Viking XPRS ferry

MS Viking XPRS ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Finland-based company VIKING LINE. The ship has a max capacity of 2500 passengers and 230 cars. The vessel was launched in 2008 and currently operates on the Finland-Estonia ferry route Helsinki-Tallinn (crossing time 2.5 hours).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Viking XPRS has 736 berths in a total of 238 cabins. All staterooms are air-conditioned and have en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, washbasin), flat TV (satellite reception), radio, phone and mirrored writing table with stool. Premium cabins additionally offer a refrigerator, double bed and 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 have furniture made of non-allergenic 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 deck 9. Passenger cabins are graded in the following categories:

• (Deck 6) LYX (Seaside Premium, TV), A4 (Seaside Standard), A4R (Seaside Standard Allergy), A2P (Seaside Standard, TV), B4 (Inside Standard), B4R (Inside Standard Allergy), B2P (Inside Piccolo), B2R (Inside Piccolo Allergy), B2S (Inside Piccolo Small, TV), HB3 (Inside Handicap)
• Family cabins are fitted with 6 beds (2 plus 4).
• Standard cabin door width is 64 cm. Suite and handicap cabin door width is 89 cm.
• On overnight crossings, Suite cabins (excluding Mini-Suites) include Breakfast in the ferry ticket price. Breakfast (included for both adults and children) can be delivered via room service (in-cabin dining) or served at the onboard restaurants. For in-suite dining, a room service order form must be filled out 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 have large round windows, while Inside cabins have no windows. Premium cabins are larger and better equipped. All cabins are non-smoking, and in-cabin alcohol consumption is forbidden. Cabin cleaning and sheet changes are done before port arrival. Staterooms are available during the entire crossing, including during cleaning.

Cot beds (for toddlers up to 1 year of age and weighing 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 XPRS ship offers:

• (Deck 7) Business Lounge, Conference Center, Reception (Information Desk, ATM/cash machine), Tax-Free Shop / Shopping World, Fashion Shop, Music Pub Viking's Inn, Club X, Sun Deck (outdoor area)
• (Deck 8) Blue Deli Restaurant, The Buffet, Sun Bar & Grill, Wine & Dine, Robert's Coffee, Red Rose Bar Cafe, Family Cafe / Corner (Internet), Deli Shop, Game Room (arcade machines, air hockey tables, claw machine), Children's Playroom / Kid's Club.
• (Deck 9) Navigation Bridge
• (Deck 10) Sun Deck (outdoor area)
• On the top deck (Heli Deck), there is a helipad - a helicopter landing area used in emergencies.
• Free Wi-Fi 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 than land-based Wi-Fi and depend on weather conditions.
• Onboard shops are tax-free and sell branded 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, and 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 and 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, international cuisine specialties, holiday festivals and tributes to renowned artists are presented.
• 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 features modern lighting and design interiors, a large dance floor, LED screens and a stage for nightly live entertainment (orchestra, guest performers, themed club shows). VIP tables (4-seat) are in a dedicated VIP area designed for private party experiences. VIP tables can be booked after the ship's departure. Table price is inclusive of a bottle of Champagne, strawberries, 20 drink coupons, snacks, olives and nuts.
• The 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 and a kids' menu (smaller-size dishes).
• The Casual Dining restaurant 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 half portions (half-priced).
• The Buffet restaurant offers buffet breakfast, a classic Scandinavian smorgasbord (multiple buffet-style hot and cold dishes) and international cuisine in the evening. The buffet meal price is also inclusive of wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Alcohol (including premium wines) is at extra charge.
• At the Cafe, breakfast, lunch, quick dinner and night snacks are also served. The restaurant has several different food sections for salads, sandwiches, baked food, home-cooked food, desserts, coffee/hot drinks, beverages (soft drinks, beers, wines), ice creams and a Take Away station.
• The Bar and Dancing lounge offers nightly trivia quizzes, live band music, karaoke, as well as a drinks menu and light food menu (sandwiches, pastries, cakes, fresh-baked buns).
• The Coffee Shop sells specialty coffees and high-quality teas with fresh-baked onboard sweets and savory snacks. In the evenings, the Coffee Shop becomes a wine bar and also hosts wine tastings.

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, optionally, 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 returning 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), breakfast, as well as coffee and fruit at the conference facilities. Group discounts are offered on all ferry cruises. Additional conference time can be added at hourly rates. Meal packages are not mandatory and can be substituted with pre-booked meals. Conference rates are per person and based on advance-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. A supplement applies for 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. Only high-quality organic products by Comfort Zone Group (Italy) are used for massages. Entrance to the Spa and Wellness Center is at a fixed fee pp but is complimentary when booking a 50-min treatment. Spa Bar sells wine by the glass, fresh smoothies and small snacks. Spa's VIP rooms have 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 to arrival. Storage lockers are available at the Information Desk (at a fee). Storage boxes (for small bags) are also available. They open via cards purchased at the 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.

Pets on the ship

Guide and assistance dogs always travel for free and are 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 (except 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 must not be left in vehicles. These animals travel for free.

Car decks

The engine room is on deck 1, while most crew/staff spaces (cabins, mess hall, bar lounge, dining room, brig/jail) are on decks 2-9. Garage decks (for cars and trucks) include decks 3-4-5. Car Deck 4 has a hydraulic platform that, when lowered, divides it into two layers to double the space for passenger vehicles.

Car decks are closed during the crossing. Visiting garage decks during the voyage is allowed only with the Captain's permission. Below is a list of car deck-related safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's 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.
• 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.

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