Overview

Travel on the world's oldest ship with overnight accommodation.

The Göta Kanal (Gota Canal) may not be the fastest way to travel between Stockholm and Gothenburg but this is certainly one of the most gracious, beautiful and relaxing forms of transport.

In 2015 the Classic Swedish Cruise will be almost exclusively served by M/S Juno also known as 'The Grand Old Lady'. She was launched in 1874 and is the world’s oldest registered ship with overnight accommodation. In 2004 she was 'listed' and is now a floating museum. The dining room offers delicious traditional Swedish meals and a different view each evening. You will be catered for on a full board basis whilst on the ship; breakfast buffet, two course lunch and three course supper. 

The cabins are small, comfortable and tastefully decorated. Most are fitted with bunk beds (some have double beds) and each has a hand basin; WCs and showers are in the corridor. As there is plenty to see and do most guests are only in their cabins to sleep. All cabins are above the waterline with a port hole or window. All bridge and shelter deck cabins open on to the deck.

There are several shore excursions included in every cruise and the ship’s guide is never far away to offer expert advice. This is a shortened version of the Great Swedish Cruise, with the ship travelling through two nights and mooring up for one night. There are plenty of opportunities to get off and explore the Göta Kanal by foot or bicycle (the ship has a couple you can borrow), especially when passing through locks.

 

Itinerary

	Gothenburg to Stockholm			Stockholm to Gothenburg
Day 1	Fly from UK to Gothenburg		Day 1	Fly from UK to Stockholm
	Self transfer to the centre of Gothenburg			Self transfer to the centre of Stockholm
	Check into your hotel			Check into your hotel
	Time to explore some of Gothenburg			Time to explore some of Stockholm
	You may decide to travel a day or 2 earlier to see more of Gothenburg			You may decide to travel a day or 2 earlier to see more of Stockholm
Day 2	Breakfast at your hotel		Day 2	Breakfast at your hotel
	0830 boarding for your Göta Kanal cruise			0830 boarding for your Göta Kanal cruise
	0900 Departure			0900 Departure
	The impressive Trollhätten lock staircase, the Canal Museum & a walk through the beautiful Old Lock area			Through Hammarby Lock and into Lake Mälaren. Pass by Drottningholm Castle, home to the Royal Family
	Cruise across Europe's 3rd largest lake, Vänern.			Södertälje lock - Scandinavia's largest and into the Baltic Sea.
	Sail past Läckö Castle built in 1298			A late afternoon walk through the beautiful archipelago town of Trosa
Day 3	In the early hours you pass through the Sjötorp lock system (8 locks)		Day 3	During the early hours you enter the Göta Kanal at Mem.
	Sweden's smallest ferry, 'Lina',at Töreboda			Cruise across Lake Roxen and perhaps a swim?
	At 91.5m above sea level this part of the canal is called 'Berg Kanal' and is the highest point of the Göta Kanal.			Guided tour of Vreta Church and the ruins of Vreta Convent, as the boat climbs through the Berg lock system - 15 locks
	Pass through one of just 2 hand operated locks on the Göta Kanal			2 more modern additions to the Göta Kanal are the Kungs Norrby & Ljungsbro aqueducts.
	Afternoon guided tour of Karlsborg Fortress, built between 1819 & 1909 and the beautiful Garrison Church.			Pass through the first of 2 hand-operated locks at Borensberg
	During the evening cross Sweden's 2nd largest lake, Vättern.			Motala is the overnight stop.
	Motala is the overnight stop. Motala is recognised as the capital of the Göta Kanal with HQ responsible for operations & maintenance.			Motala is recognised as the capital of the Göta Kanal with HQ responsible for operations & maintenance.
Day 4	Pass through the 2nd hand operated lock at Borensberg.		Day 4	Early crossing of Sweden's 2nd largest lake, Vättern.
	2 more modern additions to the Göta Kanal are the Kungs Norrby & Ljungsbro aqueducts.			Morning guided tour of Karlsborg Fortress, built between 1819 & 1909 and the beautiful Garrison Church.
	As the boat descends through the Berg lock system - 15 locks, you visit the famous convent town of Vreta.			The 2nd hand operated lock at Tåtorp
	Guided tour of Vreta Church and the ruins of Vreta Convent.			At 91.5m above sea level this part of the canal is called 'Berg Kanal' and is the highest point of the Göta Kanal.
	A swim in Lake Roxen perhaps?			Sweden's smallest ferry, 'Lina',at Töreboda
	Time for an evening stroll through Söderköping			The Sjötorp lock system (8 locks), and the history of this part of the Göta Kanal. Time for a walk around!
	Late in the evening. The final lock, Mem, before leaving the Göta Kanal for the Baltic Sea. Weave through the southern parts of the Stockholm archipelago			Cruise across Europe's 3rd largest lake, Vänern.
Day 5	Enter the Södertälje lock - Scandinavia's largest.		Day 5	The impressive Trollhätten lock staircase, the Canal Museum & a walk through the beautiful Old Lock area
	Enter Lake Mälaren - Sweden's 3rd largest and an impressive archipelago of green islands.			The final lock is Lilla Edet. Originally built in 1607 and refurbished in 1916.
	Visit the Viking community at Birka.			Approx 1600 arrival in Gothenburg centre close to the spectacular Opera House
	Birka is recognised as Sweden's first town and is now on the UNESCO world heritage list.			Self transfer to your Gothenburg hotel. Your crew will be able to assist with booking a taxi.
	Pass by Drottningholm Castle, home to the Royal Family			Check in to your hotel
	Pass through Hammarby Lock and into Stockholm Harbour
	Approx. 1600 arrival in the famous Old Town.		Day 6	Relaxing breakfast at your hotel.
	Self transfer to your Stockholm Hotel. Your crew will be able to assist with booking a taxi.			Perhaps add a night or 2 to see more of Gothenburg
	Check in to your hotel			Self transfer to the airport
				Flights back to the UK
Day 6	Relaxing breakfast at your hotel.
	Perhaps add a night or 2 to see more of Stockholm
	Self transfer to the airport
	Flights back to the UK
	Activities / excursions on the Göta Kanal may be subject to change			Activities / excursions on the Göta Kanal may be subject to change

