Viking Line, the Finnish cruise ferry company that introduced the new 57,600 gross ton Viking Grace earlier this month, says it has taken measures to curb cabin parties on the new ship.

Mini cruise passengers that make a back and forth trip on the new ship from Turku on Friday and Saturday evenings can only buy alcohol in the shops on board on the return leg of their trip, a day crossing from Stockholm. 

“The ban (to sell off license alcohol to mini cruise passengers in shops on the outward trip) is a response to the request of those passengers that want to enjoy peace in their cabins and to sleep well while on board,” the company said in a statement.

Some people, often groups of youngsters, book inexpensive inside cabins and party there. The cabin door is often left open and large numbers of other revelers can join in. This often results is the combination of noise, litter and damage to the cabin and its fittings.

A lively debate has arisen around the company’s decision. In the comment pages of the Ilta-Sanomat tabloid: “Everything that is fun has to be banned. Great, Viking Line! From now on, I shall support a competing ferry company,” one commentator said. “At the same time you could ban smoking and drinking coffee on the outward trip, also bad singing at karaoke and talking aloud,” lamented another.

However, around half of the commentators welcomed the decision, one of them noting that you could sit in a cupboard at home as well if you want to have a party like that.

“In the future, you can have fun and enjoy the eight restaurants and bars of Viking Grace, four of which offer live music,” Viking Line pointed out in the statement.