MS Gabriella
861071
225174239
2008-07-12T08:02:31Z
Kjet
1678245
/* Decks and facilities */ Deck 11 cabins deserve a mention of their balconies
{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
{{Infobox Ship Image
|Ship image=[[Image:S Gabriella.jpg|300px]]
|Ship caption=MS ''Gabriella'' in Kustaamiekka strait, Helsinki
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
|Hide header=
|Ship name=1992—1994: ''Frans Suell''<br>1994—1997: ''Silja Scandinavia''<br>1997 onwards: '''''Gabriella'''''
|Ship owner=1992—1997: [[Sea-Link Shipping]]<br>1997 onwards: [[Viking Line]]<ref name=FoF>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/frans_suell_1992.htm |title=M/S ''Frans Suell'' (1992) |accessdate=2008-03-26 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |format= |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref>
|Ship operator=1992—1994: [[Euroway]]<br>1994—1997: [[Silja Line]]<br>1997 onwards: Viking Line<ref name=FoF />
|Ship registry=1992—1997: [[Malmö]], {{flag|Sweden}}<br>1997 onwards: [[Mariehamn]], {{flag|Finland}}<ref name=FoF />
|Ship route=[[Helsinki]]—[[Mariehamn]]—[[Stockholm]] (as of 2008)
|Ship ordered=[[28 September]] [[1989]]<ref name=Stampehl>{{cite book |title=Siljan viisi vuosikymmentä |last=Malmberg |first=Thure |coauthors=Stampehl, Marko |year=2007 |publisher=Frenckellin Kirjapaino Oy |location=Espoo |isbn=978-951-98405-7-4 |language=Finnish/English |pages=pp. 290-291 }}</ref>
|Ship builder=[[Brodogradiliste Split]], [[Split]], [[Croatia]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=372<ref name=FoF />
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched=[[23 January]] [[1991]]<ref name=FoF />
|Ship completed=
|Ship christened=[[16 May]] [[1992]] <small>by [[Birgit Nilsson]]</small><ref name=FoF />
|Ship acquired=[[4 May]] 1992<ref name=Stampehl />
|Ship maiden voyage=[[17 May]] 1992<ref name=Stampehl />
|Ship in service=[[19 May]] 1992<ref name=FoF />
|Ship out of service=
|Ship identification=[[International Maritime Organization|IMO]] 8917601<ref name=FoF /><br>Signal letters OJHP{{Fact|date=March 2008}}
|Ship fate=
|Ship status=In service
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=(as built)<ref name=FoF />
|Ship class=''Amorella'' class [[cruiseferry]]
|Ship tonnage={{GT|35,285|first=short}}<ref name=Stampehl />
|Ship displacement=2,962 DWT
|Ship length={{convert|169.40|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|27.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{convert|6.25|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth=
|Ship decks=12<ref name=VL>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.fi/onboard/gabriella/cut_away.asp |title=M/S ''Gabriella'' - cut-away view |accessdate=2008-03-26 |format= |publisher=Viking Line }}</ref>
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship ice class=1 A Super<ref name=VL />
|Ship power=4 × [[Pielstick]] 12 PC2 6V-400E diesels<br>combined 23,780 kW
|Ship propulsion=2 propellers, 2 bow thrusters, 1 stern thruster<ref name=Stampehl />
|Ship speed={{convert|21.5|kn|km/h|2|abbr=on}}
|Ship capacity=2400 passengers<br>2170 passenger berths<br>400 cars<ref name=Stampehl /><br>970 lanemeters<ref name=Stampehl />
|Ship crew=
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=(as ''Gabriella'')<ref name=VL />
|Ship class=
|Ship tonnage={{GT|35,492}}
|Ship displacement=
|Ship length={{convert|171.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|27.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{convert|6.40|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth=
|Ship decks=12 (11 passenger accessible)
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship ice class=1 A Super
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=
|Ship speed={{convert|20.5|kn|km/h|2|abbr=on}}
|Ship capacity=2420 passengers<br>2402 passenger berths<br>400 cars<br>970 lanemeters<ref name=Stampehl />
|Ship crew=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
'''MS ''Gabriella''''' is a [[cruiseferry]] sailing on a route connecting [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]] and [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]] for [[Viking Line]]. She was built in 1992 in [[Brodogradiliste Split]], [[Croatia]] as '''MS ''Frans Suell''''' for service with [[Euroway]]. Between 1994 and 1997 she sailed as '''MS ''Silja Scandinavia''''' for [[Silja Line]].
