In March, Viking Cinderella will return to service between Helsinki and Stockholm after a spectacular makeover. The vessel, which was previously painted white, has had its sides painted  bright red at the shipyard in Naantali, where its interiors have also undergone an extensive refurbishment. The investment in technical upgrades will reduce the vessel’s carbon dioxide emissions by 2,500 tonnes a year.

Like in the fairy tale of Cinderella before she goes to the ball at the castle, Viking Cinderella has undergone a major makeover at the Turku Repair Yard in Naantali. The most visible change is that the sides of the vessel, which used to be white, have now been repainted bright red, Viking Line’s traditional colour. The nearly 300 cabins, the spa facilities and many of the vessel’s public spaces have also been given a fresh new look.

“Cinderella hasn’t been in service to Finland for nearly two decades, and to celebrate its return, we want it to shine as the Baltic Sea’s own Cinderella. In 1964 –  exactly 60 years ago – the shipping company was looking for a colour for the hull of its vessel Apollo, and it took the bold red tone from the Mexican Fire lipstick used by the sister of one of the company’s founders. Since then, this distinct shade of red has been our brand colour,” says Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Viking Line.

Because Cinderella was to be drydocked in January, painting the 191-metre vessel was an even greater challenge than usual.

“The great variation in temperature conditions is the greatest challenge for painting outdoors, but after a careful analysis we decided to tackle the job. The deep frost in early January was actually a stroke of luck for us since the weather was dry then. Some thirty professionals worked day and night on the repainting. With their help, more than 2,000 litres of paint were used on Cinderella’s sides over the course of two weeks,” says Mathias Sundberg, Technical Manager at Viking Line.

The extensive painting work was just part of the two-week dry-docking, which cost nine million euros and employed some 350 people. Among the many technical upgrades, the most important ones were the installation of so-called Elogrids, produced in Finland, to reduce water resistance while the vessel is operating, and the installation of the LeanMarine system to optimize engine output and propeller steering.

“Renewal and maintenance of our vessels throughout their life cycle are an important part of our sustainability work. With these modifications now carried out, Cinderella’s annual carbon dioxide emissions will be cut by 5%, that is, up to 2,500 tonnes, and at the same time the remaining useful life of the 35 year-old vessel will be extended,” says Dani Lindberg, Sustainability Manager at Viking Line.

According to International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, passenger ferries must now be dry-docked every 2.5 years. Viking Cinderella has now been dry-docked for the 14th time.

Viking Cinderella’s history in brief

• Cinderella was built in 1989 at the Perno Shipyard in Turku, Finland, and during its first few years was the largest car ferry in the world. Viking Cinderella is one of a kind – no sister ship was ever built.
• Cinderella was in service to Helsinki from 1989 to 2003, mostly on the Helsinki–Stockholm route, but also made 20-hour cruises between Helsinki and Tallinn.
• In 2003, Cinderella was reflagged under a Swedish flag and changed its name to Viking Cinderella since the name Cinderella was already included in the Swedish Register of Shipping. The then red sides of the vessel were painted white, in contrast to other Viking Line vessels.
• Since 2003, Viking Cinderella has mostly made cruises between Stockholm and Mariehamn. During the summers, it sailed on the Helsinki–Stockholm route together with Viking Gabriella and also made day cruises to Tallinn.
• On March 8, 2024, will be reflagged under a Finnish flag and return to service on the Helsinki–Stockholm route together with Gabriella.

Facts about Viking Cinderella

• Number of decks: 12
• Length: 191 metres, width: 29 metres
• Cabin berths: 2,500
• Passenger capacity: 2,560
• Car capacity: 480 passenger cars