the sides and the bottom of the ship’s hull
es, says that a number of changes have
the ship’s bars. Formerly, the ship had two
were checked,” Mr. Reilimo explains.
now been made to the ship’s interior main
interconnecting bars, but they have now
areas.
been combined into one larger bar that
On 13 January, 2011, the ship was
out docked from the graving dock and
“For one thing, the buffet restaurant
has new seats and more space in front of
shifted to the yard’s outfitting quay for
area of M/S Birka Paradise has been re-
the counter area,” Mr. Näslund describes
the final renovation work on the ship’s in-
built. It has been expanded by 50 addi-
the latest improvements.
teriors.
tional seats and equipped with new desks
Also, the pub area of Birka Paradise
that are better suited for customers and
has been extensively rebuilt. The ship now
staff,” Mr. Näslund recounts.
has a new Irish pub.
“Overall, a crew of 30 to 40 professionals from Turku Repair Yard took part in
the maintenance work. Interior renovation
Built for 1,800 passengers, the Bir-
“Previously, the various on-board
work for the Birka Paradise was mainly car-
ka Paradise includes both buffet and à la
bars and pubs were similar to each oth-
ried out by subcontractors hired by Rederi
carte restaurants.
er. During the renovation, differences be-
Ab Eckerö, the owner of Birka Cruises,”
Mr. Reilimo mentions.
“Furthermore, the interior decora-
tween each bar have been created.”
tions in the ship have been changed com-
“The ship’s night club, pub and whis-
pletely. Some areas have been painted with
ky bar all have different, specific atmos-
NEW INTERIORS
new colours so that the interiors will look
pheres. When you are in one of the ship’s
Mr. Lars Näslund, Managing Director for
completely different.”
bars, it only takes one look to see exactly
the ship’s operator company Birka Cruis-
“Other changes have been made in
where you are.”
seatec 1/2011
37