Isabelle X

Former names: Tallink Isabelle, Viking Isabella

Isabelle X current position

The current location of Isabelle X is in North America West Coast (coordinates 49.66279 N / -123.25749 W) cruising en route to WLNG. The AIS position was last reported 1 minute ago.

Current Position

Specifications of Isabelle X

Year of build1989  /  Age: 36
Flag state Canada
BuilderBrodosplit Shipyard (Split, Croatia)
Classice-strengthened ship
Ferry route / homeportsRiga–Stockholm
Speed22 kn / 41 km/h / 25 mph
Length (LOA)171 m / 561 ft
Beam (width)28 m / 92 ft
Gross Tonnage35154 gt
Passengers2480
Cars364
Freight vehicles65
Beds2166
Decks12
Cabins540
Decks with cabins5
Last Refurbishment2022
Sister-shipsViking Amorella/Mega Victoria, Viking Gabriella, Pearl Seaways, Crown Seaways
Former namesTallink Isabelle, Viking Isabella
OwnerBridgemans Services Group (Canada)
OperatorBridgemans Floatels

Isabelle X Review

Review of Isabelle X

The 1989-built Tallink Isabelle is a Ro-Ro passenger ferry previously operated by the Estonia-based company TALLINK-SILJA LINE. The ship has a maximum capacity of 2,480 passengers and 364 cars plus 65 trucks/trailers. For TALLINK-SILJA, she operated the Latvia–Sweden route RigaStockholm (crossing time 17 hours).

In 2023, TALLINK Grupp sold the vessel to Bridgemans Services Group LP (founded in 2013, Richmond, BC, Canada). The 34-year-old Tallink Isabelle was then converted into a hotel ship/floatel and renamed “ISABELLE X.”

The vessel’s flag state/registry was changed in 2020 from Finland (MMSI 230159000, Port Helsinki) to Estonia (MMSI 275430000, Port Tallinn). Under Bridgemans Floatels, the vessel (IMO 8700723) is now Canada-flagged (MMSI 316053727) and registered in Vancouver.

Bridgemans Floatels operates a fleet of former cruise vessels refitted as floating hotels, chartered by companies needing rapid accommodation for 100–1,500 personnel working on inshore or offshore projects. The ships feature full-service staterooms with modern hotel amenities and comprehensive onboard facilities such as flexible business areas (meeting rooms, conference rooms, private offices), an auditorium (for presentations and training), a car deck (large storage capacity with Ro-Ro access), and a helideck (helicopter landing zone with direct access to the infirmary).

Bridgemans Services Group also has a division specializing in ship conversions and refits.

ISABELLE X’s new fleetmate is the former Ocean Diamond (acquired in April 2024).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Tallink Isabelle offers double and quad cabins (maximum occupancy 4 passengers), with a total of 2,166 berths located on decks 2, 5, 6, 7, and 9. All staterooms are air-conditioned, have en-suite bathrooms, and are available as both inside and outside categories. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers). Cabins for passengers with allergies and for those traveling with pets are also available.

All cabins are fitted with wall-mounted bunk beds and en-suite bathrooms (angled sink, wall-mounted toilet, shower cubicle, hairdryer). Upon request, a baby crib and potty (1 per cabin), as well as bedside rails (2 per cabin), are provided complimentary. Room service can be pre-ordered up to 4 days before departure.

Cabin categories include:

  • (Deck 9) Executive Suite / double cabin (34 m²) – slanted windows; separate bedroom (double bed, non-convertible to twins) and living room; sofa; armchairs; WC; shower; TV; phone; minibar; refrigerator; mirrored vanity table (writing desk with chair). Special breakfast and refreshments (soft drinks, fruit) are included in the “Europa 22-hour” mini-cruise fares.
  • (Deck 9) Junior Suite / double cabin (16 m²) – slanted windows; double bed (non-convertible to twins); WC; shower; TV; phone; minibar; refrigerator; mirrored vanity table (writing desk with chair). Special breakfast and refreshments (soft drinks, fruit) are included in the “Europa 22-hour” mini-cruise fares.
  • (Decks 5–6) Deluxe / double cabin (11 m²) – double bed (non-convertible to twins); WC; shower; TV; phone; refrigerator; mirrored vanity table (writing desk with armchair). Special breakfast and refreshments (soft drinks) are included in the fares.
  • (Decks 5–6) A-Class Cabin (Quad Outside, 8 m²) – bay window; 1 sofabed; 1 lower bunk; 2 upper bunks; WC; shower; TV. Cabins for allergic and disabled passengers are also available.
  • (Decks 5, 6, 7, and 9) B-Class Cabin (Quad Inside, 8 m²) – no window; 1 sofabed; 1 lower bunk; 2 upper bunks; WC; shower; TV. Cabins for allergic and disabled passengers are also available.
  • (Decks 5, 6, and 9) B2-Class Cabin (Double Inside, 7 m²) – no window; 1 sofabed; 1 upper bunk; WC; shower; TV.
  • (Deck 2) C-Class Cabin (Quad Inside, 8.4 m²) – no window; 2 lower bunks; 2 upper bunks; WC; shower; TV. Cabins for allergic and disabled passengers are also available.
  • (Deck 5) Handicap Cabins (for disabled passengers) are 14 m² each, fitted with 3 beds (1 lower fixed, 1 sofabed, 1 upper bunk), WC, shower, TV, and wider doors for wheelchair access; near-elevator location. Disabled cabins are available in categories A-Class Outside (2x) and B-Class (2x).
  • (Deck 5) Allergy Cabins (capacity 2–4 persons) are available in categories B-Class Inside (2x) and A-Class Outside (2x), each with WC, shower, and TV.
  • (Deck 5) Pet Cabins (for passengers with pets) accommodate 2–4 persons and feature WC, shower, TV, and linoleum flooring. Pet cabins are available in categories A-Class (4x) and B-Class (5x).

