Marina in Helsinki, 23 June 2011

Marina

IMO 9438066
Built 2011, Fincantieri Genoa, Italy
Tonnage 66 084 GT
Length 239,30 m
Width 32,19 m
Draugth 7,60 m
1 258 passengers
1 258 berths
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 24 000 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
1 stern thruster
Speed 19,5 knots

The Marina is Oceania Cruises' first newbuilt ship, completed this year by Fincantieri. She bears a passing resemblance to the company's pre-existing trio of ships (the Regatta, Insignia and Nautica), originally built for the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises as a part of their eight-ship R-class. This semblance is particularly unsurpsing when you remember that many of the same people who were behind Renaissance are also behind Oceania. However, where the R-class ships were fairly small and capable of entering smaller harbours off the beaten path, the Marina and her upcoming sister Riviera are fairly large at 66 084 gross tons - as testified by the fact the Marina's 240 metre lenght barred her from entering Helsinki's South Harbour.

For a detailed look inside the Marina I strongly recommend Peter Knego's two-part Decked! tour of the ship at Maritime Matters.

The photographs below show the Marina departing Helsinki West Harbour on 23 June 2011 on her second (and to date last) visit to the city. Photographed from Sisä-Hattu. Click on the individual images to see larger size.

Seen from this direction the Marina for some reason reminds me of a 1970s sportscar. Not an unpleasant assiciation, as I'm quite fond of 70s cars as design objects.

There is, however, an odd design discrepancy between the forward and aft halves of the ship, with the aft looking far less thought-out.

Evening sun reflecting from the windows and doors of the private balconies. The ship was scheduled to depart at 18.00 but it was almost seven in the evening before she finally left.

The traditional pic with Pihlajasaari in the background.

More panoramic fiddling with sailboats and also the Harmaja lighthouse in the background on the left.

The more you see of the rear superstructure of the ship, the worse she looks. This viewpoint is still alright, but further on her aft bears an unfortunate resemblance to a ship made of Lego blocks.