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Mini-Cruise · 2018 · Tallink Silja Line's  Silja Symphony



Stockholm - Helsinki - Stockholm

   Tallink Silja Line's  Silja Symphony  Cruise Ferry !

 
'Silja Symphony' in Helsinki :
Tallink Silja Line Silja Symphony · IMO8803769 · 30may2018 1034EEST (Helsinki)
 

 
Silja Symphony  The Ship
 
 
 
  • IMO 8803769
  • MMSI 265004000
  • Call Sign SCGB
  • Registered in Stockholm ⁄ Sweden
  • First Cruise 31 May 1991
  • Passenger Beds 2852
  • Staterooms 995
  • Crew 264
  • Crew ⁄ Stateroom 0.26
  • Cars 395
  • Lane Meters 950
  • GT 58377
  • GT ⁄ Stateroom 58.7
  • Length 666ft / 203.03m
  • Beam 103.3ft / 31.50m
  • Beam Superstructures ~122ft / ~37.25m
  • Draft 23.3ft / 7.10m
  • Height ~193ft / ~59.00m (a.s.l.)
  • Engine Power 32.5MW
  • Speed 23.0kts
  • Decks 13
  • Ice Class 1 A Super
 
Data Sources: Tallink Silja / CruiseMapper / MT / Wikipedia
 

'Tallink Silja Line's 'Silja Symphony' is marketed by the ferry company as a cruise ferry with a long promenade inside the ship. She was built at Masa Yards (today Meyer Werft) in Turku in 1991. Together with her sister ship, 'Silja Symphony' serves the route Stockholm - Mariehamn - Helsinki - Mariehamn - Stockholm on a daily basis.

 

 
The Mini-Cruise  Day 1 - Tuesday 29th May 2018 - Stockholm   ... - 04:45pm
 
 
 

No tourists were around at the most popular photo spot in Stockholm early in the morning, and thus I did not had to share the golden crown on Skeppsholmsbron with others. Stockholm - the capital of Sweden - is a very interesting city, relaxed with many bikers on the streets. The old town 'Gamla Stan' has remainings of the German and Hanseatic history of Stockholm, with many old buildings and even the 'Sankta Gertruds Tyska Kyrkan', the church built by the Germans, who co-founded Stockholm in the 13th century.

I arrived at the Värtahamnen 'Tallink Silja Line' terminal by walking from downtown Stockholm at 03:40pm - all times in this travel report are local times - and asked the man at the ticket counter whether it would be possible to upgrade to a higher cabin class, up from deck 2, which is below the car deck. He just said that I have already been upgraded, asked for my ID card, handed me over the room card, directed me to the boarding, and only 10 minutes after arrival at the terminal, I was already on board of 'Silja Symphony', actually on the giant 'Promenade', featuring many shopping and dining opportunities. There were no security controls on the way, but a photo wall, and guests were invited to get photographed. On the ship, I noticed slowly moving elevators, soft drink vending machines in the staircase halls, accepting Euro coins, and there were signs and symptoms of an aging ferry everywhere. WiFi is offered, the access code is written on the room card, the system is mostly overloaded, it did not work at all on the way back to Stockholm, maybe because of a bandwidth limit that I already had exceeded.

The door of my stateroom #915 on deck 5 jammed, wear and tear here and there in the stateroom, useful equipment. Small bathroom with shower and gel, toilet and wash basin, towels. The stateroom could accommodate 4 passengers on foldaway beds. There was a telephone, a small closet and an air conditioning thermostat. The engine noise in the stateroom was noticeably, as well as the vibrations that shook the ship.

At 04:41pm, the ferry departed from Stockholm, set back from the pier and turned. Silently, 'Silja Symphony' later glided through the Skärgård and its narrow passages. It's an incredible beautiful landscape, with bays and islands appearing every few minutes. Some passages were so narrow, it felt like I could grasp the trees. A very light wind blew, and it was still so warm that short gear was pleasant, actually, the sun heated up the port sun deck.

After 3½ hours of sailing through the very scenic Skärgård and passing Furusund, 'Silja Symphony' entered the open sea, some small islands were lying scattered around, and it got windy and colder. The ship increased speed and the sun set over Sweden very slowly. When she later touched the horizon, the full moon raised on the other side of the ship. High clouds made it a very spectacular, and at the first place, a very colorful sunset, it was also by far the longest, I have ever seen.

