Eckerö Line Terms and Conditions of Carriage

Summary of the General Terms and Conditions of Carriage of Passengers and Luggage
1. The Carrier means the carrying vessel’s shipping company, Eckerö Line Ab Oy.
2. The passenger shall not have the right to transfer their rights under their ticket to another party. A person who has acquired a ticket on behalf of another person shall be regarded as having had the right thereto as well as the right to accept the Carrier's General Terms and Conditions of Carriage on behalf of the latter.
3. Should the Carrier or a party under the Carrier’s responsibility be found guilty of error or neglect, they shall be liable to compensate for the death or injury of a passenger as well as for loss of or damage to a passenger’s luggage. The same shall apply to loss or damage due to a delay of the passenger or their luggage.
4. The Carrier shall not be liable to compensate for money, securities, works of art or any other particularly valuable luggage unless the Carrier has taken the property for safekeeping.
5. Where liability for cargo is appropriately confirmed, such liability shall nonetheless be limited in accordance with the Finnish Maritime Code.
6. Furthermore, the Carrier disclaims liability for:
a) any personal damage, or damage from delay, suffered by a passenger over the period of time that elapsed before the passenger boarded the vessel or after they stepped ashore;
b) loss, delay or damage of carry-on luggage, including items carried in or on top of a vehicle, before the carry-on luggage was brought onboard or after it was taken ashore;
c) loss, delay or damage resulting from an event that took place during carriage by another shipowner if it had been agreed or clearly required that a specified shipowner other than the Carrier is to perform the carriage wholly or in specific part. The same shall apply to cases where the passenger has the right to use another carrier.
7. The Carrier shall also have the right to perform the carriage with a vessel other than that specified in advertising or the ticket and to make changes to timetables or diverge from the published itinerary without advance notice.
8. Complete Terms and Conditions of Carriage are available at terminals, onboard vessels, at our agencies and travel agents.

FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE FOLLOWING HAZARDOURS SUBSTANCES MAY NOT BE CARRIED IN PASSENGER LUGGAGE:

- explosives, ammunition (ammunition intended for use in hunting or sports allowed under special conditions), fireworks and flares;
- gases (flammable, inflammable or toxic);
- flammable fluids (petrol, lighter or heater fuel);
- flammable solids (matches or other highly flammable materials);
- oxidising agents (such as bleaches and peroxides);
- poisons;
- radioactive substances;
- corrosives (acids, bases, wet batteries or mercury)
- other prohibited substances (magnetic substances, irritants).

The above provisions shall not apply to alcoholic beverages or products intended for personal hygiene, medication or smoking.

Reservations and payments

NetShop 

You can book list-priced tickets for scheduled services and day cruises as well as some package tours, and related vehicle places, cabins and meals online at our NetShop. You can pay via the online (finnish) banking services available or with Visa, Visa Electron or Eurocard/MasterCard, or you can ask for an invoice (in Finland). If you pay immediately, you can make a booking for the next day. But, if you ask for an invoice, you must book no later than 14 days before the departure date. No discounts will be granted afterwards for bookings that have already been paid/invoiced.

Sales service

You can book all our products over the phone on +358 (0)9 2288 544 (Helsinki, Finland). See Contact Us and service hours.

Phonecalls are recorded in order to confirm the content and quality of service. Recordings are used to secure the rights of the customers and Eckerö Line. Recordings are used in internal training of the personnel. The recordings are not used for any other purposes or released to third parties.

Ticket agencies

Eckerö Line Agency
Mannerheimintie 10, Helsinki

Helsinki West Terminal Building L4, Floor 2
Hietasaarenkuja 8

Tickets

Tickets are valid for the departure(s) specified on them. If you wish to use your ticket for a departure other that the one originally booked, you must cancel the original booking and make a new one, see Terms of Amendments and Cancellations. Any price difference caused by a change in price season must be paid. If you lose a ticket, you will need to pay for a new one. If you subsequently find the lost ticket, we can pay a refund for the unused ticket. We recommend that you take up a travel insurance policy that covers lost tickets.

