[1] In BC Ferries service, the vessel has various amenities including but not limited to a Raven Lounge, a kids play area,[1] 70 cabins, 4 staterooms and three decks accessible to passengers.

[5][6] Construction on the ship began in Greece on 11 September 2001 by Atsalakis-Sidironaftiki shipyard at their yard in Perama.

[3] However, before beginning service, the Port Authority discovered 14 defects aboard the ship that required rectification before Sonia could sail.

Sonia was acquired to replace the ferry Queen of the North which sank after running aground in March 2006.

[9][10] The ship was painted in BC Ferries livery and sailed from Greece to Victoria, British Columbia via the Panama Canal.

[11] The vessel arrived at the Victoria shipyards on 18 December 2006, where she underwent an $18-million refit and interior upgrade that finished in March 2007.

[6] Upon entering service Northern Adventure in April 2007[6] initially replaced Queen of the North on the Inside Passage route.