Important travel information

Quick links
| Allergies | Age limit | Booking terms | Check in | Commander’s discretionary powers | Connecting bus | Customs Clearance | Currency | Custom regulations | Conditions of carriage | Electric wehicle | Gas bottles | Maritime safety | MC | Non Nordic citizens | Non smoking | Order and security | Parking | Pets | Proof of identity | Restaurants | Special needs | Time difference |

Allergies

There are always lactose-free, gluten-free and vegetarian options on board. For other special diets, contact the staff when you are on board. Please note that we are selling peanuts and nut mix on board.

Age limit

The age limit of 18 applies on board our ship on all departures and on all connecting buses. Children and youth under the age of 18 may only travel in the company of a parent or guardian. Exceptions are youth of aged 12-17 who can certify in writing that the trip is made due to studies, work, visits to relatives, for sports or school groups. The exception is not made for day cruises. It must be possible to check the written certificate by telephone with the signatory of the certificate. You can find the letter of consent here

Proof of identity

Please note that passengers must have a valid form of identity that includes a photograph (passport, ID card) when traveling and be able to produce it on demand. Children and young people under the age of 18 traveling accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who can provide a valid form of identity card with a photograph, are exempt from this requirement.

Citizens of the Nordic countries are not required to have a passport for travels between the Nordic countries. For citizens of other countries a passport may be required. All passengers must however be able to prove their identity with a valid ID with photo.
Regular controls are held according to the ISPS rules or International Ship and Port Facility Code that the International Maritime Organization IMO has drawn up for increased safety.

Eckerö Linjen reserves the right to refuse boarding of passengers who lack valid travel documents.

Check in times

We recommend you to always prebook your ticket. All passengers and vehicles must be checked in no later than 30 minutes before departure, during the period June-August 45 minuts before departure. Check-In will be closed 10 minutes before departure. During the voyage it is not allowed to stay in the car. Booked car is reserved until 30 minutes before departure.

All times are local times.

Foot passengers
You who have booked and paid your trip will check in at our new check in points in the terminal. There are nine points in Grisslehamn and three in Berghamn, if you want help with check in, you can turn to one of our staff in yellow vests. Type in your booking number or scan the QR code on the confirmation and you will get a boarding card/ticket, which you scan later to pass through the check in gates. Check-in points are open 2 hours before the ferry departure (1.5 hours before ferry departure at 10.00) in Grisslehamn and 1 hour before ferry departure in Berghamn. Groups check in at the information in the terminal. All times are local.

Instructions for MC on the car deck

Motorcycles must be placed along the outside of the ship on the lower car deck. When you come to your designated place, put it in first gear and extend the side stand. Do not place the center stand during the journey. At the site you will find custom strings for you to tie your MC during the trip to avoid any damages.

We would recommend you to place the gloves on the saddle if you do not intend to bring them up on the ferry, place the string over them and tie it into the foot peg or frame. You can also pull the string to the handlebar or any other suitable location depending on the model. The crew are able to offer you help if necessary. Upon arrival – do not start the motorcycle before any given instructions or clearance.

Electric vehicle

At the moment, electric vehicles cannot be recharged in our harbours or on the car deck.

Customs Regulations

Duty-free import rules

Conditions of carriage

The Company disclaims any responsibility to the extent applicable maritime law allows. The ship’s liability for injury to passengers and damage or loss of luggage or other goods seized for promotion, is maximized in accordance with maritime law provisions.

Carrier reserves the right to carry cargo on deck
Passengers are solely the maximum deductibles as mentioned in the applicable maritime law.
Familiarize yourself with the CSO general conditions of carriage.

Customs Clearance

All customs clearance for Swedish account occurs at Eckerö Customs Station, for more info see www.tulli.fi

Entering Åland non Nordic citizens

Nordic citizens do not need visas. For current visa rules for non -Nordic citizens, contact the Finnish Embassy in Stockholm, tel. +46 (0) 8-67 6 67 00.

