The m/s Kristina Katarina – originally the m/s Konstantin Simonov – was built in Poland, a country with an impressive ship building tradition. The shipyard delivered the vessel to Baltic Shipping Company in 1982, when she started operating between Helsinki and Leningrad. In 1988 the ship was renovated in Germany at Lloyds Werft Bremerhaven shipyard. The ship re-entered service between Helsinki and St. Petersburg in mid-90ies.
In 1996 the owners changed and the vessel was taken to the Mediterranean Sea, where she first operated under the name of Francesca. In 2000 the vessel was transferred to a Maltese ownership and she was renamed m/s The Iris after the spouse of the new owner. After extensive renovations the ship started operating east Mediterranean and Black Sea cruises in 2001. The renovations were continued in 2004.
Kristina Cruises bought the ship in December 2009. In spring 2010 the vessel will be docked, classified and refit to meet the standards of Kristina ships. The new flagship will enter service in August 2010.
Principal cruise areas: Mediterranean, the Black Sea, The Baltic Sea, Scandinavia, Caribbean Sea
Cruise Line/Operator: Kristina Cruises Ltd, Kotka, Finland
Owner: Kristina Cruises Ltd, Kotka, Finland
Former names: Konstantin Simonov , Francesca, The Iris
Gross Registered Tonnage: 12700 GRT
Built: Szczecin, Poland 1982
First Entered Service: 1982
Refurbished: 2001 / 2004 / 2010
Country of Registry: Finland
Lloyd’s Register
Cruising speed: 15 knots
Max speed: 18 knots
Length: 138 m
Beam: 22 m
Draft: 5,6 m
Machinery: 4 main engines, Sulzer 6 LZ40/48 diesel, stabilizers
Decks: 9 incl. 6 for passengers
Number of crew: 90 – 100
Officers: Finnish
Service Staff: Finnish
Passenger cabins: 193
Size Range: 9-30 m2
Guest capacity : 450
Outside cabins: 119
Inside cabins: 74
Elevator: 2
Electric Current: 230 V AC/115 V
Facilities:
Buffet restaurant
A´la carte restaurant
Dance restaurant
Cafés & Bars (3)
Duty free shop
Saunas
Outside swimming pool, children’s pool & jacuzzi
Spacious sun decks
Gym
Day-Spa services incl. hairdresser and masseur
Children’s playroom
