Viking Line, summer 2008

A sea voyage means wonderful archipelago views, pleasant memories and a sense of freedom when the vessel casts its lines. Viking Line is offering its customers both new products and old favourites this summer. There is an ample selection of programmes and destination – all reflecting customer wishes.

The new Viking XPRS

Viking Line’s new Viking XPRS, which sails twice a day between Helsinki (Finland) and Tallinn (Estonia), has become very popular among customers. The vessel, built at Aker Yards in Helsinki, began service on April 28. The booking situation for the month of May has exceeded all expectations, and new bookings continue to pour in at a record pace. The booking situation already looks very good for this coming summer. The vessel has been well-received by customers, and its conference department and large sundecks have received especially positive reviews. Passengers regard the cabin decor as fresh and modern, and the separate car deck is considered practical and functional. The vessel’s environmental image has also drawn many compliments.

Tallinn – a familiar, comfortable city

The voyage between Helsinki and the Estonian capital, Tallinn, on the Viking XPRS takes 2½ hours. One of Tallinn’s great advantages is that the city’s attractive hotels, popular sights and restaurants, as well as many of the most interesting shops, malls and design stores are within walking distance. The price level in Tallinn is still reasonable and the product range is diverse and first-rate.

This summer’s on-board attractions for children

During the summer, the red Viking Line vessels will offer many programmes and diversions for the smallest members of the family. The conference decks of each vessel will be transformed into a big Playland, where children can dive into a ball pool, enjoy fun competitions, draw, build Lego castles, play computer games and do crafts. The vessel’s play staff will organize various competitions, storytelling sessions and other on-board adventures.

The musical “Ville and the Mean Old Rat” and Ville’s puppet theatre In this summer’s musical adventure, the ship’s cat Ville Viking ends up mistakenly taking part in a talent competition, where the Mean Old Rat is the judge. After many intrigues, the audience finally gets to decide the outcome of the competition; this is how Ville Viking becomes the star of the year and lands a recording contract. Ville Viking’s recording of children’s music will be sold on Viking Line’s vessels. Ville Viking’s hugely popular puppet theatre has become a must among the children on board for many summers. In this summer’s puppet theatre programme, Ville and his friends will encounter exciting adventures in the fascinating world of the circus. Circus performances from all around Europe Aside from Ville, other artists will perform on Viking Line’s vessels, guaranteeing that the whole family will have a good time on board. Ville Viking has invited his friends from circuses all around Europe to perform on the red vessels this summer. These circus performances will feature acrobats and clowns – even whole circus families – who will give spectators plenty of laughs with their colourful shows during the sea voyage. Ville Viking’s Musical Adventure: aboard the AMORELLA, GABRIELLA, ISABELLA and MARIELLA, June 16 – August 10. Ville Viking’s Puppet Theatre: AMORELLA, CINDERELLA, ISABELLA, MARIELLA and XPRS, June 16 – August 10.

Mr Rosselini Junior, Amorella, June 16 – August 10

Muturganchici, Gabriella, June 16 – August 10

Gather your family and drive away!

Viking Line’s car packages make it convenient and affordable to travel with your own car on board. The package price includes both your car and passenger tickets. Attractive destinations for car trips are within reach of all the Viking Line ports in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The car packages can be supplemented with connecting voyages, for example to Germany, Denmark or the Swedish island of Gotland. Families driving their cars should remember to ask for Ville Viking’s book of games and pastimes at the car check-in. Once on board the vessel, everyone can familiarize themselves with Ville Viking’s rules of order and even be photographed together with Ville. In the on-board shop, you can also buy your own soft cuddly Ville Viking.

