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

Page Four: Enter MERMOZ

 

MERMOZ' all white funnel as it appeared when she entered service for Paquet in 1971 and after adapting Paquet's stylized logo in 1984. Left image, Peter Knego collection. Right image by and copyright Peter Knego 1985.

Owners: Louis Cruise Lines, Cyprus

In late 1969, JEAN MERMOZ was sent to the famous Mariotti Yard at Genoa for conversion into a full-time cruise ship. Her ownership had been transferred from Nouvelle Cie des Paquebots to Croisieurs Paquet in 1970. The conversion was quite extensive, foreshadowing that of another French veteran, Messageries Maritime's CAMBODGE, which would soon be completely rebuilt into Sun Line's STELLA SOLARIS. She would emerge with a one class cruising capacity of 757, crew capacity of 264, and a new 13,804 gross tonnage. In 1998, she would be remeasured at 14,173 gt.

JEAN MERMOZ would also undergo a slight name change, dropping the "JEAN" along with her outmoded ocean liner class structure, cargo holds, deck gear, and dormitory style accommodation. As the MERMOZ, she would emerge as one of the finest cruise ships of her day, taking on an all white livery and a very modern appearance. She also was fitted with bow thrusters, making her far more maneuverable than before.

Due to delays caused by strikes, the MERMOZ' rejuvenation was completed in Marseilles.

Paquet's stylish new MERMOZ in a post card view. Peter Knego collection.

Her profile was significantly altered, although some traces of the JEAN MERMOZ (such as the elegantly refined bow, slightly arched back superstructure, open promenades, and cruiser spoon stern) remained. JEAN MERMOZ' main and forward masts and accompanying gear were removed and replaced with a modern radio mast along with more modern forward derricks. A new, streamlined funnel replaced the wide, traditional original fixture and new decks were added forward of the superstructure and, in a similar style to the ORIANA of 1960, atop an enclosed stern.

The uppermost level became Sun Deck. The observation platform above the bridge was fitted with tall glass screens, giving the appearance of a second wheelhouse atop the original. But, while it was sheltered, there was no covering, allowing the ship's sun-seeking clientele a wind-free place to tan. Open wings on either side provided unencumbered views. A gymnasium and health spa with separate massage and sauna rooms was built on a slightly higher 'tween deck platform just aft.

The MERMOZ' expanded Lido Deck pool area in a brochure image from 1975 prior to the addition of the enclosed Lido Ancerville. Peter Knego collection.

On the former Sports Deck, now called Lido Deck, the navigation bridge was modernized and its original steering station was put on display outside of the Grand Salon. Aft of the officer's accommodation, a large open air outdoor bar and grill and pool replaced original installments in a spacious and extended lido platform.

Boat Deck became Grill Deck, where a large open air platform was built atop a new block of accommodation. Originally, a small children's pool was situated forward/center, but this was later removed. Officer's accommodation followed and a long narrow promenade along the port side led aft via a small reading room (since removed) to the ship's very large grill and buffet terrace. A second pool was added in a new lido that expanded to the stern.

A large outside cabin as it would have looked in full 1970s fashion. Peter Knego collection.

Promenade Deck became Grand Salon Deck. It was extended forward with a new block of cabins that merged with the former first class and deluxe suites. The promenades were left intact while the entrance hall was modernized and a large beauty salon and barber's shop replaced the former First Class Salon and Writing Room on its aft starboard side.

Facing aft along the port side shopping area. Peter Knego collection.

The Grand Salon showroom in a brochure image from 1976. Peter Knego collection.

A corner of the Grand Salon. Peter Knego collection.

The Bar/Gallery on the port side and the First Class Smoking Room became an L-shaped Shopping arcade while a small gallery on the starboard side just aft would serve as the Monte Carlo Casino. The open air Cafe Terrasse and First and Second Class Promenades were enclosed to form a large lobby, the Grand Salon Showroom and Lounge, and an enclosed Card Room all the way aft.

Upper Deck became Information Deck, losing its fourth class dormitories and accommodation to crew area and expanded passenger accommodation. The second class public rooms and open space aft were replaced with a new entrance hall and more cabins. The fantail remained unchanged, serving as an aft link to the long sheltered promenades on either side. On all accommodation decks, inside cabins were fitted in lieu of cargo holds and other facilities.

The remarkably chic and whimsically futuristic dining room. Peter Knego collection.

