Amadea in Helsinki, 2 July 2013

Amadea

IMO 8913162
Name history: Asuka, Amadea
Built 1991, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki, Japan
Tonnage 28 856 GT
Length 192,82 m
Width 24,70 m
Draugth 6,60 m
624 passengers
2 MAN-Mitsubishi diesels, combined 17 300 kW
2 propellers
1 bow thruster
Speed 21 knots

For a short history of the Amadea, see the first entry on her. The photographs below show the Amadea at, and departing from, Helsinki South Harbour in the afternoon on 2 July 2013. Photographed from onboard the ferry to Suomenlinna and from Kustaanmiekka. Click on the images to see them in larger size.

At the South Harbour, framed by Helsinki's two cathedrals: the protestant Helsinki Cathedral on the left, and the Greek Orthodox Uspensky Cathedral on the right.

Entering the Kustaanmiekka strait, with a neat rowan in the foreground.

That is a good-looking ship, actually!

Sailing past the King's Gate, part 1.

Sailing past the King's Gate, part 2. And looking very sleek while doing it, too.

And onward to the open sea, showing the somewhat unusual stern design.

Next time: Prinsendam.

Amadea, 1 June 2007

Amadea

IMO 8913162
Built 1991, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki, Japan
Tonnage 28 856 GT
Length 192,82 m
Width 24,70 m
Draugth 6,60 m
624 passengers
2 MAN-Mitsubishi diesels, combined 17 300 kW
2 propellers
1 bow thruster
Speed 21 knots

For a history of the Amadea, see the previous entry about her.

The photographs below show the Amadea arriving in Stockholm. Photographed from onboard the Mariella. Click on the images to view larger size.

Turning on Stockholms ström before berthing. Despite the calm weather the Amadea needed tug assistance to berth.

Notice both the nicely terraced aft decks and the vertical layout with cabins forward and public spaces aft, the Amadea being one of the few cruise ships to be built to such a plan.

Amadea, 10 September 2010

Amadea

IMO 8913162
Built 1991, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki, Japan
Tonnage 28 856 GT
Length 192,82 m
Width 24,70 m
Draugth 6,60 m
624 passengers
2 MAN-Mitsubishi diesels, combined 17 300 kW
2 propellers
1 bow thruster
Speed 21 knots

Amadea started life as the Asuka, the sole ship of Asuka Cruises, a cruise brand established by Japan's Nippon Yusen Kaisha (alias NYK Line). Interestingly enough, although NYK are one of Japan's main shipping companies, the Asuka was their first newbuilt passenger ship since the second world war. The Asuka cruised around Asia and the Oceania on cruises aimed at the Japanese market until 2006, when NYK decided to replace her by transferring the Crystal Harmony sailing under their US market luxury brand Crystal Cruises to the Asuka Cruises brand as the Asuka II. The original Asuka was sold to Germany's Phoenix Reisen (or more accurately, a Bahamas-based holding company) and entered service in 2006 as Phoenix's new flagship Amadea.

Photographs below show the Amadea on 10 September 2010, shortly after departing the cruise quay at Katajanokka, Helsinki. Photographed from Suomenlinna. Click on the image(s) to view full size.

On Kruunuvuorenselkä. Notice the larger windows towards aft, evidence of the Amadea's unusual layout with public rooms aft and cabins forward.

Turning towards the Kustaanmiekka strait.

And entering the Kustaanmiekka strait.