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FINLAND SMALL
SHIP CRUISES
M/S KRISTINA BRAHE:
KUOPIO
- SAVONLINNA
- LAPPEENRANTA
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KOTKA
Details & Prices
Kristina
Brahe’s eastbound cruise, awarded with the Scandinavian Travel Award,
enables you to experience two different insular worlds connected by the
Saimaa Canal. The cruise passes several beautiful islands of the eastern
Gulf of Finland. Words cannot describe this special summer feeling on the
islands. The sea, the haze, the wind and the sounds must be experienced all
together.
Langinkoski and the Imperial
Fishing Lodge are without doubt the most widely known destinations of the
summer cruises. Czar Alexander III, being fond of fishing and simple life,
found here the beauty of the surrounding nature and the river rich in
salmon. In many books about Russian Czars there is a photo showing Empress
Dagmar, her son and the captain of the imperial yacht Tsaverna peeling
potatoes on the kitchen stairs of the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge.
Today Kotka offers many more sights, among them Kotka Maretarium and Sapokka
Water Park.
On the way to the canal you
will sail past Virolahti. The last Russian Czar Nikolai II, the son and
follower of Alexander III, liked to spend his summer holidays here. Cruising
along the Saimaa Canal will remind of not only the imperial summers, but
also of the times of tar steams and rafting. The locks will take you to
Lappeenranta, the lively capital of South Karelia with its unadulterated
Karelian dialect.
Kristina Brahe sails through the Saimaa
Archipelago and the unique scenery of the Lake Saimaa, where characteristic
features are seals, sour milk, fish pie and the smell of a lakeshore sauna.
On your way back you will have a short stop at Puumala, which was chosen the
most beautiful municipality in the Lake Saimaa District a couple of years
ago.
SHIP DESCRIPTION:
The m/s Kristina Brahe was built to be a military vessel in Chicago,
USA in 1943. She is known to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean once during the war
under the flag of USA. In 1985 Rannikkolinjat Ltd. bought the shipping company
who owned the m/s Kristina Brahe and Kotka became the vessel's new home port.
More cabins were built and the restaurant improved. At the same time more
cruises were made abroad.
The m/s Kristina Brahe's charm is in the atmosphere of "the good old days". In
spite of several changes, the original style of the ship has been kept by
choosing genuine materials. The restaurant's matter of honor is to provide
perfect culinary experiences while the atmosphere in the dance-bar offers
passengers unforgettable cruise memories.
Renovated in 1997, 57 cabins (48 outside),
Finnish crew, one dining restaurant, one dance restaurant, sun deck, family
owned and run. One dinner seating with Nordic Cuisine. Breakfast is a generous
buffet, lunch and dinner served a la carte or buffet. There is also a small gift
shop.
 CABIN DESCRIPTION:
The ship has five different cabin classes situated on four decks. The
cabins are quite small and modest. Most cabins have private facilities -
Category D and C cabins only have a wash basin; there are separate shower and
toilet facilities. All cabins are outside (porthole) except Category D which are
inside. Lower berths are available in most categories.
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Shore
excursions included in the cruise rate: (except Retretti)
KOTKA IN THE ERA OF THE CZARS AND
CATHERINE THE GREAT, 3 hours
The reigns of Catherine the Great, Alexander III and Nicholas II of
Russia are closely associated with the history of the Kotka region. On this
tour, the guide will tell you about various events in Kotka during the Russian
reign. You will visit the Imperial Fishing Lodge situated at Langinkoski approx.
5 kilometres from the centre of Kotka, built for Czar Alexander III and his
family in 1889. This "hide-out" of the Imperial family will be presented by a
theme guide in the role of Dagmar, Princess of Denmark and the Emperor's wife
(Maria Fjodorovna). The guide will also describe the life of the Imperial family
in the 19th century. On the way back to the town centre, the tour runs beside
the historic Kotka Redoubt, which currently houses a herb garden. Parks at their
best can be admired in the centre of Kotka and at the Sapokka Water Park, which
has won more prizes than any other park area in Finland. The Kotkansaari
fortress community during the era of Catherine the Great and the Greek-Orthodox
Church of St Nicholas will be presented at Sapokanlahti, close to the location
of the Ruotsinsalmi Naval Battle. The tour is completed by a visit to the Kotka
Maretarium, where giant fish tanks provide an overview of underwater life in
Finland, ranging from fell creeks to the Baltic Sea.
LAPPEENRANTA WALKING TOUR,
1.5 hours
The oldest part in Lappeenranta is the Fortress, where in an old
trading centre the town was founded in 1649. In the 18th century the town was
first fortified by the Swedes and then by the Russians. The Orthodox church and
the most of the old buildings date back to the Russian era. Nowadays the
Fortress is a lively and active part of the town. Many buildings have been
renovated and they serve as private residences, handicraft workshops, museums
and cafés. There are three museums: South Karelian Museum, South Karelian Art
Museum and Cavalry Museum. The Fortress area has evolved into a popular
year-round attraction and a centre of activities. On the guided tour you will
discover the colorful history and lively present-day life of the Fortress.
SAVONLINNA
Olavinlinna Tour approx. 1,5 hours
The tour goes from the harbour
along the oldest street in Savonlinna, Linnankatu street, to Olavinlinna castle.
Linnankatu street has played an important role in the history of Olavinlinna
Castle and in the history of Savonlinna. Olavinlinna castle, the medieval
fortress standing in the middle of the swiftly-flowing straits of Kyrönsalmi is
one of the best-known historical attractions in Finland. The castle was founded
in 1475 by a Danish-born knight, Erik Axelsson Tott, to defend the kingdom of
Sweden against attacks from Russia. During ists eventfull history, Olavinlinna
has witnessed a good many battles, and intriguing tales about the castle have
lived on until the present day. The first opera performances were staged in the
castle as early as 1912, and today the castle provides the venue for the Opera
Festival as well as other popular events. After the guided tour in the castle
return to the harbour.
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