Cruiseferry

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Pride of Bilbao, a cruise ferry operated by P&O Ferries.

A cruiseferry, is a ship that combines the features of a cruise ship with a RoRo ferry. Cruiseferries that operate out of the European Union receive a large part of their income from the tax-free sale of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Many passengers are on a cruise, staying only a few hours at the destination port, sometimes not leaving the boat at all.

Cruiseferries are common in the Baltic sea. The expansion of the European Union has limited the growth of the industry as duty-free sales on European routes are no longer possible. However, as the Åland Islands are outside the EU customs zone, duty free sales are still possible on routes stopping in Mariehamn. Another popular destination is Estonia with its lower taxes on alcohol.

An architypical cruiseferry is the M/S Mariella launched in 1985.

The size of Baltic cruiseferries is limited by the narrow Kustaanmiekka strait outside Helsinki. At 203 meters the Silja Serenade and Symphony are about the largest ships that can safely navigate the narrows past the Suomenlinna sea fortress guarding the entrance to Helsinki harbour.

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