Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Pepsi and Coke of the Scandinavian cruise industry vie to outdo each
other with bigger and fancier boats. The ships are huge—at around 50,000
tons, 200 yards long, and with 2,700 beds, they're the largest (and cheapest)
luxury hotels in Scandinavia. Many other shipping lines buy their boats used
from Viking Line and Tallink Silja.
Which line is best? You could count showers and compare
smörgåsbords,
but both lines go overboard to win the loyalty of the nine million duty free-
crazy Swedes and Finns who make the trip each year. Viking Line has an
older, less luxurious fleet, but caters better to low-budget travelers, selling
cheap “economy” cabins (shower down the hall) and allowing summertime
passengers the option of paying for deck passage only and sleeping for free on
chairs, sofas, and under the stars or stairs.
