PDA

View Full Version : Stena line discounts and ferry experiences



Low Tide
02-05-2003, 10:21 AM
For those of you who have done the northern circuits using the Stena line or the other competitors, please let us know your experiences- prices, recs, etc.  Specifically, Richard Blaine and the Denmark passage to Gothenburg.  

What needs to be done to secure the Volvo discounts exactly other than ask?

Also Denmark to Oslo, Stockholm to Helsinki, etc would be a nice addition to the OSD forum.

wiz
02-05-2003, 09:47 PM
I have not been on the Stockholm/Helsinki run myself but I have a friend who has, and I was in Helsinki harbor last year to witness passengers disembarking from the ferry. Don't make this trip on a week-end.

If you like drinking, and I mean really like it, then you will feel at home on a week-end trip. Apparently some people don't even get off the boat at the other port - they just drink right the way through then import as much duty-free into their own country as they can when they get back home.

However, Helsinki is beautiful and the Finns are wonderful hosts. Finland is an extremely interesting country and well worth a visit - just get your timing right...

rkestner
02-06-2003, 05:22 AM
ferries.  what a great experience!  unfortunately, i initially planned our trip to avoid ferries, but later we decided they were worth the cost and time savings.  sooooo, we didn't use the stena line discounts available from the fdc.  i did ask about the prices when we got back for turn in, and i want to remember the savings being in the 25% range.  our best ferry trip was the high speed ferry from frerickshavn, dk to gothenborg.  i want to remember it costing around $40.  even though dk and se are part of the european union, they use their own money, not euros.  we had lots of fun converting krone, krona, euros, dollars, etc.  it was a modern, high speed, vessel with restaurant, shops, bathrooms, viewing decks, comfortable seats, friendly folks.  we got to fredrickshavn in time to just make the slower ferry, but we opted to spend the night and go on the high speed on the next morning.  the entrance to the gothenborg harbor was a great photographic opportunity and i shot lots of photos.  if anyone is interested, i could put them on the site here.  essentially on all the ferries, we drove our car on board, left it securely parked on the car deck and went topsides for the ride.  hope this is helpful.

Low Tide
02-06-2003, 08:24 AM
Good to hear.

Wiz,

The boat-bound swedes like a little to drink huh?  when its cheap that is....thanks for the warning.

Richard,
It seems that for those heading South then North to the FDC, the DK-SE ferrys should save some time. Especially from Jutland so that you skip the Zealand link and the drive back North. Its probably cheaper too considering you skip the two bridges too- unless you only pay one way? If you take this route, what do you forgo? Gain?

rkestner
02-10-2003, 08:53 AM
ferries were just a great cultural and technological experience.  wouldn't trade the ferry trips for anything.  also, we spent the night in the town of fredrickshavn, dk before catching the high speed ferry directly back to downtown gothenborg.  the town was great, we stayed at a wonderful hotel with great food, the people were great, etc.  i was really surprised at the toll for the malmo-copenhagen bridge, around $40 if i remember correctly.  i think you probably gain some time savings, the money is about the same, and you meet lots of locals.  waiting in the ferry lines always brought plenty of interest in our car and our special license plates, with ensuing conversations that included politics, local customs and travel tips, etc.  hope this is helpful.

hordtheviking
02-19-2003, 08:28 AM
I've done trips to Finland a couple of times out of Stockholm and I would say your experience can vary enormously based on the time of the week and the line that you choose. If you take Silja Line for example, using one of their newer ships, your trip should be very nice with minimal rowdiness. If however you choose a cheap weekend trip, bring ear plugs as it could be a long night. It is a beautiful ride, especially the first couple of hours as the enormous ships cruise through what seem to be very narrow passages in the archepeligo of Stockholm. The food on Silja was very good, and I recommend making reservations for the main smorgasbord right when you board, it's well worth the price.

Low Tide
02-19-2003, 08:37 AM
Just an additional piece of info:  Durrent discounts for OSD trips are available at the Volvo rate of 10% off the standard fare.  Tickets can be booked in advance using Corp Travel as usual.  Mention the Stena line discounts is all you need to do.  Tickets will be included with your travel package mailing.

wiz
02-19-2003, 11:06 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (hordtheviking @ Feb. 19 2003,05:28)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I would say your experience can vary enormously based on the time of the week and the line that you choose.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Welcome to the forum hordtheviking&#33; http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Awesome name&#33;&#33; http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Yes you are right, the line and the timing does make a difference. I was in Helsinki watching Finns disembark, and the line was Stena.

hordtheviking
02-19-2003, 12:25 PM
http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif6--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (wiz @ Feb. 19 2003,13http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif6)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">[Welcome to the forum hordtheviking&#33; http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Awesome name&#33;&#33; http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Thanks Wiz&#33;&#33; Much of my family actually lives in Sweden and I&#39;ve spent a lot of time living and working there but this is our first Volvo OSD experience and I&#39;ve found the info on this site to be invaluable&#33; Just about any question I&#39;ve had has been answered here somewhere. We are looking forward to picking up our Ashgold XC70 in March sometime. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif [B]

wiz
02-19-2003, 02:08 PM
Glad you are having a good experience using the site. &nbsp;coastal (the webmaster) deserves a lot of credit for this site.

Good luck with the new car&#33;&#33; &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif