Before your trip

Boarding/Embarking

You can board your boat at the earliest 30 minutes, but no later than 15 minutes prior to departure time. Your tour guide will welcome you personally at the gangway, and the the crew help you with your luggage and will show you to your cabin.

Debarking/Arrival and return

If you would like to take a taxi when the ship arrives at the end of the cruise, the tour guide will be more than happy to assist you, as there is no taxi station at the quays.

Please not that arrival times are approximate, as weather and traffic conditions can cause delays. For that reason, we advise you to allow for a good time margin for continued travel on the day of arrival. The cruise company cannot be held responsible for any additional costs in conjunction with delays that are beyond the company's control; please see our Terms & Conditions for detailed information.

Parking

There is no long-term parking available at the quay in either Gothenburg or Stockholm. However, the cruise company can provide information about parking possibilities.

Long-term parking is available within walking distance from the quays in Motala, Söderköping, Mariestad, and Norsholm.

Please check "Maps & Departure points" below.

Quays

Gothenburg quay: Packhuskajen 10 (by the Casino Cosmopol)
Stockholm quay: Skeppsbrokajen 103 (opposite the Hotel Reisen)
Söderköping quay: Next to the lock (Slussgränd)
Motala quay: Motala harbour
Mariestad quay: Hamngatan 21
Norsholm quay: Slussvägen 7 (next to Kapten Bille's café and hostel)

Please check "Maps & Departure points" below.

Bus transfer

Mini Canal Cruise
If you wish to make the bus trip back to the point of departure, please notify us at least 10 days prior to the departure date of the cruise. It is also possible to disembark the bus at Linköping Central Station, but this must be booked in advance with the cruise company.

Göta Canal Highlights
Optional bus transfer from Gothenburg to Mariestad and from Norsholm to Stockholm (or in the reverse direction) is to be booked at least 10 days prior to the departure date of the cruise. The bus arrives in Gothenburg/departs from Gothenburg by the Clarion Hotel Post at Drottningtorget Square (opposite the Central Station). The bus arrives in Stockholm/departs from Stockholm by the Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel at Vasagatan 1 (next to the Central Station and the City Terminal). If you start your cruise with a bus transfer from Gothenburg or Stockholm, the bus will then be available for boarding from 08:30 a.m. until 08:45 a.m.

Insurance

All passengers are covered by our insurande when on board the ship. But as soon as you go ashore this insurance is no longer valid. We therefore recommend you purchase a separate accident or travel insurance. 

Please contact your insurance company before travelling to find out what your existing insurances are covering.

Tour guide

There will be daily information meetings held in three languages (Swedish, English and German). Your tour guide will tell you what is going to happen during the day, and will also tell you about the history of the canal and the local sites, as well as provide practical information. The tour guide will be available througout the cruise and even lead som of the shore trips.

Common areas

On shelter deck you will find the dining room and the lounge. As our aim is to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, there is neither radio nor TV on board. For the comfort of all guests, mobile phone conversations should be limited to your cabin or ashore.

On bridge deck you will find comfortable chairs for relaxing and warm blankets to huddle up in on chilly evenings. Here you will also find the ship's bar.

Cabins

The cabins are charming, but small. Just about all the cabins (with the exception of the cabins on the main deck of M/S Diana) are fitted with bunk beds and are about the same size as a sleeping compartment on a train. Please do not bring to much luggage - we suggest a smaller suitcase, as the space under the berth can be limited. Large suitcases can be stored in a luggage room on board.

As the berths vary in length, we ask that you tell us ahead of time if you are above average height (approx. 175 cm). The height of the ceiling is lower than standard.

All cabins are fitted with a washbasin with hot and cold water. The water is drinkable. There are showers on all decks (except for shelter deck on M/S Diana), and toilets on all. The ships use 220 V and there are outlets in all cabins.

Paying on board

Mealtime drinks, purchases from the souvenir shop, bar expenses, etc., are put on your cabin number. The bill is then cleared on the last day, using the most common credit cards (VISA, American Express, EuroCard and Master Card).

The ship's library and souvenir shop

In the ship’s lounge you will find a small library that contains varied non-fiction in Swedish, English and German, including material on the canal, its history and its surroundings. We try to supply the library with Swedish and  international magazines. There is also a small onboard souvenir shop with books, postcards, souvenirs and clothing.

Meals

As soon as possible after boarding, please visit the dining room to have some tea or coffee.

The meals form an important part of the journey. While our kitchen staff is superb, space and possibilities on board are limited, which is why we serve a fixed menu for lunch and dinner, two courses for lunch and three for dinner. A breakfast buffet is served every morning except on the first day of the cruise.

Dietary and special food

If you should need any special food on board (i.e. vegetarian, diabetic, etc. or if you have any food allergies), please notify us at least three weeks in advance, to ensure that you enjoy the same high quality meals as the other guests.

Most of the guided excursions are on foot and require that you can manage a normal walking pace. Naturally it is also possible to take a short walk on your own or stay on board the ship. Read more about the excursions under the itinerary on the page of the cruise you are taking:

Grand Sweden Cruise
Classic Canal Cruise
Mini Canal Cruise
Göta Canal Highlights

You can also read about the main attractions along the canal here.

Walking, jogging and cycling

The old towpaths alongside the Göta Canal offer many wonderful oppurtunities for walking or running. You can also borrow one of the ship's two bicycles for explorations along the waterway.

Clothing

Daytime wear should be comfortable, since much of the time is spent outdoors. You should bring something warm, a windproof jacket and walking shoes, but also your summer wardrobe. Tradition has it that guests usually change to something a bit more elegant for dinner, but going as far as a dark suit is not essential - smart casual is sufficient.

Children

Children travelling with us must be at least seven years old and sleep in a separate berth. There are no child discounts.

Smoking

According to Swedish law, there are smoke-free environments indoors as well as outdoors on board the canal boats. Please ask the crew about the possibility of smoking in designated areas.

Accessibility on board

Our ships charming, but old, which means that stairs are steep, thresholds are high and doors are narrow. In addition, most shore excursions are on foot. For this reason, if you are physically disadvantaged, you should indicate this before departure date and also bring along a personal companion.

Special requests

Any requests, problems or complaints that arise during the cruise should be brought to the tour guide at once. Problems can often be solved!

Safety instructions

All safety instructions are supplied at the information meeting on the first day of the cruise.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE ACCEPTING
Terms and conditions

The departure quay in Stockholm is Skeppsbrokajen 103 in the Old Town (Gamla Stan), opposite the Hotel Reisen and only a stone's throw from the Royal Palace. The nearest bus stop is called "Slottsbacken".

In Söderköping you will find our boat right by the lock (Kanalgatan/Slussgränd) and an ice cream parlour called "Smultronstället".

Parking

Parking is available at the hotel Söderköpings Brunn, SEK 200/night. Please notify the hotel reception before parking your car. Parking in terms of availability.

In Söderköping there are also a couple of free long-term car parks (e.g. at Bergsvägen 1 and Stinsen/Resecentrum at Margaretagatan). Please note that a long-term permit is required, and this can be picked up at the Tourist Information or a petrol station.

The departure quay in Motala is simply the harbour. Opposite you will find the headquarters of the AB Göta Kanalbolag (the Göta Canal Company) located in a historic yellow building.

The departure quay in Gothenburg is Packhuskajen 10, close to the Old Customs House (Stora Tullhuset) from 1867 and the Casino Cosmopol. The Central Station is just 15 minutes' walk away, or approximately 5 minutes by taxi. The nearest tram and bus stop is called "Stenpiren".

Parking

Kungsgaraget, APCOA Parking, Ekelundsgatan 5-7

The parking garage is centrally located, approximately a 10-minute walk to Packhuskajen 10, where the ships are moored. The garage is open daily between 07:00-23:00. Max. vehicle height: 2 metres. Garage space is not available for pre-bookings.
Price: SEK 350 per 24 hours.

Göteborg C, APCOA Parking, Kruthusgatan 1

The parking garage is located next door to the Central Station and Nils Ericson Bus Terminal. Max. vehicle height: 2.2 metres. Garage space is not available for pre-bookings.
Price: SEK 260 per 24 hours when parking outdoors. Parking in the garage costs SEK 325 per 24 hours.

The departure quay in Mariestad is in the inner harbour, close to the Old Town with the majestic cathedral, which can be seen from far away. The address is Hamngatan 21. 

In Norsholm the M/S Wilhelm Tham will be moored by Kapten Bille's café and hostel. The address is Slussvägen 7.