Changes to prices and timetables

The prices and terms presented on our website only apply to tickets bought in Finland. We reserve the right to amend our prices and timetables without prior notice. We shall not be liable for any extra costs sustained by you if the amendments are due to weather conditions or other force majeure.

Discounts 

Only one discount per person.

Payment methods and payments at our Helsinki agencies

We accept cash (euros, no other currencies), Finnish bank cards and the following credit cards: Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard, OK, Diners Club International, American Express, Maestro, Visa Electron. We will always send you an invoice if you book via our sales service. If you fail to pay by the due date, we have the right to cancel your booking without prior notice. We charge a €5 service fee for tickets paid at check-in

Passenger information

The following information is required for each passenger when tickets are booked:
- surname
- first name
- nationality
- date of birth (ddmmyy)
- gender

Vehicle information

The following information is required for each vehicle when tickets are booked:
- registration number
- length, height and width of the vehicle, including supplementary load, if applicable

Customer information

In additional to passenger information, the person making the booking may be requested to provide the following contact information:

- address
- telephone number(s)
- fax number
- e-mail address

This information is filed in Eckerö Line’s booking system.

Age limits

Route trips, hotel packages and other package trips

Age limit is 18 years. Passengers under the age of 18 may only travel accompanied by their parent/guardian or a person over the age of 25 authorised in writing by the parent/guardian.

Day cruises

Sunday-Friday: age limit is 18 years. Saturday: age limit is 21 years.

Passengers under the age of 18 may only travel accompanied by their parent/guardian or a person over the age of 25 authorised in writing by the parent/guardian. Passegers of the age 18-20 may only travel accompanied by their guardian over the age of 25 authorised in writing by the guardian.

NB! One guardian is required for each group of 10 passengers under the year of 18.

Each group of 20 persons must have a supervisor who is at least 25 years of age and who has made a commitment for responsibility for the entire group. The check-in staff will inspect the authorisation forms, and those unable to present a duly completed form will be denied access onboard. Only Eckerö Line forms with all the requested information filled in are accepted. Click on the links below to print out the forms or pick the forms up from our agencies in Helsinki.

>> Travel authorization form (pdf)

>> Group supervisor's commitment form (pdf)

Passports and visas

Passports
Passengers travelling to a Baltic State must carry a valid travel document: a passport or an official ID card issued after 1 March 1999. A child’s ID card is not a valid travel document. If a child under the age of 7 does not have a passport of their own, the child must be included in an accompanying parent's passport. Children over the age of 7 must carry their own passport.
Visas
Citizens of countries made subject to a visa requirement by Estonia must have a valid visa to enter Estonia. This also applies to passengers on day cruises.

If you are hosting foreign visitors, please check if they need visas when you book with us. If you book via our NetShop service, you will automatically be informed of a need for a visa when you enter the passenger's nationality.

It is the passenger’s responsibility to make sure that their travel documents are in order. If this is not the case and the authorities deny access across the border, the passenger is personally responsible for any costs this may incur.

Passengers’ obligations

Passengers must comply with Eckerö Lines rules and regulations and any orders given by the captain of the vessel regarding order and safety onboard.

Eckerö Line and its representatives reserve the right to deny access of passengers who may cause danger or disturbance to themselves, other passengers or the safety of the vessel.

Eckerö Lines staff have the right to deny access of persons who are under the influence of alcohol or drug(s), who are in possession of substances classified as illegal drugs, who behave in a disturbing or threatening manner or otherwise fail to comply with the company’s rules or regulations regarding age limits, order or other issues.

Safety

Passengers are requested to study the ship’s safety instructions. These are available at the Information Desk and in the cabins. Eckerö Line’s safety management system is certified by Finnish maritime authorities. The system meets the requirements of the International Safety Management Code (ISM).

