Viking Glory ferry

Viking Glory ferry current position

Viking Glory ferry current location is at Baltic Sea (coordinates 59.53914 N / 18.57087 E) cruising at speed of 10 kn (19 km/h | 12 mph) en route to FITKU<>FIMAR/FILAN<>. The AIS position was reported 1 minute ago.

Current Position

Specifications of Viking Glory ferry

Year of build2022  /  Age: 2
Flag state Finland
BuilderXSI-Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co Ltd (Xiamen, China)
Classcruiseferry (Ro-Pax ship)
Ferry route / homeportsTurku-Mariehamn (Aland)-Stockholm
Building costEUR 225 million (USD 245 million)
Engines (power)Wartsila (33 MW / 44254 hp)
Speed22 kn / 41 km/h / 25 mph
Length (LOA)223 m / 732 ft
Beam (width)35 m / 115 ft
Gross Tonnage65211 gt
Passengers2800
Crew300
Cars600
Freight vehicles90
Decks12
Cabins922
Decks with cabins4
Christened bytba
OwnerVIKING LINE
OperatorVIKING LINE

Viking Glory ferry Review

Review of Viking Glory ferry

The 2022-built MS Viking Glory ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Finland-based company VIKING LINE. The ship has a max capacity of 2800 passengers and 600 cars (or 90 trucks/trailers). The vessel currently operates on the Sweden-Finland ferry route Stockholm-Turku (crossing time 10 hours) via Aland Islands (Mariehamn).

Viking Glory ferry ship (VIKING LINE)

Cabins

As cruise ferry, Viking Glory has 922 cabins. All staterooms are air-conditioned and with en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, washbasin), LCD TV, radio, phone. Suites and Premium cabins (quads) additionally offer hairdryer, mini-fridge, double bed, double sofabed. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility). Allergy Cabins are with furniture made of non-allergic materials.

Cabins can't be shared - if 2 passengers are booked in a 4-bed cabin, they can't share the remaining 2 free beds with other travelers.

Staff and crew cabins are located on decks 1 and 2. Passenger cabins are graded in the following categories:

  • (Deck 5) S4 (Seaside 4), I4 (Inside 4), IP2 (Inside Piccolo 2), Driver
  • (Deck 6) SD2 (Seaside Double), ID2 (Inside Double), S4 (Seaside 4, I4 (Inside 4), IH4 (Inside HC 4), DH4 (Double HC 4), SH4 (Seaside HC 4), SF6 (Seaside Family 6), IF6 (Inside Family 6)
  • (Deck 7) SU3 (Suite Ocean), SU4 (Suite Flow), SD2 (Seaside Double), ID3 (Inside Double 3), S4 (Seaside 4), I4 (Inside 4), I2 (Inside 2), IH4 (Inside HC 4), S4R (Seaside 4 R / Allergy), I4R (Inside 4 R / Allergy), PRM (Premium)
  • (Deck 8) SU1 (Suite Romantic), SU2 (Suite Organic), SD2 (Seaside Double), ID2 (Inside Double), S4 (Seaside 4), I4 (Inside 4), I2, IH4 (Inside HC 4), IP2 (Inside Piccolo 2), PRM (Premium)
  • (Deck 9) ID2 (Inside Double), SH3 (Seaside HC 3), IP2 (Inside Piccolo 2), PRM (Premium)
  • Family cabins are fitted with 6 beds (2 plus 4).
  • Standard cabin door width is 64 cm. Suites' and handicap cabins' door width is 89 cm.

On overnight crossings, for Suite cabins (excluding Mini-Suites) Breakfast is included in the ferry ticket price. Breakfast (included for both adults and children) can be delivered via room service (in-cabin dining) or at the onboard restaurants (6x total). For en-suite dining must be filled out a room service order form and submitted to the Reception (info desk) the evening before. For restaurant dining, Suite passengers must show their cabin key in the venue.

Seaside (oceanview) cabins are with large windows, Inside and Economy-class cabins are without windows. Economy cabins are located on lower decks. Suites and Premium cabins are larger and better equipped. Only Budget cabins lack private bathrooms.

