Gota Canal Steamship Company
The ships are historic treasures, full of charm and purpose-built to transit the canal; a truly unique way to see Sweden.
Three historic canal boats sail full or partial cruises Sweden between Stockholm, the capital, and Gothenburg, located on the west coast and the country’s main port. The 382-mile waterway was constructed in the early 19th-century linking man-made canals with single locks and flights of locks, rivers and lakes, two of them quite large.
Juno docked at Stockholm * Photo Credit: Ted Scull
Fleet
- Juno (built 1874 & 58 passengers)
- Wilhelm Tham (b. 1912 & 50 p)
- Diana (b. 1931 & 50 p)
All three ships have been rebuilt and accommodations enlarged and improved over their long lives. However, expect small cabins and a very slow pace. The original steam engines have been long since replaced with twin diesels.
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Passenger Profile
Passengers hail from Sweden, other Scandinavian countries, Germany, Britain and a few from North America. Most are 50+ and the official languages are Swedish, German and English.
Passenger Decks
3; no elevator and very steep stairs.
Price
$$ Expensive
Included Features
- Meals
- Some shore excursions & admissions
Itineraries
Four sample itineraries, operating only between May and August, with some an even shorter season, cover either partial or full transit of the Gota Canal and connecting waterways between Stockholm and Gothenburg. There are variations, so check the website for exact details.
- 2-day mini-cruise aboard Wilhelm Tham is the shortest: between Soderkoping (southwest of Stockholm) and Motala (Gota Canal line’s headquarters).
- 4 days aboard Wilhelm Tham between Soderkoping (southwest of Stockholm) and Gothenburg, and ship ties up every night.
- 4 days aboard Juno, the Classic Canal journey, operating since the line began, cruises the full length of the water route between Stockholm and Gothenburg.
- 6 days aboard Diana, The Great Swedish Cruise, between Stockholm and Gothenburg, with the most stops (9), and ship ties up every night, so no stretches are missed in daylight. N.B. Daylight lasts extra hours in the summetime.
When the boats tie up at night, walks are available in the evening.
Why Go?
First off, the ships are historic treasures, full of charm and purpose-built to transit the canal. The historic origins come with tiny cabins, bunk beds and wash basins only. The route across Sweden is highly scenic with lots of castles, fortresses, churches, farms, small towns and large; flights of lock to navigate; large lakes to cross; camaraderie amongst the passengers; good meals catering to Europeans.
RELATED: Read Heidi’s account of a lovely four-night Juno family cruise from Gothenburg to Stockholm.
RELATED: Here’s Peter Knego’s review of his six-night cruise aboard the Diana from Stockholm to Gothenburg.
When to Go?
The itineraries only operate in the warmer months.
Cabins
All outside (portholes on Main Deck) spread over all three decks, with doors opening on a side passage on Bridge and Shelter decks and to an inside corridor on the lowest Main Deck. Size, think railway sleeping compartments for most of the accommodations, a couple are a bit larger with one queen-size bed; showers and toilets in separate compartments along the same deck, hence wash basin only in the cabins. Forgot get about TVs and regular cruise ship amenities.
Juno, with 29 cabins and, Wilhelm Tham and Diana, with 25 cabins, have one queen-size bedded “honeymoon” cabin on Main Deck. All three cabin categories can be sold as singles for a premium varying with category and ship.
Charming and compact ! * Photo: Heidi Sarna
Public Rooms
Mahogany and brass period décor is similar on all three vessels, and the lounge is separate from the dining room (on JUNO, most passengers eat in the dining room, though if it’s a full house, about 10 dine on tables in the lounge). The covered lounge area aft on Bridge Deck is open to three sides.
Dining
The food is very good with breakfast buffets and set (no choice) two-course lunches and dinners. Special diets are catered for with advance notice.
Activities & Entertainment
While underway, watching the passing town and country scenery and locking operations; when on land, visits to historic sites and towns and independent walks. A bicycle or two are carried on board so passengers can pedal along the tow paths to the next stop. Briefings are given in three languages: English, German and Swedish.
Biking along the tow paths. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
Special Notes
Come prepared for the tight quarters then enjoy the travel atmosphere of a bygone era. Smoking is allowed outside.
Along the Same Lines
Other canal and inland waterway cruises, but there are no parallels in terms of sailing with these national treasures.
Contact Info
www.gotacanal.se; +46 (0) 31 80 6315; US Agents include Scantours – 800-223-7226; Euro River Cruises – 800-543-4504, and Five Stars of Scandinavia – 800-722-4126.
— TWS & HMS
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HEIDI SARNA
