Baltic Queen in Helsinki, 22 January 2016

Since I took these pictures of the Silja Europa three years back, I've been on the lookout for good weather at the same time of the month to get more photos in the same vein. 2014 never gave me the weather needed, in 2015 sunny days arrived too late... but today in 2016 was perfect, resulting in images that are arguably better than the Silja Europa ones from three years ago.

Baltic Queen

IMO 9443255
Built 2009, STX Europe Rauma, Finland
Tonnage 48 915 GT
Length 212,10 m
Width 29,00 m
Draught 6,42 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 800 passengers
2 500 berths
600 cars
1 130 lanemeters
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 32 000 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 24,5 knots

Nothing new to say about the Baltic Queen, really. Her history is quite succint: she was delivered in 2009 for the Tallinn-Stockholm run, on which she stayed (excepting occasional deputising on the Turku-Stockholm route) until 2014, when she moved to the Helsinki-Tallinn 22 hour cruise circuit, replacing the Silja Europa. The latter ship is due to return to the Tallink fleet, and the Helsinki-Tallinn route, later this spring, but she will joint the route as a fouth vessel and as such will not be replacing the Baltic Queen.

The photographs below show the Baltic Queen arriving at Helsinki Länsisatama (West Harbour) on the afternoon of 22 January 2016. Photographed from Hernesaari. Click on the images to see them in larger size.

Peeking from behind Pihlajasaari.

The Baltic Queen's livery is my personal favourite of the Galaxy-class. The added blue and orange stripes really improve the ship's looks compared to the Baltic Princess.

Not only did we have ice and a neat sunset, but also a decent amount of sea smoke.

The columns of water vapour were really quite magical.

A lightly different point of view.

Then the ship moved a bit further from the sun and the whole colour palette changed.

Ice ice baby.

I love how you can see the livery, just in different shades from normal.

Next time: I'll do my best to make the next update next week, but after the recent track record I'm not making any promises on what it will be about.