Suites and Seaside Premium staterooms offer additional / bonus amenities and services, including free Wi-Fi, exclusive VIP lounge access, early check-in and early boarding (excluding passengers with car parking) in Stockholm. VIP lounge's amenities include complimentary coffee, tea, bottled water, newspapers, HDTV (satellite reception).

All staterooms are non-smoking and in-cabin alcohol consumption is forbidden. Cabin cleaning and sheets changing are done before port arrival. Staterooms are available during the entire crossing (also during cleaning). Cot beds (for toddlers up to 1 year of age and weight under 10 kg) are also available, as well as bed rails for kids - provided complimentary upon request.

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 min prior to homeport arrival.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Viking Glory ship offers:

  • (Lobby Deck 9) Reception (Information Desk, ATM/cash machine), Conference Center (400 seats), Teens Lounge, Game Room (arcade machines, air hockey tables, claw machine), The Hangout, Shopping World (retail shops and general store), Victoria's Secret Shop, Seating Lounge (Air Seats), Navigation Bridge
  • (Deck 10) The Buffet Restaurant, Casual Dining (Mimmi's Restaurant), Market Restaurant, Club Vogue (disco nightclub, lower level), Sweet and Salty Cafe (Internet), Rockmore Bar, Retro Bar and Dancing, Children's Playroom, Video Games Arcade, Casino, Sun Deck (outdoor area)
  • (Deck 11) A la carte restaurant (Viking Terrace), Kobba Bistro & Bar, Seamore (Wine Bar / Champagne Lounge), Wine Shop, Children's Playroom, Club Vogue (disco nightclub, upper level), Archipelago Wellness Center (Spa, Gym, 2 large Jacuzzis / seaview whirlpool hot tubs, seaview saunas, steam room, herbal steam sauna, snow room, massage rooms, Spa Bar, VIP rooms with their own whirlpool and sauna / available for private booking), sundeck area.
  • Fyren (VIP room) features a 12-seat rotating table and is available for private and exclusive events. Fyren can be booked as a dining venue (for breakfast or dinner/max capacity 12 people) as well as a private event venue (max capacity 26 people). Fyren can also be booked in a combination with VIKING LINE's food and beverage packages (Afternoon Tea Break, Champagne Break, Seafood Break).
  • (Deck 10) Vista Deck (sundeck/outdoor area)
  • Midship on the top deck (Heli Deck) is the helipad - helicopter landing platform used in cases of emergency.
  • Free wifi and Internet ("Viking Public" and "Public Internet") are available in designated areas - public spaces and passenger cabins, but not on car decks. The technology is based on a modern satellite system, but the speeds are still slower land-based WiFi and depending on weather conditions.
  • Taxfree / Onboard shops are tax-free and sell brand perfumes, cosmetics and skincare products, designer clothes and accessories, watches, sunglasses, fashion bags, sportswear, kids clothing, confectionery, packaged food and drinks (beers, premium spirits, and wines), gourmet sweets, toys, electronics and gadgets, Viking Line logoed merchandise. Among the premium brands available via onboard shopping are Dior, Tiffany, Sensai, Hugo Boss, Marc Jacobs, Lancome, Efva Attling, Calvin Klein, Paco Rabanne, Yves Saint Laurent, Armani, Biotherm, Clinique, Clarins, Elizabeth Arden, Norr, Bjorn Axen, Bjorn Borg, LEGO. Shopping promotions and package discounts are always offered.
  • Onboard entertainment is complimentary and includes themed shows with live performances by guest artists - music bands, singers, magicians, Swedish and international celebrities. On themed cruises are presented international cuisine specialties, holiday festivals and tributes to renowned artists.
  • On all Viking Line ships, there is a Casino with Blackjack and Roulette tables, as well as slot machines (throughout the ship). Bingo games are offered on most ferries, with location and schedule listed in the ship's onboard program.
  • The nightclub is on 2 decks, with modern design and lighting, large dance floor, LED screens, a stage for nightly live entertainment (orchestra, guest performers, themed club music shows). VIP tables (4-seat) are in a dedicated VIP area and can be booked after the ship's departure. Table price is inclusive of a bottle of Champagne, strawberries, 20 drink coupons, snacks, olives, nuts.
  • The Torget (a la carte restaurant) serves premium breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner. The food is prepared with seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. There is a premium wine list and the menu includes fresh fish, seafood, steaks, vegetarian dishes, kids menu (smaller size dishes).
  • The Wine Bar offers cocktails, champagne, and wine by the glass.
  • The Casual restaurant Pizzaboden serves lunch and dinner. The menu includes pizzas, pasta, steaks, hamburgers fresh-made salads, wines, cocktails, desserts, coffee and dessert drinks. Children under 12 dine at 1/2 portions (half-priced).
  • The Buffet restaurant Market offers breakfast, Scandinavian smorgasbord (buffet-style hot and cold dishes) and international cuisine (for dinner). The buffet meal price is inclusive also of wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea. Alcohol (including premium wines) are at extra charge.
  • At the Cafe are served breakfast, lunch, quick dinner, late-night snacks. The restaurant has several different food sections - for salads, sandwiches, baked food, home-cooked food, desserts, coffee-hot drinks, cold beverages (soft drinks, beers, wines), ice-creams, plus a Take-Away station.
  • The Bar Lounge offers nightly trivia quizzes, live band music, karaoke sessions, drinks menu, light food menu (sandwiches, pastries, cakes, fresh-baked buns).
  • The Coffee Shop sells specialty coffees and premium-brand teas with fresh-baked (on the ship) sweets and salty snacks. In the evenings, the Coffee Shop becomes a wine bar also hosting wine tastings.

