[RenewalMan]

Sorry if this is a bit unrelated, but I didn't want to start a new thread, and I thought you guys might be able to help.

I'm moving to Sweden in the near future. I've applied for a residency permit, but unfortunately Sweden doesn't allow people to travel there while the residency permit is being processed.
Now, I've had plans to travel to Sweden for some time, and have various things booked. The problem is, I've booked these things before my residency application will be finished. I'm thinking of flying to Helsinki and entering Sweden via the Helsinki-Sweden ferry, and I was wondering if someone who has taken this ferry can tell me if they check your passport, put it into a computer system or what? Basically I need to enter Sweden without the government knowing.
If this doesn't work, then maybe someone has other suggestions?

Thanks

[Luomu]

(08-13-2012 01:56 PM)RenewalMan Wrote:  

I'm thinking of flying to Helsinki and entering Sweden via the Helsinki-Sweden ferry, and I was wondering if someone who has taken this ferry can tell me if they check your passport, put it into a computer system or what?

Last time I went from Finland to Sweden with the boat, EU citizens could walk through gate reserved for them and their passports were not checked (Nordic citizens do not even need passports in Nordic countries). However time to time even some EU citizens get pull out for random checking.

[enfuego]

Has anyone taken this boat ride recently? Experiences would be welcome.

Trying to figure out whether to go from Helsinki to Tallinn or to Stockholm...

[Luomu]

(05-19-2013 12:21 AM)enfuego Wrote:  

Trying to figure out whether to go from Helsinki to Tallinn or to Stockholm...

First Helsinki-Stockholm, then Stockholm-Tallinn. Problem solved.

[...]

(05-19-2013 12:21 AM)enfuego Wrote:  

Has anyone taken this boat ride recently? Experiences would be welcome.

Trying to figure out whether to go from Helsinki to Tallinn or to Stockholm...

If you like to party with bikers and old overweight Finnish women then go ahead! I personally wouldn't bother with the Viking Line boats (not sure if Silja Line or Birka Cruises are any better...)

[Aer]

Been there, done that. Last week actually. The best experience of my life was on that boat actually, but in a bit of a different context obviously. Since I'm on exchange in Sweden, the ERASMUS there organized a trip from Stockholm to Helsinki and back while visiting Helsinki during the nights. Two of the best nights of my life, because there were around 1000 exchange students on the boat, all down to do whatever.

Truth be told, the regular boats can sometimes be a bore as I usually don't go to Helsinki via boat (Turku instead, much cheaper, or just to Mariehamn for a nice weekend sabbatical with some friends). It's very hit and miss. I usually do enjoy them, especially when you're close to the nightclub, but you have to make sure you get a night boat, as the day boats are really boring since there is almost nothing to do except sit on the sun deck and admire the scenery. Although the Archipelago is nice, I'd much rather be getting drunk with friends.

Also, this time of year the sun never seems to set, and strangely enough an inside room in the boat may be the best place to sleep without being bothered by annoying sun.

BOAT INFO:

Helsinki to Tallinn: Not worth it for a boat bang, worth it for the dirt cheap alcohol prices. Boat trip is around 3 hours long, good luck.

Helsinki to Stockholm: Your best attempt at getting a bang. Definitely night boat. Don't take the Viking Grace (newest boat), security is tight as a Lapps' pussy. Silja Line is generally more laid back. Eckero Line also isn't so bad.

Helsinki to St. Petersburg: There are a ton of visa free trips you can do to St. Pete from this area (I seriously advise you to visit). The night clubs are definitely better in these boats, but security can either be super laid back or really strict, Russian style. Girls are top notch also.

Helsinki to Mariehamn- VISIT ALAND. Beautiful scenery, and by far the most beautiful girls I have ever seen. Also not in the EU custom zone. Get a hostel/hotel next to the Archipelago Nightclub. Profit.

[Wreckingball]

(04-28-2012 10:42 AM)Roosh Wrote:  

Any idea which night is best to take the ferry? When did you take it?

When they organize the ESN (Erasmus Student Network) Seabattle
http://www.esnseabattle.org/

[The Great Basilisk]

Go on Friday or Saturday. On weekdays they are not that good. Last time i went from Turku to Stockholm and there were plenty of russians on the boat.

[Orson]

OK then. The "bang boat" worth doing is on a Friday night, maybe Saturday or Thursday night. And it goes OVERNIGHT from Stockholm to Helsinki. But is the reverse - from Helsinki to Stockholm - also good for drunken banging on these overnight trips too?

[The Great Basilisk]

Yes, both ways should be good.

[Orson]

(05-28-2013 01:17 PM)The Great Basilisk Wrote:  

Yes, both ways should be good.

THANKS. That's all I wanted to hear confirmed.

[wavestation]

You can go one way on Friday and return on Saturday. This is what most of the people seem to be doing. They just want the cheap booze. If you see a hot chick on the Friday boat, take the sat boat back, there's a high chance she'll be on it if she's the partier type.

[elabayarde]

OK... I am considering doing this next weeknd. Anyone got a recent update?

[paninaro]

I've taken these before, and also I have a friend who works as a purser on them.