LTE mobile internet access was possible until 09:30pm. Live music was played on the Promenade, also other entertainment was presented to the guests all the evening. Meanwhile, the Åland archipelago was in sight. The short stop at Mariehamn was at 11:43pm for only 8 minutes, and 'Silja Symphony' continued her sailing to Helsinki. The time changed to EEST here, and the observation deck under the bridge was closed for the night then.

 

 
Stockholm view from Skeppsholmsbron with Gamla Stan and Royal Castle :
Stockholm Panorama Skeppsholmsbron · 29may2018 0828CEST (Stockholm)
 
 
After departure from Stockholm in Halvkakssundet :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Stockholm · 29may2018 1709CEST (N59°20-E018°12)
 
 
After departure from Stockholm with islands Granholmen and Edlunda :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Stockholm · 29may2018 1727CEST (N59°22-E018°18)
 
 
After departure from Stockholm with islands Edlunda and Furuholmen :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Stockholm · 29may2018 1731CEST (N59°22-E018°21)
 
 
After departure from Stockholm with small island Södra Idskär :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Stockholm · 29may2018 1739CEST (N59°22-E018°23)
 
 
After departure from Stockholm with Erikslund :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Stockholm · 29may2018 1741CEST (N59°22-E018°23)
 
 
In Skärgård with Långholmen and Väster Skäggaberget :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1819CEST (N59°25-E018°24)
 
 
In Skärgård with Väster Skäggaberget :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1820CEST (N59°25-E018°24)
 
 
In Skärgård with Muskholmen and Storön in the background :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1823CEST (N59°26-E018°23)
 
 
In Skärgård abeam Stora Skratten :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1825CEST (N59°27-E018°25)
 
 
In Skärgård near Asken island :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1829CEST (N59°27-E018°26)
 
 
In Skärgård with Käringskären and Stora Timrarön after passing Stora Blötholmen :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1840CEST (N59°29-E018°27)
 
 
In Skärgård with Koholmen and Käringskären :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1842CEST (N59°30-E018°28)
 
 
In Skärgård looking forward on islands Nybodaholmen and Tallholmen :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1845CEST (N59°30-E018°28)
 
 
In Skärgård looking forward on Nykvarns Varv and Nybodaholmen :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1846CEST (N59°30-E018°29)
 
 
In Skärgård with view on Fermsholmen after passing Tallholmen :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1849CEST (N59°31-E018°30)
 
 
In Skärgård looking forward to lighthouse Ryssmasterna :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1857CEST (N59°31-E018°32)
 
 
In Skärgård with lighthouse Ryssmasterna and birds destroying trees on little island :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1901CEST (N59°32-E018°33)
 
 
In Skärgård view forward on islands Gråholmen and Långholmen with ferry Östanå Ljusterö :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1903CEST (N59°32-E018°33)
 
 
In Skärgård with lighthouse Lunsen :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1929CEST (N59°35-E018°41)
 
 
In Skärgård looking forward on little islands with Stugholmen and Lindholmen :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1940CEST (N59°35-E018°45)
 
 
In Skärgård view on small islands in Askgrunden with Grytensörarna and Gryten :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 1946CEST (N59°36-E018°47)
 
 
In Skärgård with view on long island Yxlan :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 2000CEST (N59°38-E018°52)
 
 
Sunset in Skärgård with small islands between Stor Asken and Furusund :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 2010CEST (N59°39-E018°54)
 
 
In Skärgård salinig into the strait between Furusund and Yxlan :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 2011CEST (N59°39-E018°55)
 
 
In Skärgård salinig in the strait between Furusund and Yxlan with ferry :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 2014CEST (N59°40-E018°55)
 
 
In Skärgård with view on Köpmanholm on Yxlan island :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 2015CEST (N59°40-E018°55)
 
 
In Skärgård salinig out of the strait between Furusund and Yxlan :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 2019CEST (N59°40-E018°56)
 
 
Sunset in Skärgård with lighthouse Ålandskobb :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 2027CEST (N59°41-E019°00)
 
 
Leaving Skärgård with lighthouse Marö after 3½ hours of cruising through a world of islands :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 29may2018 2034CEST (N59°42-E019°03)
 
 
Sunset with island Tjären and lighthouse Tjärven :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Sunset · 29may2018 2111CEST (N59°47-E019°24)
 
 
The full Moon rises in the south east :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Moonrise · 29may2018 2134CEST (N59°52-E019°34)
 
 
Sunset between Sweden and Åland islands :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Sunset · 29may2018 2135CEST (N59°52-E019°34)
 
 
Very slow Sunset :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Sunset · 29may2018 2137CEST (N59°53-E019°35)
 
