New interiors reflecting the colours of the Nordic archipelago complement the classic design of Viking Line’s popular vessel
Lavish interior features including polished marble, mahogany wood and gleaming copper brass are now combined with contemporary Scandinavian style on the new-look Viking Cinderella. The vessel, which was the world’s largest car ferry when it entered service in 1989, has undergone a major makeover to mark its return to Finland for the first time in almost two decades.
Following a two-week drydocking at Finland’s Turku Repair Yard in Naantali, the much-loved 46,398-gt vessel – which gained popularity for its nightlife, entertainment and TV shows filmed on board – has also emerged with a vibrant red livery and extensive technical upgrades for its return to the Helsinki-Stockholm route on 8 March.
Viking Line architect, Johan Nordberg tells Passenger Ship Interior and Refurbishment Review, “When Cinderella was built, it was our new flagship and that is apparent in the original luxurious interior features which we wanted to preserve. The ship was built to the highest quality and no expense was spared on brass, fine woods and crystal. Much of the design and building quality cannot be recreated and cost-effectively applied in today’s economy.”
He says the concept of the interior renovation was to maintain the basic feel and look of the vessel and use colour schemes and materials to tastefully complement the iconic design.
“This is to preserve the unique ship design that is reminiscent of another era,” he continues. “On Viking Cinderella, people can still marvel at the wonderful features of the vessel’s original interiors – different kinds of marble, brass and dark wood surfaces – as well as the impressive atrium with a lightwell that runs from deck 5 to deck 8.”
The 10-deck, 2,560-passenger Cinderella, constructed at the Wärtsilä Perno shipyard in Turku, mostly sailed on the Helsinki-Stockholm and Helsinki-Tallinn routes until 2003. It was then operated under the Swedish flag and was renamed as there was already another Cinderella in the Swedish Register of Shipping. The hull was painted white and it was deployed on the Stockholm-Mariehamn route for 20 years, with occasional visits to Helsinki.
Now reflagged to Finland, the most visible outward change to the 191-m vessel involved 2,000 litres of paint to transform Viking Cinderella to the line’s trademark lipstick red livery.
Moving to the interiors, Mr Nordberg says the inhouse redesign involved extensive renovations to the cabins, with 289 undergoing a total refurbishment. Bunk beds have been replaced with double beds in approximately 50 cabins, with high-quality mattresses, and furniture, walls and floors updated.
“Timelessness and our passengers’ wishes and preferences have been our guiding principles in Cinderella’s renovation,” he continues. “Our passengers want to sleep in a restful environment, and the best cabins always sell out first. After the renovations, Cinderella will have 223 cabins with double beds in five different cabin categories, starting with the vessel’s luxury suites.” In most of standard cabins, high-quality mattresses are used to give the best sleeping comfort. Now all cabins except for economy cabins on deck 2 are refurbished to the modern contemporary design.
In keeping with other areas of the ship, cabins have light oak wood surfaces and colour accents inspired by the sea, light and nature of the Nordic archipelago sailing region.
“Where we have changed the design expression with other colour schemes or types of wood, the intention has been to complement the basic design with a brighter experience,” adds Mr Nordberg. “One of many goals has been to bring in more of the archipelago and the light, which has resulted in the replacement of about 200 windows, including in the atrium and around the so-called exterior black line on deck 8.”
In the dining venues, the Seaview a la carte restaurant has new carpets and flooring, plus new seating areas and a modified layout to provide a larger breakfast serving area to meet demand on the new route. The Melody cafe has new lounge-style furniture, imitation wood wall coverings, a new paint finish, vinyl flooring and modified serveries which will offer a variety of different menus such as street food.
“In Melody, colour and form have met functionality and logistics,” explains Mr Nordberg. “The idea is that Melody should be a multifunctional arena where everyone can meet. The environment should feel fresh in style and form, the concept should be able to change in its expression according to guests’ needs. One day it should work for a trade fair exhibition, the next we serve a three-course menu for seated guests, and in normal use it should be functional for our route passengers.”
The spa has been refurbished in line with the Archipelago Spa concept featured on Viking Line’s other vessels, with the interiors again inspired by the Baltic Sea and its islands.
Elsewhere, light colours and materials provide Scandinavian elegance and a fresh look for the vessel’s other spaces including the duty free shop.
“In all general public areas such as the stairs, halls and promenades, the carpet has been renewed,” adds Mr Nordberg. “The colour has been changed from grey to blue with yellow criss-cross patterns that reflects the brass used in the interior.”
Fans of the nightclub Etagé will find a familiar yet refreshed interior with a new carpet and reupholstered sofas and chairs.
Mr Nordberg says, “The area was completely rebuilt approximately 10 years ago and is still the best nightclub area in the Baltic with an excellent stage and dance floor, large bars and grand views towards both stage and the archipelago from two levels.”
For younger passengers, the children’s play area is themed on the line’s cat mascot Ville Viking.
Viking Line placed a priority in sourcing interior materials from Finnish or Scandinavian companies and contractors, with a focus on sustainability coupled with durability for a ship that will attract some 800,000 passengers per year and has a 760-m cargo deck and space for 300 passenger vehicles. The line’s environmental policy also saw technical modifications that will reduce Viking Cinderella’s carbon dioxide emissions by 5% – some 2,500 tonnes annually – and extend the life of the vessel.
“Cinderella has been a favourite for many years, both on the Swedish and the Finnish markets,” concludes Mr Nordberg. “Cinderella became famous during the 1990s doing 24-hour cruises from Helsinki to Estonia as one of the first ships offering this kind of cruise experience. Lots of TV shows were produced on board, and guests came from the whole of Finland to enjoy the cruises. Large public areas, good food and great shows by both international and local entertainers made it the primary choice. The focus of the total refurbishment is to extend the ship’s operational functions and lifetime expectancy.”
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