Delphin in Helsinki, 10 May 2013

Delphin

IMO 7347536
Name history: Belorussiya, Kazakhstan II, Delphin
Built 1975, Wärtsilä Turku, Finland
Tonnage 16 214 GT
Length 156,27 m
Width 21,90 m
Draugth 6,20 m
556 passengers
2 Pielstick-Wärtsilä diesels, combined 13 240 kW
2 propellers
1 bow thruster
Speed 21 knots

The Delphin continues still to be my favourite cruise ship I've never been on. Earlier this month she made the first of her two 2013 calls in Helsinki and of course I was there to photograph her. In an attempt to squeeze both the Delphin (departing from he South Harbour) and the Queen Elizabeth (departing from the West Harbour) in the same afternoon session. While this didn't really work for the QE, I did get some interesting photos of the Delphin.

Hence then the photographs below show the Delphin departing from Helsinki South Harbour on the afternoon of 10 May 2013, photographed from Kaivopuisto Click on the images to see them in larger size.

Pulling away from quay at the now-demolished Kanavaterminaali. Two Helsinki landmarks in the background: Enso-Gutzeit headquarters on the left and the Uspensky Cathedral on the left.

Sexy sleek ship. If I was starting my own cruise line and could choose any ship I wanted, regardless of financial or other concerns, I'd go with one of the Delphin's sisters (but not the Delphin herself, as she seems to be doing fine as it is).

Two generations of Finnish ferry design: the Delphin from 1975 and the Mariella from 1985.

That little red house on the island is probably the most stereotypically Finnish thing ever.

On Kruunuvuorenselkä and bound for Kustaanmiekka.

Kships will probably take the rest of the month off, as I shall be leaving on a four-night Baltic Sea cruise on St. Peter Line's Princess Anastasia next Monday. You can expect photos from that trip here and a full cruise report at MaritimeMatters.