A Cruise to Estonia – Departure

Like our Helsinki cruise, this was another quick boat trip, this time from Stockholm to Tallinn, Estonia. This time, I brought my husband along for the adventure.

Since we don’t own a car, we took the subway from downtown Stockholm to the Gärdet station, followed by a short walk to the Tallink boat terminal. Upon arrival, we scanned the barcode on my app to retrieve our tickets. A short stroll through the terminal and we boarded the ship. Using our tickets as room keys, we entered our cabin and dropped off our single carry-on suitcase.

Our Cabin

Our cabin, though small, was thoughtfully arranged. The double bed, European-style with two mattresses pushed together, was cozy, and a large round window above the bed offered stunning sea views. Everything was compact but perfectly adequate for a weekend cruise.

The Cruise to Estonia

Once we settled in, we headed to the Sundeck Bar, where the sun was shining and upbeat music set a lively tone. Sipping drinks, we watched the ship depart the docks. As we slowly glided away, the view on our left revealed a picturesque Stockholm cityscape, while the right showcased the rugged, cliff-lined coastline of Lidingö. Soon, the boat made a turn, giving us a close look at Högberga Gård, one of Stockholm’s premier resort hotels and conference centers. The ship continued westward, threading through the beautiful Stockholm Archipelago and leaving the city behind.

After finishing our drinks, we explored the ship. There were cocktail bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, and outdoor decks offering breathtaking views of the Archipelago. As the weather grew cooler, we wrapped up our exploration at the Seaside Pub, where we enjoyed a Guinness and some snacks while waiting for dinner.

Our pre-purchased dinner was at the Grande Buffet, scheduled for 8 PM. After a short wait in line, we were directed to our table. The buffet featured a wide variety of dishes, including traditional Swedish entrees, as well as, and sushi. While the lines for popular items were long and some dishes disappeared quickly, there was still plenty of food to enjoy.

Following dinner, we took a stroll on the outdoor decks to soak in the night air and the surrounding sea views. After the sun set, we found our way to the Manhattan Piano Bar. With fancy cocktails in hand and soothing music in the background, we relaxed there until it was time to retire to our cabin for the night.

Read more about our three day trip in the following blog posts: A Day in Tallinn-Estonia and
The Cruise back from Estonia to Stockholm