Tallink Romantika ferry

MS Tallink Romantika ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Estonia-based company TALLINK-SILJA LINE. The ship has a maximum capacity of 2,500 passengers and 300 cars (or 60 trucks/trailers). The vessel was launched in 2002 and currently operates on the Latvia-Sweden ferry route Riga-Stockholm (crossing time 17 hours).

NEWS: Since April 2022, the ship has been bareboat chartered for 3 years (through April 2025) by the startup ferry brand "Holland Norway Lines BV" (founded in 2020). The new brand operates the Netherlands-Norway route Eemshaven-Kristiansand (crossing time ~18 hours). Romantika's Riga-Stockholm schedule was assigned to fleetmate Tallink Isabelle.

Tallink Romantika's maiden voyage on the route was scheduled for April 7, 2022, departing from Eemshaven.

• The ship departs Eemshaven at 3 PM (on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) and arrives in Kristiansand at 9 AM the following day. The return crossing departs Kristiansand at 3 PM (on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays).
• Eemshaven provides quick road access to Amsterdam (2 hours), Berlin (6 hours), and Paris (7 hours).
• Kristiansand provides quick road access to Oslo (3.5 hours), Stavanger (4 hours), and Bergen (8 hours).

Holland Norway Lines opened sales on November 3, 2021. Early bird tickets were priced at EUR 200 per person.

Prior to the charter, from March 8 to 21, 2022, the vessel was drydocked at Turku Ship Repair Yard (Naantali, Finland). The drydocking included technical upgrades, underwater hull work, propulsion system maintenance (shaft seals, shell valves, pumps, coolers, bow thrusters, gearboxes), stabilizers, and a new Ballast Water Treatment System.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Tallink Romantika has 727 double and quad cabins (maximum capacity 4 passengers) with a total of 2,172 berths, all located on decks 5, 8, and 9. All staterooms are air-conditioned, have en-suite bathrooms, and are available in both inside and outside categories. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible and adapted for passengers with disabilities. Cabins for passengers with allergies and those traveling with pets are also available.

All cabins are equipped with wall-mounted bunk beds and en-suite bathrooms with an angled sink, wall-mounted toilet, shower cubicle, and hairdryer. A baby crib and potty (one per cabin), as well as bedside rails (two per cabin), are provided free of charge upon request. Room service can be ordered up to 4 days prior to departure.

Cabin categories include:

• (Decks 8-9) Executive Suite / double cabin (size 30 m2) - slanted windows, separate bedroom (double bed / non-convertible to twins, bedside cabinets), 3-seater sofa, armchairs, mirrored wardrobe, cupboard, TV, refrigerator, phone, WC, shower. Special breakfast and minibar refreshments (soft drinks and fruit) are included in the "Europa 22 hour" mini-cruise fares.
• (Decks 8-9) Deluxe / double cabin (size 14 m2) - large windows, double bed (non-convertible to twins), bedside cabinets, 2-seater sofa, armchairs, mirrored wardrobe, TV, refrigerator, phone, WC, shower. Special breakfast and minibar refreshments (soft drinks) are included in the "Europa 22 hour" mini-cruise fares.
• (Deck 5) A-Class Cabin (Quad Outside, size 9 m2) - bay window, 1 sofabed, 1 lower bunk bed, 2 upper bunk beds, WC, shower, TV, cupboard, mirrored vanity/writing desk with stool, laminate flooring. Double cabins for disabled passengers are also available.
• (Deck 5) B-Class Cabin (Quad Inside, size 8 m2) - no window, 1 sofabed, 1 lower bunk bed, 2 upper bunk beds, WC, shower, TV, cupboard. Cabins for passengers with allergies are also available.
• (Deck 5) Handicap Cabins (for disabled passengers) are 9 m2 in size, each fitted with 2 lower beds, WC, shower, TV, wider doors (for wheelchair access), and a location near the elevators. Disabled cabins are in the A-Class Outside category.
• (Deck 5) Allergy Cabins (capacity 2-4 passengers) are available in the A-Class Outside (8x) and B-Class Inside (9x) categories.
• (Deck 5) Pet Cabins (capacity 2-4 passengers) are available in the B-Class Inside category (10x), each fitted with 1 sofabed, 3 bunk beds, WC, shower, TV, and linoleum flooring.

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 minutes prior to arrival at the homeport. Passenger registration ends 1 hour prior to ferry departure.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Tallink Romantika ferry offers:

• (Deck 7) Grande Buffet (self-service restaurant, capacity 550 seats) offers Scandinavian and international dishes, soft drinks, tea, coffee, wine, and beer, all included in the buffet meal price. The buffet restaurant has several themed food stations, including Grill, Cold Table (meats, seafood), Green Market (salads), Warm Dishes, and Desserts.
• (Deck 6) Fast Lane Restaurant (self-service restaurant, capacity 263 seats / 71 tables) allows passengers to create their own warm dishes and make fresh salads. There are also two chefs preparing made-to-order food, as well as ready-made options.
• (Deck 7) Romantika (A La Carte Restaurant, capacity 100 seats) is a premium eatery with an open kitchen.
• (Deck 7) Grill House (capacity 300 seats) offers steakhouse specialties.
• (Deck 7) Sea Pub (capacity 176 seats) offers various beverages, classic pub snacks, and a small stage for live performances by guest musicians. The venue includes the Library, Irish Pub, and Karaoke Pub.
• (Decks 8-9) Starlight Palace is a 2-level entertainment complex with a show lounge, nightclub (with dance floor and grand stage on the lower level), casino, and panoramic restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows.
• (Deck 7) Cafe Promenade (cafeteria / patisserie / coffee bar, capacity 63 seats) offers cold and hot beverages, light snacks (including freshly baked pastries, yogurt, fruit smoothies, and sweet crepes), as well as meals (made-to-order and ready-made options). Coffee drinks are freshly brewed from freshly ground beans. The cafe also has a takeaway counter.
• (Deck 7) The casino has gaming tables (roulette, poker) and slot machines.
• (Deck 7) Romantika Lounge (Piano Bar) is a stylish cocktail bar with live music performances.
• (Deck 9) Conference Department (opening hours 9 AM - 9 PM) has 11 different conference rooms with a combined capacity of 330 seats. All rooms are fitted with the latest presentation technology. There is also a separate lobby area. Conference facilities are closed during peak season (mid-June through mid-August), as the area is converted into the "Summer Center" (Kidz Club / play area for children's activities).
• (Deck 7) Lotte Village (Children's Playroom) is the ship's indoor playground area fitted with a TV (for watching cartoons), ball pit pool, and craft tables. On each cruise, children can meet the dog girl Lotte. Also located here is the PlayStation Lounge (a separate room for video games and arcade machines).
• (Deck 6) Supermarket / Tax Free Shop is a duty-free store selling special-occasion gifts and souvenirs, alcohol (spirits, beer, wine), tobacco products, sweets, luxury-brand perfumes and cosmetics, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, leather goods, confectionery, fashion clothing and accessories, toys, electronics and gadgets, gourmet sweets, deli food, handmade teas, and spices. Special offers and shopping promotions are available on each ferry crossing. Payments can be made in cash or by bank card (VISA, MasterCard, EuroCard).
• (Deck 6) Cosmetic Boutique is a retail shop selling popular-brand perfumes and skincare products, as well as designer jewelry, accessories, fashion clothing (Tommy Hilfiger, Solid, Smashed Lemon, Daniel Wellington, Desires, Pilgrim, Sno of Sweden), gifts, and Tallink-logo souvenirs.
• (Deck 9) Hera Salongid (Beauty Salon) offers professional services by certified cosmeticians, hairdressers, and masseuses, including face and body treatments, hair styling and coloring, manicure, and pedicure. Reservations are required 24 hours prior to departure.
• (Deck 9) Sauna Department has 3 private saunas, unisex public saunas, a Turkish steam room, bubble pools (for children and adults), and a sauna bar. The spa complex has direct access to the Sun Deck's Sun Bar (open-air bar with 60 seats).
• (Sun Deck 9) Sun Bar is an outdoor bar with 60 seats on the Sun Deck.
• (Lobby Deck 6) Wi-Fi service and an ATM / cash machine are available next to the Information Desk / Reception. A nurse can also be reached via Reception. Small lockers are available for valuables.
• Space Disco (nightclub and sports bar) offers DJ hits, club music, and party quizzes. During the day, the disco serves as a sports bar with large TVs broadcasting live sporting events.

Midship on Deck 12 (Heli Deck) there is a helipad, a helicopter landing area used in cases of emergency.

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

TALLINK-SILJA LINE deals

2-day cruise deals ("Europa 22 hour") are offered only on shuttle ferries with departures from Helsinki (embarkation 8 AM) to Tallinn (disembarkation 12:10 PM on the following day).

On all Tallink-Silja ships (except shuttle ferries), Room Service is available with a la carte special-occasion gifts, sweets, and beverage menus. However, cabin services must be ordered 4 days prior to departure.

Onboard conference rooms are equipped with data projectors and white screens and are available for booking at group rates (extra charge per person). The room must be booked for at least 2 hours and for a minimum of 10 people. Catering (snack packages or buffet meals, as well as refreshments) can also be booked additionally.

Smoking on the ship is prohibited in all cabins, restaurants, bars and lounges, corridors, elevators, and stairwells. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas on outdoor decks (look for "Smoking Area" signs).

The "Collect and Save" program is based on collecting stickers from onboard purchases (at all Tallink-Silja ship stores). The program allows passengers to purchase selected products at discounts of up to 57%. With every purchase of at least EUR 10, the passenger receives 1 sticker to be placed in a campaign folder. Through the "Collect and Save" campaign, passengers can buy various products after collecting 10, 20, or 30 stickers. These products are paid for and collected at the Info Stand or the ship's shops. The "Collect and Save" offers are available for a limited time or until selected products are out of stock.

"Club One" is the company's loyalty program, rewarding passengers who travel frequently on Tallink-Silja ferries. Through the program, bonus points are accrued based on ferry tickets and onboard purchases, as well as on Tallink Hotels rooms booked via Tallink-Silja. The program has 3 levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold), determined by the number of bonus points earned. Bonus points can be used for booking voyages, receiving onboard shopping and dining discounts, a 10% discount plus benefits at Tallink Hotels in Tallinn and Riga, a 5% discount with Tallink Takso (Tallinn), and a 15% car parking discount with Europark (Helsinki).

Car decks

Garage Decks are 3 and 4. Deck 1 houses the Engine Room (extending to Deck 2) and other technical spaces. Deck 2 contains the ferry's technical rooms, crew cabins, and crew facilities (dining/bar lounge, mess hall), as well as the Brig (ship jail). Car Deck 4 has a hydraulic mobile platform which, when lowered, divides it horizontally and doubles its passenger car capacity.

Follows a list of car deck-related safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be turned off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from your vehicle.
• 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.

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

The shipowner Tallink (fleet, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia) is an Estonian shipping company that operates Baltic Sea cruise ferries and RoPax vessels with direct services connecting Estonia with Finland and Sweden, and Sweden with Finland and Latvia.