Finnish lake cruises rebound after pandemic and war

Finnish lake cruise operators in Central Finland and South Savo are reporting a strong start to the summer season, with Päijänne-Risteilyt alone serving around 10,000 passengers across Päijänne, Keitele, and Vesijärvi lakes, Yle reports.

Eija Hildén, CEO of Päijänne-Risteilyt Hildén Oy, said advance bookings had already signaled a busy early summer. In Mikkeli, project manager Hanna Airas of development company Miksei noted that Saimaa lake cruises have seen sold-out departures.

The sector has faced setbacks in recent years due to the coronavirus pandemic, economic conditions, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But demand has now improved, with charter cruises in particular seeing increased interest, according to Otto Ravantti, captain of the Aino vessel on South Saimaa.

Tourists have returned from traditional markets like Germany, but also from new ones such as France and the Netherlands. Hildén added that long-haul travelers from Australia, China, and India have also booked lake cruises in Central Finland.

Operators are diversifying their offerings. Jarmo Vuorinen, captain of the Helga vessel, said Mikkeli’s cruise market has expanded in recent years, with vessels like the Aino (a 90-passenger lake ship with café and restaurant services), the open-top Helga, and the fast RIB Saimaa inflatable boat catering to different preferences. Vuorinen has added seal-watching cruises this summer, targeting areas where the endangered Saimaa ringed seal is most likely to be spotted.

Heikki Väisänen, captain of RIB Saimaa, said the season looks promising, though weather remains a key factor in last-minute bookings. Many customers reserve cruises only shortly before departure, making late-summer sales difficult to predict.