Baltic ferry cruise: shows, spa and shops on board

A cruise ferry replaces a hotel, a restaurant, and a concert hall all at once. While the ship sails from Tallinn to Stockholm, you sleep in a cabin, have dinner, and watch a show. A plane or a bus can't do that: they simply carry you from point A to point B without letting you rest along the way.

Tallink Silja Line runs Baltic routes year-round. Baltic Queen sails between Stockholm and Tallinn every other day, while other ships connect Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and the Åland Islands (as of 09/2026, Tallink sailing schedule). If there is no direct sailing, you can reach Tallinn via Helsinki with a transfer.

Let's look at how to spend your time on board: evening shows, buffet dining, shops, a spa, and the Club One loyalty program. Some entertainment is included in the ticket, and the rest you add on during the sailing.

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What's on board Tallink

💡 In short:

• Pick a date in the Tallink sailing schedule: it determines which performers are on your sailing.
• Book dining and spa either with your ticket or once on board.

A Tallink cruise ship is set up like a small city on water. Several restaurants and bars operate across the decks, along with duty-free shops, a spa with pools and saunas, and play areas for children. Cabins range from simple interior ones to suites with a window, so it's easy to fit the budget to a specific trip.

One of the most pleasant moments at sea: sunrise on deck. Get up early at least once and step out onto the open deck: the view of the skerries will stay with you no less than a new city.

If the route is long, you have time to sleep, eat, and relax between ports. The journey becomes part of the trip rather than a pause between cities.

© Ad Meskens · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ad Meskens, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Evening program and shows

Every evening there is a show program on board. You can sing karaoke, listen to live performers, or dance to a DJ, and the repertoire ranges from techno discos to classics in the style of a concert hall.

The performance schedule is published in the Tallink entertainment calendar. Check it before your trip if you're traveling for a specific performer.

Plan your evening in advance, because shows and dinner take up a lot of time: if you want a quiet evening, get a table in the restaurant and simply listen to the music from there.

For those who are tired, a simple rule helps: go to your cabin. The music outside barely bothers you, and free earplugs at reception solve the rest.

Sometimes themed cruises run: costumes, acts, and the entire program change. Book those sailings in advance, because spots go quickly.

Dining: buffet and special diets

Dining is booked with your ticket or added on board. The ships have buffets, international restaurants, and bars. If you don't eat sugar, meat, or dairy, you won't go hungry: such dishes are usually marked on the menu.

Get breakfast with some buffer: it's included in some fares and saves you money in port. Dinner at the restaurant is convenient to schedule after the show.

If you're traveling with a child, ask the waiter about the children's menu: it's not always listed in the main menu.

Shops and duty-free on board

Several shops are open on board, so shopping can easily stretch for hours: duty-free sells perfume, cosmetics, sweets, alcohol, and clothing, and sometimes you come across branded items at reduced prices.

Compare prices with city prices: not everything on board is cheaper. Buy alcohol and perfume on the return leg so you don't have to carry purchases around the city.

Souvenirs are convenient to pick up on the last evening: if you're looking for a gift idea, check out what to give a traveler.

Spa, pools, and saunas

The spa area has pools for adults and children, jacuzzis, and shared and private saunas. A swimsuit, towel, or robe can be purchased on site if you forgot them at home.

After a long walk around Stockholm, the jacuzzi feels like the best place on the ship. If you want quiet, take a morning slot: the pool is busier during the day.

Book beauty treatments, massages, and cosmetologist appointments in advance at reception, because open slots get taken quickly.

Bring flip-flops: they come in handy in the saunas, and rentals aren't available everywhere.

Traveling with children and pets

Scandinavians often travel as whole families, so there are many children on board. Play complexes and coloring books are available for them, and teenagers have plenty of video games, air hockey, and quests.

Allow extra time and bring a change of shoes, because children tend to stay in the play area for a long time.

You can also sail with a pet if you follow the transport rules, but then one of you stays in the cabin with the animal.

The ships offer a "Surprise" option: it's booked for birthdays and marriage proposals. Cabin decoration and a celebratory dinner are booked in advance.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a Tallink ferry cruise cost?

There is no fixed price: the route, date, and cabin type determine the cost. Check fares in the Tallink schedule for your date (as of 09/2026), and cabins with a window are most expensive on weekends and in high season.

Are entertainment options included in the ticket price?

Part of the program is free: shows, live music, discos, and sunrise on deck. Dining, spa, shops, and individual treatments are paid separately.

Where do Tallink ships sail?

Tallink Silja Line ships connect Helsinki, Tallinn, Turku, Stockholm, and the Åland Islands (as of 09/2026, tallink.com).

Can I sail with a child and a pet?

Yes, there are play areas and quests for children, and video games and air hockey for teenagers. Pets are allowed if you follow the transport rules, and one of the adults stays with the pet in the cabin. Check the exact conditions with the carrier when booking.

What should I do if I get seasick?

Take motion sickness tablets and choose a cabin in the middle of the ship, where there is less rocking. Fresh air on deck and a calm pace without sudden movements help. We covered cruises in more detail in a separate article.

In short: what's worth booking

A ferry trip comes down to three decisions: date, cabin, and dining. The sooner you make these decisions, the cheaper the sailing will be.

• If you're traveling for the first time: get a cabin with a window and the evening show.
• If you're traveling with children: add the play area and children's menu.
• If you want to relax: plan the spa and dinner in advance.
• If you're planning a second trip: join Club One, points and discounts accumulate from your first sailing. Points are earned for tickets, purchases, and hotels. Members get a 10% discount in restaurants and bars, as well as a discount on Aqua Spa entry and the private sauna. Partners in cities also offer discounts, for example 10% at Tallinn Zoo (based on Club One points data, 09/2026).

Excursions in Baltic ports are easy to browse on GetYourGuide.

We covered European port cities in a separate roundup.