Commander’s discretionary powers

All passengers and crew on board is of utmost importance. To maintain security, the right to review travel authorization and use of companion master of the vessel. See summerized information for Eckerö Linjen assistance, click here.

Here you will find the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the rights of passengers when traveling by sea and inland waterway.

Here you can also read about accessibility conditions and quality standards for assistance.

For contact information regarding rights to the national authority, the Swedish Consumer Agency, click here.

Disability and Special Needs

Plan your trip and let us know in advance upon your wishes, as well as any mobility equipment or medical equipment you plan to bring so Eckerö Linjen can organize the most appropriate assistance based on your needs.

On board there is a lift between car deck and deck 7 as well as low thresholds in public areas (meeting room Jungman, meeting room/bar Båtsman and sun deck are on deck 8 where only stairs are available). On deck 6 there is a accessible toilet.

If you are impaired mobility and require special demands while traveling, you must state this when booking. If your health is compromised due to illness, you should pre-trip; consult your physician to rule out any barriers to travel.

Under EU rules, people with reduced mobility right to accompany if reservation made at least 48 hours before scheduled departure. Check when booking how long before departure you need to be in the terminal. PCA performed by the CSO staff.
Book a PCA if you:
• Not have a PCA or personal assistant with you
• Need special service to get to and from the ship and to get on board
• Use portable oxygen equipment
• Wheelchair user
• Have visual or hearing impairments and need immediate information & assistance
Included assistant

Eckerö Linjen can offer assistance to persons with reduced mobility traveling with someone who can assist during the trip. An accompanying assistant shall provide necessary assistance in the terminal and with embarking and disembarking. A pick up-point/ is inside the terminal, next to the information desk.

You will be met by at the pick up-point from which you will be escorted through security and on to embarkation. You need to be at the pickup point 30 minutes prior to departure unless otherwise agreed at time of booking. The companion helps you on board.

On board the ship, the shipping company is responsible for the safety all on board. Any types of special rules for evacuation and more are determined by the PCA.

Upon arrival – Assistants will meet up at the information Upon arrival of the vessel meets escorts up at the ship’s reception and assists to the pick- up point at the output from the terminal.

Currency

On board, you can use SEK and euro. You can pay for your purchases with debit card and Swedish bank card. There is an ATM in Grisslehamn, to the right of the entrance to the terminal. In Åland, you can pay with euro (€), SEK and credit cards.

NOTE Check with your bank if you can use your debit card abroad.

Time differences

The time difference between Sweden and Finland is one hour. Finland and Åland has timezone GMT+2. That means when the clock is 11:00 in Sweden is 12 o’clock in Åland.

Restaurants and table reservations

Here you will find information about our meal options on board.

Pets

You are allowed to bring pets between countries when animals have an ID tag , pet passport, rabies vaccination, for dogs even deworming tapeworm (echinococcosis) and are dewormed against tape worms by an veterinary 1-5 days (24-120 h) prior to departure. Contact your veterinarian in advance of departure (minimum 1 month). Check the relevant provisions of entry/re-entry to the Åland Islands in Food Safety Authority Elvira, phone 00358-20690999 and entry/re-entry into Sweden Board of Agriculture, phone 036-15 50 00. Please observate that there are different rules for cats. dogs, horses and so on.

Pets may be carried on the shuttle bus only if you have it in a basket or bag in your lap. The owner are responsible for that the animal does not disturb others, and also have to be placed designated in the back of the bus due to any allergies. Guide dogs are excepted from the rule.
Pets on board the M/S Eckerö

On board M/S Eckerö there are special places where pets may be present, these sites are at marked tables at the back in the cafeteria, at entrance deck next to the informationdesk and out on deck. Pets left in vehicles during the boat trip will be on the owners responsibility. Doors to the car deck are closed after departure and will be opened again at arrival. Please remember that the temperature on the car deck can be very high during summer time. Responsibility for the pet rests with the owner and they must always be leashed when they are on board.

