Enjoy extra time to unwind and savor the ship at your own pace – no rushing, no waiting at the airport, just more time to relax and soak in the experience.

• Relaxed, stress-free departure.
• Enjoy the ship at your own pace with leisurely lunch and extra time onboard.
• Complete with the added convenience of included shuttle transfer to airport.

OVERVIEW

Explore modern and traditional aspects of Helsinki and come away with a remarkably complete overview of the capital city. For a historical perspective, you will pause at the monument to beloved Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and at the stadium used during the 1952 Olympic Games, a landmark of national pride. You will get a look at Helsinki’s vision for the future at the Oodi Central Library, whose avant-garde design boasts a striking undulating shape that celebrates Finland having one of the world’s highest literacy rates. Along the tour, you will have a coffee break to enjoy a bite of Finnish seasonal delicacies in a local venue. Similarly, free time in Old Market Hall will offer a glimpse into the past as it has been a hub for locally sourced foods since the late 19th century. Still, no venue is more historical than Senate Square, which several iconic buildings have framed for more than 200 years.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the monument to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and the 1952 Olympic Stadium.
• Gain a deeper historical perspective at Senate Square and Old Market Hall.
• Behold the striking avant-garde design of the Oodi Central Library.
• Enjoy a sampling of Finnish seasonal specialties.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Helsinki, many of them iconic attractions that define the cities. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Helsinki, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Sibelius Monument
• Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
• Kamppi Chapel
• Helsinki Central Railway Station
• Senate Square
• Uspenski Cathedral
• Old Market Hall

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Helsinki.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Pose like a star at the focal point of numerous cultural events and gatherings, Senate Square stands as a testament to the city's rich history and architectural grandeur.
• Capture the essence of Uspenski Cathedral in any season, every moment is a selfie-ready memory waiting to be framed.
• Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of Kamppi Chapel, capturing moments of peace against its minimalist wooden architecture, a perfect backdrop for contemplative and stylish selfies.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

OVERVIEW

Experience the joy associated with taking a sauna, a Finnish ritual that archaeological evidence shows to date as far back as 7,000 B.C. The sauna tradition is so characteristic of Finland that UNESCO recognized it on its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, describing the sauna as a sacred place, a church of nature. As you will discover, relaxing in a sauna is more about cleansing the mind than the body. Saunas are also popular places for socializing in the Finnish culture. Health benefits may include relieving stress, reducing hypertension and improving respiration. Plus, spending time in a sauna just feels good. You will discover more about Finnish life while pausing at Senate Square, an expansive plaza dominated by four neoclassical buildings that lend insight into Helsinki’s past. An enlightening drive through the capital city will present more architectural treasures, giving you an overview of the sights that this city has to offer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend hours relaxing and socializing in a Finnish sauna.
• Reap the potential health benefits of the sauna experience.
• Browse Senate Square, a popular plaza known for its neoclassical buildings.
• See other iconic architecture on a panoramic drive through Helsinki.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit and towel.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See two of Helsinki’s most avant-garde buildings and gain a deeper appreciation for their innovative designs and unique stories. The façade of the Oodi Central Library features a striking wave-like shape that celebrates Finland ’s world-renowned literacy rates. While only a third of the library is dedicated to books, the rest is designed as public spaces, including a recording studio, movie theatre, restaurants, and the top-floor Citizens’ Balcony, which offers panoramic views of the city. The innovative use of steel beams allows for an open middle floor with unobstructed views from one end to the other. You’ll also explore the Helsinki Music Centre, known for its exceptional acoustic design. The vineyard-style concert hall, crafted by acoustic expert Yasuhisa Toyota, allows the audience to surround the musicians for an immersive experience. Much of the structure is built underground to harmonize with the surrounding cityscape. Additionally, the tour includes external views of iconic landmarks such as Senate Square, the National Museum, and other key sites that showcase Helsinki’s rich cultural and historical heritage. This journey blends cutting-edge design with a deeper connection to the city’s past, offering a unique perspective on Helsinki’s vibrant identity.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain an insider’s perspective into the designs of two modernistic buildings in Helsinki.
• Discover how the Oodi Central Library was brilliantly designed for much more than books.
• Hear about the design challenges in creating the Helsinki Music Centre’s extraordinary acoustics.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

This tour is intended for guests who have limited mobility, rely on a cane or walker, or for guests’ companions.

See the highlights in Helsinki’s city center and enjoy a stop in Market Square before visiting a contemporary underground church made of rock. As you proceed down the shop-lined boulevards, you will see landmarks such as Senate Square and the red-brick Uspenski Orthodox Church, the largest orthodox church in Western Europe. Completed in the mid-19th century, it features green-and-gold onion domes that are clearly Russian in design. Upon reaching Market Square near the harbor esplanade, you will have free time to browse the open-air stalls. More farmers market than flower market, it is a favorite for locals seeking items ranging from smoked fish to cloudberries. In the Toolo neighborhood, you will visit the Temppeliaukion Church. Built almost entirely underground with modern features such as a copper-wire ceiling, the church is barely visible from ground level. The space for the church was blasted out of solid granite in the 1960s and construction only took a year.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic drive through downtown Helsinki while admiring its many landmarks.
• Browse the open-air stalls in Market Square, a favorite destination among the locals.
• Behold a modern church built almost entirely underground.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.

OVERVIEW

Guests who are fully dependent on their mobility device are eligible for this excursion and are required to bring their own wheelchair/scooter.

See the highlights in Helsinki’s city center and enjoy a stop in Market Square before visiting a contemporary underground church made of rock. As you proceed down the shop-lined boulevards, you will see landmarks such as Senate Square and the red-brick Uspenski Orthodox Church, the largest orthodox church in Western Europe. Completed in the mid-19th century, it features green-and-gold onion domes that are clearly Russian in design. Upon reaching Market Square near the harbor esplanade, you will have free time to browse the open-air stalls. More farmers market than flower market, it is a favorite for locals seeking items ranging from smoked fish to cloudberries. In the Toolo neighborhood, you will visit the Temppeliaukion Church. Built almost entirely underground with modern features such as a copper-wire ceiling, the church is barely visible from ground level. The space for the church was blasted out of solid granite in the 1960s and construction only took a year.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic drive through downtown Helsinki while admiring its many landmarks.
• Browse the open-air stalls in Market Square, a favorite destination among the locals.
• Behold a modern church built almost entirely underground.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.

OVERVIEW

See the capital’s most defining landmarks on an enlightening drive through downtown and stop along the way for photos. One of the most unusual attractions is in Sibelius Park, where you will see the monument that honors beloved Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. This abstract sculpture is a cluster of 600 organ-like steel tubes that create a soothing sound in the wind. You will also pass the stadium where the 1952 Olympics were held is another symbol of national pride. Helsinki is also known for its extraordinary architecture, a mix of buildings such as the historical pink granite Parliament House and the avant-garde Oodi Central Library. Many of the city’s Neoclassical-style icons flank Senate Square, which you can explore during free time. For shopping, be sure to browse the stores along nearby Esplanade Street. On the way to the airport, you will pass a fleet of innovative ice-breaking vessels used in the winter to clear sea routes for other ships.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hear entertaining commentary on a panoramic drive through downtown Helsinki..
• See the monument to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and pass by the 1952 Olympic Stadium.
• Gain a deeper historical perspective of the capital during free time around Senate Square.
• Behold the striking avant-garde design of the Oodi Central Library.
• Pass Helsinki’s ice-breaking fleet on the way to the airport to catch your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.