Birka Paradise

[Tommi]

As you've propably already have figured out, I've been on some sort of excursion on the Baltic during the last days. Not beeing on water since my return from Nordnorge, it was time for a short 22h cruise back and forth from Stockholm to Åland.


m/s Birka Paradise moored in Stockholm.
She is marketed as the "only cruiseship in the Baltic", and that's of course not true. There are lots of other cruises available, from modern liners like Costa etc to traditional ferry cruises. What they really mean is "our ship is the only purpose built cruise ship operating all seasons".

[Tommi]

The outer decks are quite impressive.

[Tommi]

And there's even a pool area with a roof that can be opened.



But something sad that they wouldn't open it this evening...


The next morning the wetter was "better".


That blue color has a classy feel.

[Tommi]

One cool feature is the glass cages in the aft where you can stand "outside" the hull and look forward.


Here's a other image of those taken earlier this year.



Inside there was some entertaining going on.


Pots to order.


A sad christmas tree, well christmas is over anyway...


Decorations in the staircases.

[Tommi]

More staircases.


And the view thru one of the elevator doors.


Paradise beach from the inside.


And the bar outside the Grand buffet.

[Tommi]

Meanwhile the weather outside was getting better.




Some rays of sun.


Strange, but the deck bar was closed. It would really been nice with a Irish coffee to warm me up.



The cruise itself was pretty quiet. The most of the party animals were probably saving their efforts to new years eve. The ship was probably half full, quite many families enjoying their christmas holiday. One big bonus is that I have a 10 minute walk from my home to the transfer bus, so it's very comfortable to get there and home again.

[Tommi]

Discussing different aspects of photography on this forum I would like to add that all pictures in this thread are taken with a entry level Canon Eos 550D DSLR, and the most of them with the "kit lens" 18-55. The other lens used was the €100 50/f1.8 "plastic fantastic".
I begun the journey just shooting raw, but then my memory card started to get filled up, so I ended shooting quite much jpg-only. But I wonder if it's possible to see any difference at all?

You see, it's not so much about the gear!

[antias]

A good photographer can make good photo´s using a good Camera.
A untalented photograher can make bad photo´s using a good Camera.
A good photograher can make good Photo´s using a bad Camera.
A untalented photograher can make bad photo´s using a bad Camera.

I like thes "look inside the ship" Threads very. Keep up the good work, Tommi.

Matthias

[Seagull]

YES!!!! I knew I could feel another treat /distraction approaching!!!!!

It’s an enviable mooring quay location she has isn’t it Tommi, and I love those photos with Södermalm in the background. Brilliant outdoor views onboard, both by night and day, and your feeling for the geometry of those layers of decks and stairs…

[Sterkoder]

Fantastic, Tommi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really enjoy your way of photographing the interior/details, and note the bar there in the last image of post #5, a fine lined sailboat...

Thanks again for sharing this with us sitting around in our sofas

[pakarang]

I came by this thread last night before bed time, and must admit I loved what I saw.

Since I didn't log in last night, please let me express my gratitude for sharing these images now!

Brilliant work - as always, Tommi!

[ehp]

Ok, funny word-slip of the day...I read "birka" as "burka" not looking at the category...... Thought this was going to be some funny about cruise ships full of Islamic women...... *faceplants on desk*

[Tommi]

I found some more, these are taken back in 2007:






"A cruise commercial"

[Tommi]