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 minutes prior to homeport arrival. Passenger registration closes 1 hour before departure.

Tallink Isabelle ferry ship (TALLINK-SILJA)

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

The Tallink Isabelle ferry offers the following facilities:

  • (Deck 8) Grande Buffet (Self-Service Restaurant) – Scandinavian and international dishes; soft drinks, tea, coffee, wine, and beer included in the buffet price. Theme stations include Grill, Cold Table (meats, seafood), Green Market (salads), Warm Dishes, and Desserts.
  • (Deck 8) The Chef’s Kitchen (À la carte) – premium restaurant with an open kitchen.
  • (Deck 8) The Dining Room – main à la carte venue serving classics and Russian specialties.
  • (Deck 8) The Pub – beverages and classic pub snacks; small stage for live performances by guest musicians.
  • (Deck 8) Tapas & Wine Bar – extensive selection of hot and cold tapas; late-night meals served.
  • (Deck 7) Sea Side Cafe (Cafeteria/Patisserie/Coffee Bar) – cold and hot beverages; light snacks (fresh-baked pastries, yogurts, fruit smoothies, sweet crêpes) and meals (made-to-order and ready-made options). Coffee drinks are freshly brewed from freshly ground beans. Takeaway counter available.
  • (Decks 8–9–10) Conference Center (open 9 am–9 pm) – multiple rooms with a combined capacity of 180 seats, equipped with modern presentation technology and a separate lobby area. Closed during peak season (mid-June through mid-August) when converted into the “Summer Center” (kids’ activity area).
  • (Deck 7) Children’s Playroom – indoor playground with TV (cartoons), ball-pit pool, and craft tables; connected to Sea Side Cafe. Also features a PlayStation Lounge (separate room for video games and arcade machines). On each cruise, kids can meet the dog girl Lotte.
  • (Deck 7) Supermarket / Tax-Free Shop – duty-free store for gifts and souvenirs; alcohol (brand spirits, wines), tobacco, luxury perfumes and cosmetics, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, leather goods, confectionery, fashion and accessories, toys, electronics and gadgets, gourmet sweets, deli foods, handmade teas and spices. Special promotions on each crossing. Payments accepted in cash or by bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard).
  • (Deck 6) Hera Salongid (Beauty Salon) – professional services by certified beauticians, hairdressers, and massage therapists (face and body treatments, hair styling and coloring, manicure, pedicure). Reservations required 24 hours prior to departure.
  • (Deck 6) Sauna Department – two reserved saunas, unisex public saunas, swimming pool, and whirlpools (for kids and adults).
  • (Deck 7) Driver’s Club – exclusive bar lounge for truck drivers only.
  • (Deck 7) Seating Lounge – large TVs and airline-type reclining seats (fully reclining Pullman seats).
  • (Lobby Deck 7) Wi-Fi service; ATM/cash machine (next to Information Desk/Reception). A nurse is available via Reception. Small lockers for valuables.
  • (Deck 8) Casino – gaming tables (roulette, poker) and slot machines.
  • (Decks 9–10) Club Heaven / Disco Nightclub – DJ hits, club music, party quizzes; large dance floor and grand stage (lower level) and a panoramic lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows (upper level).
  • (Deck 11) Sky Bar – local dance music and karaoke.
  • (Deck 11) Sun Deck – outdoor deck area.
  • (Deck 12) Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge.

Midship on the top deck (Heli Deck 12) there is a helipad—helicopter landing area used in emergencies.

All emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at the ship’s assembly (muster) stations. Life jackets are issued at the assembly stations. In an emergency, the use of elevators/passenger lifts is forbidden.

 

TALLINK-SILJA LINE deals

2-day cruise deals (“Europa 22 hour”) are offered only on shuttle ferries with departures from Helsinki (embarkation 8 am) to Tallinn (disembarkation 12:10 pm the next day).

On all Tallink-Silja ships (except shuttle ferries), Room Service offers à la carte priced special-occasion gifts, sweets, and beverages. Cabin services must be ordered 4 days prior to departure.

