Silja Line MS Galaxy - Further Ferry Information and Vessel Description MS Galaxy is a cruiseferry built in 2006 by Aker Finnyards, Rauma and was at the time the largest ship delivered to ferry operator Tallink. Between 2006–2008 she held the distinction of being the largest ship ever to be registered in Estonia; a title now held by her replacement sister-ship MS Baltic Princess. Galaxy currently operates on the Stockholm - Turku route under Tallink's Silja Line brand, opposite MS Silja Europa. For full information on Silja Line - Click Here.
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The introduction of Tallink's first newbuilding, the cruiseferry MS Romantika, in 2002 on the cruise service between Tallinn and Helsinki was a success. One year after her entry into this service, Tallink's fiercest competitor Viking Line, announced that they would withdraw their flagship MS Cinderella from the same route, replacing her with the more freight-oriented MS Rosella.
This led Tallink to order a bigger ship to replace the Romantika on 2004-10-28. The Romatika in turn was needed to join her newly delivered sister ship, the MS Victoria I, on the Tallinn - Stockholm route. Building of the new ship commenced in early 2005 and her keel was laid on 21 April. The shipyard was Aker Finnyards, Rauma. The new ship was launched and christened as MS Galaxy. |
Designed as a carefully enlarged replica of the Romantika, the Galaxy is longer and has additional cabins and public areas. Leaving behind the external livery scheme introduced on the Romantika and her sister, the Galaxy sports a white hull with a cloud decorated blue superstructure, along with a number of different animals painted on her sides. The design of the livery was made by the Estonian artist Navitrolla.
After performing her trials, the Galaxy entered service on the Tallinn - Helsinki route on 2 May 2006. The ship performed one round trip daily between the two capitals but spent most of her time moored in port. On her original route Galaxy was at sea for less than seven hours per day. In April 2007, less than a year after her introduction, Tallink announced that the Galaxy was to be transferred to the Stockholm - Mariehamn - Langnas - Turku route during 2008. She was replaced by her sister ship MS Baltic Princess.
Following the Baltic Princess replacing Galaxy on the Tallinn—Helsinki route, Galaxy replaced MS Silja Festival on the Stockholm - Turku route on 23 July 2008. Coinciding with the route change, Galaxy was re-registered to Sweden. The ships external livery, as well as her name, was left unchanged, despite an earlier statement made by Tallink that she would be re-painted in Silja livery. A "Silja Line" hull text did replace the "Tallink Cruise" text on her sides, but her Tallink funnel logo was left unaltered. Before beginning service, Galaxy was docked at Naantali for three days
Silja Line MS Galaxy Deck Plan
- Engine room
- Sauna, swimming pool
- Car deck
- Car platform, can be lowered hydraulically to divide the car deck in two giving space for two layers of passenger cars
- Conference rooms, A- and B-class cabins
- Moonlight dance bar, cafeteria, information desk, shops, Starlight Palace show lounge (lower level)
- Buffet Galaxy, Grill House, Russian à la Carte Aleksander and Happy Lobster restaurants, cigar club, piano bar, whisky bar, Joe's place, games arcade, Starlight Palace show lounge (upper level)
- Suites, de luxe-, A- and B-class cabins
- Suites, de luxe-, A- and B-class cabins
- Bridge, disco Zenith, crew accommodations, sundeck
Silja Line MS Galaxy Ferry Statistics
- Length - 212.1 m
- Breadth - 29 m
- Draught - 6.4 m
- Speed - 22 knots
- Engines - 4 x Wärtsilä 16V32 diesels
- Built - 2005
- Yard - Aker Finnyards, Rauma, Finland
- Power - 26,240 kw
- Cars - 240
- Passengers - 2800
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