{{Short description|Ship built in 1985}} {{Use dmy dates|date = February 2019}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Bateau Mega Regina Entrant Port - L'Île-Rousse (FR2B) - 2021-09-05 - 6 (cropped).jpg | image_caption = MS ''Mega Regina'' in Ile Rousse in 2021 }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | name = *1985–2021: MS ''Mariella'' *2021-: MS ''Mega Regina'' | owner = *1985–1995: SF Line *1995–2021: Viking Line<ref name=Asklander>{{Cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/mariella_1985.htm |title=MS ''Mariella'' (1985) |accessdate=12 January 2009 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref> *2021–: Corsica Ferries | operator = *1985–1995: SF Line (in Viking Line traffic) *1995–2021: Viking Line<ref name=Asklander /> *2021–: Corsica Ferries | registry = Genoa, {{flag|Italy|civil}} | route = Toulon, Nice → Bastia, Porto Vecchio, ile Rousse, Livorno → Golfo Aranci | ordered = | builder = Wärtsilä Perno Shipyard, Turku, Finland<ref name=Asklander /> | original_cost = | yard_number = 1286<ref name=Asklander /> | way_number = | laid_down = | launched = 28 September 1984<ref name=Asklander /> | completed = | christened = | acquired = 17 May 1985<ref name=Asklander /> | maiden_voyage = | in_service = 18 May 1985<ref name=Asklander /> | out_of_service = | identification = *Call sign: IBDD *{{IMO Number|8320573}} *{{MMSI|247436500}} | fate = | status = In service | notes = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = <ref name=DNV>{{DNV|id=14294|title=Mariella|accessdate=12 January 2009}}</ref> | type = Cruiseferry | tonnage = *{{GT|37,799}} *{{DWT|3,000}} | displacement = | length = {{convert|175.70|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|28.40|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = | draught = {{convert|6.52|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | depth = {{convert|14.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | decks = 11<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/mariella_1985_ov_1.htm |title=M/S ''Mariella'' cut-away view |accessdate=12 January 2009 |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226190922/http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/mariella_1985_ov_1.htm |archivedate=26 February 2009 }}</ref> | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = 1 A Super<ref name=DNV /> | power = *4 × Wärtsilä-SEMT Pielstick 12 PC 2.6 V diesels *combined {{convert|23000|kW|abbr=on}}<ref name=Asklander /> | propulsion = 2 propellers<ref name=DNV /> | speed = {{convert|22|kn|km/h mph|2}}<ref name=Asklander /> | capacity = {{unbulleted list |As built:{{unordered list |2,447 passengers |2,447 berths |600 cars |62 trailers<ref name=Asklander />}} |As of 2009:{{unordered list |2,500 passengers |2,500 berths |430 cars |980 lanemeters<ref name="pdf">[http://www.vikingline.fi/globalassets/documents/ships_and_on_board/ship_info/mariella_sv-en-fi.pdf MS Mariella guide] (PDF), pp. 4-5, 7. Accessed on 31 August 2015.</ref>}}}} | crew = | notes = }} }} '''MS ''Mega Regina''''' is a cruiseferry owned by Corsica Ferries. She was formerly owned and operated by Viking Line as MS ''Mariella''. She was built by the Wärtsilä Perno shipyard in Turku, Finland and delivered to SF Line in 1985. Her sister ship is the ''Olympia'' (now MS ''SPL Princess Anastasia''). ''Mariella'' was the world's largest cruiseferry from 1985 until 1989, when the accolade passed on to her Viking Line fleetmate MS ''Athena''. ''Mariella'' was sold to Corsica Ferries in 2021 and renamed ''Mega Regina''.<ref name="sale1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vikingline.com/press-room/9C73FD49093F46DA|title=Press- and Stock exchange releases | Image bank | Viking Line Abp}}</ref><ref name="sale2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.shippax.com/en/news/corsica-ferries-acquires-viking-lines-mariella.aspx|title = Corsica Ferries acquires Viking Line's MARIELLA}}</ref> The ship started traffic on the Mediterranean Sea in summer 2021.<ref>Rintakoski, Kari: [https://www.is.fi/taloussanomat/art-2000008150523.html Tältä näyttää ulkomaille myyty Viking Mariella nykyisin – uuden nimen saanut alus aloitti liikennöinnin Välimerellä], ''Ilta-Sanomat'' 26 July 2021. Accessed on 30 July 2021.</ref>
==History== When the ''Mariella'' was delivered in 1985, she was the first ship on Viking Line's Helsinki–Stockholm service which was not owned by Rederi Ab Sally. She has remained on the same route ever since, except for a few brief times when she has been moved temporarily on to other Viking Line routes. This makes her the record holder for the longest continual service on the Helsinki–Stockholm route. At the time of her delivery, the ''Mariella'' was the largest ferry in the world in terms of gross tonnage, number of passengers and passenger berths.