Child-friendly Sweden

Viking Line offers several hotels in central Stockholm, where passengers can stay overnight at affordable rates thanks to Viking Line’s discount power. You can sail to Stockholm from Turku (Finland) on the Amorella and Isabella, and from Helsinki on the Mariella and the updated and refurbished Gabriella. In Stockholm harbour, you can climb directly on board the Interbus guided coach tours. You can also tour the harbour every day by water bus. With a round-trip ticket for the Hop-on Hop-off water bus, you can travel around all day, getting off and re-boarding as many times as you want. A full-day adult ticket costs only EUR 12. On your water bus trip, you can become acquainted with the royal park, numerous museums and other sights of Djurgården; experience the wide range of shopping in Stockholm’s central business district and visit the attractions in the Old Town. Seeing Stockholm from a seaside perspective is a new and delightful experience.

Viking Club cardholders enjoy numerous discounts in Stockholm, both when sightseeing and visiting restaurants, for example. During the summer it is especially convenient to take the water bus from Viking Line’s Stockholm terminal in Stadsgården to the island of Djurgården, which is highly popular among families in particular. Taking the water bus is a great way to avoid a long, complicated bus trip around the harbour or an expensive taxi ride. After the Viking Line ferry from Helsinki arrives, the water bus will take you from Stadsgården to Djurgården and onward to Nybrokajen, which is right next to the city’s main business district. In the afternoon, the sea bus will take you back in the opposite direction to your vessel.

Kolmården Animal Park south of Stockholm is a fine destination for the whole family. You can easily get to Kolmården in your own car or by bus: starting from the Stockholm terminal in the morning and returning the same evening. New features are Tiger World and the recently renovated Marine World. Viking Line’s ferry ticket entitles you to discounts when visiting such attractions as the childhood home of author Astrid Lindgren in Vimmerby, the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg, the Parken Zoo in Eskilstuna, the House of Peter No-Tail in Uppsala, the Furuviksparken zoo and gardens near Gävle and the Wild West theme park High Chaparral near Värnamo.

In friendly Denmark, everything is close by

Recent surveys claim that the happiest people in the world live in Denmark. And of course happiness is contagious, so you will be in a good mood when you visit this cheerful country. Viking Line offers many travel packages to Denmark. Skallerup Klit in North Jutland is a pleasant holiday centre featuring rental cottages, fine beaches, an indoor swimming pool, Roman baths, restaurants and shops as well as various activities for children. Another good place for families with children to visit is the Givskud Zoo safari park, famous for its lions.

LEGOLAND® in Billund, Jutland offers so many experiences for children and adults that it is worth reserving hotel accommodations nearby. The latest new attraction is Atlantis, featuring submarines, shipwrecks and tropical fish. Viking Line works together with Denmark’s largest inn and hotel chain, Danske Kroer & Hoteller. It offers 91 alternative accommodations in different parts of Denmark.

Relaxing and active holiday in the Åland Islands

Most people visiting Åland arrive by boat after a sea voyage. The archipelago, located midway between Sweden and the Finnish mainland, offers its guests peaceful relaxation as well as exciting activities and adventures. Unifying factors are the beautiful natural scenery and the sea surrounding the islands. Distances are also short. Viking Line has more than 350 holiday cottages to offer visitors to Åland. There are many alternatives ranging from individual cottages and holiday villages to hotels and seaside villas. In the Viking Line cottage booking system on the Internet, you will find complete information including photos of the available cottages.

Åland is popular among golfers. The Åland Golf Club is known as one of the most beautiful golf courses in the Nordic countries, offering great playing opportunities. Eckerö Golf, located in Kyrkoby Eckerö, is Åland’s other big golf course, where players without a green card are also welcome. Viking Line has specially tailored golf packages, offering various overnight accommodation alternatives within walking distance of the golf courses. The golf season is also long, from early May to October.

This summer a lot will be happening in Åland. Visitors can enjoy such events as the Alandia Jazz Festival, July 10-12; the Sea Festival, July 15-20; the Rockoff Festival, July 18-27; the Viking Market, July 24-26; the Gustav Vasa Fair, July 11-13; the Åland Islands Harvest Festival, September 19-21; and much more.

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For further information, please contact:

www.vikingline.fi
Christa Blomqvist, Viking Line Abp, Information Officer, tel: +358 9-123 52 42
Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Viking Line Abp, Head of Information, tel: +358 18-277 48