Main Deck became Restaurant Deck. Crew accommodation in the forepeak remained relatively unchanged and the Hospital was left in situ on the forward port side. A new block of cabins on the starboard side were forged from crew space and the original first class cabins removed and replaced with a large dining room that also claimed the former First Class Dining Salon. The Second Class Dining Salon became the galley. Beyond the machinery space midships, the second class cabins were modernized and given private facilities while new cabins were added inboard in lieu of public facilities. The Third Class Smoking Room in the fantail became Le Club.

Second Deck became Sabords Deck, surrendering cargo holds and fourth class dormitories to new cabins and crew accommodation forward. Aft, the Third Class Dining Salon was replaced with more cabins while the third class accommodation was modernized and given private facilities.

Third Deck became Batterie Deck, relinquishing its forward dormitories and holds to a new block of cabins. The aft holds also made way for modern cabins.

A corner of the vividly purple Caverne Disco. Peter Knego collection.

The Cinema, facing port/aft. Peter Knego collection.

The Caverne Disco was built into a former hold far aft on what was now called Caverne Deck and a large Cinema was built even farther down on the forward portion of the next lower level, now called Cinema Deck.

A popular brochure view of the MERMOZ and the tricolor. Peter Knego collection.

MERMOZ quickly became a favorite on both sides of the Atlantic. She outlasted her Paquet companions RENAISSANCE (which now sails for Royal Olympia Cruises as the WORLD RENAISSANCE), MASSALIA (enroute to the breakers as the REGAL VOYAGER) and the AZUR (sold to Chandris and later Festival Cruises, currently under arrest as THE AZUR), as well as French Line's historic FRANCE (currently laid up and for sale at Bremerhaven as Norwegian Cruise Line's NORWAY), becoming the last large French cruise ship in the world. Her career was relatively trouble free, although a 1976 New Year's Eve grounding off Belize forced the evacuation of her passengers to the ROYAL VIKING SEA. After ten days, she was freed.

Like so many ships of state, the MERMOZ was finally forced to re register to a flag of convenience. In 1984 in a ceremony at Tromso, Norway, the ship was registered in the Bahamas. That year, Paquet enlisted the renowned French designer, Marc Held, to give the ship a ten million dollar refit that would keep her among the vanguard of the world's cruising fleet.

Facing aft from MERMOZ' port Stars Deck wing on 22 December 1985. Photo by and copyright Peter Knego 1985.

Sun Deck became Stars Deck; Lido Deck became Sun Deck; Grill Deck became Atlantide Deck; Grand Salon Deck became Bahamas Deck; Information Deck became Caribbean Deck; Restaurant Deck became Delos Deck; forward Sabords Deck became Epidaurus Deck while aft Sabords Deck became Equator Deck; forward Batterie Deck became Florida Deck and aft, it became Fjords Deck; Caverne Deck became Galapagos Deck and Cinema Deck became Gibraltar Deck.

The newly rebuilt Atlantide Deck Lido, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1985.

The Beauty Salon was relocated next to the Gym and Spa on Stars Deck. The uppermost Lido Bar was enclosed, given air conditioning, and renamed Lido Ancerville. A large model of the handsome Paquet Liner ANCERVILLE was its main focal point. The Grill became Grill Renaissance and the second pool just aft was refitted into a Roman Bath with stepped down sides and fountains. A large shopping area replaced the Beauty Salon on Bahamas Deck while a new Salon Atlantic replaced the original MERMOZ shopping arcade. The Grand Salon was left largely unchanged, but the Library was renamed Salon Astrolab. Le Club was given over to crew use. The Dining Room became Restaurant Massilia and until recently boasted a stunning model of the ship of the same name. The Caverne Disco became the Galapagos Disco and the Cinema became the Gibraltar Cinema.

MERMOZ continued to sail the world, gradually switching her passenger base from both American and French to almost exclusively French. In 1993, Costa purchased Paquet and took on ownership of the MERMOZ, allowing her to continue sailing largely within her French market niche. When Carnival purchased Costa in 1996, many knew that the glory days of the MERMOZ and Paquet would soon come to an end.

In November of 1999, the MERMOZ was finally sold to Louis Cruise Lines of Cyprus who respected the ship's quality features and left her virtually unchanged, down to the Paquet linens and crockery. She took on the name SERENADE and a new career in a time that has not been kind to traditional passenger ships.

Please click for page five: SERENADE

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

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