 
The Sun vanishes at the horizon :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Sunset · 29may2018 2144CEST (N59°55-E019°38)
 
 
On the other side the full Moon :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Moonrise · 29may2018 2148CEST (N59°56-E019°41)
 
 
Departure from Mariehamn on Åland islands with the sky still light in colors at midnight :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Mariehamn · 29may2018 2358EEST (N60°04-E019°56)
 
 
The Moon reflects on the water with planet Jupiter not far away :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Moonrise · 30may2018 0002EEST (N60°04-E019°55)
 
 
After departure from Mariehamn with island Tvibenan and planet Venus :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Mariehamn · 30may2018 0011EEST (N60°02-E019°54)
 
 
Leaving Åland with view on Storlandet island group and Marhällan lighthouse in the background :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Mariehamn · 30may2018 0013EEST (N60°01-E019°54)
 

 
The Mini-Cruise  Day 2 - Wednesday 30th May 2018 - Helsinki   09:55am - 05:00pm
 
 
 

On the next morning, 'Silja Symphony' sailed through the extremely narrow passage between the fortress island Suomenlinna and Vallisaari island, before entering the Harbor of Helsinki and docking at the 'Olympiaterminaali' at 09:56am. Just 21 minutes later, I was at the terminal exit, back in the Eurozone, and further 12 minutes later at the market by walking, from where the ferry to the island of Suomenlinna departs. Roundtrip costs €7.00, and the journey with stop on Lonna island, where swallow birds flew around, took 24 minutes. Many tourists from China set themselves in awkward but artful positions for photography and talked loudly, the same happened on board 'Silja Symphony', where astonishingly lots of people from China traveled with.

It was spring time here, a little bit windy, warm, and the sun burned from a deep blue sky. Suomenlinna island is a quiet place with lots of fortress walls, green trees, spacious lawns invite for a picnic. I walked around for a while and took the next ferry back to downtown Helsinki. High clouds moved over the city in the afternoon, when I was about to finish my sightseeing tour.

At 03:49pm, I was back at the terminal, and only 5 minutes later in my stateroom. 'Silja Symphony' departed from Helsinki at 05:02pm, pushed away from the pier, sailed out of the harbor through the narrow passage at Suomenlinna and entered the open sea. The high clouds were dissolving themselves meanwhile, and sea gulls circled over the aft sun deck of the ferry, where I was sitting in the evening sun. The ship glided gently through the swells. LTE mobile internet access was available until 06:00pm.

Later in the evening, I took a look to the giant duty free store. Lots of things are being offered there, from candy and chocolate to spirits, tobacco and beauty products. Prices are significantly higher than in Germany, except for special offers, but that is normal in Scandinavia.

 

 
Reef Halliluoto with lighthouse :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Halliluoto · 30may2018 0915EEST (N60°03-E024°57)
 
 
Finnish capital Helsinki is in sight :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Arrival Helsinki · 30may2018 0920EEST (N60°05-E024°58)
 
 
Fortress and excursion island Suomenlinna off the banks of Helsinki :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Arrival Helsinki · 30may2018 0933EEST (N60°08-E025°00)
 
 
Sailing the only 150m wide Gustavssvärdssundet between islands Suomenlinna and Vallisaari :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Arrival Helsinki · 30may2018 0933EEST (N60°08-E025°00)
 
 
View on downtown Helsinki :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Arrival Helsinki · 30may2018 0943EEST (N60°10-E024°58)
 
 
View on Helsinki :
Helsinki Panorama · 30may2018 0946EEST (Helsinki)
 
 
In the harbor entrance of Helsinki with Valkosaari and other Saaristo in the background :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Arrival Helsinki · 30may2018 0948EEST (N60°10-E024°58)
 
 
Departure from Helsinki :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Helsinki · 30may2018 1723EEST (N60°09-E025°00)
 
 
After passing the Gustavssvärdssundet between islands Suomenlinna and Vallisaari :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Helsinki · 30may2018 1727EEST (N60°08-E024°59)
 
 
Many small Saaristo after leaving Helsinki :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Helsinki · 30may2018 1730EEST (N60°07-E024°59)
 
 
Last view on Helsinki :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Departure Helsinki · 30may2018 1740EEST (N60°04-E024°58)
 
 
Sunset between Finland and Estonia :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Sunset · 30may2018 2205EEST (N59°38-E022°42)
 
 
The Sun sets on the horizon :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Sunset · 30may2018 2227EEST (N59°36-E022°30)
 
 
The last colorful light of the day :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Sunset · 30may2018 2234EEST (N59°36-E022°26)
 

 
The Mini-Cruise  Day 3 - Thursday 31st May 2018 - Stockholm   09:30am - ...
 
