Travel from Stockholm to Gothenburg (or vice versa) on this delightful short cruise. Take one of the numerous guided shore excursions or relax on deck with a book & a drink while you travel along the historic Gota Canal, on board the classic vessel M/S Juno. Each night the vessel moors at the quayside, so you can sleep in the quiet of the rural peace. The M/S Juno was built in 1874 and she is the world's oldest registered passenger ship with overnight accommodation. The Canal was built in 1823 and was one of the biggest construction projects ever in Sweden. Measuring 190km in length, with 58 locks, the canal stretches from Sjötorp on Lake Vänern to Mem on the Baltic Sea. Of that distance, 87km is man-made. Experience this unique canal on this leisurely cruise.
Itinerary
Day 1 Stockholm – Trosa
Morning departure from Stockholm and sail through Hammerby Lock and Lake Mälaren, Sweden’s third largest lake. Continue past Drottningholm Castle to Sodertalje Lock, the largest lock in Sweden. Enter the archipelago of St Anna & Sodermanland in the Baltic Sea & sail to the town of Trosa, where we dock for the night. Some of the local fishermen’s picturesque red houses have been rebuilt into attractive homes with carved wooden decoration & beautiful verandas. Enjoy a walk around the canals & alleys of the village.
Day 2 Trosa – Motala
See the ruins of the early Middle Ages fort Stegeborg Castle, past the idyllic Hanseatic town of Soderkoping to a series of eight locks within 2km, where you can stretch your legs as you watch the vessel negotiate the locks. Across Lake Roxen to the imposing series of the Carl-Johan staircase locks at Berg. The ship will be lifted in numerous steps by 50m. Enjoy a guided walk to the ruins of the nearby Vreta Convent, or a swim in the lake, before crossing the first of two aqueducts & a hand operated lock at Borensberg. In the evening, the ship berths In Motala.
Day 3 Motala – Lake Vanern
We leave Motala and soon enter Lake Vattern, the second largest lake in Sweden. We take a guided tour of Karlsborg Fortress, built in 1819, before travelling on to Forsvik, a town with a very interesting industrial history with a lock dating from 1813 & an impressive iron bridge. Continue through narrow, wood lined passages & small lakes full of water lilies, to beautiful Lake Viken & the highest point of the canal. At Sjotorp visit the old warehouse & maritime museum, or take a walk among the locks.
Day 4 Trollhattan – Gothenburg
Early visit to the Trollhattan Canal Museum before entering the impressive lock staircase with a total drop of 32m, past three parallel lock systems, to the lock at Lilla Edet, the first Swedish lock which opened in 1607, & on to Gothenburg where the cruise ends at 16.00 hours.
2024 departures, Stockholm - Gothenburg:
18, 26 May
03, 12, 20, 29 June
08, 16, 25 July
02, 10, 19, 27 August
2024 departures, Gothenburg - Stockholm:
14, 22, 30 May
08, 16, 25 June
04, 12, 21, 29 July
06, 15, 23 August
Notes:
Cabins and Berths: All cabins have bunk style beds. Choose from the following:
Category A: Bridge deck (Complimentary champagne, fruit and bathrobes) - Double or single cabins.
Category B: Shelter deck - Double or Single cabins.
Category C: Main deck - Double, Single, 'Queen' Double or 'Queen' Single cabins (note, there is one cabin with a 120-cm wide Queen-size bed in category C).
Berths in double cabins cannot be booked by single passengers. Miniumum age 7 years. Children must have their own bed (no child discount).
Accommodation and cabin notes: Cabin sizes are comparable to a small sleeping compartment on a train and have bunk beds. All cabins are on the outside and above the waterline.
There are three decks in order from the waterline up:
Main Deck with Category C cabins
Shelter Deck with Category B cabins, (on the level you enter the boat on, with dining and lounge areas, and small library) and
Bridge Deck with Category A cabins, accessed by a steep set of stairs, with the bar area.
All cabins have a washbasin with hot and cold water. Shared shower and toilet facilities are nearby on each deck - when the door is closed there is complete privacy. There is no TV or radio on board. There is on board WiFi.
For onboard expenses, only credit cards are accepted - no cash.
