Viking Line's California Weeks will add spice to the Baltic!

As the theme for this spring, Viking Line has selected a totally new destination: California! The California Weeks will be celebrated in March and April 2007, during which period our ships will be bursting with Californian delicacies, wines, music and sunny atmosphere. California was selected as the new theme because of its multicultural and colourful nature, in addition to which it undeniably is one of the most interesting destinations for foodies. Our staff spent some time in the United States during the autumn to get acquainted with the food, wine and entertainment in the region, ensuring that we can offer our customers a theme package that is as interesting and attractive as possible. Jerry Comfort, the well-known chef from Beringer Vineyards, will attend the opening ceremony of the theme weeks in Helsinki on the 1st of March and in Stockholm on the 2nd of March 2007.

The Food Garden restaurant

During the California Weeks, we will offer our passengers interesting flavours from the West Coast of the US. Our ordinary menu will be replaced by the versatile California Weeks one with its recommended wines. Our chefs have invested a lot of effort in putting together this wide-ranging menu. The menu will include a photo of each dish, as well as suggesting a wine that would go well with it. Our kitchen staff visited the well-known chef Jerry Comfort from Beringer Vineyards in Napa Valley, preparing and testing the menu together with him.

In March, the passengers will have the opportunity to sample and get acquainted with Beringer Vineyards wines associated with the theme in the arcade outside Food Garden, and also take them home at tax free prices.

Viking Buffet

The theme of the California Weeks will also be reflected in the offer of the Viking Buffet restaurant. A selection of cold dishes will be dedicated to this theme, and the Light & Vegetarian range will also be spiced with Californian flavours. One selection of hot meals will consist solely of dishes inspired by the theme, and all desserts will be Californian. These sections of the restaurant will also be decorated in keeping with the theme.

Fun Club and Pub

Various types of fun and colourful theme drinks will be introduced in the drinks lists of the night clubs and pubs. In the pubs, the theme will be visible as decorations and drinks inspired by surfing. As the theme beer was selected Anchor Steam Beer from San Francisco. The bar staff have received special training in preparing these drinks, as they are slightly more complicated to put together than ordinary cocktails.

Entertainment in California Weeks

In the night clubs, the passengers can enjoy a fast-pace Californian show titled "Let the Sun Shine In", featuring two singers and four dancers. The discos will put on "California Party" nights, with the DJs playing music from the West Coast in keeping with the theme. In the pubs, on the other hand, genuine Californian musicians will entertain the customers with Californian tunes from different eras, from Beach Boys to Red Hot Chili Peppers. The pubs will be decorated in line with the theme, and various types of contests will be organised, such as a "Hollywood Fever" quiz, in which the participants can win a "genuine" Oscar statue. Activities inspired by California will also be available for children. The kids can join in a Disney word game which will take them around the ship, or even compete in recognising theme music from Disney films.

Tax free outlets

The selections of the tax free shops have been complemented with clothes and accessories from California. In the cosmetics and perfumes range, we will see plenty of American top brands and novelty products. The passengers can for example get to know Orly nail care products in the mini manicures available in the tax free outlets. The wine selection will be enhanced by such as wines from Napa Valley selling at a special price. The wines of Beringer Vineyards will be particularly well represented. After all, the United States is the fourth biggest wine producer in the world, and the wine regions on the Californian coasts produce excellent, modern wines with such as Syrah, Merlot and Chardonnay grapes. Our other partners as regards drinks include Jack Daniel’s and Southern Comfort.

During the theme weeks, the passengers can also win a holiday for two in - sunny California, of course!

For more information please contact:

Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Communications Manager, tel: +358 (0)18-27748
Christa Blomqvist, Information Officer, tel: +358 (0)9-1235242

The California Weeks will be celebrated on all vessels excluding Rosella and Ålandsfärjan.