Published April, 2003. All images and text copyright Peter Knego 2001, 2003, 2004 (unless otherwise noted).

Page Five: Louis Cruise Line's SERENADE Tour (Deck des Etoiles to Deck Atlantide)

 

MERMOZ' latter day Paquet funnel livery made an easy transformation into her current Louis Cruise Lines funnel. Photos by and copyright Peter Knego 1985, 2001.

Owners: Louis Cruise Lines, Cyprus
Built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St. Nazaire
Yard no: D17
Rebuilt at Genoa in 1970, Extensively refitted at Marseilles in 1984
14,1734 gt
527 feet by 65 feet / 162.01 x 19.75 meters
22 feet 9 inches / 6.83 meter draft
Burmeister and Wain - Bauwerft diesels; Twin screw; 10,600 BHP; 17 knots
Passengers: 750

SERENADE at Limassol on 24 September 2003. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

When Carnival-owned Costa Cruises sold the MERMOZ to Louis Cruise Lines in late 1999, the ship was renamed SERENADE, but otherwise little had changed as far as her appearance or facilities were concerned. Even her funnel colors are relatively similar, but she now has a black band along the top portion and Louis's "L" logo instead of Paquet's "P." The MERMOZ was beautifully maintained, and that tradition of good ship husbandry continues with SERENADE. Her hull and decks are pristine and the teak woodwork looks much as it did when new. Certain parts of the ship (like the promenades and wheelhouse) reflect her 1950s pedigree, but she is mostly a sparkling representative of the finest French design elements of the early 1970s with touches of the quality mid-1980s look applied by Marc Held.

From stem to stern, she remains distinctly "club-like" and seems to be a much larger vessel than her 14,000 gt would indicate. A good deal of Paquet tableware and linens are still utilized, so in many respects, the SERENADE continues to represent the best of French-style cruising.

SERENADE first undertook Louis' well-established circuit of two night cruises from Cyprus to Israel and Egypt. Turmoil in Israel forced many Cyprus-based operators to rethink their deployments, so in 2001, SERENADE was used on short voyages from Malta to Italy. She also served as accommodation for the G-8 Summit at Genoa and was to have served in a similar capacity for the NATO Conference at Genoa, but the second charter was canceled due to the terror strikes of September 11, 2001.

In 2003, SERENADE returned to active service, offering a varied program of short voyages from Cyprus to the Greek Islands and Egypt. I was fortunate enough to enjoy one of her final Egypt cruises of the season and was duly impressed with the excellent onboard maintenance and high standards of food and entertainment. If I had any complaints, it was that during the two night cruise, there was simply not enough time to enjoy all the facilities the ship had to offer.

In 2004, she will operate between 25 June and 11 October on two night cruises to Egypt and three night cruises to Rhodes.

Now, it is time to don your best deck shoes and join me for a top to bottom tour of Louis Cruise Line's lovely SERENADE:

The Deck names have not changed since the latter Paquet days, but Louis uses the French nomenclature.

Over the bow from Deck des Etoiles. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Facing aft from within the screened in enclosure directly over the wheelhouse. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Facing inboard from the open port wing of Deck des Etoiles. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The Beauty and Health Center, facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

One of several workout areas in the Beauty and Health Center. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The Beauty and Health Center even has a Hydrotherapy bath. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Facing aft from Deck des Etoiles showing the large lido areas and pools. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Deck des Etoiles (Stars Deck) still features its delightful sheltered observation and tanning areas just above the wheelhouse. The Beauty and Health Center offer many facilities not available on similar ships (weights, sauna, Hydrotherapy, etc.), but they remain largely unused on SERENADE's shorter cruises. This level continues aft of the funnel with a small platform (not for passenger use) that serves as the ceiling over the Lido Ancerville.

The wheelhouse, facing port. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The Lido Ancerville, named for the former Paquet vessel of 1962, facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Deck Soleil (Sun Deck) starts with the wheelhouse, which is structurally unaltered from the ship's days as the JEAN MERMOZ. Glowing woodwork and some fine brass fixtures remain, although new navigation equipment was installed during the MERMOZ conversion. A chart room and officers' accommodation are located aft of the wheelhouse. Narrow promenades on either side stretch aft from the bridge to the Lido Ancerville, which dates from the 1984 conversion. This air conditioned 32 seat space features three buffet counters, wood decking, handsome rattan furniture, a skylight dome and a panorama of full length windows.

The inviting Deck Soleil pool, ready for use, facing starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Aft Deck Soleil, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

A view over the Deck Atlantide Lido from Deck Soleil at Limassol. Just beyond, the since scrapped NISSOS KYPROS (former TRELLEBORG) prepares to depart on one of her last voyages while ATALANTE is destined for an early layup following the terrorist attacks three weeks prior. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Deck Soleil continues aft with a large lido and deep swimming pool. The forward portion is sheltered by glass and the aft portion remains open to the elements.

Facing aft towards the SERENADE's impressive superstructure from port Deck Atlantide. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The sheltered port midships Deck Atlantide promenade, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Deck Atlantide begins with a large open observation area with green turf surfacing. This platform is accessed on the port side via a long narrow promenade that leads all the way aft to the Grill Renaissance and Lido. The starboard side also has a similar promenade, but it begins aft of the forward superstructure extension.

The Grill Renaissance, facing forward from port. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The 155 seat Grill Renaissance dates from the 1970 MERMOZ rebuilding, but has been enhanced in recent years with new furniture and fittings. It is U-shaped with wings that protrude forward on either side and features full length windows that face the Roman Bath pool and lido, just aft. SERENADE passengers should not miss the excellent extra tariff buffet served here on embarkation day for the two night Egyptian cruises. The food is among the best I have ever enjoyed on a ship and features Mediterranean and Middle Eastern specialties.

Facing forward from aft Deck Atlantide. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The curvaceous after portion of Deck Atlantide includes a spotless stretch of sun deck and the inviting Roman Bath pool, which is stepped down and features a fountain spray.

Please click for page six: SERENADE Tour, Continued. (Deck Bahamas to Deck Gibraltar)

[SERENADE page one]   [SERENADE page two]   [SERENADE page three]   [SERENADE page four]   [SERENADE page six]   [SERENADE page seven]

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