3 daily crossings.

• From Tallinn (Monday to Saturday, excepting Sundays) are offered early morning departures (at 6 am), also at 12-noon and evening (6.30 pm) departures.
• From Helsinki (Sunday to Friday, excepting Saturdays) are offered morning departures (at 9 am), also afternoon (at 3:15 pm) and evening (9:40 pm) departures.

This schedule allows "day cruises" between Finland and Estonia. Day cruises from Helsinki to Tallinn depart at 9 am (Helsinki), arrive at 11.15 am (Tallinn) and leave back for Helsinki at 6.30 pm, allowing around 6,5 hours to tour Tallinn. For longer cruises, ECKERO LINE offers pre-booking hotel packages.

Ferry cruises from Tallinn to Helsinki are offered with morning departures at 6 am (Tallinn) and leaving back from Helsinki at 3.15 pm, allowing around 6,5 hours in Helsinki. Longer cruises (available Monday to Friday) depart from Tallinn (6 am) and leaving back from Helsinki (9.40 pm), offering around 12 hours in Helsinki.

Afternoon cruises (Sunday to Friday) depart from Tallinn (12-noon) and back from Helsinki (9.40 pm), offering around 6.5 hours in Helsinki.

Finlandia ship docks in Port Tallinn at Passenger Terminal A (the closest to Old Town). In Port Helsinki, the ship docks at T2 West Terminal (Lansisatama).

Car decks

All ferried vehicles must have documentation and valid insurance. Having the car's technical data sheet makes boarding checks easier. Upon booking, the vehicle's model, length and height must be specified. Car ferry passengers must arrive at the departure port 90 min prior departure.

Ship's garage consists of 4 car decks and has a total capacity of 665 vehicles. It is accessible via 3 ramp gates (2 at the stern and 1 at the bow). Follows a list of car decks related safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk (deck 5, open 24-hours).
• Apply handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear position. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• From your vehicle take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
• Make a note of your vehicle's location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
• Access to the ship's 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.
• In order to avoid air pollution, don't start the engine until instructed.

The shipowner Eckero Line (founded in 1995, headquartered in Helsinki Finland) is a Finnish passenger shipping company which operates a single liner (Finlandia), and only on the route between Finland (Helsinki) and Estonia (Tallinn).