==Concept and construction==
[[Euroway]] was a concept developed during the latter half of the 1980s by the [[Sweden]]-based [[Sea-Link Shipping]]. The new brand was planned to operate two state-of-the-art cruiseferries between [[Malmö]] in Sweden and [[Lübeck]] in [[Germany]] via [[Travemünde]] in Germany, with the service aimed in particular at conference groups. Sea-link decided to order the ships from [[Brodogradiliste Split]] in what was at the time the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]].<ref name=EurowayHistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.cruiseferry.de/euroway/eurowaystory.html |title=Euroway |accessdate=2008-03-26 |format= |work=The Euroway Memory Page }}</ref> The ships were based on the same design as the {{MS|Amorella}} and {{MS|Isabella}} that had been built by the same shipyard for the [[Finland]]-based [[SF Line]] for [[Viking Line]] traffic in 1988 and 1989, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/amorella_1988.htm |title=M/S ''Amorella'' (1988) |accessdate=2008-03-26 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |format= |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=iSwedish }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/isabella_1989.htm |title=M/S ''Isabella'' (1989) |accessdate=2008-03-26 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |format= |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref> The Euroway sisters were designed with a somewhat different layout of public spaces and cabins, as well as an additional cabin deck.
The order for the first ship, ''Frans Suell'', was placed on [[28 September]] [[1989]],<ref name=Stampehl /> with the delivery date projected in mid-1991. The ship was launched on [[23 January]] [[1991]], but due to the [[Breakup of Yugoslavia|civil war in Yugoslavia]] her construction was severely delayed,<ref name=Stampehl /><ref name=EurowayHistory /> and she was not ready for her first sea trials until January 1992. Following her second sea trials in March 1992 the ''Frans Suell'' sailed to [[Rijeka]]—in what was now independent [[Croatia]]—for finalization of her construction and to receive the Euroway livery.<ref name=FoF /><ref name=Stampehl /> The ship was finally delivered to her owners on [[4 May]] [[1992]] and left Split for Malmö.<ref name=Stampehl />
==Service history==
===1992—1994: ''Frans Suell''===
On [[16 May]] [[1992]] the ''Frans Suell'' was christened in [[Malmö]] by the [[Swedish people|Swedish]] [[opera singer]] [[Birgit Nilsson]]. The following day the set on her maiden voyage from Malmö to [[Travemünde]] and [[Lübeck]], with only invited guests on board.<ref name=Stampehl /> On [[19 May]] 1992 she begun normal service on the Malmö—Travemünde route, with a daily departure from both ports.<ref name=EurowayHistory /><ref name=EurowayTimetable>{{cite web |url=http://www.cruiseferry.de/euroway/eurowayroute.html |title=The Route |accessdate=2008-03-26 |format= |work=The Euroway Memory Page }}</ref> The service had a troubled start, as marketing had been difficult due to delays in the construction of the ship. Due to restrictions placed by the city of Malmö on traffic through the city, no trucks could be carried on board, and operating the buffet restaurant on board caused difficulties for the company.<ref name=FoF /><ref name=EurowayHistory />
From [[1 September]] 1992 onwards the ''Frans Suell''<nowiki></nowiki>'s route was extended to Lübeck for the duration of the [[northern hemisphere]] winter season. The call at Travemünde was maintained as the city of Lübeck did not allow cars to be unloaded in the city. Due to the longer crossing times the timetable was altered with departures from every second day from Malmö and Lübeck, with overnight crossings.<ref name=FoF /><ref name=EurowayHistory /><ref name=EurowayTimetable />
