The mv Pearl of Scandinavia was the part of a pair of large overnight vessels built for Viking Line in 1989 by Wartsila, Turku. The hull of the Pearl was designed to minimise wash and suction which was paramount for the intended route.
Entering service in 1989 as the mv Athena on the Stockholm to Mariehamn route the mv Athena and her sister were quite unlike anything that had sailed the Baltic previously, with hotel accomodation far larger than ferries of the time. Sadly after four years of service the ships were running into hard times and were sold to a cruise firm in Singapore. Renamed mv Star Aquarius she entered service on the Far East cruise market where she would remain in service until 2001 when once again she was sold back to European service this time with DFDS on the Oslo to Copenhagen route, replacing the mv Queen of Scandinavia.
Entering service in 1989 as the mv Athena on the Stockholm to Mariehamn route the mv Athena and her sister were quite unlike anything that had sailed the Baltic previously, with hotel accomodation far larger than ferries of the time. Sadly after four years of service the ships were running into hard times and were sold to a cruise firm in Singapore. Renamed mv Star Aquarius she entered service on the Far East cruise market where she would remain in service until 2001 when once again she was sold back to European service this time with DFDS on the Oslo to Copenhagen route, replacing the mv Queen of Scandinavia.