Hezu

As earlier replies have correctly answered it is pretty easy to get to Suomenlinna by ferry from Market Square and tour the sea fortress independently. Just be aware that the ferry frequency can be at times fairly low: the schedule for this summer has not yet been published, but if the schedule is anything like last year (and most likely it will be), the interval between ferry departures is 20-40 minutes on weekdays and 15-40 minute intervals on weekends depending on the time of the day, more frequent in busy daylight hours, less frequent in early morning and late evening. So, especially for return journey, you should plan in advance which ferry is the latest you can catch. Another tip: the Suomenlinna ferry is part of the Helsinki region public transport (HSL) and thus the same tickets are valid for this ferry as for busses, trams, metro and local trains, thus with a single ticket one could travel the whole route from the cruise port to Suomenlinna or vice versa as you can make unlimited number of changes within the ticket validity time (from April 27th onwards, that will be 80 minutes if I have understood correctly). Of course, the taxi option might still be easier and faster way to travel between the cruise port and Market Square. Likewise, the cruise companies may offer shuttle busses that provide transportation for this common route and the cost is probably somewhere between the taxi fare and HSL public transport ticket.

And at Suomenlinna, at Jetty Barracks right next to the main quay where the ferry docks, there is a tourist information office, so if you need any help to plan where to go in the sea fortress, stop there and pick up a brochure etc. You can also find brochures available for download at the official website of Suomenlinna. Also worth a mention is that Suomenlinna also hosts homes for a significant number of people, so it is preferable to not snoop into every building or backyard.

24 minutes ago, cansas.piligrim said:

Porvoo is also amazing - a small 19th century town, not too far from Helsinki.

Actually Porvoo is even older city: it got the city rights already around 1380 and the church (or cathedral since 1723) was originally built in 15th century and the oldest houses still standing in the old town date from 18th century.

18 hours ago, ama said:

We are arriving in Helsinki via the NCL Getaway this July and scheduled to dock at West Harbour (LCD) from 8 - 5. We are a family of 7. My mom has some mobility issues, she can’t stand or walk for extended periods of time, so I’m trying to figure out the best way to get into the city center area.

The berth code is actually LHD...

18 hours ago, ama said:

We are most interested in visiting Market Square and Esplandi (food and shopping), and Senate Square/Helsinki Cathedral. If we have time, we may do the Rock Church.

 

1. Last year, NCL offered a shuttle for $15 a person. It takes you to makasiiniterminaali. Is this very close to Senate Square/Market Square?

Yes, Makasiiniterminaali is almost next to the Market Square and Esplanade starts from the Market Square, while Senate Square is one block away from the Market Square.

18 hours ago, ama said:

2. Are we better off taking 2 taxis into town

and back? Are they readily available? Does anyone know the approximate cost?

I guess also instead of two "normal" taxis, a taxi van with enough seats for whole group could work. There is a taxi stand in Hernesaarenranta and I would assume there probably is some taxis present whenever a cruise ship arrives to West Harbour, although I really don't have first hand experience. Also instead of picking a cab from the taxi rank, it is of course possible to reserve a ride in advance either by calling or using a smart phone app. I'm afraid I'm not familiar what sort of fare to expect, especially as taxi fares in Finland were deregulated last summer (this linked article lists also some links to various taxi companies operating in Helsinki).

18 hours ago, ama said:

3. Does anyone recommend HOHO bus? Did you pre-purchase tickets? Do they run continuously back and forth between the city center and West Harbour?

 

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated. 

I believe HOHO busses are stopping there too and at least the regular Helsinki region public transportation bus route 14 has its terminus in Hernesaari, although that bus line does not go to Market or Senate Square, so one must switch to another bus or tram route to get there. See HSL route planner for more information about what sort of public transport options you can take to reach the places where you want to go.

On 3/1/2019 at 6:25 AM, plettza said:

Thanks for the advice. I am looking at the Sony RX. If I were to buy a 6x00, I doubt I'd buy many lenses for it. Maybe just a general, all round lens. 

 

I like GPS as when I import into Lightroom, I get the map showing the location of my snaps.  

Several recent Sony cameras allow linking the camera with a smartphone to provide GPS information for photos.

I have been on a shorter (3 nights) Svalbard cruise on MS Nordstjernen few years ago in June. Indeed the ship has some old world charm, although that means that most of the cabins may seem to be tiny compared to the cabins on newer ships. But then at least in my opinion, you don't travel that part of world to spend too much time in the cabin, you will see more either on the outdoor decks or at least from a lounge windows since at least the lower deck cabins feature classic port hole windows with a metal shade to block the midnight sun. I'm afraid my recollection of the shower facilities is very vague, I think I eventually skipped showering as I didn't feel to be in great need of shower and the shower room was little far from my cabin. If I recall correctly, the engine noise didn't bother me.

7 hours ago, mskaufman said:

These folks did not take cards.

 

On the other hand, that picture looks to be from Helsinki rather than any of the countries mentioned in the original post. Finland seems to be a nod behind in turning into cashless society than its Scandinavian neighbours (and Denmark), although sure even here you can survive easily with only a small amount of cash and use cards for most transactions.

And if you ask how I was able to identify that this is Helsinki (Market Square to be specific), it is the JT-Line gangway in the background as I believe that sightseeing/charter boat company does not operate elsewhere.

If you are looking for non-stop flights from US to Nordic countries, KLM does not offer any, since they only fly between US and their hub in Amsterdam. However, if you still decide to pick KLM flights the change of planes in AMS should be fairly smooth experience as if and when all flights are on a single ticket, then you can check the luggage all the way to the final destination and you can do airside transfer within single terminal complex with just a simple passport check.