On [[1 June]] [[1993]] Sea-Link Shipping entered an agreement with [[Silja Line]], with the latter assuming marketing and operational responsibility of the Euroway service and ships. The service now became marketed as Silja Line Euroway, with {{MS|Silja Festival}} joining the ''Frans Suell'' as the second ship on the service (the original planned second ship, {{MS|Frans Kockum}}, had been even more severely delayed than the ''Frans Suell'', and eventually Sea-Link cancelled the order).<ref name=Stampehl /><ref name=EurowayHistory /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/crown_of_scandinavia_1994.htm |title=M/S ''Crown of Scandinavia'' (1994) |accessdate=2008-03-26 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |format= |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref> From the beginning of June 1993 the ''Frans Suell'' (and ''Silja Festival'')'s route was again shortened to Malmö—Travemünde, with two daily departures from both ports.<ref name=EurowayTimetable />
With hopes of attracting more passengers, for the 1993-1994 winter season the route was extended into [[Copenhagen]]—Malmö—Travemünde—Lübeck from [[1 September]] [[1993]] onwards, with daily departures from Copenhagen and Lübeck.<ref name=EurowayTimetable /> Due to the low passenger figures on the service and the poor financial situation of Silja Line, the decision was made to terminate the Euroway service on [[12 March]] [[1994]].<ref name=EurowayHistory /> Silja Line wished to charter the ''Frans Suell'' for use on their [[Turku]]—[[Stockholm]] service, and already on [[2 March]] 1994 she had been chartered to Silja.<ref name=Stampehl />
===1994—1997: ''Silja Scandinavia''===
Following the closure of Euroway the ''Frans Suell'' sailed to the [[Vuosaari shipyard]] in [[Helsinki]], Finland, where she was fitted with rear sponsons, refurbished, painted in Silja Line livery and renamed ''Silja Scandinavia''. On [[31 March]] 1994 she entered service on the [[Turku]]—[[Stockholm]] -route.<ref name=FoF /><ref name=Stampehl /> Silja Line's main rivals [[Viking Line]], who owned two of the ship's sisters, were also interested in chartering the ship but thought the price was too high.{{Fact|date=March 2008}}
As Silja Line's charter agreement for the ''Silja Scandinavia'' was drawing to a close in 1996, the main funders of Sea-Link demanded that instead of continuing the charter the ship should be sold to the highest bidder. Although Silja Line would have wanted to continue operating the ship, the company was in such a poor financial condition that it could not pay the price asked for the ship. Instead, she was sold to Viking Line on [[11 November]] [[1996]], with the delivery date planned in April 1997.<ref name=Stampehl /><ref>Malmberg, Stampehl (2007). p. 165.</ref> On [[4 April]] [[1997]] the ''Silja Scandinavia'' arrived for the last time in Turku in Silja Line colours.<ref name=Stampehl />
===1997 onwards: ''Gabriella''===
After ending her service with Silja Line, the ''Silja Scandinavia'' again sailed to the Vuosaari shipyard in Helsinki, where she was delivered to [[Viking Line]], refurbished, repainted and renamed ''Gabriella''<ref name=FoF /><ref name=Stampehl /> (the name having been chosen by a public naming competition). On [[17 April]] 1997 the ''Gabriella'' entered service for her new owners on the [[Helsinki]]—[[Stockholm]] route. On [[30 June]] [[1999]] the a call at [[Mariehamn]] was added to the service to maintain [[duty free|tax free]] sales on board. In 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 the ship spent brief periods sailing on Turku—Mariehamn—Stockholm route, in place of the ship normally used in the service.<ref name=FoF /><ref name=Stampehl /> On [[23 January]] [[2004]] she collided with the harbour ferry [[MS Ehrensvärd|MS ''Ehrensvärd'']] in the Helsinki harbour, resulting in minor damage to both ships.<ref name=FoF />
Between [[2008-05-05]] and [[2008-05-27]] the ''Gabriella'' was rebuilt at [[Öresundsvarvet]] in [[Landskrona]], [[Sweden]],<ref name=FoF /> as a part of Viking Line's fleet rebuilding programme.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.fi/yritysinfo/lehdistotiedotteet/tuotteet_071004_laadunkehitys.asp |title=Viking Linella merkittävä laadunkehitysohjelma |accessdate=2008-07-12 |date=2007-10-04 |format= |work=Viking Line press release |publisher=Viking Line |language=Finnish }}</ref> The refit included the removal of the original cafeteria from deck 7 in favour of expanding the tax-free shop, the addition of a games room on deck 7, the addition of a Tapas & Wine restaurant on deck 8, the conversion of the former BBQ-restaurant into an Ella's restaurant, the conversion of the two-storey discothèque on decks 9 and 10 into a new cafeteria, the addition of new cabins in place of the former conference rooms on deck 11, and redecoration of the majority of passenger cabins.