Onboard Conference Rooms are equipped with data projectors and white screens and are available for booking at group rates (extra charge per person). The room must be booked for at least 2 hours and for a minimum of 10 persons. Catering (snack packages or buffet meals, plus refreshments) can be added.

Smoking is prohibited in all cabins, restaurants, bars and lounges, corridors, elevators, and stairwells. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas on outdoor decks (look for “Smoking Area” signs).

The “Collect and Save” program is based on collecting stickers with onboard purchases (in all Tallink-Silja shops). The program allows selected products to be purchased at discounts of up to 57%. With every purchase (minimum value EUR 10), the passenger receives 1 sticker (to be affixed inside a campaign folder). By collecting 10, 20, or 30 stickers, passengers can buy various products, which are handed out and paid for at the Info Stand or in the ship’s shops. “Collect and Save” offers are time-limited or valid until selected products are out of stock.

“Club One” is the company’s loyalty program, rewarding passengers who frequently travel with Tallink-Silja ferries. Bonus points are accrued based on ferry tickets and onboard purchases, as well as Tallink Hotels rooms booked via Tallink-Silja. The program has three levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold) determined by points. Points can be used for booking voyages and obtaining onboard shopping and dining discounts, plus benefits such as 10% off Tallink Hotels (Tallinn and Riga), 5% off Tallink Takso (Tallinn), and 15% car-parking discount with Europark (Helsinki).

Tallink Isabelle ferry ship (TALLINK-SILJA)

Car decks

Garage Decks are 3, 4, and 5. On Deck 1 are the Engine Room (extending to Deck 2) and other technical spaces. Deck 2 houses technical rooms, C-class Inside passenger cabins, crew cabins and facilities (dining/bar lounge, mess hall), and the brig (ship jail). Car Deck 4 has a hydraulic mobile platform which, when lowered, divides it horizontally and doubles passenger-car capacity.

Car-deck safety procedures:

  • Disabled passengers or those requiring assistance should visit the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
  • Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in Park or 1st gear. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
  • Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from your vehicle.
  • Note your vehicle’s location and the garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
  • Access to vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
  • Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges, is forbidden.
  • Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.

To avoid air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

ferry company TALLINK-SILJA LINE logo - CruiseMapper

The shipowner Tallink (fleet, founded in 1989, headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia) is an Estonian shipping company operating Baltic Sea cruise ferries and Ro-Pax vessels with direct services connecting Estonia with Finland and Sweden, and Sweden with Finland and Latvia.

Photos of Isabelle X

Isabelle X ship related cruise news

Isabelle X Wiki

The shipbuilding contract for Tallink Isabelle (originally MS Isabella) was signed on February 4, 1986. Construction began on September 15, 1987, with the keel laid at the Brodosplit shipyard in Split, Croatia. The vessel was launched on August 13, 1988, christened on June 5, 1989, delivered to SF LINE (now VIKING LINE) on June 15, and entered service on July 4, 1989.

The ship is powered by four Wartsila marine diesel engines (model PIELSTICK 12PC2-6V) with a combined output of 23.8 MW. The propulsion system features two shafts with controllable-pitch propellers. Her hull is ice-strengthened (classed "1A Super"), enabling operations in icy waters without icebreaker assistance. Her sisterships include Crown Seaways, Pearl Seaways, Viking Amorella, and Viking Gabriella.

Between 1989 and 1992, the ferry operated the Finland–Sweden route Naantali–Stockholm during summer and offered 24-hour (2-day) mini-cruises roundtrip from Helsinki during the rest of the year. In 1992, she was deployed year-round on roundtrip Helsinki cruises, and from 1994 to 1997 she served the Helsinki–Stockholm route.

During her drydock refit in 1992 at Naantali shipyard, a new sky bar (deck 11) and additional passenger cabins (decks 2 and 5) were added. In September 2007, she underwent a major drydock refit and refurbishment, also at Naantali. The onboard tax-free shop, pub, and nightclub were completely rebuilt, and two new restaurants replaced the old venues. All passenger cabins were fully refurbished. The refit increased her GT (from 34,386 to 35,154 tons) but reduced passenger capacity (from 2,200 to 2,166) and cargo capacity (from 970 to 850 lane meters, and from 410 to 364 cars).

Between 2012 and 2013, the vessel was put up for sale. She was sold to TALLINK on April 5, 2013, and entered service on May 6 on the Latvia–Sweden route Riga–Stockholm.

During her drydock refurbishment in 2019 at Klaipeda Shipyard, Lithuania, all cafes, bars, and restaurants were completely renovated, including new furniture and carpeting. The kids’ playground, shopping areas, corridors, stairways, and hallways received new carpeting, while the Business Lounge was upgraded with new carpets and TVs. All public restrooms were renovated as well. In addition to general maintenance, her propulsion system was upgraded with Wartsila’s EnergoProFin propeller cap with fins, which rotates with the propeller, reducing energy loss, noise, and vibration. She was also fitted with a next-generation navigation system. As part of Tallink Grupp’s Ship Renewal Programme, all fleet vessels are regularly refurbished. The program’s budget for 2013–2018 was nearly EUR 80 million.