Discovery in Helsinki, 25 April 2014

The 2014 summer cruise season is on for Helsinki, with Cruise & Maritime Voyages' Discovery making this year's first arrival last Friday. During this year's season, approximately 260 cruise calls are expected. According to the Port of Helsinki's website, this year will see a large number of new ships (/ships that have changed their name since the last visit) calling in the city, including l'Austral, Explorer, Seabourn Quest, Royal Princess, Louis Aura, l’Horizon and Azores. While not calling under a new name, the Funchal's visit on 2. August is also definately of interest. I also plan to do at least one photo trip outside home waters during the summer, heading to Tallinn on 6. July to photograph the ex-Hurtigrute Gann, which won't be visiting Helsinki during her Baltic Sea tour.

Of course, before the season properly kicks off, there are still plenty of interesting photos from last summer I have yet to share with you - including a number of shots from my Rotterdam cruise in last November. But for today, the ship of interest is the Discovery opening the summer's cruise season.

Discovery

IMO 7108514
Name history: Island Venture, Island Princess, Hyundai Pungak, Platinum, Discovery
Built 1972, Rheinstahl Nordseewerke Emden, West Germany
Tonnage 21 186 GT
Length 168,74 m
Width 24,64 m
Draugth 7,49 m
796 passengers
4 Fiat diesels, combined 13 240 kW
2 controllable pitch propellers
1 bow thruster
Speed 18 knots

For a history of the Discovery, see the first entry on her.

The photographs below show the Discovery departing from Helsinki South Harbour on the afternoon of 25. April 2014. Click on the images to see them in larger size.

Discovery and Helsinki's new landmark, the (temporary) ferris wheel at Katajanokka. As the ship left early, I decided to photograph her from this more unsual vantage point.

Grand old ladies, the Discovery and the Mariella.

In the end the Discovery took such a long time departing that I would have had plenty of time to make to the regular photo spot as Kustaanmiekka. I can't complain though, these photos turned out rather well.

Lovely lines on the ships. Hopefully she will be able to find a new job when her current owners Voyages of Discovery sell her.

Next time: Princess Anastasia