The deal included a workforce of approximately 800 employees and the two vessels, PEARL SEAWAYS, now renamed NORDIC PEARL, and CROWN SEAWAYS, to be renamed NORDIC CROWN this spring.

The vessels are receiving a new hull and funnel design. DFDS’s dark blue colour scheme is being replaced by a turquoise-green shade, inspired by the sea colours of Skagerrak and Kattegat, where the ships operate. The funnels will be painted red and feature Gotlandsbolaget’s classic white “G”, symbolizing the company’s heritage: A new colour scheme which NORDIC PEARL already has received during a docking at Oresund Drydocks finalised 27 January.

"We are proud of Gotland as our base and origin. By featuring our red colour and the iconic ‘G’ on the funnels of NORDIC PEARL and NORDIC CROWN, we signal our identity. We look forward to developing the Oslo–Copenhagen route with a focus on an enhanced travel experience," says Håkan Johansson, CEO of Gotlandsbolaget.

The Oslo–Copenhagen cruise line attracts approximately 700,000 passengers annually, with departures every other day from each city. The journey always includes an overnight stay onboard. Gotlandsbolaget has a strategic focus on expanding passenger shipping, aiming to enhance onboard experiences and offer new onshore activities along the route.

Both vessels will undergo renovations in early 2025, with all cabins being replaced and some public areas receiving new interiors. Nordic Pearl was the first to undergo refurbishment at Oresund Drydocks. The new ship names, NORDIC PEARL and NORDIC CROWN, align with a rebranded identity for the cruiseferry line, set to launch in mid-March 2025.  

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