l33g0's video: Viking Line MS Mariella Cruiseferry Passing Kustaanmiekka Strait Suomenlinna Sea Fortress Helsinki

The Viking Line cruiseferry MS Mariella navigates and passes the narrow Kustaanmiekka strait in Suomenlinna sea fortress in the Helsinki archipelago. Another video: Silja Line MS Symphony Cruiseferry Passing Kustaanmiekka Strait https://youtu.be/oY9fB-tzpwI MS Mariella was a cruiseferry formerly owned and operated by Viking Line from 1985 to 2021. She was built by the Wärtsilä Perno shipyard in Turku, Finland. The Mariella cruiseferry is the record holder for the longest continual service on the Helsinki–Stockholm route. Mariella was the world's largest cruiseferry from 1985 until 1989. In 2021 Viking Line sold the Mariella ship to Corsica Ferries. She was renamed as MS Mega Regina. The Mega Regina ship started traffic on the Mediterranean Sea in summer 2021. Mariella was the first ship to arrive to rescue at the scene of perished MS Estonia in September 1994. Fifteen survivors were picked up from the sea and another eleven were brought on board by helicopters, as Mariella was used as the main helicopter platform. Kustaanmiekka is the heavily fortified southernmost part of the historic island and sea fortress complex of Suomenlinna. It was originally a separate island. Its main attractions include the famous King’s Gate (Kuninkaanportti or Kungsporten). Today the name Kustaanmiekka is also often used to describe the narrow channel of water, just 81 metres wide, between Suomenlinna and the Vallisaari island. Large passenger ships entering or leaving from Helsinki’s South Harbour have to carefully pass through this narrow strait, making quite a sight. The high ramparts of Kustaanmiekka, once described as “The Gibraltar of the North”, offer fine views over the sea and the islands. From Kustaanmiekka you can watch large cruise ferries navigating the Kustaanmiekka strait on their voyage between Helsinki and Stockholm. Some of the international cruise ships also sail through the Kustaanmiekka strait and past the King’s Gate of Suomenlinna. It is quite a task for longer cruise ships to get through the Kustaanmiekka passage. Harsh weather conditions such as heavy rains, fog and hard winds, very common in Helsinki during autumn and winter, add to the challenge. Suomenlinna is the biggest sea fortress in the world. Suomenlinna is situated on a group of small islands off the coast of Helsinki. Suomenlinna (originally called Sveaborg in Swedish or Viapori in Finnish) was built during the Swedish era as a maritime fortress and a base for the Archipelago Fleet by Augustin Ehrensvärd. Work on the Suomenlinna fortress began in 1748. Suomenlinna was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1991. During the Finnish era, the fortress has developed into one of the most popular tourist attractions in Finland. In addition, Suomenlinna is one of Helsinki’s districts, a home to approximately 800 residents and a workplace for about 400 people. Suomenlinna is accessible only by water. A ferry service runs from the Helsinki Market Square (Kauppatori) to Suomenlinna throughout the year. During summer and autumn, a water bus service to Suomenlinna is also available. The trip to Suomenlinna takes 15–20 minutes and offers magnificent views of Helsinki and the surroundings from the sea.