Viking XPRS, the 35,918 gross ton ferry of Viking Line’s on its Helsinki−Tallinn service will be thoroughly modernised, the Finnish company said in a statement.
"After its renovation, M/S Viking XPRS will offer passengers on the route even more diverse restaurant and shopping choices. Among other things, a new à la carte restaurant and a new shop are opening in February. Another focus of the renovation will be to provide larger play areas for children," Vking Line stated.
The work has already begun on board the 2007 built vessel and the modernisation will be completed by summer 2015. "Most of the improvements will be made while the vessel is in service, so no dry-docking will be needed. The facelift will enable the Viking XPRS to offer passengers more diverse restaurant, entertainment and shopping choices than before. Viking Line has listened carefully to customer requests and feedback in planning the modernisation," the company continued.
“We are investing in on-board comfort and services in order to offer our customers the experiences that they want. For example, many of them look forward to first-class restaurant services even during short sea voyages,” says Kaj Takolander, Viking Line’s Head of Sales and Marketing in Finland and the Baltics.
Starting in February, it will also be possible to enjoy a quiet meal in a first-class restaurant on the Tallinn route, when the new à la carte restaurant Wine & Dine opens on board Viking XPRS.
By late March, the vessel’s entertainment facilities will get a facelift thanks to a modernization of the multifunctional Red Rose restaurant. This will include a new stage, smoother cashier logistics and a broader range of café products as well as a larger playroom in order to make the voyage more enjoyable for younger passengers as well.
Passengers will be pleased with the new Fashion Shop that opens in February. It will offer a diverse selection of fashion goods, such as clothing, jewellery, watches and shoes. In addition to these investments in restaurant and shopping choices, Viking XPRS is also modernizing the foyer of the conference department, while the number of seats on the outdoor decks will be expanded with handsome new furniture.
One reason for the modernisation of the Viking XPRS is Viking Line’s growing passenger volume on the Helsinki–Tallinn route. The number of passengers rose last year to more than two million, among other things because the two Helsinki-Stockholm service units, Mariella and Gabriella were placed in service for extra daytime sailings to and from Tallinn during the summer season.
This increase in capacity helped Viking Line set an all-time record of 6.6 million passenger journeys on its vessels during 2014. The company will be adding extra capacity on the Helsinki−Tallinn route again in the summer of 2015, Viking Line concluded.
