Paul Allen woos the stars at Finnish birthday bash

The eccentric Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen held his 50th birthday bash on an exclusive cruise that started in Helsinki at the weekend.

Allen concocted an impressive guest list of 200 of the US's most-wanted party guests. Overnight, the modest Finnish capital became a star-studded venue when the likes of Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Dan Ackroyd, Robin Williams, Jeff Goldblum and Eric Idle were spotted sightseeing.

Ackroyd, Williams and Goldblum braved the crowds and were seen strolling in downtown Helsinki. To the local media, the stars praised Helskinki for its friendliness and outstanding beauty.

But Jeff Goldblum was sulking because of the lack of nature in the capital. He told the Finnish tabloid Iltalehti: "I wanted to see the Finnish forest. Where are all the trees?" he asked.

Later on Friday, the party headed off to Allen's "Seven Seas Navigator" luxury cruiseship, parked at Katajanokka harbour.

True to Allen's flamboyant taste, the boat boasts several dance-floors and a mini-forest, which should have pleased Goldblum, the star of Jurassic Park. The party continued to Talinn in Estonia and St Petersburg.