Tallink Silja

Attractive, modern vessel. (The Super Star) Good shopping facilities. However as a passenger who upgraded to Comfort Class, I really didn’t feel there was value in my choice. Our private lounge was smallish and crowded and the tables and chairs were arranged in groups just as in a restaurant. I had expected a comfortable lounge chair– maybe like a business class airline seat but these chairs were like cafeteria chairs.
There were some complimentary snacks but pretty ordinary: crackers, tea and coffee, veggies with a dip for more healthful fare. That was about it. None of it tempted me for a second.
As for the prospect of sitting in the cafeteria-​style chairs for two hours, I eventually abandoned this lounge and found a more comfortable location in another part of the ship.
Skip Comfort Class is my advice.

My wife and I took Tallink Silja’s STAR from Helsinki to Tallin for a short one night stay in Estonia’s capital city. We opted for Comfort Class with a senior discount and were very pleased with the service, comfort and amenities. The operation was punctual and well organized. Our return trip was aboard the SUPERSTAR, and we were decidedly disappointed in the small and inconveniently located Comfort Class lounge. If the SUPERSTAR is your only option, the upgrade charge isn’t worth it. Go for the STAR if at all possible, as the CC Lounge is on the bow with lots of glass for enjoying the trip in addition to comfortable and spacious seating. The departure pier for Tallink Silja’s Tallinn service is conveniently located at the last stop of the #9 tram line, so it’s easy to reach by public transportation. By the way, be prepared for an incredibly long hike from the terminal gate to the ship gangway. It seemed as though we were walking rather than sailing to Tallinn!

We walked down from the hotel a day before in preparation for an early departure the next day. Glad we did. We managed to get lost on our way over, but figured out how to use the local trams heading back. That was a game changing discovery.
Be at the terminal 30 minutes early. No less. Even if you have tickets. We took the #9 tram back from the terminal to the Radisson Blu Royal. Getting off at Kampi, a 6 minute ride. We are taking that back in the morning.
The terminal is clean and easy to navigate. If walking over just follow the shoreline path in. There is signage along the way. Look for the giant red statue of a boy holding his pee-​wee while pissing all over. Or listen for gleeful children at play and laughing fathers supervising their children playing with in water fountain.
(The locals tell me the statue is moved around.)
Day of the ride: boarding was painless. Check-​in was equally smooth. We had made reservations online, and the clerk issued our tickets without issue. We waited in the cool early morning sun for the gates to open.
This is more of a cruise ship than it is a ferry. Nine levels. The cars are still loading. Hundreds of them. The Baltic Sea is calm.
Unilocal has no presence in Estonia. So sad. Our biggest shopping day of the trip. The Euro is still used but the prices are far less since Estonia is not considered Scandinavia.

Very large ship, Spacious, smooth ride, family friendly on one deck, large pub on another. Good supermarket. Food was okay but I didn’t go to the upscale restaurant. Pleasant 2 hr trip. Be early, the ship started moving 10 minutes before departure time.

This was not what I expected as I had only ridden small ferries. This was more like a small cruise ship. I bought the least expensive ticket, as did many others and hung out in the common areas. There is a grocery store, some restaurants/​bars, and some shopping to help kill time. Or, you can find a place to watch tv or nap on the floor if you are daring enough. The boarding process was quick; don’t forget your passport/​visa. Estonia’s old town is beautiful. I took a 10:30 ferry out and returned the same day on the 22:30 which gave plenty of time for a wonderful day trip.