On Thursday 16 April 2009, STX Europe delivered from its Rauma yard the fifth cruise ferry for Tallink, the Baltic Queen. The vessel is worth $233.6m.
The vessel will start operations between Stockholm - Tallinn route on 24 April 2009, replacing the M/S Romantika. The queen is the sistership for the Baltic Princess, handed over from the Helsinki shipyard in July 2008. The queen is the fifth sophisticated cruise ferry STX Europe has delivered for Tallink. In total, STX Europe has built six ferries for Tallink, including the fast ferry M/S Star, delivered from the Helsinki shipyard in April 2007.
The 695.5 ft long and 95 ft wide M/S Baltic Queen will be one of the biggest and fastest cruise ferries in the Baltic Sea, having capacity for 2,800 passengers. The top speed of the vessel is approximately 24 knots. Latest technologies have been applied in the superior interior decoration of the passenger spaces. The ship features 927 cabins, several restaurants and lounges, and a modern conference centre seating 450 people.