Traveling to Tallinn, Estonia aboard the Eckero Line
On July 14, 2013, Marc and I moved on to our next destination. It was Tallinn, Estonia for us at the beginning of our weeklong visit of the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. We originally wanted to travel on the SILJA Line from Helsinki. Passenger reviews about the ferry have generally been favorable. But the fare from this ferry line was quite steep. Eckero's was less expensive although it was far from from cheap. We soon realized though that the cheap fares were for the same day roundtrip fares.
Eckero Line's emblem
I knew these ferries were going to be similar to mini cruises in appearance and I was right. The ferry ride reminded me of the cruises we had taken to the Caribbean since 1997.
Inside Eckero Line. Here's a gallery of paintings on the wall. Actually, it is a wallpaper of prints and oil paintings. The wall simply gives the illusion of a gallery.
This was a bar in one of the ship's decks.
Slots were all over Eckero Line decks. I didn't play any of them. I know better. These slot machines must have been so tight.
The forward section of the ferry where passengers could view the waters. There was live entertainment here as well. Marc and I sat here for a while and just people watched. There were families on board with babies. I couldn't take my eyes off the cute toddlers. How I wish I had several of my own. Dozens of them. They were just adorable. So round, so plump, so cute!
Another view of the forward section of the ferry where passengers could watch the waters
Drinks anyone?
The cabins on board Eckero Line
Since the ferry ride was a mere three hours, we didn't see the need for a cabin. I don't even think the ferries offered them to many of the passengers.
Thank goodness for the lockers. We had two backpacks, one huge suitcase plus an in flight carry on. We just had to store them otherwise touring the ship was going to be impossible. Each locker cost 4 euros and once the suitcases and valuables were in there, we were not allowed nor could we open them until we reached our destination.
Our lockers on board Eckero Liine
The Western port where Marc and I boarded the Eckero Line. We took tram 9 at the Main Railway Station in the city center and the trip took only a few minutes.
A small cottage on an islet off Helsinki
A shoal (a group of tiny islets)
Right next to a slot machine on board Eckero Line
Another bar and lounge on board Eckero Lounge
Duty free shopping on board Eckero Line
Duty free shopping was and is the ferry ride's main draw. Many Finns travel to Estonia to shop on board and shop in Tallinn. We checked out the Duty free shopping and there sure was a huge quantity of perfume and hard liquor for sale. Coming from the US where prices of luxury goods are not as high as in Europe, I did not see the need to buy any.
The main entrance to the Duty Free shopping on board Eckero Line
Passengers lining up for the second seating of the breakfast buffett. We joined this line ourselves. We paid 14 euros each for the breakfast buffett. It was worth it. We actually skipped lunch in Tallinn upon our arrival. That's how full we got on board.
I must say there was a lot of food served in the buffet. I had three helpings of many hot dishes like bacon (something I eat only when I'm on vacation), sausages, scrambled eggs, pancakes, bread, cheese, and of course, the pastries.
Of course, my most favorite of all was the dessert table. While there were fruits served, I couldn't resist the sweets like cakes and other pastries.
There were lots of fruit too.
This was yogurt.
Passengers who were thirsty didn't have to worry about quenching their thirst. Soda and even beer fountains were plentiful.
Soda fountains of the breakfast buffet on board
Hot food of the breakfast buffet on board Eckero Line. I didn't realize that what I ate at this buffet was just going to be the beginning of similar buffets all throughout the Baltics.
Hot food from the breakfast buffet on board. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, oatmeal, different kinds of cheese, different kinds of cold fish (an acquired taste), and more.
Warm pancakes from the breakfast buffett
I had never seen so many kinds of ham for breakfast.
Ham
turkey ham
Cheese
Bread
and more bread
We took advantage of the breakfast buffet and were seated together with all the others at 10:30 am. We must have stayed and eaten for a good hour. This was taken right after we had eaten and the ship restaurant's staff began cleaning up.
The supermarket on board Eckero Line
For me, there wasn't really much difference in prices for the goods on sale on board from the ones sold in the stores in Helsinki. I must be mistaken by saying this since many Finns do buy case loads of liqour to save money. I understand many Finns take cruises principally with the intent of going shopping in much less expensive Estonia as well as for the duty free shopping on board.
Eckero Line docked at the Tallinn Harbour.
We arrived around noon time in Tallinn. Fortunately, our hotel, the PK Ilmarine was a mere few blocks away from the port where Eckero Line docked.