Finland is a country that is largely defined by water, as it borders the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia on its southern and western sides. There are also a number of lakes in lower and central Finland, meaning that activities that are related to the water are common pursuits on Finland vacations. Finland cruises are just one way to enjoy the water in Finland, and whether you book a cruise to Finland that features other European countries, or you book a Finland-only cruise, you are bound to have a good time. Sightseeing doesn’t get any easier than from the decks of a seafaring craft, and since the Finnish landscape presents many attractive vistas, you’ll enjoy some fantastic sights while enjoying cruises in Finland.

For those who book a cruise to Finland, the port in Helsinki is becoming an ever more popular destination. Most Finland Baltic cruises feature the capital city, giving visitors the chance to explore the number of great Helsinki attractions. Some of the best museums in Finland are located in Helsinki, not to mention some highly-renowned cathedrals, and they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all that Helsinki visits have to offer. More than 200 cruise ships stop in Helsinki every summer, and summer is definitely the peak season for cruises in Finland. The Finnish city of Turku, which like Helsinki is located on the southern coast, is also often a featured port of call on Finland Baltic cruises, and if you continue onward outside of the country limits, your next destinations could be St Petersburg in Russia or Stockholm in Sweden. Cruises to Finland can originate in any number of countries, including the U.S. and England, and cruises focusing on the Finnish archipelago can easily be arranged during the summer months in Turku and Helsinki.

Island-hopping Finland Baltic cruises are wildly popular with Turku and Helsinki visitors, and they are only gaining in popularity as more and more people around the world realize the joys of Finland travel. In addition to enjoying cruises in the Baltic Sea and the Finnish archipelago, those visiting southern Finland might also be interested in a cruise on Lake Saimaa. Found near the Russian border in southeastern Finland, Lake Saimaa offers its own mini-archipelago, and when you enjoy cruises here, you will get to pass through the first lock of the Saimaa Canal. This canal links the Finnish city of Lappeenranta with the Russian city of Vyborg. Inland cruises in Finland can last a few hours or a few days, depending on what you prefer, and they are numerous and easy to book, especially in the central lakes region. An inland cruise in Finland can start on Lake Saimaa, work itself through a network of lakes, and end in the town of Savonlinna, where the Olavinlinna Castle can be found. Easily one of the more impressive castles in Finland, Olavinlinna Castle is definitely worth adding to your Finland itinerary.

Finland Map

Not all Finland cruises operate in the warmer months of the year. From mid-December to late April, the northern Lapland region port city of Kemi is where you can enjoy one of the world’s few icebreaker cruises. Since the Lapland region is almost entirely located within the Arctic Circle, you’ll experience the long winter darkness that countries this far north experience in the winter. Sound like a downside? Well, what you get in return is a prime opportunity to see the Northern Lights. To get to your ship in Kemi, it’s a fun snowmobile ride out, and once the cruise is underway, you’ll be charging through the cold Arctic ice. Among the highlights of these cold-weather Finland cruises is the chance to don thermal wetsuits and swim among floating ice blocks. Not many people can say that they’ve ever done that!