I know, we go on these cruises quite regularly, but you would, too, if you knew how cheap they are and how amazing it is (plus, tax-free booze and cigarettes)! 🤣🍹🎉
This time was extra fun though, because it was the first time Aaron went on one of the OG Silja boats, Silja Symphony. They look a bit special, with a huge promenade deck. I think he liked it.
We also had an ocean view window in our room, which we do not have very often, so that was fun!
And there were MANY more seats outside on the sun deck, than on our regular boats we go on, which both of us likes! We had cocktails outside for the entire two hours until food started. 😊
The food was, of course, tasty. We just prefer the other buffets we’ve had to this one, because the layout of the place was so chaotic. There was no telling where the line started or ended, it was too narrow and small for that amount of people. We were not impressed.
Still, all the food and DRINK (beer or wine here, on our regular boat Glory, you can also have cider!) you can devour in two hours isn’t bad. And when you did get the food, it was of course lovely (although, Aaron did not find as much to eat as on the other buffets, especially on the “cold” section…).
Both on the way to Helsinki and on the night coming back from Helsinki, there was this AMAZING dance group in the club, Dance Factory. They were incredible, both the singing and dancing. So many songs, so many costume changes, and it was so LONG. Really impressed by them, and two different shows, never the same.
There was also an incredible band, with lots of good covers and songs.
The LAST night on the boat, we found a secret disco open until like 4 or 5 in the morning, I had never seen that before. Unfortunately, there was no one dancing and barely any people there (probably because no one knows it exists!!)…
You arrive in Helsinki at 10am, and you get 7 hours ashore.
We walked along the docks for a bit, ate breakfast, and then actually took a sightseeing boat around all of Helsinki, something I’ve never done before, so, super fun!
There was a recorded guide talking in English about places and buildings we passed, and we learned a LOT about the history of Finland and Helsinki (always tossed between being owned by Sweden and Russia, poor things). The old fortresses and battles were the most interesting things to see, and hear about, both me and Aaron thought!
Next time, we might take a bus ride to them (which you can do) and get a guided tour inside the bunkers and fortresses, that would be cool!
The tour lasted just over an hour, and it was well worth it. Just remember to dress warmly…
The rest of the afternoon, we simply walked around in Helsinki. It really is a beautiful city, I recommend anyone and everyone to go there if they have the chance.
We had lunch at our favourite taco place (yup, we have a “place” now in Helsinki, where we go every time we’re there), and they have the BEST frozen strawberry daquiris in the world, oh yeah, and awesome food.
All in all, it was an awesome cruise. And because we went to tax-free and purchased things for over 100 dollars TWICE, we got TWO free cruises, haha. 🤣 So we are planning to go soon again 😊💗
