The ferry between Helsinki and Tallinn is no secret. It takes 2 hours each way. Runs multiple times per day. Costs about 40euro each way (basic passage, surely you can pay more for business class seating or even a private cabin). Having heard great things about both the ferry and Tallinn, I planned to spend a full day experiencing the whole shebang.
I got tickets for the 10:30 ferry over and 7:30 ferry back. This would give me ~6.5 hours of exploring in Tallinn and 4 hours of comfy Baltic cruising. First order of business was getting myself to the terminal in Helsinki. Boarding for the Tallink MyStar starts 45 minutes before departure. I didn't know what to expect, if the doors close X minutes before departure, etc. I wanted to make sure I was there on time, so rather than take the tram I opted for a Bolt ride. Saved a few minutes and gave myself peace of mind.
Everything looks nice and orderly upon arrival. Scan the QR code boarding pass and you're on your way.
Upstairs in the lounge I saw maybe 100 - 200 people already assembled. To my knowledge there are no 'boarding groups' per se (unless you're taking your car over, and then that's a whole other area). Nor are there assigned seats, unless maybe you go for one of their 'lounges'. I expected to wander / explore most of this ride so I was not particularly concerned with being the first one on the boat to claim my seat.
There is a little cafe here while you wait. If you haven't had your coffee yet then, sure, get something here. But there are literally 10+ options on the boat that will be equally pleasant or better, so no need to panic buy any kind of snack here.
Time for final pre-voyage pics and getting on the boat.
First thing you notice -- and I'm sure it's not an accident -- is the shopping. Kinda like how the first thing you see once you clear security at international airports is the duty free area, first thing you see on the ferry is the 'mall' (or, the Traveller Superstore, in their marketing language). I knew this would be part of the experience, but was still surprised to see the scale, scope, and nature of it. Like an upscale department store. With carts for those who really wanted to load up.
(Honestly, my pics don't do it justice. For a fuller effect see the pro, 360-degree images at their virtual tour.)
Next thing you'll see are the multiple and varied dining options. Everything from grab-n-go prepared sandwiches to a full table service restaurant at The Chef's Kitchen.
Grab a coffee
Grab a lot of stuff
Get your drink on
Enjoy the buffet like you're staying at a coastal 4* hotel
Splurge at the Chef's Kitchen
... or get yourself some BK
I enjoyed that crispy chicken sandwich for 5-6 euros. Got a comfy little seat with a view and an outlet to charge my phone while I chomped it down, too.
As I looped around the various levels of the vessel I took note of some seating areas that probably do merit being early to the boarding process. Like these loungy areas with nice views.
But you also have some comfortable, standard seating areas, which I'm pretty sure are fair game for anyone with a 'Star Class' ticket (aka, general admission).
Or these rear-view, windowside seats. I can imagine some tense confrontations as people scramble for the handful of these. I can also imagine that the idea of sitting there for 2 hours is better than the reality of sitting there for 2 hours.
Not sure you 'need' a private cabin for 2 hours. And honestly don't know if these were occupied. But they exist. Probably more relevant for the longer haul rides to Sweden and whatnot. (If you want to see the interiors of the cabins, I refer you again to the virtual tour.)
You can also roam about the outer area somewhat if you like the idea of some fresh air. Few spots for your selfies. Or, in my case, the obligatory flag shot. I'm a sucker for the flag shot.
The two hours went by pretty quickly and it was time to disembark. Would be chilly in Tallinn. Good thing I brought my scarf.
As I was researching Helsinki I came across the various videos from Jet Lag Warriors, whose content I appreciate in general. Seeing their hockey videos prompted me to check the schedule during the dates I would be in town and, as luck would have it, there was indeed an HIFK vs Ilves game. Of course I knew zero about either team. Just knew that I wanted to attend a game during my visit to Helsinki. After doing a lot of back and forth between the seating options on Ticketmaster and the virtual tour feature on the Ice Hall's website, I landed on section F4, Row 5, Seat 69. Felt like I'd have a good view based on what I was seeing.
What I did not catch during my scan is that there are support bars of some kind that run over the rink and one of them connected right above the right shoulder of my seat. You can see it highlighted below.