Other amenities include Salto Bakery, Grynna Bar, Majas Kitchen, Vista Room (club lounge & bar), Algot's Bar, Smoking Lounge (deck 10).

 

The cruise ship's conference venue provides seating for 250 guests (max capacity 400) and was designed by Koncept Stockholm AB (design and architecture firm).

  • The conference premises include 14x flexible/connecting meeting rooms that, if needed, can all can be combined into a large Conference Center. All rooms are fitted with large LED screens and floor-ceiling curtain screens/shades.
  • Each meeting room has a different name, all being named after lighthouses, islands and other destinations/landmarks part of the ship's itinerary route. The rooms' names are Ruissalo (island), Kobba Klintar (Mariehamn), Airisto (bay), Lagskar (island), Flotjan (lighthouse), Ostersjon ("Baltic Sea" in Swedish), Fejan (island), Ingenjor Pettersson (lighthouse), Grasko (island), Korpo (island), Furusund (island), Gustav Dalen (lighthouse), Oxdjupet (strait channel between Rindo-Varmdo).

"Viking Terrace" (seating capacity 202 plus 54 padded sun loungers) is new for VIKING LINE alfresco dining and entertainment concept introduced on the cruise ship Viking Glory. Located on Deck 11, this rooftop "restaurant-bar-lounge" combo serves as an outdoor eatery featuring infrared heating, an extensive menu with hot and cold dishes (including for breakfast), a separate Bar for beverages (open from early morning till late night), an Ice Cream kiosk, kids' playground (with supervised activities during summer), adults-oriented entertainment in the evenings (including DJ programming).

 

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

Viking Line ferry and cruise deals

Viking Line cruise deals are offered on the following Baltic Sea routes: Helsinki-Stockholm and Helsinki-Tallinn, Turku-Stockholm and Turku-Aland, as well as Aland-Stockholm and Aland-Kapellskar. These are 1-night / 2-day cruises inclusive of 24-hour ferry travel and (optional) 2 evenings on the ship with 1 full day in the port destination.