It can really be hit or miss depending on timing, as others have said. Also, at least one of the carriers (Silja now owned by Tallink, I believe) recently instituted a policy where you can't take the weekend boats if you're under 21 and not with a parent -- to keep out the roving packs of drunken young folks.

It's still summer, so I think the pickings will be decent any time of week, but usually the best times are the Friday night boat, spend all day in your destination, then the Saturday night boat back. Definitely drink from duty-free, as the bar prices are quite high. So are food prices, actually, so if you like to eat, buy the "package" they have which includes a buffet dinner and/or breakfast. It's not amazing, but you'll be hungry before and after a big drinking session.

The Helsinki-Stockholm route is the wildest. Avoid the Helsinki-Tallinn route as it's only 2-3 hours. There is an overnight boat (for positioning purposes mostly) which leaves at like 11pm and "arrives" at 7am the next day, but it actually pulls into port at 2am and just sits there without disembarking until 7am. It's not a party boat, but more full of Estonians who work in Finland.

[elabayarde]

I am going to Montreal for this weekend and I will be in Stockholm gothenburg for a little over a week. So Im not sure if I want to waste my only weeknd on a boat. But god bless this forum, and everyone who contributes. I owe so much data.. though I have given alot. But this adult world(Job) thing is an adjustment.

[The Great Basilisk]

Went to 22 hour cruise from Helsinki to Tallinn and back few weeks ago. Crazy party, only got a makeout, accidentally cockblocked my friend who was about to bang a barely legal virgin and one of my other friends, who is a huge nerd, pulled some decent bird. If you want to party just one night on the boat then this is good, you can continue partying with duty-free booze once you come back to Helsinki.

[dontuan]

Hey, so I was looking for the helsinki to Stockholm night cruise but Silja doesn't seem to offer one and Viking offers a two night cruise. So I was thinking of taking a Helsinki to Tallin overnight cruise on Friday, but one of the forum guys told me it was all old retiree people.

Can anyone confirm that the Helsinki to Tallin overnight cruise on Viking is a party boat? What would you recommend?

(08-22-2013 03:30 AM)The Great Basilisk Wrote:  

Went to 22 hour cruise from Helsinki to Tallinn and back few weeks ago. Crazy party, only got a makeout, accidentally cockblocked my friend who was about to bang a barely legal virgin and one of my other friends, who is a huge nerd, pulled some decent bird. If you want to party just one night on the boat then this is good, you can continue partying with duty-free booze once you come back to Helsinki.

[EU Explorer]

(04-28-2012 09:52 AM)Vorkuta Wrote:  

Have not been on it myself but a close friend of mine went on it about 10 years back. He told me he was sharing a cabin with some Swedish guys,anyway he went up to the bar and when he returned to his cabin later there was a Scando girl on all fours on his bed with his toothbrush sticking out of her asshole whilst his two cabin mates were about to spunk on her face. I've been interested in this ferry ever since.

Pity the Isle of Wight ferry isn't like that.

This is the funniest posting I have ever seen on here but you need to be from the UK to fully understand the last comment!

[Redasfuck]

I did Silja Line with this incredibly hot Russian girl and I will always think fondly of that party boat because of it. God she was hot.

[Eldon]

Regarding the overnight cruise to Talinn - it's the luck of the draw. Yes it's retirees, families, people in their 20s, office workers, friends and most who want to just buy cheap alcohol. I hooked up with a Finnish broad. There was a drunken fight breaking out in the dance floor while we were dancing and I told her we should retreat to the safety of my cabin. Bang.

[dontuan]

I was just checking the prices on these overnight cruises and they're a bit hefty, like over 100 euros, and that's not including food and drinks. Now I just have a hard time imagining an attractive girl forking over that much money to get on a boat to hook up with guys. Seems like the low quality desperate girls would only do that. At least that's how it works in most places. But maybe Scandinavians are different.

Can anyone speak to this?

[Greek kamaki]

Scandinavia in general is expensive but girls there have this income(they get a little on the poorer side when they visit our Greek islands).
In Scandinavia all that matters is appearance.It is a heaven for good looking guys particularly English ones(I do not know why they have this strong liking to Brits and generally English speaking nations).

[skyjules]

(08-21-2013 10:52 PM)paninaro Wrote:  

It can really be hit or miss depending on timing, as others have said. Also, at least one of the carriers (Silja now owned by Tallink, I believe) recently instituted a policy where you can't take the weekend boats if you're under 21 and not with a parent -- to keep out the roving packs of drunken young folks.

Hi ! Are they really strict about the limit age ? Cause I'm 20 and I'd like to hit the club on the boat you see ..

[JJ Roberts]

(09-17-2014 06:11 AM)dontuan Wrote:  

I was just checking the prices on these overnight cruises and they're a bit hefty, like over 100 euros, and that's not including food and drinks. Now I just have a hard time imagining an attractive girl forking over that much money to get on a boat to hook up with guys. Seems like the low quality desperate girls would only do that. At least that's how it works in most places. But maybe Scandinavians are different.

Can anyone speak to this?

Bearing in the mind the price of alcohol in Sweden the trip can easily pay for itself (booze on the boat is duty free).

[rudebwoy]

Just got back from Sweden and the place is very expensive, not for the budget traveller.