One of Europe's most scenic capitals. Expect stylish and sophisticated shops on Esplanade Street. Explore the Rock Church, built entirely of stone.
A Finnish Day Out
Departs: 9:15 am
Approximately 7 Hours
Adult $239; Child $149
Head out from the city toward Tuusula and its picturesque lake. Amid lovely woodland scenery you will visit Ainola, the home of Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)/ Sibelius was Finland's famous composer. You will take a guided tour around the fully furnished house and have time to wander in the garden where the graves of the composer and his wife, Aino, are located. After a brief drive, you will come to the Halosenniemi Museum for an introduction to the life of the most beloved Finnish painter, Pekka Halonen (1865-1933). The red pine villa that houses the museum was designed and built by Halonen himself. Nearby, a typically rich Finnish buffet lunch, featuring local and seasonal delicacies, will be served. Returning to Helsinki pass the Uspenski Cathedral and see the icebreakers docked for the summer season before you stop at Senate Square to view the elegant Lutheran Cathedral. Continue on past the Esplanade shopping streets, where many designer shops are located. Turn onto Mannerheim Street, the main street through the city, and watch for Parliament House, the Kiasma contemporary art museum, and the National Museum. A brief stop will allow you a glimpse of the unique Temppeliaukio Rock Church blasted into solid rock and topped with a copper dome. Your final stop of the day is at Sibelius Park. Here you can photograph the monument of approximately 600 steel pipes honoring Jean Sibelius.
Please note: Photography is not permitted inside the Ainola. In the event that a special function is being held at the Rock Church, an inside visit will not be possible.
Designs of Helsinki - Architectural Highlights
Departs: 9:15 am
Approximately 4 Hours
Adult $84; Child $49
See some of the main sights of Helsinki before visiting Hvitträsk. Your tour will pass the shipyard along the coastal road to the Embassy Park, the colorful open-air market, and Senate Square with its elegant Lutheran Cathedral. Watch for the Uspenski Cathedral and the icebreakers docked for the summer season. Then, it’s on to Mannerheim Street, which is the main street through the city, where you can see the Parliament House, the National Museum and the Finlandia Hall concert and convention center designed by the famous architect Alvar Aalto. You will also pass the new Contemporary Art Museum, the Kiasma, designed by the American architect Steven Holl, the Olympic Stadium venue for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, and the new Opera House completed in 1993. At the unique Temppeliaukio Rock Church, blasted into solid rock, you will stop to stretch your legs. Continue to Hvitträsk, the former home of the famous Finnish architects Eliel Saarinen, Armas Lindgren and Herman Gesellius. Built in 1902, Hvitträsk is famed for its architecture with buildings of natural stone and logs. Hvitträsk is also the birthplace of Eliel’s son, Eero Saarinen. He worked in his father’s architectural office until Eliel’s death in 1950. His best-known architectural projects are the TWA terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport, the Arch of St. Louis and Washington’s Dulles Airport. Situated on a forested hill overlooking a lake, Hvitträsk is now an exhibition center for Finnish arts and crafts. You’ll have time to explore the grounds and a guide will escort you through the magnificent home of Eliel Saarinen.
Please note: In the event that a special function is being held at the Rock Church, an inside visit will not be possible.
Finnish Food Tasting & Helsinki Highlights
Departs: 12:30 pm
Approximately 4 Hours
Adult $139; Child $99 This tour combines some of the main sights of Helsinki and experiencing the taste of traditional smoked Finnish cuisine. Departing the harbor by motor coach you will pass the shipyard, then head along the coastal road past Embassy Park and the colorful open-air market. Continue on to Senate Square with its elegant Lutheran Cathedral. En route you will pass Uspenski Cathedral and see the icebreaker fleet docked for the summer season. Then, on to Mannerheim Street, which is the main street through the city, where you can see the Parliament House, the National Museum and the Finlandia Hal concert and convention center designed by the famous architect Alvar Aalto. You will also pass the new contemporary art museum, Kiasma, designed by American architect Steven Holl. Arrive at the venue for your tasting experience and the chef will tell you about the typical Finnish seasonal delicacies and their preparation. You will then have the opportunity to taste these from your individual Finnish tasting plate. As a final touch, enjoy a typical Finnish dessert, local cheese and coffee or tea. Leaving the tasting venue your final stop will be a visit to the unique Temppeliaukio Rock Church blasted into solid rock. Continue through the city and back to your ship.
