She was originally completed as the cruiseferry Kalypso in 1990 at Masa-Yards' Turku New Shipyard, Finland for Rederi AB Slite to run on Viking Line's Finland–Sweden route.

In 1988, Rederi AB Slite ordered the second of two sistership ferries, designed by Per Dockson, for Viking Line service from Wärtsilä Marine.

When delivered on April 30, 1990, the Kalypso entered traffic on the route connecting Turku to Mariehamn and Stockholm, where she sailed without incident for the next three years.

Europa ended up in rival Silja Line's fleet in March 1993, and in April Rederi AB Slite was declared bankrupt.

The Kalypso, the last ship ever delivered to Rederi AB Slite, remained in Viking Line service until January 1994.

[1] After the end of her service for Viking Line, the Kalypso sailed to Naantali, Finland where she was docked and renamed Star Pisces.