  • For youth group travel, the ferry company has a quota of 100 passengers per cruise (departures Sunday-Wednesday) and 40 passengers per cruise (departures Thursday-Saturday). The group cruise must be organized by the school (or other association), must have an adult group leader (teacher, parent, etc, at least 30 years old) and 1 adult leader per 10 participants.
  • Mini cruises (without going ashore and return with the same ferry) are not open for youth group bookings.
  • The onboard Conference Center is operated with conference packages inclusive of Inside Cabin (booked at double occupancy), buffet dinner and lunch (with included wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee) and breakfast, as well as coffee and fruits at the conference facilities. Group discounts are offered on all ferry cruises. Additional conference time could be added on hourly rates. Meal packages are not mandatory and can be substituted with pre-booked meals. Conference rates are per person and based on advanced booked meal packages and conference facilities, with a required minimum of 10 persons (supplement applies to smaller groups). Groups of 250+ passengers receive an additional discount. These rates are not combinable with other special offers or discounts. Supplement applies for the buffet meals on all packages during Christmas (November-December). Rates vary depending on route/ship and are for roundtrip itineraries only.
  • Spa packages are for 2 hours (priced per person) and inclusive of bathrobe and towel. Spa treatments (massages) are from 30 to 50 min. Longer treatments must be booked in advance. For massages are used only high-quality organic products by Comfort Zone Group (Italy). Entrance to the Spa and Wellness Center is at fixed fee pp but is complimentary when booking a 50-min treatment. Spa Bar sells wine by the glass, fresh smoothies, small snacks. Spa's VIP rooms are with their own whirlpool and sauna and are bookable for private use.

Each ship has a dedicated Luggage Room, which is locked 30 min after departure and opened 30 min prior arrival. At the Information Desk are available storage lockers (at a fee). Storage boxes (for small bags) are also available. They open via cards (purchased at Information Desk). The card can be saved and recharged (used on several crossings).

As means of payment, Viking Line accepts bank cards and debit cards (including American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard, Mastercard, VISA, VISA Electron, Maestro), as well as cash (ATMs and cashier service at Information Desk / only banknotes). Travelers' checks are not accepted.

Viking Glory ferry ship (VIKING LINE)

Pets on the ship

Guide- and assisting dogs always travel for free and permitted to go anywhere on the ship, including the lounges and restaurants.

  • Pet animals are allowed on all regular ferry crossings - except cruises.
  • Animals are allowed in passenger cabins (not in the beds) only if the owner books the whole cabin. They are not allowed in restaurants (excepting service dogs).
  • When outside the cabin, dogs must always be leashed. They can be walked only on the Sun Deck.
  • For each pet, there is a fee, which varies by ship/route.

On short crossings, animals are allowed to stay on car decks, but not left in the vehicles. These animals travel for free.

Car decks

The engine room and most crew-staff spaces (cabins, mess hall, bar lounge, dining room, brig/jail) are on decks 1-2. Garage decks (for cars, buses, trucks) are decks 3-4-5 (capacity 464 cars on decks 3-4 plus 120 cars on deck 5). Car Deck 4 has a hydraulic platform that when lowered divides it into two (on 2 layers) to double the space for passenger vehicles.

All cargo deck areas/car decks are closed during the crossing. Visiting garage decks during the voyage is allowed only with the Captain's permission.

Follows a list of car decks related safety procedures:

  • Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk (open 24-hours).
  • Apply handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear position. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
  • From your vehicle take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
  • Make a note of your vehicle's location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
  • Access to the ship's 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.

In order to avoid air pollution, don't start the engine until instructed.

ferry company VIKING LINE logo - CruiseMapper

The shipowner Viking Line (fleet, 1959-founded, headquartered in Mariehamn, Aland Finland) serves the cargo and passenger shipping traffic between Sweden and Finland (via Aland Islands), Estonia and Poland.

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Ferry's hull is ice-strengthened (classed "1A Super") allowing shipping operations in icy waters without icebreaking vessel assistance. The ship's cargo capacity is 1500 lanemetres, allowing freight storage / garage deck space for 584 cars or 90 trucks (trailers).