Please note: Photography is not permitted inside the Ainola. In the event that a special function is being held at the Rock Church, an inside visit will not be possible.
Helsinki Harbor Cruise
Departs: 9:30 am
Approximately 2½ Hours
Adult $99; Child $79
A short transfer from the pier takes you to another dock to board a sightseeing boat. Cruise the Helsinki Archipelago, where nature, beaches and historical sights are only a short distance from the city center. You'll pass through the fortified Suomenlinna Islands while enjoying coffee and a pastry. This unique urban archipelago boasts waterfront saunas and old villas. Watch for the city zoo and giant icebreakers as your guide explains the interesting history of Finland's capital and her intense relationship with the sea. Upon arrival at the market, you will disembark and spend some time perhaps tasting Finnish berries and shopping for handicrafts from local artisans. The Esplanade shopping streets are also nearby. Please note: If the Market Square is closed, an alternative shopping venue will be used. There are steps to get into and out of the boat.
Helsinki Highlights
Departs: 9:00 am, 1:30 pm
Approximately 3 Hours
Adult $59; Child $29
Experience the bustling city harbor of Helsinki with its large ferries and picturesque islands. Take a short motor coach ride to the city center—a fascinating mix of East and West, old and new. Yet, despite a myriad of influences, you'll note that a distinctive Finnish flavor pervades this unique city. Stop in the historic heart of Helsinki, at Senate Square, which dates back to 1778. Visit the famous Rock Church—an intriguing modern -day structure built entirely into bedrock and quarried stone. You'll pass City Hall, the President's Palace, Olympic Stadium, Opera House and the Parliament House. In Sibelius Park, photograph the monument of approximately 600 steel pipes honoring the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Take note of the location of Esplanade Street, famous for its fine shops and open-air restaurants. At the end of the tour, you'll have the option of shopping independently in town or returning to the ship with the tour.
Please note: In the event that a special function is being held at the Rock Church, an inside visit will not be possible. The option of staying in town after the tour is only available for the morning departure. The afternoon tour does not include a drop-off in the city center.
Helsinki Highlights & Country Home Visit
Departs: 8:30 am, 9:45 am
Approximately 4½ Hours
Adult $129; Child $69
Leaving the ship, you'll pass the colorful open -air market, the Presidential Palace, Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, the icebreakers docked for the summer, the Bank of Finland and the House of Estates. Stopping at Senate Square, you'll hear about the history of Helsinki and take in the neoclassical-style buildings that date from the mid 1800s. Now we head out to the farming community of Sipoo, close to the city yet very typical of the Finnish countryside. In Sipoo, you will view St. Sigfrid's—the oldest church in the community—dating back to the 15th century. Then continue your drive through the forest to a Finnish countryside home beside a beautiful lake. Stroll the grounds and hear from your hosts about Finnish life. Enjoy refreshments of coffee or tea with seasonal berry pie and ice cream. A leisurely drive back to the city takes you along Mannerheim Street, the main street of Helsinki. Here you will see Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, the National Museum, Kiasma and the Olympic Stadium. Visit the famous Rock Church before you return shipside.
Please note: In the event a special function is being held at St. Sigfrid's Church or the Rock Church, an inside visit will not be possible. St. Sigfrid's Church is not open on Sundays.
Helsinki Highlights, Porvoo & Savijarvi Farm
Departs: 8:30 am
Approximately 7 Hours
Adult $199; Child $129
Experience Finland in a day. See the city life, enjoy the views of the countryside and experience the hospitality of a Finish family. You will pass the market square, Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral and the Presidential Palace, with a brief stop at Senate Square and the Sibelius Monument. Your guide will point out the new Opera House, Finlandia Hall, the National Museum and the Parliament House. Then, your motor coach heads out of town towards the Sipoo region. Arriving at Savijärvi Homestead, the family greets you with traditional Finnish refreshments. They'll show you the horses they have bred and trained for three generations—the equestrian industry at its finest. In the family dining room, a homemade, three-course luncheon will be served, and weather permitting, you can enjoy your coffee and dessert on the terrace. The next stop is the picturesque village of Porvoo—its medieval character evident in the cobblestone streets and wooden buildings. Then it's back to Helsinki with a stop at Rock Church, carved into bedrock, and back to the ship.
