Baltic Princess transformation nears completion
Just a week before its relaunch, the renovation of Baltic Princess was still underway. This was intentional, as the extensive €8 million refurbishment was meticulously timed to the last detail.
In early March, an impressive sight unfolded at Turku Repair Yard: the 212-meter M/S Baltic Princess rested on blocks on land. Passenger ships typically undergo dry dock maintenance twice every five years, but this time, in addition to routine checks and painting, Tallink Silja Line is making significant interior upgrades.
A week before the relaunch, work was in full swing. The entrance hall was covered in plastic, and instead of musicians, power drills were heard in the restaurant. Electrical cables as thick as logs were being installed by contractors.
“This is like an anthill. There are 250 subcontractors working on the ship, about 200 of whom are doing interior work. There are about 100 shipyard workers and about 80 of the ship’s own staff,” said senior manager and captain Juha Rossi.
Only 17 years old princess
The transformation of Baltic Princess began even before its departure to the Naantali shipyard. At the end of February, about 100,000 tons of old furniture and carpets were removed from the ship at the port of Turku.
“When the ship is in dry dock, we cannot use the car decks for moving goods; it would have to be done with a crane. It was really good that we were able to do this dismantling work at the port of Turku,” says Rossi.
In Turku, Baltic Princess will also be finalized before its evening departure on March 19.
“Miracles happen in the last hours. The ship is cleaned and stocked: goods for the shops and food are brought on board. Every lipstick is placed on the shelves according to its shade,” says the ship’s purser, Taru Backman.
Backman and Rossi know what they are talking about. They have successfully carried out dockings and interior renovations before. Passenger ships are often used for 30–40 years, so interior styles change several times during that period. Baltic Princess is young for a ship, only 17 years old.
“It’s going to look really great here”
When the first passengers walk across the gangway to the renovated Baltic Princess, they will step into a brighter information hall. The light wood-patterned floor refreshes the atmosphere, and the silver-colored ceiling panel sparkles as if reflecting the sea’s shimmer inside.
“It’s going to look really great here. For example, the Grill House restaurant has been completely renovated, and the shops will undergo a radical transformation. There will be more space for tasting and promotional tables,” says Backman.
The interior has also been updated in places like the Piano Bar. The floor of the Grande Buffet restaurant will be changed. However, the Baltic Princess’s route from Turku to Stockholm remains the same.
“We once tried the Naantali-Kapellskär route, but Turku-Stockholm is more popular with both passengers and freight,” Rossi explains.
Text & photos: Sari Järvinen
