Semu Salmivalli's departure on his cruise from Turku on 1 December took a surprising turn when he was greeted in the terminal by VIKING GRACE's intendant, Sari Launonen, hotell manager Katja Brander and entertainment manager Annina Lindström. Semu Salmivalli is VIKING GRACE's ten millionth passenger and, together with his family, was surprised with a restaurant gift card and a higher category of cabin. The captain Henrik Grönvik congratulated him when he boarded the ship.

"This is a wonderful surprise and especially since it happened on my birthday. I was completely stunned", says Semu Salmivalli with a happy face.

After the Covid pandemic, VIKING GRACE has again resumed its pace of serving one million passengers a year. This past summer, there was record passenger volume on the Turku route, and the cruises for the Christmas holiday season have also been popular.

"It's wonderful that we were able to celebrate our ten millionth passenger before VIKING GRACE turns ten. The name of the vessel was chosen at the time to describe the style, design and atmosphere on board, and this combination still works today," says intendant Sari Launonen.

Viking Line is currently the only shipping company with maritime service between Turku and Stockholm. VIKING GRACE's partner on the route, from the centre of Finland's former capital to the heart of the Swedish capital, is VIKING GLORY – the company's latest addition – which was placed in service in March this year. While the vessels are sister vessels, they each have their own personality. VIKING GLORY, operating the morning service from Turku, has a concept that is particularly focused on wellness, while VIKING GRACE, which departs in the evening, is Viking Line's entertainment flagship.

"Finland's most popular artists, from Portion Boys to Erika Vikman and from Matti and Teppo to Arttu Wiskari, perform here. We have live music every night. VIKING GRACE can rightly be called the best gig venue on the Baltic Sea. The vessel is at its very best when there are lots of passengers!" says Sari Launonen.

VIKING GRACE, built at STX Finland's shipyard in Turku, made its maiden voyage on the Turku–Stockholm route on 13 January 2013. VIKING GRACE was then the world's most climate-smart car ferry: the first passenger vessel of its size class to run on sulphur-free liquefied natural gas (LNG). The vessel concept and interiors, designed by dSign Vertti Kivi & Co, rejuvenated the cruise experience with modern, fresh colours and lighting that can be used to create different atmospheres at different times of the day.