On November 23, 2016, the shipowner (VIKING LINE) signed a letter of intent with the shipbuilder (XSI-Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co Ltd) for the construction of one cruiseferry (Viking Glory) as a replacement for the fleetmate Amorella. The shipbuilding contract was signed on April 5, 2017 (cost EUR 225M /USD 245M). It also included an optional second unit (of the same design / series). However, VIKING LINE didn't exercise this option by the time when the contract expired (on January 1, 2018). The ship order was signed by Li Zhenjun (Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Group Co's vice general manager), Jan Hanses (VIKING LINE's President and CEO) and Zhang Haishou (XSI's deputy general manager).

The vessel's construction at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry company's shipyard (in Xiamen China) officially started on September 3, 2018, with the steel-cutting ceremony. The keel-laying ceremony (hull/yard number XSI488A) was held on June 3, 2019. The cruise ship's name (Viking Glory) was announced on May 27, 2019. The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on January 26, 2021.

 

Bookings on Viking Glory cruises opened in December 2019. The vessel was officially delivered to VIKING LINE on December 23, 2021, at XSI-Xiamen Shipyard, and scheduled to start operations on the Turku-Mariehamn Aland-Stockholm route in March 2022.

The cruise ship's Maiden Voyage (without passengers) started on September 14, 2021, out of XSI-Xiamen. During its construction in China, the vessel was named "XIA CHUAN 137" (according to its AIS). The repositioning cruise from China to Europe (Xiamen-Turku via Suez Canal) started on December 28, 2021, under Captain Ulf Lindroos commanding only 40 crew.

The Maiden Voyage (with passengers) was scheduled for March 1, 2022, out of Turku.

The vessel (IMO number 9827877) is currently Finland-flagged (MMSI 230041000).

Fun fact is that this cruiseferry has two famous namesakes. The 2003-built cruise ship Carnival Glory is operated by Carnival Cruise Lines and owned by Carnival Corporation - the largest passenger shipping company in the world. The 2017-launched "COSCO Glory" (operated by COSCO Line) is among the world's largest container ships (capacity 20,170 TEU-containers).

Viking Glory ship technology

Viking Glory ship's powerplant includes 6x Wartsila marine engines (dual-fuel, model 10V31DF, total power output 33 MW). The new generation Wartsila 31DF engines run on both LNG (liquified natural gas) and ULSD (ultra-low-sulfur diesel). In comparison to the fleetmate Viking Grace (in 2019 fitted with a rotor sail), VIKING LINE's ferry Glory consumes ~10% less fuel (550 kW per cylinder). The dual-fuel engines can use both LNG and biogas (fuel produced by decomposing organic waste). Unlike the LNG-converted cruise ships (on which gas tanks are located on deck to save hull space), MS Viking Glory's gas tanks are inside the hull (midship on the machinery deck).

Viking Glory is the world's first passenger ship that recovers waste cold (from the LNG/biogas) and recycles it for onboard use. Commonly, most ships recover only waste heat (generated by the engines/exhausts). Recycling waste cold saves energy as waste cold is used for shipboard purposes (like refrigerators, cold counters, cold rooms / storage areas). The innovative system was developed by VIKING LINE in partnership with Wartsila Oy (marine engine manufacturer), Projektia Oy (cold storage-cooling-humidification-drier systems / machinery design-manufacturing-installation) and Deltamarin Oy (marine engineering, ship design, construction support/hull, outfitting, machinery).

MS Viking Glory is also fitted with the Ocean Marine system - a steam turbine-based energy recycling technology developed by Climeon AB (Stockholm-based company/2011-founded). Climeon's Heat Power system (based on 2x turbines) converts the excess heat (generated by engines and exhausts) into electricity with annual capacity 700 MWh (approx 40% of the electricity required for the onboard hotel operations). This electricity is primarily used on cabin decks (including for heating, hot water, lighting). The technology uses heat exchangers that evaporate a carrier fluid circulating in a closed system. This gas (at 2-bar pressure) drives a turbine, then a 100 kW generator produces electricity. After that, the gas is cooled (in a vacuum chamber) and liquefied. Cooling is rapid, as the cold fluid is sprayed out. Then Heat exchangers cool the carrier fluid to temperatures around 20 C / 68 F. Climeon's technology additionally reduces the annual CO2 emissions by ~4000 tonnes.

