Yesterday we went on a day cruise to Åland with Eckerölinjen. Peter's dad turned 80 and we had been told that he and Peter's mum would go on a cruise with Peter's uncle. The three sons (Peter and his brothers) decided to surprise us by secretly appearing on the boat with their wives and children ...
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
ShareAffordable day cruise on Eckerölinjen
We have never been on a cruise with Eckerölinjen before, but realised that it is very convenient. Twelve different connecting buses run from many different places in Sweden and you can easily book a package with bus, cruise and dinner. It's a good price too! For the connecting bus, cruise and buffet for two adults, we paid a total of SEK 540. Then there are drinks and possible shopping in the tax-free shop.
The "archipelago table" is a rather ordinary but large buffet with different kinds of herring and salmon, pâtés, cold cuts and smoked meat, a lot of hot main courses and of course a dessert buffet. Delicious and with a nice view of the sea from the restaurant's large windows! Have you ever travelled with Eckerölinjen and what do you think?
How did the surprise work out?
Yes, Peter's parents were always surprised! They live a long way from Stockholm and are not in close contact with their sons. Now all three sons were there at the same time together with their wives and some of the children (grandchildren). There were a lot of hugs and tears and very pleasant hours on the boat to and from Åland.
The bus ride home was a bit interesting as many passengers were quite "happy" and the guards were busy trying to get people to sit down in their seats, not drink alcohol and not say bad words. The atmosphere was mostly good though and some passengers made sure to entertain the rest of us by broadcasting the Melodifestivalen at high volume through their mobile phones ...
More tips for Finland
Curious to see more of Åland and Finland? Read all our tips on things to do What to see and do in Åland. Below you will find tips and inspiration.
You might also like:
Things to do in Föglö, Åland - our top 10 tips
Finnlines' new vessel to Åland and Naantali - the state-of-the-art Finnsirius
Visiting Bomarsund Fortress - interesting history in Åland
Things to do in Kökar on Åland - our 12 best tips
What to do in Åland - 30 sights and experiences
Gold nuggets in Åland - tips for your visit
English (UK) 
Svenska 
Deutsch 
Suomi 
Polski
Lina says:
Oh what fun!!!! Oh affordable! I have not travelled with the Ekerö line since I was little! Last year it has been with both Tallink Silja, Viking Line & Birka Cruises. Cruising is nice! Wishing a nice Sunday!
28 February 2016 - 10:40
Ama de casa says:
28 February 2016 - 10:41
Åsa says:
Great initiative! You can't get a nicer present than everyone being there! That's an interesting phenomenon with the filling of boats...
28 February 2016 - 10:43
Lennart says:
A nice trip that we have done many times.
We usually spend the night in the company car park.
28 February 2016 - 10:50
Marina says:
What a great and fun surprise! I understand that it was appreciated.
28 February 2016 - 10:52
Emelie says:
28 February 2016 - 10:55
nils-åke hansson says:
We took the Eckerölinjen this summer when we were in Åland. Bought the ticket on site before departure very smoothly. Lovely boat trip!
28 February 2016 - 11:01
Mr Steve says:
What a lovely birthday celebration. I'm sure it was appreciated.
When I lived in Uppsala it was Eckerölinjen a number of times. Fast, smooth and affordable.
28 February 2016 - 11:03
Ditte says:
What a fun and pleasant surprise! I understand that this was appreciated. Nice to be able to gather so many loved ones.
We go from time to time because we have relatives in Mariehamn and you winter time, the timetables are a bit tight so then we go up to Grisslehamn and then over to Eckerö and there it will be a bus to Mariehamn. But usually we take Rosella from Kapellskär, a shorter bus journey there and none at all in Åland.
We rarely eat sandwiches but choose à la carte, but it is good to have a sandwich table. (Since we are travelling quite often, we are tired of the smorgasbord).
We never travel on Fridays and Saturdays because I can imagine that the bus and boat are busier on these days. But security guards are not on the bus on weekdays. I have never seen it.
And a similar trip is definitely affordable.
I recommend that you take the "Freedom" this summer and spend a few days in Åland, both the main island and possibly further out in the beautiful Åland archipelago.
28 February 2016 - 12:51
Ninni, Henrik and the Knasen motorhome says:
It's lovely and fun to have surprises like that.
28 February 2016 - 13:23
admin says:
Steve, yes it is very easy with these buses that depart from a lot of different places! Really affordable we thought.
28 February 2016 - 13:31
Henny says:
Many years ago we stayed at the campsite for two nights and to our surprise got a free ticket on the ferry to Åland. We did a day trip and what I remember was a nice trip through the archipelago, with good food and an incredibly beautiful sunset over the sea on the way back. A guitarist sang and played, the atmosphere was romantic and no one was unruly. A really nice memory to preserve in the "hard drive".
28 February 2016 - 15:57
Matts Torebring says:
Good food and beautiful archipelago. A nice short trip that we made once. At departure there were three young people who had overloaded a cart with Lapin Kulta. It did not go well for them. In the end there were not many cans left on the cart. Probably 100s of cans lay all over the car park and under the cars. When they tried to pick them up, they themselves were left lying there. Not everyone can go by boat.
28 February 2016 - 17:14
Rantamor on the retina says:
What a fun surprise, we would have liked that too, absolutely.
It's nice when you can surprise and it's just so good.
Hugs and tweets from Rantamor.
28 February 2016 - 17:33
JoY says:
We have also stood at the campsite and received free tickets for the boat. Then we ate a-la-cart in the restaurant, very good.
One midsummer we had booked a bus boat and food, we were 4 people who would get on the bus along the road. But we got a hint when the bus stopped and said that it was full and the next bus was coming soon. No bus came and we had to turn "home" to the motorhomes. Of course, the shipping company was contacted and we got compensation to go to a restaurant and a new trip with dinner. It was a very nice Christmas table trip instead of midsummer trip.
Hugs
28 February 2016 - 17:35
Elisabeth says:
What a nice initiative to surprise them! Plus good food and drink!
28 February 2016 - 18:55
Karin at Pettas says:
So nice to read that you were happy with the trip over to Åland!
Yes, of course I have travelled many times with Eckerölinjen's boats and the shrimp sandwich is almost a must every time.
Celebrating together like that is great, no one has to do the washing up and cleaning, everyone can join in and just have a good time!
regards Karin in Åland
28 February 2016 - 19:25
admin says:
Henny, interesting that you got a free ticket to the ferry at the campsite! Saw among the comments that someone else got it! Agree that it is a nice trip through the archipelago and we also had incredible luck with good weather!
Matts, I don't really understand why you want to be like that so you can't walk or stand, but we saw some in a similar condition. It doesn't seem to be uncommon on boats for some reason.
28 February 2016 - 19:28
Maggan says:
What a fun thing to surprise the birthday celebrant with!
I like that....
03 March 2016 - 21:51
Jesper, The Biveros Effect says:
06 March 2016 - 21:53
admin says:
Jesper, we agree that the boat was nice and it is certainly an easy way to get back and forth!
06 March 2016 - 23:51
Edvard Bergman says:
Ms Eckerö has been travelled many times. A wonderful ship and a wonderful report. What fun that the family got to socialise and eat well! Many people also book a villa or cottage in Åland and travel with Ms Eckerö. Here is a tip on accommodation in Åland: http://www.harnasstugor.com
17 February 2020 - 16:38