Safety on car deck

All items stored in a vehicle must be secured carefully in place. Access to the car deck is prohibited during crossings. Flammable fluids may not be transported in loose containers on the car deck. Smoking or lighting a fire is prohibited on the car deck. The valves of gas containers must be closed throughout the crossing. Pets may only be left in a vehicle at the passenger’s own risk. There are restrictions on the transport of substances classified as hazardous (e.g. gases, explosives, flammables and corrosives) onboard our vessels. Please see the list of hazardous substances. Passengers must advise a member of Eckerö Line staff at ticket inspection if they wish to take a weapon intended for use in sports or hunting onboard. All weapons must be handed in for safekeeping in the ship’s safe or held in the locked vehicle during the crossing.

Medical conditions, pregnancy, persons with reduced mobility

Any passenger suffering from a medical condition which adversely affects their state of health or ability to travel must consult their doctor before booking a ticket to make sure they are fit to travel. We do not recommend travel during the last weeks of pregnancy. Passengers with reduced mobility should observe the limitations of the premises onboard and the requirements set by any emergency measures. If a passenger with reduced mobility requires assistance by another person, they must arrange for an accompanying assistant before the voyage. The assistant must help the passenger at check-in, while boarding and disembarking and during the crossing. If a passenger's ability to travel is reduced due to a reason mentioned above, please inform our staff when making the booking. In addition, the passenger’s name and cabin number must be left at the Information Desk. In order to maintain safety onboard, the captain of the vessel has the discretionary power to decide if a person is fit to travel or if they need an assistan.

Terms of Amendments and Cancellations

We recommend that you take up a travel insurance policy that covers cancellations.

Individual passengers and vehicles in scheduled service and on day cruises

Cancellations can be made without any charge up to 7 days before departure. If you cancel within 6 to 1 days before departure, we will charge 50% of the price or, alternatively, you can postpone your trip to a date up to 3 months from the original departure date. If you cancel less than 24 hrs before departure, you will be charged the ticket price in ful.

Individual passengers with a hotel package

Cancellations can be made without any charge up to 14 days before departure. If you cancel within 13 to 2 days before departure, we will charge 50% of the price. If you cancel less than 2 days before departure, you will be charged the ticket price in full. You have the right to cancel your trip due to a force majeure. In such cases the General Terms for Package Tours shall apply (Section 5)

Groups

Cancellations can be made without any charge up to 28 days before departure. If a cancellation is made 27 to 22 days before departure, we will charge 25% of the price; 21 to 8 days before departure, we will charge 50%; 7 to 2 days before departure, we will charge 75% and less than 48 hrs before departure, we will charge the full price.

Office fee

All cancellations and refunds are subject to a 5 euros office fee.

Terms of cancellation for Eckerö Line’s own package tours

Eckerö Line complies with the Package Travel Act with the following terms of cancellation: Eckerö Line may cancel a tour if the number of bookings is insufficient. Passengers will be informed of a cancellation no later than 21 days before the departure date. Passengers may cancel their tour without any charge up to 28 days of departure. Tours cancelled later than this must be paid in full. Eckerö Line reserves the right to cancel a booking if payment is not made by the due date. No refund is available for bookings that have not been cancelled. No refund is available if the trip is cancelled due to missing or faulty travel documents (e.g. passport or visa).

Group name lists and check-in

Lists of group members and allocation of hotel rooms: If passenger information was not provided when the booking was made, a list of the names of members of groups of more than 10 persons must be submitted to Eckerö Line no later than 7 days before the departure date. The list of names must include the following information on each passenger:

- surname
- first name
- nationality
- date of birth (ddmmyy)
- gender

If the booking is a hotel package, the list of names must be submitted no later than 14 days before the departure date. A list advising how hotel rooms should be allocated must also be provided with the list of names.

