Travelling Moi: Winter Cruise to Finland

During our recent holiday, aside from driving up to Norrland (Sweden) chasing Northern Lights, we also booked a winter cruise to Finland from Stockholm, Sweden.

A 2-night cruise on the Baltic Sea with a stop in Mariehamn, Finland and Helsinki, Finland. With more than 10 restaurants, a casino, night club and lots of shops, the luxury cruise Tallink Silja Line also offers entertainment on the promenade such as live band and Moomin mascot. Our 2-night cruise trip includes a cozy cabin on deck 11, breakfast buffet, dinner at the Grand Buffet on the first night, dinner at Happy Lobster on the second night, and Bus Tour around Helsinki.

The itinerary of our cruise trip.

Day 1
1600H: Boarding time! When we boarded the ship, we were warmly welcomed by the staff and Blues band were playing music on the promenade. Our room was located on Deck 11 and it was really cozy.

On our way to the cruise ship, Silja Serenade.

Our room.

1630H: We just dropped our luggage in the room then we immediately looked around, took photos, went into the shops and checked the menus of every restaurant. We were confused where to have dinner since there were a lot of nice restaurants to choose from.

Deck 11 windows overlooking the Promenade

The Promenade/ shopping street.

Outside the Nightclub and Casino.

1800-2200H: Getting ready for a fancy dinner, the first night we decided to have dinner at the Grande Buffet. It has a wide variety of food options from Asian to Western cuisine. After Dinner, we checked the Duty-Free shop since it was closed when we boarded. They offered 30% discount that night so we bought some wine and goodies. Then we went to the casino and played a little but I lost. LOL! After casino, we wanted to have a drink so we went to the nightclub. And while enjoying my cocktail, I was also having fun watching a wonderful dance show.

Outside the Grande Buffet.

Very huge on board Duty-Free!

Day 2
0800H: Getting ready for Helsinki. Having breakfast while watching the sun rise. :)

Lovely view at the breakfast room.

0930H: We arrived in Hesinki. We directly went outside the terminal to catch up with the Bus tour around the city. We were a little late.

The façade of Helsinki Cathedral, fronted by a statue of Emperor Alexander II of Russia

The Helsinki Cathedral.

Our First Stop: Temppeliaukio Church. We went inside this very unique Lutheran Church built directly into solid rock.

Uspenski Cathedral- An Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in Helsinki.

Our Second Stop: Sibelius Monument.

Helsinki Olympic Stadium where the 1952 Summer Olympics was held. Now, it is used as the home stadium of the Finland national football team and is also used also as concert venue.

Havis Amanda- She is a mermaid who stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet and surrounded by four sea lions.

Our Final Stop: Restaurant Kappeli.

In front of Restaurant Kappeli.

1230H: After looking around Helsinki, we went to the shopping street and had a late lunch.

Kluuvikatu Street.

1500H: Time to go back to the Ship.

Time to go back to the ship.

Silja Line is the official sea carrier of Santa Claus and Moomin.

So tired from touring and shopping! LOL!

1530H: So glad the staff agreed to take us for a Bridge Tour.

Captain!

1600H: After the bridge tour, we went back to the promenade to check again the restaurants and there was a new band playing live music. Moomin and Little My were also there greeting the new guests boarding.

Live Music!

With Moomin and Little My. :)

1800H-2200H: Getting ready for Dinner. This time, we picked the Happy Lobster Restaurant and the food was really good! After dinner, I went shopping. Then we went back to the Night Club to watch a new dance performance while having a nice drink.