MS Princesa Marissa
MS Princesa Marissa was a Finnish-built cruise and passenger ferry that operated under several names in Baltic and Mediterranean service before being scrapped in India in 2008.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
MS Princesa Marissa was a passenger and car ferry that later operated as a cruise ship. Built by Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, the vessel was launched as Finnhansa for Finnlines and entered service in 1966. It was designed for international ferry operations linking Finland, Sweden and Germany and was, at the time of delivery, the largest ferry in the Baltic Sea. The ship was owned by Merivienti Oy while sailing in Finnlines service and later became part of the wider Finnlines organization after the company was sold to Finnish industrial group Enso-Gutzeit in 1970. Finnhansa initially operated a multi-port Baltic route connecting Helsinki with Nynäshamn, Karlskrona, Lübeck and Slite. The route was later simplified to a Helsinki–Nynäshamn–Travemünde service. In addition to regular ferry operations, the ship made seasonal weekend cruises, including itineraries from Lübeck to Rønne and from Helsinki to Sandhamn. Its original configuration accommodated up to 1,424 passengers. Rebuilding work in Germany in 1972 added 288 cabin berths, while a further reconstruction in 1973 altered the restaurant deck and removed the aft outdoor swimming pool. After the arrival of the faster GTS Finnjet, Finnlines decided in 1977 to withdraw Finnhansa from regular service. The vessel was sold to Birka Line in September 1977 and renamed Prinsessan in January 1978. It began operating between Stockholm and Mariehamn, serving the growing market for Baltic ferry travel and short leisure cruises. A substantial 1980 reconstruction added cabins in the former car-deck area, extended the stern superstructure and created conference facilities. The modifications increased accommodation and onboard functionality but changed the ship's original streamlined appearance. A small fire occurred while the ship was in Mariehamn in November 1982; the damage was limited and the vessel resumed its voyage after a short delay. Birka Line placed Prinsessan on the market after receiving the newer Birka Princess in 1986. The ship remained laid up in Mariehamn for about a year before being sold to Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines in April 1987. Renamed Princesa Marissa after the daughter of the Louis group founder, it was converted and marketed primarily as a Mediterranean cruise ship. Louis Cruise Lines used it mainly on cruises from Cyprus toward Egypt and Israel, with an onboard casino operated by Michel Bechara and Stambouli Enterprises (Cyprus) Ltd. A further refit in 1995 enlarged cabins in the forward part of the fifth deck and installed larger picture windows. The vessel continued to appear in eastern Mediterranean service during the 2000s. Between June and August 2005 it operated on a Piraeus–Rhodes–Limassol route. After periods laid up at Limassol and Drapetsona, it returned to that itinerary in June 2006. In July 2006 German authorities chartered the ship to evacuate Canadian citizens and other nationals from Lebanon during the Lebanon conflict. The vessel subsequently returned to regular operations but was again reportedly laid up from August 2006. In May 2008 it was sent to Alang, India, for demolition under the temporary name Prince and with registration in Batumi, Georgia. It arrived at the ship-breaking site on June 16, 2008, ending a maritime career of more than four decades.
History
The vessel that later became MS Princesa Marissa was ordered by Finnlines during the expansion of Finnish car-and-passenger ferry services. Finnlines had started operating between Finland and Germany in 1962 with Hansa Express, but that ship was considered too small. Finnhansa was one of two larger vessels commissioned to replace it. It was launched at Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard on December 1, 1964, by Sylvi Kekkonen, wife of Finnish president Urho Kekkonen. Construction was delayed by two fitting-out fires, one in March 1965 and another in December 1965, so delivery did not take place until March 28, 1966. Although Finnhansa sailed in Finnlines colors, its initial owner was Merivienti Oy. At delivery it was regarded as the largest ferry in the Baltic Sea, retaining that distinction over its sister Finnpartner because it was built approximately ten centimeters longer. The ship initially carried as many as 1,424 passengers on a route linking Helsinki, Nynäshamn, Karlskrona, Lübeck, Slite and Helsinki. After several years, the itinerary was streamlined to connect Helsinki, Nynäshamn and Travemünde. Seasonal cruise services supplemented the regular ferry schedule, including weekend voyages from Lübeck to Rønne and from Helsinki to Sandhamn. In 1970 Finnlines and its fleet were sold to Enso-Gutzeit, a major Finnish paper and industrial company. Finnhansa underwent a significant reconstruction at Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel in spring 1972, gaining 288 cabin places. A second reconstruction in spring 1973 rebuilt the restaurant deck and removed the aft outdoor swimming pool. The arrival of the GTS Finnjet led Finnlines to plan Finnhansa's withdrawal in 1977. The vessel remained in service until a buyer was found and was sold to Birka Line in September of that year. The ship was renamed Prinsessan on January 9, 1978, and began Birka Line operations on January 18 between Stockholm and Mariehamn. In 1980, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Hamburg rebuilt it again. Cabins were installed in part of the car deck, the aft superstructure was extended and conference rooms were added above the superstructure. These changes increased its accommodation and meeting capacity, although they altered the vessel's original profile. A small fire occurred in Mariehamn on November 7, 1982. It caused little damage and delayed departure by roughly two hours. After Birka Line took delivery of the newer Birka Princess in 1986, Prinsessan was offered for sale and laid up in Mariehamn. Louis Cruise Lines of Cyprus purchased it in April 1987 for Mediterranean operations. The new name Princesa Marissa commemorated the founder's daughter. Under Louis Cruise Lines, the ship primarily cruised from Cyprus to Egypt and Israel. A casino aboard the vessel was operated by Michel Bechara and Stambouli Enterprises (Cyprus) Ltd. In 1995 the ship received another refit, enlarging forward cabins on the fifth deck and adding large picture windows. During the final phase of its career, the vessel served routes in the eastern Mediterranean. It operated between Piraeus, Rhodes and Limassol from June to August 2005, was subsequently laid up at Limassol and Drapetsona, and returned to the same route in June 2006. In July 2006 it was chartered by German authorities for an emergency evacuation from Lebanon involving Canadian citizens and other nationals. After returning to normal service, it was reportedly laid up again from August 11, 2006. In May 2008 the ship was sent to Alang, India, under the temporary name Prince and registered in Batumi, Georgia. It arrived on June 16 and was scrapped.