Instructions for group leaders on check-in in Helsinki

Group boarding cards are handed out at the West Terminal's Group Check-In, starting 1½ hours before departure. The cards should be collected no later than 1 hour before departure. They can also be collected on weekdays on the day before departure between 2 pm and 5 pm at the West Terminal if this is agreed separately when the booking is made. Be prepared to present the complete list of names of your group members at check-in. Present the ticket, voucher or other evidence of payment to check-in staff. If your group has booked a bus, please give its registration number at check-in. Please note that it is your duty to inform the check-in staff if a member of your group will not be travelling with you. You must also hand in the extra boarding card(s).

Lost and found

Lost and found property is delivered from Eckerö Line vessels and premises to Finland's Found Property Service, Mäkelänkatu 56, 00510 Helsinki. Phone: +358 (0)600-41006 (€1.67/min + local call charge). The service is available on weekdays between 9 am and 6 pm. Goods subject to import restrictions not included in the service.

Access to hotel rooms

In accordance with standard international practice, hotel rooms are available at 2 pm (for groups at 3 pm) and rooms must be vacated no later than at 12 noon on the day of departure.

Pets

M/s Nordlandia accepts a limited number of pets (dogs, cats). Hotels charge extra for pets. This can be paid at the hotel.

Earn bonus with your S-Card

All trips on Eckerö Line are included in the S Group's bonus scheme. Show your S-card at check-in as bonus cannot be granted afterwards. The bonus is available for one card per booking when you book directly from Eckerö Line. The bonus is not available for group trips (10 persons or more).

Customer feedback

Please address any complaints to the ship’s senior staff during the crossing (or the hotel manager if you are at a hotel). Any claims for compensation should be sent within two months of travel to Eckerö Line, PO Box 307, 00221 Helsinki, Finland, or emailed to asiakaspalaute@eckeroline.fi. Please label your letter or message “Customer Feedback”.

Check-in

If requested, you must prove your identity with an identification document approved by public authorities and specifying your nationality. If you have booked and paid your trip online, you will receive your boarding cards at check-in when you present your booking number and ID. See also Passengers´obligations.

Helsinki West Terminal

Address: Hietasaarenkuja 8 (Building L4)

Address: Hietasaarenkuja 8 (Building L4) The terminal is open between 5.30 am and 11 pm. Eckerö Line’s check-in begins 1½ hrs before departure and ends 15 min before departure. Eckerö Lines cannot guarantee access onboard if a passenger arrives at check-in later than 15 min before departure. To avoid congestion, please arrive at check-in at least 1 hour before departure.

You will find our passenger check-in on the second floor of the terminal, with direct access onboard. There is a separate check-in counter for groups of more than 10 persons. Private cars and other vehicles are checked in at a separate point that you will find signposted from Hietasaarenkuja when approaching the terminal.

Transport connections

HKL buses number 15 and 15 V run on the route from the Ruoholahti metro station to the West Terminal and 15 A from Elielinaukio (next to the Helsinki central railway station) to the West Terminal. Parking Short-term parking (max. 4 hrs) intended for drop-offs and pick-ups is available in front of the terminal. Fee payable between 7 am and 11 pm. There are also two disabled parking bays in the area.

Paid long-term outdoor parking is available in the area.

Further information and a map for drivers on the Port of Helsinki website

The nearest parking hall: EuroPark P-Seaside (in finnish)

Passenger Harbour, Terminal A, Tallinn

Address: Sadama 25-2, Tallinn 10111, Estonia

In Tallinn you will find Eckerö Line’s check-in in Terminal A of the Passenger Harbour. Eckerö Line’s check-in begins 2 hrs before departure and ends 15 min before departure. Eckerö Lines cannot guarantee access on board if a passenger arrives at check-in later than 15 min before departure. To avoid congestion, please arrive at check-in at least 1 hour before departure. You will find our check-in on the first floor of the terminal. Private cars and other vehicles are checked in at a separate point that you will find next to Terminal B.

Transport connections

Bus number 2 to Viru square departs from outside the terminal. There is also a taxi rank outside the terminal.

