Tallink Grupp has signed a charter agreement with the Organising Committee of the Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026 under which the cruise ferry Romantika will be deployed to Italy to provide accommodation and catering services for participants in the XX Mediterranean Games.
The vessel will operate with both its technical and hotel service crews throughout the charter period.
Currently operating additional crossings on the Tallinn–Stockholm route, Romantika will complete her final Baltic Sea voyage on August 4th with a special evening cruise in Tallinn Bay. The charter will conclude the vessel's seasonal deployment 4 days earlier than originally scheduled. Passengers booked on later departures have been offered alternative sailings on the fleetmates Baltic Queen, Silja Symphony or Silja Serenade. Tallink has already rebooked most affected reservations.
Tallink stated that deploying Romantika under charter represents the most effective use of the vessel and is expected to have a positive impact on the company's financial performance. The company also noted that its flexible timetable allows customers to choose from several alternative departures following the early conclusion of the summer programme.
The 2002-built Romantika was the first newbuild commissioned by Tallink and the first Ro-Pax (car and passenger) ship constructed for an Estonian shipowner.
During her career, the vessel has operated on routes linking Helsinki, Stockholm and Riga, while also undertaking charter assignments, including service in Algeria last year.
Romantika's charter continues Tallink's strategy of deploying vessels under long-term agreements across Europe. Tallink's cruise ferries Silja Europa and Galaxy are currently chartered in the Netherlands as hotel ships, while Superfast IX (now St Patrick) is on charter to Hibernia Line for ferry services between Ireland and France.