The dynamic air conditioning and LED lighting systems additionally lower energy consumption. This system is controlled by VIKING LINE's booking system and based on in-cabin sensors. When the cruise ship departs from homeport, if a stateroom remains empty it automatically sets in a power-saving mode (with minimized air-conditioning/heating).

The cruise ship's propulsion is diesel-electric and based on ABB Azipods (360-degree azimuthing thrusters mounted in the hull below waterline). The hull design and the ABB propulsion lower the vessel's water-resistance (approx 8%) in comparison to similar-sized vessels fitted with the traditional aft propellers (shaft line propulsion systems).

  • ABB Marine was contracted in November 2018 to provide the Azipod units as part of the company's medium-voltage electric powerplant. The equipment also includes sensors producing real-time data that can be tracked from land-based facilities operated by both ABB Operations Centers and VIKING LINE. The lack of traditional rudders also allows optimized hull hydrodynamics.
  • "ABB Ability" (800xA) is a remote diagnostic system using Microsoft Azure (cloud computing technology). It monitors the ship's electrical systems and is connected 24-7 to ABB's land infrastructure. The system monitors all linked devices and sends real-time data analytics for ship maintenance (predictive and planned) and online support.

Besides Wartsila, ABB Marine, Deltamarin, and Projektia, in the Viking Glory shipbuilding project also partnered Koncept Sweden (architecture and design company), KONE Oy (engineering company, supplied the onboard lifts/elevators), Climeon (Heat Power systems), Scenso (joint venture Sance Ltd plus North Sea Offshore Technology/engineering and design/outer decks, Torget Restaurant, conference rooms, spa facilities), ALMACO Group (cruise cabin manufacturer / room modules production and installation), TSI (Total Solution Interiors/custom design and manufacturing-installation of cruise ship interiors/delivered the stairways and the sundeck restaurant), ICF Group (International Contract Furnishings Inc/Buffen Restaurant, Vista Room, Sundeck), Hartwall Ltd (Finland/beverage systems), Piantek Oy (Finland, delivered the duty-free shop's furniture), Stanley Security Oy (Finland/delivered the cabin doors' locking systems).

ALMACO was contracted in December 2018 to provide a total of 1121 prefabricated cabins (passenger and crew/staff), also the equipment for the ship's galleys (kitchens, ~800 m2), bars, pantries, provision storage facilities (380 m2, cold rooms, freezers, storage areas), crew areas. The deal also included the GEM 2.0 (Galley Energy Management). The system generates ~20% energy savings by minimizing the galley's electricity waste.

The ship was outfitted in Europe (January-February) following the delivery from XSI-Xiamen.

WARTSILA was contracted in October 2017. The deal also included the LNGPac (gas storage and fuel supply system), CSS (Compact Silencer System), BWMS (ballast water management system / water discharge control for invasive species), bow thrusters, Wartsila Nacos Platinum (navigation system) and Wartsila SmartPredict (dynamic positioning system).

Viking Glory docks in homeport Turku using an automated mooring system/vacuum technology. The auto-mooring system was purposefully installed at Port Turku to allow safer berthing as well as to save fuel and time for maneuvering.

Lifeboats

In early 2018, the Norwegian company Norsafe AS (lifeboat builder since 1903) presented a newly developed PELB (Partially Enclosed Lifeboat) design for passenger ships. The "Minima-88" lifeboat model is SOLAS compliant, compact (length 8,8 m, width 4,25 m), with capacity 150 people, signal-colored superstructure and white hull.

The cockpit is mid-forward, providing better visibility during embarkation. Cockpit's roof hatch provides vertical visibility of davits (lifeboat cranes). There are two large sliding doors (portside and starboard) for fast embarkation. Seats are on two levels. A steering nozzle provides better maneuverability and increases bollard pull.

Norsafe lifeboat Minima-88

In 2018, Norsafe was contracted by Xiamen Shipyard to build six Minima-88 lifeboats with compatible davits for the newbuild ferry Viking Glory.