Connection bus

Our connection buses must be booked in advance. Arrive at the bus stop you have booked at least 10 minutes before the departure time of the bus. When boarding the bus, refer to the booking number. You then redeem your boarding card at the terminal in Grisslehamn. See bus timetable and stops here

Parking in Grisslehamn

At your disposal is a special parking privilege at our terminal in Grisslehamn. Parking costs SEK 20 for 12 hours and SEK 30 for 24 hours.

Fee for caravan/motorhome SEK 80 (1/10-30/3) och SEK 150 (1/4-30/9) per day, maximum time one day. For you who wish to camp we recommend Grisslehamns Marina & Camping that is situated 500 meters from Eckerö Linjen harbour.

GPS coordinates to Grisslehamn
Latitude: 60.09955. Longitude: 18.813516.
Skatuddsvägen 10
SE-764 56 GRISSLEHAMN

Non smoking

Eckerö Linjen ship M/S Eckerö are a non-smoking area. Smoking is permitted outside on the deck.

Maritime safety

The boat trip takes two hours and is partially closed waters; you have land in sight at all times. If conditions require we try to travel without delays. We have the ability to choose different lanes for different weather conditions. No traffic at night. Our ship has been inspected and approved by both the Swedish and Finnish maritime authorities. From the ship’s bridge we have visual watch over the ship’s bow door and additionally video monitoring and alarm of the same. The crew is of the Swedish language and safety information is in Swedish. Safety training is carried out continuously every week and regularly during navigation control of authorities.

Order and security

The ship’s master, or his designee, has the right to refuse to carry passengers who disturbs the order and safety of the ship. Passengers should follow the appropriate rules that are posted on board and in the terminal and any instructions from the crew.
Food, with the intention to be consumed on board in the ship’s restaurants is not permitted without crew’s permission. Baby food and special diets for special allergies may be brought on board.

Passengers may not bring alcohol or other drugs on board. It is not permitted to bring any types of alcoholic beverages on board; it is allowed to be purchased in the ship’s duty-free shop. Passengers who are intoxicated or who disrupts order on board may be turned away from the ship

Passengers are not permitted without special permission to bring weapons, equipment, or other objects that could endanger passengers, crew or ship. Passengers are required to provide upon request to produce objects that could endanger order and security on board, the crew will keep the equipment’s for storage during travel. Passengers at the request do not show the content of luggage may be denied on board the ship. Passengers are not entitled for a refund of the ticket price, including any right to compensation for any costs which it incurs due to deportation.

Order and security on connecting buses
The above rules also apply to passengers on board our shuttle buses. The driver has the right to refuse passengers who disrupt the order. Connection bus can only be used in connection with vessel trip.

Handling of gas bottles

Gas bottles (Eg; LPG, Propane, Butane and similar flammable gas substances) used in motorhomes, caravans and similar vehicles may be transported if they meet the following conditions:

• The gas bottles must be intact and undamaged and meet the safety requirements with regard to marking and testing.
• The goods must be intended for personal use, household use or for sports and leisure.
• Gas bottles may only be carried in vehicles that have been inspected and approved for this.

Rules of conduct and safety routines regarding gas bottles on board the ship and within the terminal area:

• Gas bottles must be reported to the staff at check-in gates. The staff informs about the rules of conduct and safety routines and gives a sticker or tape to the driver of the vehicle to mark the location of the gas tubes on the vehicle.
• The fixed gas installation's main valve must be switched off. All gas appliances such as stoves and refrigerators must be switched off throughout the crossing and within our terminal areas.
• Bottles must be stored upright in order for the safety valve to function correctly.
• The gas bottles must be easy to access and possible to be removed quickly during the sea voyage. The door to the storage place for the gas bottles must be unlocked and marked.

All gas containers are accounted for at their full weight/volume, regardless of filling level.

Booking terms

See booking terms here