- 2008
Scrapping at Alang
[1]The vessel arrived at Alang, India, under the temporary name Prince and was dismantled.
- 2006
Lebanon evacuation charter
[1]The ship was chartered for the evacuation of foreign nationals from Lebanon.
- 1995
Final major refit
[1]Forward cabins on the fifth deck were enlarged and fitted with larger picture windows.
- 1987
Renamed Princesa Marissa
[1]Louis Cruise Lines acquired the vessel and introduced it to Mediterranean cruise operations under its final principal name.
- 1978
Renamed Prinsessan
[1]After sale to Birka Line, the ship began Stockholm–Mariehamn service as Prinsessan.
- 1972
Major cabin reconstruction
[1]A German shipyard reconstruction added 288 cabin berths.
- 1966
Delivery and Baltic debut
[1]Finnhansa was delivered on March 28 and entered Finnlines service as a large car-and-passenger ferry.
- 1964
Finnhansa is launched
[1]The future Princesa Marissa was launched at Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard as Finnhansa on December 1, 1964.
Products and positioning
A large multi-purpose passenger vessel that evolved from a Baltic car ferry into a Mediterranean cruise ship, combining passenger accommodation, vehicle capacity, leisure cruising, conference facilities and casino entertainment.
Car and passenger ferry · 1966
Finnhansa
The vessel's original identity, Finnhansa, was a large Baltic ferry built for Finnlines. It carried passengers and vehicles on routes between Finland, Sweden and Germany, while also operating selected seasonal cruise voyages. Its initial passenger capacity was reported at up to 1,424, and later refits substantially increased cabin accommodation.
Baltic passenger ferry and leisure vessel · 1978
Prinsessan
As Prinsessan, the ship served Birka Line's Stockholm–Mariehamn route from 1978. A 1980 rebuild added cabins in the car-deck area, enlarged the aft superstructure and introduced conference rooms, adapting the vessel for both regular ferry traffic and short leisure-oriented Baltic voyages.
Mediterranean cruise ship · 1987
Princesa Marissa
Louis Cruise Lines operated the renamed Princesa Marissa mainly on Mediterranean cruises from Cyprus toward Egypt and Israel. The ship combined passenger accommodation with leisure facilities, including an onboard casino operated by an external concessionaire. Later itineraries included Piraeus, Rhodes and Limassol.
Brand decisions
2006
Emergency evacuation charterStrategyBackground
During the 2006 Lebanon conflict, authorities needed maritime capacity to move foreign nationals out of the country.
Action taken
German authorities chartered Princesa Marissa to evacuate Canadian citizens and people of several other nationalities from Lebanon.
Aftermath
The vessel returned to its normal Mediterranean operations after completing the evacuation assignment.
1987
Louis Cruise Lines acquires PrinsessanM&ABackground
Birka Line had placed the ship on the market after taking delivery of Birka Princess, leaving Prinsessan laid up in Mariehamn.
Action taken
Louis Cruise Lines acquired the vessel for 3 million US dollars and renamed it Princesa Marissa.
Aftermath
The ship was redeployed to Mediterranean cruising from Cyprus, including routes toward Egypt and Israel.
Purchase price. 3 million US dollars (April 1987 acquisition)
1977
Finnlines withdraws Finnhansa after the arrival of FinnjetStrategyBackground
Finnlines introduced the newer GTS Finnjet, prompting the planned withdrawal of the older Finnhansa from regular service.
Action taken
Finnlines removed Finnhansa from its intended long-term fleet plan and sought a buyer.
Aftermath
The ship remained in Finnlines traffic temporarily and was sold to Birka Line later in 1977.
1977
Sale to Birka LineM&ABackground
A buyer was sought after Finnhansa was scheduled for withdrawal from Finnlines service.
Action taken
Finnhansa was sold to Birka Line in September 1977 for 50 million Swedish kronor and delivered in January 1978.
Aftermath
The vessel was renamed Prinsessan and entered the Stockholm–Mariehamn route.
Sale price. 50 million Swedish kronor (September 1977 sale)
Recent events
- 2008
Princesa Marissa is sent to Alang for scrapping[1]
Other
The vessel reached Alang, India, under the temporary name Prince and was dismantled after its final period of lay-up.
- 2006
Princesa Marissa chartered for Lebanon evacuation[1]
Other
German authorities chartered the ship to evacuate Canadian citizens and people of several other nationalities from Lebanon.
- 1987
Louis Cruise Lines acquires the vessel[1]
M&A · Product generation
Louis Cruise Lines purchased the laid-up Prinsessan and renamed it Princesa Marissa for Mediterranean cruise operations.
- 1982
Fire aboard Prinsessan in Mariehamn[1]
Other
A small onboard fire caused minimal damage. The ship departed Mariehamn approximately two hours behind schedule.
- 1978
Finnhansa is sold to Birka Line and renamed Prinsessan[1]
M&A · Product generation
Following its withdrawal from planned Finnlines service, the ship was transferred to Birka Line and began operating between Stockholm and Mariehamn as Prinsessan.
- 1966
Finnhansa enters Finnlines service[1]
Product launch
The newly built vessel entered service as Finnhansa on Baltic routes linking Finland, Sweden and Germany.
Sources1 sources
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