Helsinki

Discover the wonders of Lapland while riding to a riverside reindeer farm in a longboat, visiting with a local family and shopping in Santa Claus Village, which straddles the Arctic Circle. You will even meet Santa Claus.

Special Note: The level of activity is moderate and not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.

Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.

DAY 1 - July 3, 2025

Disembark the ship in Helsinki, Finland and meet your guide who will accompany you on the transfer to the airport. Check in for a flight to Rovaniemi, Finland, the official hometown of Santa Claus. Note: The flight is not accompanied.

Upon arrival, prepare to have a fun filled day as the magic of Lapland captivates you.

Start your adventure with a visit to Santa Claus Village, where you will have an opportunity to meet the most famous Finn, Santa Claus himself. You will have time to wander around the village dotted with Finnish design and plenty of souvenir shops. You’ll see that the Arctic Circle runs right through Santa Claus Village, located eight kilometers north of the city center. It is clearly marked, and you can even receive a certificate confirming your crossing (additional fee).

The stores of the Santa Claus Village are open every day. The range of products includes local handicrafts from artisans that have been working for decades in Rovaniemi. And while there, don’t forget to visit the Santa Claus Main Post Office which is an official, full-service post office where you will find a selection of unique stamps and special postcards. You can even send mail stamped with the official Arctic Circle postmark! You’ll find two official mailboxes: yellow is for sending right away and red is for Christmas delivery.

Next, visit Poropirtti for a lovely local lunch and then continue to a traditional Lappish home where a local family warmly welcomes you to their home and handicraft workshop.

Following this visit, board a longboat for a gentle boat ride towards a reindeer farm alongside the Ounasjoki River. At the farm you will become familiar with reindeer herding, hear more about reindeer life and even learn how to use a reindeer lasso or ‘suopunki’.

NOTE: The traditional wooden Lappish longboats are open to the elements. Guests will be seated two per bench and low to the water, canoe style. A warm jacket is recommended.

Finally, transfer to the Ounasvaara Lapland Hotel for check-in. Your room includes a sauna. Take some time to enjoy this relaxing feature that is an integral part of the northern well-being.

In the evening, meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a short transfer to your dinner restaurant - Sky Kitchen & View Restaurant. With its lovely panoramas of Rovaniemi and the Midnight Sun, this restaurant has frequently been voted among the best restaurants in Finland. The restaurant’s menu is a tribute to the diverse nature of the north and the world’s purest ingredients sourced from the wild. A culinary experience together with wonderful views over Rovaniemi is a perfect way to enjoy an evening in this seemingly remote part of the world.

Following dinner, return by coach to your hotel.

DAY 2 – July 4, 2025

Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel followed by the morning at leisure to to enjoy the facilities of the hotel including your in-room sauna.

Just before noon, check out and transfer to Kesärafla Restaurant for lunch and then to the airport for a flight back to Helsinki. Upon arrival you will be taken to the port where you will re-board the ship. Note: the flight is not accompanied.

DAY 1 – timings subject to change based on actual flight details

9:30am Disembark the ship in Helsinki

9:45am Guided transfer to Helsinki Vantaa Airport

10:45am Check in for your flight

12:20pm Flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi (flight details TBA and subject to change) (AY533 with Finnair)

1:35pm Arrival in Rovaniemi, meet your local guide and begin your tour

2:00pm Visit Santa Claus Village, with free time included

3:15pm Transfer to Poropirtti for lunch

4:40pm After lunch, visit a Lappish home and handcraft shop

5:30pm Bus transfer to the riverboat cruise starting point

5:45pm Riverboat cruise and visit to reindeer farm

7:30pm Transfer to your hotel

8:00pm Dinner at Sky Kitchen and View Restaurant

Overnight at Sky Ounasvaara Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 2 – timings subject to change based on actual flight details

AM Breakfast at your hotel

Morning at leisure

11:15am Check out and lunch at Kesärafla Summer Restaurant

12:45pm Transfer to Rovaniemi airport

1:00pm Check in for your flight

2:15pm Flight from Rovaniemi to Helsinki (flight details TBA and subject to change (AY534 with Finnair)

3:30pm Arrival in Helsinki, guided transfer to your ship

5:00pm Approximate arrival at the pier, re-board the ship

Expected Weather:

Daily high average: 66°F (18-19°C)

Daily low average: 52°F (11°C)

What to Bring:

Warm wind proof jacket, clothing that can be layered, umbrella or raincoat, camera, warm and comfortable shoes, swimsuit/swim trunks for sauna.

Local Currency:

Euro

Electricity:

The power plug sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. We recommend brining a universal travel adaptor for electric devices.

Luggage information:

Guests can bring a maximum of 2 small carry-on bags with a total of 8 kg / 17.6 lbs and one checked piece of luggage weighing no more than 23 kg / 50 lbs. Since this is a one-night program, we highly suggest only bringing carry-on, while keeping in mind any airline rules for liquids and gels. Please refer to the FINNAIR website for any further details.

Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights:

CPAP machines are permittable in the main cabin however they may not be used during flight. Distilled water may not be available at the hotel. If distilled water is required, it will be at the cost of each individual.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required

Please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality

VERY IMPORTANT

The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.

Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.

The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.

Aircraft type (subject to change):

Airbus A321

Hotel address:

Hotels Sky Ounasvaara

Juhannuskalliontie, 96400 Rovaniemi, Finland

Phone: + 358 16 323 400

We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests:

•One night at Hotel Sky Ounasvaara including breakfast - Northern comfort sauna room

•Economy class flights between Helsinki-Rovaniemi - flights are not escorted

•Assistance of English-speaking guide in Helsinki

•Assistance of English-speaking guide in Rovaniemi

•Two lunches: 3-course with tea/coffee, water

•1 dinner - 3-course with tea/coffee, water and 2 glasses of wine

•Tours and entrances per the itinerary

•All applicable transfers

Program Excludes for guests:

•Gratuities for drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

•Food or drinks not listed above

•Excess or overweight luggage fees on flights

•Post office, certificate for crossing Arctic Circle or any other additional purchases at Santa’s Village

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths.

There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.

Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.