<ref name=VLsivut>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.fi/merella/gabriella/uusitut_tilat.asp |title=M/S ''Gabriella'' sai uuden ilmeen: uudet raikkaat tilat ja konseptit |accessdate=2008-07-12 |date= |format= |work=|publisher=Viking Line |language=Finnish }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikinglinesivut.info/index.php?sivu=Uutiset&subaction=showfull&id=1212412135&archive=&start_from=&ucat=& |title=Viking Line: Gabriellan uudistukset! |accessdate=2008-07-12 |date=2008-06-02 |format= |work=Viking Line // Laivasivusto |publisher= |language=Finnish }}</ref>
==Decks and facilities==
===As ''Frans Suell'', 1992===
# Engine room
# Inside [[Cabin (ship)|cabins]]
# Cardeck
# Cardeck (hydraulic platform that can be lowered to divide the car deck in two giving space for two layers of passenger cars)
# Outside and inside cabins
# [[Sauna]], [[hot tub]]s, [[swimming pool]], outside and inside cabins
# [[Cafeteria]], children's playroom, information desk, [[Duty-free shop|Tax-Free shops]], luxury and inside cabins, [[Suite (hotel)|suites]], crew accommodations
# [[Buffet]] and a la carte restaurants, [[pub]], night club, [[casino]]
# [[Discothèque]] (lower level), luxury and inside cabins, suites, crew accommodations, [[sun deck]]
# Conference rooms, discothèque (upper level), crew accommodations
# Luxury cabins with balconies, lounge, crew accommodations
# [[Bridge (ship)|Bridge]], sun deck<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cruiseferry.de/euroway/pictures/eurowaydeckplan.jpg |title=''Frans Suell'' > Deck plan |accessdate=2008-07-12 |date= |format=JPG |work=The Euroway Memory Page |publisher= |language= }}</ref>
The layout and functions of different spaces were maintained with only minor changes through-out the ship's career as ''Silja Scandinavia'' and the first decade of her career as ''Gabriella.''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikinglinesivut.info/index.php?sivu=Gabriella_other |title=M/S ''Gabriella'' - Aluksen kansikartat tekstiversiona |accessdate=2008-07-12 |date= |format= |work=Viking Line // Laivasivusto |publisher= |language=Finnish }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/gabriella_1992_ov.htm |title=Översiktsritning på M/S ''Gabriella'' |accessdate=2008-07-12 |date= |format= |work=Fakta om Fartyg |publisher= |language=Swedish }}</ref>
===As ''Gabriella'', 2008===
# Engine room
# Inside cabins
# Cardeck
# Cardeck (hydraulic platform that can be lowered to divide the car deck in two giving space for two layers of passenger cars)
# Outside and inside cabins
# Sauna, hot tubs, swimming pool, Outside and inside cabins
# Children's playroom, youth club, information desk, Tax-Free shop, luxury and inside cabins, suites, crew accommodations
# Buffet and a la carte restaurants, pub, tapas bar, night club, casino
# Cafeteria (lower level), luxury and inside cabins, suites, crew accommodations, sun deck
# Conference rooms, cafeteria (upper level), crew accommodations
# Luxury cabins with balconies, B-class cabins, crew accommodations
# Bridge, sun deck<ref name=VLsivut /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.fi/onboard/gabriella/cut_away.aspr |title=M/S ''Gabriella'' cut-away view |accessdate=2008-07-12 |date= |format= |work= |publisher=Viking Line |language= }}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.vikingline.fi/onboard/gabriella/ Viking Line official website for MS Gabriella]
* {{sv icon}} [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/frans_suell_1992.htm MS Gabriella at Fakta om Fartyg]
{{Amorella class}}
{{Viking_Line_ships}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gabriella}}
[[Category:Ferries of Finland]]
[[Category:Cruiseferries]]
[[Category:Ships in Ice Class 1A Super]]
[[Category:Ships built in Croatia]]
[[de:MS Gabriella]]
[[et:Gabriella]]
[[fr:Gabriella]]
[[it:M/S Gabriella]]
[[fi:M/S Gabriella]]
[[sv:M/S Gabriella]]