- Accommodation
- Information
- Children
- Nutrition
- Medicine
- Money
- Pets
- Cars
- Security
If you have chosen a ferry for a trip from Finland to Sweden, Estonia, to the Aland Islands, or just as entertainment and a sea trip, then you did everything right. First, savings on food and accommodation. Secondly, the uplifting of the mood is the way a person is made that a comfortable trip on the water is always a joy. Finally, there is variety. In this article, using the example of the largest Finnish company Viking Line, we will touch upon a number of aspects, the knowledge of which will make your trip even more enjoyable.
Accommodation
Your cabin is entirely yours. You will never be accommodated by strangers or people who will not appear in your reservation. This is obvious to seasoned travelers, but beginners often have questions. In the absence of experience, people involuntarily compare the ferry with trains and the practice of railways. But the class of accommodation on the ferry can always be improved for an additional fee. It is advisable in advance, while there are free cabins of the desired level.
The age limit for independent travel is 21 years old on cruises. All persons under this age and, moreover, minors, can travel only with their parents or in the same group with adults. At the same time, it is not necessary for everyone to settle in one cabin.
Information
The reception desk is located on the main boarding deck (5, 6, 7 or 9, depending on the specific vessel). You will immediately recognize it: the Information or Reception sign, maps and shelves with guidebooks and a cruise program, including in Russian.
Here you can also buy tickets to museums, excursions and transfers from the terminal. All additional services on board can also be ordered here.
There is free Wi-Fi throughout the ferries (and within a radius of hundreds of meters). While the vessel is at sea, the signal may be unstable.
Children
Children under 6 travel and eat in restaurants on ferries free of charge. Up to 12 years old - up to 50% discount.
In summer, in addition to the playrooms, the lion's share of the conference rooms on the respective decks is used up for children's pleasures. New entertainment on open decks is opening up. Everything is written in the cruise program.
Viking Line has its own mascot and a favorite of the children's audience - the ship's cat Ville Viking. He communicates with young passengers with gestures, so there are no problems with the language barrier. And what is the general language barrier in children? Let children from different countries tinker together and in an hour you will be convinced that they have already made friends. As they say, tested by moms.
As free options on ferries there are: a mother and child room, highchairs for children in all restaurants and cafes, safety restraints for beds in cabins (issued at the information desk).
Nutrition
On board each ferry there are 3-5 restaurants (with a menu in Russian), 1 cafe and 3-4 bars. There are Russian-speaking waiters or team members in every shift. If there are problems with mutual understanding, then such a person will definitely be called.
In every institution, you can order a children's portion, even as an adult (for example, you are on a diet). Only children can receive free meals in buffet restaurants.
In all restaurants (again, except for the buffet), you can order a drink or meal from another establishment in addition to your dinner or breakfast.
You can take food with you at any restaurant. If you have chosen the buffet, then the takeaway portion is charged as one full price (33/36 euros).
If you want to order a drink that is not on the menu, but you know for sure that there is one in a bar or in another restaurant, just ask the waiter to bring you one.
Viking Line officially declares that tap water in cabins can be used as drinking water. Therefore, there are water glasses near the sinks.
Medicine
Each ferry has a medical room with a paramedic on duty 24 hours a day. In addition, team members are trained to provide first aid. If someone feels bad, contact any person in uniform.
There are motion sickness pills at the information desk. You can get them for free.
People with contraindications to travel and to travel in general are not recommended to go sailing. Medical certificates, of course, are not checked at boarding. However, if the passenger becomes ill during the trip, emergency assistance or evacuation to the hospital is required, and as a result, it turns out that the doctor forbade going anywhere - all medical events will be invoiced.
Money
On board there is a currency exchange and a special ATM for dispensing cash without commission - no matter what bank you have. Payment is accepted on board in EUR cash or cards.
Pets
There are no restrictions on the transport of pets on ferries. Whether you have a cat or a snake. And for walking pets on the open decks, special trays are provided.
Cars
Motorists enter the car deck after registration, one hour before the departure of the ferry. Team members in bright clothes will tell you where to put the car.
After departure, access to the car deck is blocked, and it will be possible to return to the car half an hour before arriving at the port. Therefore, do not leave your belongings there. Also, do not leave fuel in cans - this is prohibited by the rules.
15-20 minutes before arrival, the driver must be near his car and get ready to leave. The need to go to the car deck will be additionally announced by speakerphone, including in Russian.
If you have forgotten any items in your car that you really cannot do without (for example, baby food or personal medicine), contact the information counter. You will be assigned an employee who will come down with you to your car. Please note that the accompanying person will have to wait at the reception for some time.
The police at the exit of the terminal from time to time arrange spot checks of drivers for alcohol content. Make sure you don't have any problems with this. Or prepare yourself a replacement.
Security
When boarding the ferry, a selective screening is carried out. In addition, passenger data is checked against a database, and security personnel are on duty at boarding. So, suspicious passengers and persons in an inadequate condition will not be allowed on board.
When boarding the ferry, in addition to the boarding pass, you must have your passport with you. If you went out for a walk and forgot your documents in your cabin, your identity will need to be verified.
Remember that all public areas of the ferry are in the field of view of surveillance cameras, and what happens on board is under the control of the duty officers. In addition, security personnel are constantly making rounds of decks.
If you have any questions, you can always contact the support service in Russian.
We wish you only pleasant trips!
