Sibelius monument is exceptionally unique..in the next post there are some close up pics. The fortress sail-by is hardly as dramatic. We visited the Fortress, walked through it and it was interesting. There's is also a rather good zoo on one of the harbor islands(Korkeassaren Elaitarha).

Take tram to the park where Sibelius monument is located...short ride from downtown. You'll be passing by the unusual RR station, Finlandia Concert Hall and Parliament. You're welcome to sit in the gallery but unless you understand Finish you won't know what's going on.

stu

The park is about a 35-40 minutes walk,,I would suggest the tram...it is a very peaceful and pretty park with a lake.

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Finland#5771457608573203490

If you have a car, a drive around Southern Finland is quite beautiful, birch trees and lakes everywhere.
stu

Interesting choice!

Like Stu, I visited Suomenlinna Fortress and thought it interesting. I think I liked the setting (it was June, and there were lilacs in bloom all over the island - lovely!) and the boat ride through the very clean and island-studded waterways even more than the fortress itself.

I only saw the Sibelius Monument briefly - and am very glad I did! (Great picture, Stu!)

Since you'll be on a cruise (making the experience of the boat ride to the fortress a bit redundant), the chance to see the unique Sibelius Monument might be your better option.

Enjoy!

If you are physically active, then Helsinki is also a city where you do not need an organized shore excursion to see the sights.

As Stu has said, you can see the Russian church perched on the hill, walk from the harbor where the small market is past Senate Square, climb the steps to the simple Lutheran Cathedral, Then tram through the shopping district past the train station and up Mannerheim Street past the Parliament House, the National Museum and Finlandia Hall. Get off and walk to the Temppeliaukio Rock Church. If you want to see the monument, Sibelius Park is a long hike from there, but there is also a public bus on that street. I've seen it once and never returned.

Back on the tram or taxi, you can walk along the Esplanade Park to the harbor.

As for the fortress, it really is a place to explore and learn the history rather than sail by.

I understand the reason to take an organized bus excursion (less walking and waiting for public transport, ship will wait for you if late), but I don't like traveling with a herd, so I like to make my own way when I can.

Kay....heartily agree with your assessment of making your own way...Kja is a vetran of that kind of travel, as am I, too. I spotted your interest in Norway, Sweden and Denmark as well as above, Finland...here are some scanned pics you might enjoy thumbing through or "slide showing"...in Norway, we booked a Hurtigruten for two days out of Bergen, spent two days in Trondheim, then boarded Hurtigruten for one more day to Bodo...we rented a car from there, ferried across to the Lofotens and eventually ended up in Tromso (from there we later returned to Narvik and took the overnight train to Stockholm).

...I don't write trip reports; instead these are classified only as "Familiarization through Photos". May give you some ideas, or memories of Scandinavian places you have visited on your own. Keep on truckin'
stu tower

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/NorwayScenes2002?authkey=Gv1sRgCJuHk6iIgbSEgAE#

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Stockholm#

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Denmark#

Dark Magic...don't mean to hijack your post..but these may also give you some additional ideas to share with your father/
stu