Please note: In the event that a special function is being held at the Rock Church, an inside visit will not be possible.
Helsinki On Foot
Departs: 8:15 am
Approximately 3½ Hours
Adult $79; Child $49
Helsinki's tree-lined avenues, graceful parks, and distinctive architecture are wonderful for walking. A bus will take you from the pier to Senate Square with the Lutheran Church, the Senate Building, and the University with its neo-Classical atmosphere. From here, walk past the central railway station of Eliel Saarinen to see the National Theater and Sanoma Talo. Pass the formidable buildings that dominate Helsinki's skyline, the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Finlandia Hall, the National Museum and Parliament House. A flavorful cup of coffee or tea will be served with a pastry at a waterfront café near the Opera House, then continue your walk up to Töölö residential area, through Hesperia Park. You'll see the famous Rock Church—a magnificent modern-day structure built entirely into bedrock and quarried stone. Your walking tour ends at the Rock Church, from where you will be taken by coach back to the pier. You will have the option of staying in the downtown area and returning to the ship on your own. Please note: The walk covers approximately four miles. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. In the event that a special function is being held at the Rock Church, an inside visit will not be possible
Helsinki Private Touring - Full Day (Car)
Departs: 8:30 am
Approximately 8 hours - Price is per vehicle, not per person.
See additional NOTES below. Price $1599
Explore at your own pace with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service. This exclusive new tour is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests, and take in the sights at your own pace. See the famous sights, or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters. The Signature Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests. Please note: Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person), so only one person in the party need to order the vehicle. The price shown is the total cost for the vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. Entrance fees for attractions are not included. In many destinations, the number of vehicles available is extremely limited, so guests are encouraged to secure their private vehicle reservation as early as possible.
Capacity: 2 guests Your private party may be of any size up to the maximum capacity.
Helsinki Private Touring - Full Day (Minivan)
Departs: 8:30 am
Approximately 8 hours - Price is per vehicle, not per person.
See additional NOTES below. Price $1999
Explore at your own pace with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service. This exclusive new tour is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private van, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests, and take in the sights at your own pace. See the famous sights, or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters. The Signature Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests. Please note: Private minivans are ordered per vehicle (not per person), so only one person in the party need to order the vehicle. The price shown is the total cost for the vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. Entrance fees for attractions are not included. In many destinations, the number of vehicles available is extremely limited, so guests are encouraged to secure their private vehicle reservation as early as possible.
Capacity: 6 guests Your private party may be of any size up to the maximum capacity.
Helsinki Private Touring - Half Day (Car)
Departs: 8:30 am, 12:30 pm
Approximately 4 hours - Price is per vehicle, not per person.
See additional NOTES below. Price $899
Explore at your own pace with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service. This exclusive new tour is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests, and take in the sights at your own pace. See the famous sights, or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters. The Signature Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests. Please note: Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person), so only one person in the party need to order the vehicle. The price shown is the total cost for the vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. Entrance fees for attractions are not included. In many destinations, the number of vehicles available is extremely limited, so guests are encouraged to secure their private vehicle reservation as early as possible.
Capacity: 2 guests Your private party may be of any size up to the maximum capacity.
Helsinki Private Touring - Half Day (Minivan)
Departs: 8:30 am, 12:30 pm
Approximately 4 hours - Price is per vehicle, not per person.
See additional NOTES below. Price $1199
Explore at your own pace with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service. This exclusive new tour is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private van, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests, and take in the sights at your own pace. See the famous sights, or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters. The Signature Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests. Please note: Private minivans are ordered per vehicle (not per person), so only one person in the party need to order the vehicle. The price shown is the total cost for the vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. Entrance fees for attractions are not included. In many destinations, the number of vehicles available is extremely limited, so guests are encouraged to secure their private vehicle reservation as early as possible.
Capacity: 6 guests Your private party may be of any size up to the maximum capacity.