Parking

There is a paid parking area near the terminal building next to Terminal C. The passenger bus (coach) parking area is outside the terminal.

>> Further information and a map for drivers on the Port of Tallin website

Information Desk onboard

You will find the Information Desk onboard m/s Nordlandia on the boarding deck. Services include exchange of currency (EURO-EEK), cabin bookings and keys to cabins booked in advance. Information about issues including taxis, timetables for transport connections and Tallinn bus fares is also available. Our staff will be happy to assist you with any enquiries.

Credit and payment cards

The following cards are accepted onboard and at Eckerö Line's agencies in Finland: Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard, Diners Club International, American Express, Visa Electron, Maestro  and Finnish bank cards.

Bringing your car onboard

How to book

Vehicles are divided into price categories according to their length and height. Please note that any supplementary load is included in these measurements. For example, a roof/ski box is included in the height of a car. Please check the exact height, length and width of your car before booking because if you book for the wrong category you will need to pay extra and may even lose the place allotted for your car at check-in. You will also be requested to state the vehicle’s registration number when booking. We recommend that you always book in advance. Vehicle bookings must be paid no later than 2 days before departure. We cannot guarantee a place for unpaid bookings.

Compulsory equipment in the Baltic States

The vehicle must be equipped with the vehicle nationality mark (a sticker with a group of characters identifying the country of registration) or EU licence plates. A fire extinguisher and a first aid kit are also compulsory in the Baltic States and Poland. Please also note that unregistered or uninspected vehicles will not be allowed onboard.

Insurance

Practice regarding insurance varies from one country to another. Contact your insurance company to get a Green Card, which serves as proof of motor liability insurance. The Green Card is generally accepted in European countries, including the Baltic States and Poland.

Remember to check before your trip with your insurance company that your motor liability insurance and traveller’s and luggage insurance policies are valid.

Authorisation

If the driver of a vehicle is not the owner or keeper specified in the registration documents, the driver must have an international authorisation by the owner, proving that the driver has the right to take and drive the vehicle abroad.

Car alarms

Please note that vessel movement may set off the car alarm if you leave it on for the crossing.

Embassies of the Baltic States in Finland

Finnish embassies in the Baltic States

Estonia

Embassy of Finland
Kohtu 4
EE15180 TALLINN
Estonia
Phone: +372-6103 200
Fax: +372-6103 281

Latvia

Embassy of Finland
Kalpaka bulvaris 1
LV-1605 RIGA
Latvia
Phone: +371-6707 8800
Fax: +371-6707 8814

Lithuania

Embassy of Finland
Klaipedos gatve 6, 3rd floor
2600 VILNIUS
Lithuania
Phone: +370-2-221 621
Fax: +370-2-222 463

Embassies of the Baltic States in Finland

Embassy of Estonia:

Itäinen Puistotie 10, 00140 Helsinki
Phone: +358 (0)9 622 02 60
Fax: +358 (0)9 622 026 10

Embassy of Latvia:

Armfeltintie 10, 00150 Helsinki
Phone: +358 (0)9 476 472 44
Fax: +358 (0)9 476 472 88

Embassy of Lithuania:

Rauhankatu 13 A, 00170 Helsinki
Phone: +358 (0)9 608 210, +358 (0) 9 278 1005
Fax: +358 (0)9 608 220

Currencies

Estonia: Kroon (EEK)

EUR 1 = approx. EEK 15

Latvia: Lat (LVL)

EUR 1 = approx. LVL 0.5

Lithuania: Litas (LVL)

EUR 1 = approx. LTL 3.6

Public holidays in Estonia

The following are public holidays in Estonia:

1 January: New Year’s Day
24 February: Independence Day
Dates vary: Good Friday and Easter Monday
1 May: May Day
23 to 24 June: Victory Day, Midsummer
20 August: Restoration of Independence Day
25 to 26 December: Christmas Day, Boxing Day