COVID-19 - The effect of the 2020 Coronavirus on Baltic Sea Ferries

Last Updated: May 12, 2020

As of 12 May 2020, most countries bordering the Baltic Sea have begun, or are planning to loosen their travel restrictions around the Baltic Sea. Essential Travel aboard cruise ferries is generally becoming allowed, but on a very strict basis. Those requiring a ferry on their essential travel can make a reservation. Read the fine details below before attempting a reservation.

Generally if you are a resident or national of an EU/EEA state and you are performing an essential duty, or returning home, you may travel via ferry in the Baltic Sea.

Currently there is a confusing overlap in the Baltic Sea between individual country regulations, and those measures put forth by the EU + Schengen Zone. Ultimately each individual country has the authority to reject or allow entry to their borders, but a more unified approach is in the works.

Country	Summary	Reference
Germany	Restricted entry until 15 May	https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/EN/topics/civil-protection/coronavirus/coronavirus-faqs.html
Denmark	Restricted entry until 30 May 2020	https://politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark/if-you-are-travelling-to-and-from-denmark
Sweden	Restricted entry until 15 May	https://polisen.se/en/the-swedish-police/the-coronavirus-and-the-swedish-police/travel-to-and-from-sweden-affected-until-15-May-2020/
Finland	Restricted entry until 14 June	https://www.raja.fi/current_issues/guidelines_for_border_traffic
Russia	Restricted entry until 1 June	https://ru.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Estonia	Restricted entry until further notice	https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/coronavirus-and-travelling-to-estonia
Latvia	Restricted entry until further notice	https://www.mk.gov.lv/en/aktualitates/vgovernment-imposes-additional-precautionary-measures-limit-spread-covid-19
Lithuania	Restricted entry until further notice	https://urm.lt/default/en/important-covid19
Poland	Restricted entry until further notice	https://www.gov.pl/web/coronavirus/travel

Viking Line

VikingLine operates ferries between Finland, the Aland Islands, Sweden and Estonia. The Stockholm-Turku route is open to travellers for necessary reasons only. Harbour and Langnas are closed to foreign travellers.

Stockholm–Turku route is being operated between March 20–April 13, 2020 according to the changed timetable. Cruise passengers are not allowed, other travellers are allowed for necessary reasons only. Harbour of Långnäs is closed for foreign travellers.

Helsinki–Tallinn route is being operated between March 17–31, 2020 according to the changed timetable. Cruise passengers are not allowed, other travellers are allowed for necessary reasons only.

Stockholm–Helsinki and Helsinki-Stockholm sailings on Gabriella and Mariella are suspended between March 18–April 13, 2020. The last sailing from Helsinki is on 17 March, the last sailing from Stockholm is on 18 March. Journeys affected can be rebooked or cancelled at no additional cost, our ordinary rules do not apply.

Stockholm–Mariehamn sailings on Viking Cinderella are suspended between March 16–April 16, 2020. Journeys affected can be rebooked or cancelled at no additional cost, Viking Line ordinary rules do not apply.

Kapellskär–Mariehamn sailings are suspended between March 17–April 13, 2020. Journeys affected can be rebooked or cancelled at no additional cost, our ordinary rules do not apply.

Tallink Silja

For Tallink Silja, individual bookings made up until May 31st, 2020 can be changed to another date free of charge until December 31st, 2020. The following modifications are in order until further notice:

Tallinn-Stockholm traffic has been suspended from Sunday 15 March and all departures are cancelled until further notice

Riga-Stockholm traffic has been suspended from Monday 16 March and all departures are cancelled until further notice.

Tallinn-Helsinki route vessel Silja Europa has been suspended from Tuesday, 17 March and all departures are cancelled until further notice.

Tallink Grupp will temporarily suspend the operation of three of its hotels in Tallinn and Riga from Wednesday 18 March.

Helsinki-Tallinn route's Shuttle traffic with Star & Megastar:

Megastar continues to operate on the Tallinn-Helsinki route according its usual schedule New bookings for Day Cruise or roundtrips between Helsinki and Tallinn are not sold.

Helsinki-Stockholm traffic has been suspended from Wednesday 19 March and all departures are cancelled until further notice.

Eckerö Line

Eckerö Line is also implementing temporary changes to their ferry schedule to make sure cargo is still going to be transported smoothly between Finland and Estonia, but their ferries will only carry limited amounts of passengers and passenger vehicles.

Eckerö Linjen

Eckerö Linjen has cancelled all departures until 15 June 2020.

Finnlines

In regards to Finnlines, the only international traffic open in Finland are Helsinki, Mariehamn, Turku and Vaasa. There is restricted travel from March 19 until 13th of April. For Malmo-Travemunde there are still currently no restrictions in passenger service between Germany and Sweden.

Naantali-Långnäs-Kapellskär it is not possible to travel from Naantali (Finland) to Kapellskär (Sweden) and vice-versa This has no effect on Finland’s internal traffic between mainland Finland and Åland Island and passengers have the possibility to travel on the Finnlines’ route Naantali-Långnäs-Naantali.

St. Peter Line

With St. Peter Line, there are cancellations on trips for passengers up until April 19, 2020 because the Government of the Russian Federation and EU countries has enforced temporary restrictions. For Russian passengers who planned March 21st to April 19th, 2020, you can change the dates for that time period to May 5th-December 28th. There are offers up to 15% discount on all cabins on any regular MOBY SPL departures in 2020. For non-Russian passengers, no one can ride until May 1st to St. Petersburg. You can also send refund requests for cancelled ferries without charge for the cost of the cabin.