In 1989, ahead of the delivery of the new MS ''Cinderella'', SF Line considered moving ''Mariella'' on to a proposed express Helsinki–Norrköping service aimed at passengers travelling with their cars. The plan never materialised, and ''Mariella'' continued to serve on the same route even after the Cinderella was delivered and placed as the third ship on the route. Following the bankruptcy of Rederi AB Slite in 1993, SF Line was left as the sole operator of the Viking Line name, but this had no effect on ''Mariella'''s traffic.
''Mariella'' was the first ship to arrive 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.
During the 1996 summer season a short cruise from Helsinki to Tallinn was added to ''Mariella'''s schedule in place of the nine hours she normally spent in Helsinki. These "picnic cruises" proved to be unpopular and they were not continued the following summer. When the EU ended tax free sales on routes between member states in July 1999, Viking Line added a stop at Mariehamn, Åland to the Helsinki–Stockholm route. As Åland is not a part of the EU tax union, Viking Line could continue tax-free sales on its ships. left|thumb|219x219px|MS Mariella in Hernesaari in 2020 In September 2000 ''Mariella'' was refitted at Naantali with rear sponsons and a new fast rescue boat. Her interior was also brought up to date and for some time after the refit she sported the text "Updated 06/10 2000" on her hull. Another refit was carried out in September 2006 once again at Naantali.
In mid-2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Helsinki-Stockholm route was put on hold. The company released a statement in August, putting ''Mariella'' up for sale. There was no intention of actually selling her but stated that interesting bids could be accepted.
In May 2021, Viking Line announced that the ship had been sold to Corsica Ferries. ''Mariella'' was sold for a price of 19.6 million euros.<ref name="sale1"/><ref name="sale2"/> Corsica Ferries started using the ship in late June 2021.<ref name="sale2"/> Her new name is ''Mega Regina''.<ref name="sale2"/>
==Decks== This list covers the ship's decks as MS Mariella. ; Deck 11 : Bridge and sun deck. thumb|left|Life boats on an outer deck ; Deck 10 : ''Captain's Deck'' - Lifeboats, MOB boats, inflatable vests, muster stations, crew quarters and sun deck. ; Deck 9 : ''Compass Deck'' - Crew quarters. ; Deck 8 : ''Conference Deck'' - Conference facilities, sun deck<ref name="pdf"/> and crew cabins. thumb|left|Interior of a restaurant ; Deck 7 : ''Restaurant Deck'' - Restaurants Viking Buffet, Food Garden, Plate and Ocean Grill, bars Musicmeister and Casino Bar and night club Club Mar.<ref name="pdf"/> ; Deck 6 : ''Info & Shopping Deck'' - Cabins of classes Suite, LXB, A4, B2D, B4, B4T and B2P, duty free shop, café Coffee & Joy, gaming room, information desk, Travel Spa, embarkation and disembarkation.<ref name="pdf"/> ; Deck 5 : ''Sextant Deck'' - Cabins of classes LXB, LXR, A2L, AD2, A4, B2D, B4 and B2P.<ref name="pdf"/> thumb|left|Interior of an inside cabin for four passengers ; Deck 4 : ''Bell Deck'' - Cabins of classes A4, A4R, HA2, B4, B4R and B2P, embarkation and disembarkation.<ref name="pdf"/> ; Deck 3C : ''Car Platform Deck'' - Car deck (deck for personal cars only, can be lifted up).<ref name="pdf"/> ; Deck 3 : ''Car Deck'' - Car deck (for all cars).<ref name="pdf"/> ; Deck 2 : ''Anchor Deck'' - Cabins of classes C4 and Q3, sauna and swimming pool.<ref name="pdf"/> Upper levels of machinery rooms, machinery surveillance. ; Deck 1 : Primary and secondary machinery rooms, boiler room and other technical facilities.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline|IMO 8320573}}
{{s-start}} {{succession box|before=MS ''Svea''|title=World's Largest Cruiseferry|years=1985–1989|after=MS ''Athena''}} {{s-end}}
{{Corsica Ferries - Sardinia Ferries ships}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mega Regina}} Category:Cruiseferries Category:Ferries of Finland Category:Ships built in Turku Category:1984 ships