Helsinki by Bike
Departs: 8:15 am
Approximately 3 Hours
Price $99
Explore Helsinki by Jopo—a Finnishdesigned bike. Your biking guide will meet you directly at the ship and introduce you to your Jopo bike. Created in the 1960s and designed as a simple, practical transportation that could be adjusted to fit a wide range of people, this bike has become an important part of Finnish culture. Known as “everyone’s bicycle,” Jopos once were found in almost every Finnish family home and are now making a popular comeback. After making adjustments and listening to safety explanations, you will be ready to head off into the Finnish capital, which, being relatively flat, is a wonderful city to explore by bike. You will pass along dedicated cycling paths, past city parks, waterfronts, residential and commercial areas, experiencing views of the city that many visitors don’t get to experience firsthand. Glide past a marina and a residential area before pedaling along the scenic traffic-free waterfront area that leads to Helsinki’s main city beach, Hietaranta. Continue to Sibelius Park and visit the monument dedicated to Finland’s worldfamous composer, Jean Sibelius. Back on the bikes, your guide will lead you through a residential district to Töölö Bay. See the new Opera House and the decorative wooden villas dating from the 19th century. You will also see in the distance Finlandia Hall, the National Museum and the Parliament building as you continue to the eastern side of the city passing more waterfront parks and mixed residential areas. At the Eastern Harbor snap a photo of Katajanokka Island, summer home to the Finnish icebreaker fleet and location of the Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral with its 13 golden onion domes. Dismount at Market Square and enjoy the colorful sights and sounds of the market. Note the varying architectural skyline of the city with the Lutheran Cathedral, City Hall, the Presidential Palace and the bustling harbor and the market in the foreground. Exclusive waterfront properties, including many embassies and the popular Kaivopuisto Park are next on the agenda, as well as views across to the impressive Suomenlinna Island Fortress. You’ll also see a venue for the traditional springtime custom of carpet washing en route back to the ship. Please note: Participants must be competent cyclists and confident on a bicycle. Recommended for guests who are physically fit. Distance covered is approximately 10 miles over mostly flat paved and gravel cycle paths. Some mild undulations and one gentle hill will be encountered. A helmet will be provided and must be worn. Jopos are unisex bikes without gears and feature pedal brakes. Minimum height is 5 feet (152cm). A bottle of water and holder will be included. Wear walking or sports shoes and dress in layered clothing. Bring rain gear in case of inclement weather and carry this in a backpack. Tour operates rain or shine.
Off The Beaten Track: High Speed Helsinki
Departs: 1:45 pm
Approximately 2½ Hours
Price $199
Don a special all-in-one warming waterproof outfit and flotation device for a fast boat ride through the Finnish Archipelago. Board the special rubber boat with a fiberglassreinforced hull and a powerful engine. You'll pass the center of the city, Embassy Park, Suomenlinna Island Fortress and the Open Air Market. Pass the giant icebreakers while heading toward the narrow strait, where you'll hit full throttle. Experience the scenic Finnish Archipelago at 40 knots, traveling over waves and past islands large and small. Pass Finnish summer homes, some dating back to the 19th century, then land at one of the rocky islands for some refreshments, Finnish style—grilled sausages cooked on an open fire and a taste of Finnish beer. Speeding back to the city, you'll pass the new High-Tech Center, a residential area, and reappear next to the shipyard and your ship. Please note: The route and duration are subject to change due to weather conditions. Guests are required to be in normal physical condition. An outhouse-style restroom is available on the island. Wear waterproof footwear or shoes that you don't mind getting wet; bring gloves in case of cold weather
Porvoo & Helsinki Highlights
Departs: 8:45 am
Approximately 7 Hours
Adult $189; Child $99
Touring Helsinki, you'll pass the shipyards, Embassy Park, the Market Square, the Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral and the Presidential Palace, with a brief stop at the Senate Square and the Sibelius Monument. Watch for the new Opera House, Finlandia Hall, the National Museum, Parliament House and the Contemporary Art Museum, Kiasma, designed by American architect Steven Holl. Next you'll drive eastwards to Sipoo, whose church is one of the oldest granite churches in the country. It was built early in the 15th century, and its vault paintings are very interesting—most are symbols of protection. Lunch will be served at the Kiala Manor Distillery building, with time to explore the garden and visit some handicraft shops. A sightseeing tour of Porvoo reveals Finland's second-oldest town, dating back to 1346. You will make a photo stop at the old bridge with magnificent views of the town and the majestic medieval cathedral. Back in Helsinki, pause at the Rock Church, carved into bedrock. Please note: In the event that a special function is being held at the Rock Church or Sipoo Old Church, inside visits will not be possible. The Sipoo Old Church is not open on Sundays.
