The sea shop has been renovated from floor to ceiling, creating more space for all your favorite scents and drinks. New restaurant. Bright and fresh interior. Technical updates that reduce fuel consumption. The favorite ship Viking XPRS returns from the shipyard to its Helsinki–Tallinn route on February 7.
Viking XPRS will begin operating the Helsinki–Tallinn route on February 7 after three weeks in the shipyard and now offers passengers a new cruise experience in many ways. The ship has been sailing under the Finnish flag for almost two years and has increased its popularity on the highly competitive route. Viking XPRS has 15 departures per week from both ports and the largest number of passengers of all Viking Line ships. Last year, the number of passengers on Viking XPRS amounted to over 1.6 million.
”"The demand for trips to Tallinn is high, and with XPRS it is easy and affordable to take a spontaneous trip. Over a third of travelers bring their car on the trip. Many families travel, especially during the season and holiday periods. XPRS is also a popular conference ship and the proportion of group and conference travelers has increased in recent years," says Viking Line's Marketing Director Nina Suominen.
During the weeks at the shipyard, the biggest change has been in the ship's duty-free shop, which has been enlarged and given more functional spaces during the renovation. The shop also includes a completely new space for tastings.
”We rebuilt the original store from floor to ceiling. Trends have changed a lot in 17 years. Now, cosmetics and perfumes, among other things, are getting more space and visibility. Almost every perfume house launches seasonal fragrances, and new products are presented much more often than before. On the beverage side, we have ensured that even the most sought-after products, such as the now popular flavored long drinks, do not run out,” says Viking XPRS curator Ronny Hagelberg.
The Viking XPRS restaurant world also has something completely new to offer: Bistro Coffee offers high-quality café products, specialty coffees and hot dishes. Adjacent to the buffet restaurant, we have built a private dining room for larger groups of up to 34 people.
At the shipyard, the ship's interior was renewed in a modern, fresh and bright style. The entrance hall has been completely renovated, carpets have been replaced and the cabin interiors have been updated by reupholstered cabin sofas and changing curtains.
Technical updates reduce fuel consumption
Viking XPRS, which was delivered in 2008 from the then Aker Yards shipyard in Helsinki, was dry-docked this time at the Landskrona repair yard in southern Sweden. The largest and most expensive maintenance work has been carried out on the technical side.
The most technically significant update is the installation of flow control that reduces the ship's resistance. The flow control technology, supplied by Finnish Elomatic, reduces fuel consumption and improves travel comfort by reducing vibration. The vertical parts of the ship's bottom were also sandblasted and painted. With these updates, Viking Line aims to reduce the fuel consumption of the Tallinn ship by approximately five percent. Development and maintenance of the ships' technology throughout their entire life cycle is a very important factor in reducing overall emissions.
Viking Line's ships are docked twice every five years, in accordance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. Minor maintenance work is carried out regularly while the ships are in service.
”The docking and its planning is a large joint project involving a large number of our sea and shore personnel as well as specialists in various fields. During the planning phase, we listen carefully to both the staff and the customers” wishes. I can hardly wait until we can enjoy the end result together with our travelers – an even more pleasant and functional Viking XPRS,” says Ronny Hagelberg.
Viking XPRS
• 2,500 passengers, 736 cabin seats, 220 cars
• Built in 2008 at Aker Yards in Helsinki for the Helsinki–Tallinn route
• Length 185 meters, width 27.7 meters, draft 6.55 meters
• Re-flagged to the Finnish Ship Register in March 2023
