Four children, two mothers, and one shared goal: a summer trip that’s easy, fun, and always a little different. This time, the Minis & Mamas group, made up of cousins and their children, chose Umeå as their destination. The capital of Västerbotten, known for its cozy atmosphere, was new to everyone, and time would be spent aboard the highly praised Aurora Botnia.
Expectations were high for both the adults Jasmin Heikkilä and Krista Arpala, who handled the planning, and the young cousins, who were in charge of the vibes. Despite their ages, Oliver (4), Pauli (7), Romeo (9), and Minni (10) were already seasoned travel buddies, with years of holiday adventures together in Finland and beyond.
The group has mastered the art of stress-free travel: take your time and stop for ice cream whenever the mood strikes.
On day one, they drove to Vaasa, where they checked into Hotel Scandic Waskia, conveniently located on the same Vaskiluoto island as the port.
– The six-person room with a sea view was really comfortable, and the location was perfect since the morning ferry to Umeå departed at eight, says Krista.
Boarding the ship the next morning was smooth and seamless. The automatic vehicle check-in recognized the license plate, printed out boarding passes and guided them politely to the correct lane.
The Wasaline automated vehicle check-in identifies cars based on licence plates. Car passengers receive their boarding passes here.
Relaxed atmosphere for all
– The same relaxed feeling continued on board, says Jasmin.
Both Jasmin and Krista had noticed that although there were quite a few people on the ship, there was no hustle and bustle that is familiar from larger ferries. The peaceful feeling also caught the children.
– We sat down at the breakfast buffet, and it was expected that we would only have time to grab something before moving on. It turned out differently; we could have sat and enjoyed breakfast and the unhurried atmosphere for the entire journey, Jasmin continues.
The children took photos of the seascapes opening up from the panoramic windows until someone remembered the play room.
Home of the magical mice
The kids – expert playground critics – had heard that the ship’s play area on Deck 7 was different from the usual, but were still amazed to find it themed around Musse & Helium, their favorite storybook characters.
Camilla Brinck’s books were well-known to the entire group, and they excitedly spotted familiar details from the stories: a mysterious tunnel (which even the older kids enjoyed exploring) and, of course, the golden cheese!
– It felt like stepping into a familiar animal kingdom. I loved it so much! says superfan Pauli.
The children’s verdict: “Magical!”
They could have stayed even longer, but Umeå was already on the horizon. Luckily, breakfast on board had been so filling that only a small snack from the cafeteria was needed before arriving in port.
Even that left an impression.
– I’ve never seen such fluffy shrimp sandwiches! cheered the second-youngest, analyzing the experience like a true connoisseur.
Impressed by Umeå
Once in Umeå, the children admired the city’s architecture and were delighted by playful water features in the parks. The youngest travelers were in awe of the toy stores, while the adults appreciated the range and quality of the restaurants.
– There were so many places I’d still like to try. I’ll definitely come back, says Jasmin.
The main destination for the day was the Nydala adventure trail, a free nature adventure trail about ten kilometers from the city center. Located by a lake, it featured balance courses, an eight-meter crypt tunnel made from natural materials, and perhaps one of the world’s largest spiders.
– What an incredibly cool place! cheered the kids.
– Highly recommended! agreed the moms.
The calmness of the Nydala adventure trail makes you forget that a city of 130,000 inhabitants is so close by.
Back on board
Returning to the ferry later that day was just as easy. This time, the group had a cabin, which offered a cozy base for the return trip.
The highlight of the journey was dinner at the Archipelago Buffet. The group had high hopes, but the selection, quality, and presentation still exceeded them.
– There were authentic flavors and local delicacies: fresh ingredients from sea, forest, and field. Everything was skillfully prepared, without heavy sauces masking the taste, Krista explains.
Dessert ice cream sparked conversations during the dinner: “This is awesome, taste it” and “Mama, I think this one’s for you – it has coffee in it”.
From the onboard shop, the group found Musse & Helium plush toys and sweets to bring home.
A truly effortless vacation
Before disembarking, the group managed a quick visit to the shop next to the playground, picking up Musse & Helium plush toys and a few treats. The shop stood out for its charming and unique selection.
On the way home, everyone agreed: there was something truly special about this trip. It was fun and action-packed, yet calming and grounding at the same time. The warm, relaxed atmosphere was, without a doubt, thanks to the Aurora Botnia crew’s cheerful spirit and their attention to even the smallest guests.
– The friendliness felt genuine. Even the light jokes and friendly greetings in the hallways made the kids feel truly welcome. That feeling stayed with us the entire trip, Jasmin concludes.
Visiting the outer deck is a cruise highlight for passengers of all ages.
Recommendations from Minis & Mamas
For the children:
- A secret tunnel in the play area
- Ice cream from the Archipelago Buffet
- Peeling shrimp by themselves
- Blueberry juice at breakfast
- Washing hands independently
- Wind in their hair on deck
For the adults:
- Serene and calm atmosphere
- Stunning sea views
- Shopping
- Delicious, local food
- Exceptional service
- Clean, well-maintained facilities
- Effortless, enjoyable travel