 
 

The short stop again at Mariehamn was from 04:12am for only 7 minutes. After leaving the Åland archipelago, time changed back to CEST, and the sun rose colorful in the northeast. LTE internet access was available from 05:30am, the observation deck under the bridge was closed until 08:00am. 'Silja Symphony' again sailed in the beautiful and scenic Skärgård and eventually arrived in Stockholm. I left 'Silja Symphony' at 09:50am as one of the last passengers. She had berthed 33 minutes earlier at the Värtahamnen 'Tallink Silja Line' terminal.

 

 
Passing the island Storlandet after departure from Mariehamn with the full Moon after sunrise :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Moonrise · 31may2018 0441EEST (N60°02-E019°53)
 
 
The Sun rises above Åland islands :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Sunrise · 31may2018 0445EEST (N60°01-E019°53)
 
 
Back in Skärgård with view on Furusund :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0544CEST (N59°40-E018°55)
 
 
In Skärgård with lighthouse of Gryten and Gryten island :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0604CEST (N59°37-E018°49)
 
 
In Skärgård abeam Stor Andö island :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0617CEST (N59°35-E018°45)
 
 
In Skärgård with view on Talludden :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0711CEST (N59°30-E018°29)
 
 
In Skärgård with view ahead on islands Seglarö and Stora Blötholmen :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0716CEST (N59°30-E018°28)
 
 
In Skärgård with view on island Ekholmen :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0726CEST (N59°28-E018°26)
 
 
In Skärgård with view on island Mjölkön :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0731CEST (N59°27-E018°26)
 
 
After passing the only 175m wide strait between Rindö and Fredriksborgs Fästning :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0755CEST (N59°24-E018°27)
 
 
In the Torsbyfjärden heading Stockholm with island Tynningö on the starboard side :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0806CEST (N59°22-E018°27)
 
 
In Skärgård with island Tynningö and ferry to Norra Lagnö :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0809CEST (N59°21-E018°26)
 
 
In Skärgård with Bergholmen and Idskär with Kungarna in the background :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0813CEST (N59°22-E018°24)
 
 
In Skärgård with Bergholmen island in the foreground and Idskär with Kungarna :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Skärgård · 31may2018 0815CEST (N59°22-E018°24)
 
 
First view on Stockholm in the Halvkakssundet :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Arrival Stockholm · 31may2018 0852CEST (N59°20-E018°12)
 
 
Arrival at the ferry terminal Värtahamnen in Stockholm :
Cruise · Silja Symphony · Arrival Stockholm · 31may2018 0909CEST (N59°21-E018°07)
 

 
Silja Symphony  Photos
 
 
 
'Silja Symphony' departure from Stockholm :
Tallink Silja Line Silja Symphony · IMO8803769 · 31may2018 1650CEST (Stockholm)
 
 
'Silja Symphony' view from Frihamnen :
Tallink Silja Line Silja Symphony · IMO8803769 · 31may2018 1650CEST (Stockholm)
 
 
'Silja Symphony's smiling seal on funnel :
Tallink Silja Line Silja Symphony · IMO8803769 · 31may2018 1651CEST (Exterieur)
 
 
'Silja Symphony' passed Frihamnen :
Tallink Silja Line Silja Symphony · IMO8803769 · 31may2018 1652CEST (Stockholm)
 
 
'Silja Symphony' sailing to Skärgård :
Tallink Silja Line Silja Symphony · IMO8803769 · 31may2018 1654CEST (Stockholm)
 
 
'Silja Symphony's aft sun deck at sunset :
Tallink Silja Line Silja Symphony · IMO8803769 · 30may2018 2222EEST (Exterieur)
 
 
'Silja Symphony's aft sun deck at sunrise with Moon :
Tallink Silja Line Silja Symphony · IMO8803769 · 31may2018 0444EEST (Exterieur)
 
 
'Silja Symphony's picnic area on port side of the ship :
Tallink Silja Line Silja Symphony · IMO8803769 · 31may2018 0702CEST (Exterieur)
 
 
'Silja Symphony's aft sun deck with funnel :
Tallink Silja Line Silja Symphony · IMO8803769 · 31may2018 0719CEST (Exterieur)
 

 
Silja Symphony  Links
 
 
 

  www.tallinksilja.com

  www.tallinksilja.com - Silja Symphony