It had zero impact on my view or comfort while seated. And the seats were actually pretty roomy and comfortable for basic level options. First time I stood up, however, I clocked myself pretty good on the noggin. Later when I got up I almost didn't remember, then did remember mid-rise, and adjusted to dodge the bar. I distinctly noticed some of my more experienced Finnish neighbors lightly laugh at my recognition. To their credit, I did not hear them laugh the first time when I stood up directly into it. Anyway, more interesting shots of the action from my seat further down. But first, the arrival and initial impressions of the Helsinki Ice Hall.
I was riding the tram with a couple of guys late 20s / early 30s and one of them had a kid in a stroller. They were wearing Ilves gear so I knew they were heading to the game. Like the soccer game Thursday night, this was somewhat of a family affair. And you can see that a bit with the crowd walking in.
I did not arrive with too much of a cushion before the drop of the puck, so I grabbed a few shots of the concourse on the way to my seats. Nice, comfortable place to enjoy some hockey. Think the arena seats ~8,000 for games. Good size crowd, but less than half the size of the United Center, for example, which is the last venue where I saw a game live. This was more on the level with the ol' Conte Forum at BC. Conte opened in 1988. Helsinki Ice Hall in 1966. You feel the 20+ year difference. But honestly, I prefer the more modest, less fancy vibes of the Ice Hall.
Also snagged a pic of the ice and a pic of the practice fields for some local / national soccer team (Ice Hall is quite close to the Olympic Stadium).
And while I was hoping to find a great hat or shirt option from HIFK concessions, I did not see anything that I felt like I needed to bring home with me. They have some cooler stuff in their online store, but a limited range of offerings here at the rink. Lástima.
So, time to check out the view from my seat. Not bad.
Crowd was lively, with supporters keeping some chants going from the get go. I checked the standings later and saw that these were two of the worst teams in Liiga. Would not have known it based on fan enthusiasm. Through the course of play, however, there were some clues that Ilves weren't great.
As the game unfolded I learned that the house DJ had a bag a tricks. First time my ears perked up was when I caught this:
Huh? That was unexpected.
Then a penalty was called on Ilves and we got this:
Okay, this was fun. There were songs for specific occasions. "Who Are You?" for penalties on the visiting team. Faceoffs during home team power plays got "Crazy Train" and "Bulls on Parade". Lot of good energy stuff right up the alley of this Gen X attendee from the US.
I forget when or why this was played, but was glad to hear it:
Then the magic happened. HIFK scored. Took me a bit to realize what was going on so this first clip catches it mid-celebration.
Wait, what? Are they playing "Flamethrower" from the 1981 J. Geils Band album, Freeze Frame? The same album I later had signed by Stephen Bladd, drummer for J. Geils, because he was a customer of the Lexington, MA video store I worked at during college? Yes, yes it was. Did a bit of googling in my seat and Wikipedia confirmed that is indeed their goal song. Wow.
Next goal I was ready from the beginning:
Great times were being had by all at the Helsinki Ice Hall!
Now, it was not quite Chelsea Dagger after a Blackhawks goal during the Stanely Cup.
But it was fun. Also, for what it's worth, I did experience the Chelsea Dagger Stanely Cup celebration live once. Can't remember which game exactly, but I was lucky enough to be treated to that back in the day.
During intermission I roamed around a bit. Again, like I witnessed at the soccer game, the Finns do NOT get cheated when it comes to intermission concessions. Beer hall seating was full and everyone seemed to have a cup in hand. No idea how they poured that many beers that quickly.
Also snapped some pics of the ice lit up in the home red.
I stayed for the second period and was treated to four (4!) more HIFK goals. Four more "Flamethrower" celebrations! More than made up for leaving the soccer game at half and missing the two quick second-half Finland goals against Lithuania.
Having witnessed a total of 6 goals I counted myself lucky and left after the second intermission.
Snapped a vibe shot from the tram stop near the arena.
And then a few more shots of the area near my apartment.
And then wrapped it up for the night. Sunday would be another full day, starting with a 10:30 ferry to Tallinn.
