Birger Jarl

MS Baltic Star is a cruise ship owned by Rederi Hotell Fartyget BJ AB that was operated on services between Stockholm, Sweden and Helsinki, Turku and most recently Mariehamn on Åland (Finland). She was built in 1953 as a passenger liner at Finnboda shipyard in Nacka, Sweden as SS Birger Jarl for Rederi AB Svea. In 1973 she was sold to Jakob Lines, was renamed SS Bore Nord and converted into a ferry. In 1978 she was bought back by the Ånedin Line and was renamed SS Baltic Star. In 1982 the ship's original steam engines were replaced by diesel engines; the ship's prefix hence altered to MS. In 1989 the engines were again replaced by new diesels. In 2002 the ship reverted to the name Birger Jarl, and in 2020 back to the Baltic Star name.

Birger Jarl was built in 1953. Vessels of this generation reflect the design conventions of their construction era: atrium layouts, public-room programming, balcony cabin ratios and propulsion systems all evolved measurably between the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s shipbuilding cycles.

Key reported specifications for Birger Jarl include a gross tonnage of approximately 3,564 GT, a passenger capacity in the vicinity of 340, an overall length of approximately 92 metres.

Onboard programming on a vessel of Birger Jarl's profile typically includes multiple dining venues, a central showroom, pool deck areas, a spa and fitness facility, themed bars, and on family-oriented brands children's and teen spaces.

Itineraries assigned to Birger Jarl reflect the operator's seasonal deployment plan, which moves vessels between regions to follow demand and weather. Researching the ship's current and upcoming season gives the most accurate picture of where it will sail.