Accommodation

Rex Hotel - Stockholm

A refurbished town house from 1866, Hotel Rex provides comfort and privacy. Located in the exciting central area of Vasastan it is just a 2 minute walk to the underground and just a few minutes walk from major attractions such as the Vasa Museum, Stockholm harbour, shopping districts and a wide variety of restaurants.

This is where the locals live! The area around Rex Hotel is not on the beaten tourist trail. Instead you will find cosy bars and restaurants full of locals. The entire Stockholm region and beyond is quickly and easily accessible by the underground. All the rooms are en-suite and wifi is available throughout the hotel.

Please click on the image for more photos.

Göta Kanal Cruise - Sweden

Three magnificent ships (M/S Diana, M/S Juno and M/S Wilhelm Tham) dating back to the 1800s, offer stunning views over the Swedish countryside. Each ship has a meticulously maintained lounge and dining room, offering delicious traditional Swedish meals and a different view each evening. You will be catered for on a full board basis whilst on the ship; breakfast buffet, two course lunch and three course supper.  

The cabins are small, comfortable and tastefully decorated. Most are fitted with bunk beds (some have double beds) and each has a hand basin; WCs and showers are in the corridor. As there is plenty to see and do most guests are only in their cabins to sleep. All cabins are above the waterline with a port hole or window. All bridge and shelter deck cabins open onto the deck.

Clarion Hotel Post - Gothenburg

Opened in January 2012, the Clarion Hotel Post is a modern hotel with prime location in the very centre of Gothenburg. Located in the old Post House next to the train / tram / bus station where shops, restaurants, bars and the harbour are all easily accessible. Clarion Hotel Post boasts 500 rooms, two restaurants and three bars, a roof terrace / pool and spa.

 

 

 

Activities & Excursions

As the itinerary

Dates

Please note the dates below are the actual cruise dates. Don’t forget to add your nights in Stockholm or Gothenburg at the beginning and end!

The M/S Juno will be serving the Classic Swedish Cruise in 2015

2015	Gothenburg to Stockholm	Stockholm to Gothenburg
May	Sunday 24th	Friday 29th
June	Friday 5th Sunday 14th Monday 22nd	Tuesday 9th Thursday 18th Friday 26th
July	Wednesday 1st Friday 10th Saturday 18th Monday 27th	Sunday 5th Tuesday 14th Wednesday 22nd Friday 31st
August	Tuesday 4th Thursday 13th Friday 21st	Saturday 8th Monday 17th Tuesday 25th

 

Prices

2015 prices from (book by 15th March for these prices)
2 adults in a double / twin		1 adult single cabin / room
Main deck	£1595 per person	Main deck	£2065 per person
Shelter deck	£2095 per person	Shelter deck	£2670 per person
Bridge deck	£2550 per person	Bridge deck	£3250 per person
2015 prices from
2 adults in a double / twin		1 adult single cabin / room
Main deck	£1735 per person	Main deck	£2240 per person
Shelter deck	£2275 per person	Shelter deck	£2910 per person
Bridge deck	£2785 per person	Bridge deck	£3555 per person

Price includes 
return flights from the UK
1 night b&b in Stockholm
1 night b&b in Gothenburg
3 nights full board on board

Gallery

Gothenburg

Göta Kanal Cruise

Stockholm & Archipelago

Information

Göta Kanal cabin plans

Alternative Hotels in Stockholm

Alternative Hotels in Gothenburg

 

Göta Kanal Map