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

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

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

Aft from SERENADE's fo'c'sle. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Deck Bahamas begins at the fo'c'sle. Inside the superstructure extension added in 1970, there is a large selection of the ship's finest accommodation (see page seven for various cabin categories here and throughout the rest of the ship).

The handsome port Winter Garden, facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The port Winter Garden facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The midships lobby was originally JEAN MERMOZ' First Class Hall. Here, the two enclosed promenades, now winter gardens, begin their finite stretch aft, seating a total of 78. These decks remain largely as built, but were enclosed with the addition of sturdy brass-framed windows in 1984. They continue past the shopping area, Salon Atlantique, and photo gallery, emptying into the lobby just forward of the Grand Salon.

The U-shaped Duty Free Shop, facing forward from starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Salon Atlantique, facing aft/port. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Two inboard Deck Atlantide spaces now occupy the lion's share of the original JEAN MERMOZ first class public rooms. The U-shaped Duty Free Shop is where the Salon, Bar, and Writing Room were once located. Here, a large selection of merchandise is available at low prices along with sundries and a small selection of ship souvenirs. The former First Class Smoking Room is now the 56 seat Salon Atlantique. The angular space has a small bar forward/port and a piano as well as an array of gaming tables and some photo displays. Its decorative look dates from the 1984 rebuilding with a small bandstand and a stylistic porthole backdrop in the aft bulkhead.

The lobby just forward of the Grand Salon, facing starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The Grand Salon facing aft from stage. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The Grand Salon, facing forward from starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The lobby linking the promenades with a central stairtower continues aft on the port side to the 320 seat Grand Salon show room. The space is most impressive with its looped metal ceiling fixtures made to look like bent woodwork. A large stage forward and long bar aft serve the terraced room, which looks out onto the sea via large picture windows.

Salon Astrolab, facing port. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Continuing aft on the port side, the semi-oval Salon Astrolab serves as library and card room and offers views over the fantail through impressive full length windows.

Starboard Deck Caraibes promenade, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The Information Hall, facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Deck Caraibes is dedicated to a large variety of accommodation. The original narrow JEAN MERMOZ promenades stretch the greater part of each side, meeting at the open fantail. There is a handsome Information Hall in the aft lobby with purser's office aft/center and shore excursion office aft/port.

The Restaurant Massilia, facing port/forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Deck Delos (forward)/Djibouti (aft) features the hospital, a selection of cabins, and the utterly charming Restaurant Massilia. The 340 seat dining room is like none afloat, with wavy ceiling recesses, fixed chandeliers, and impressive Saarinen-like tulip shaped seating. Because it has survived the 80s and 90s intact, it is a rare paean to the height of 1970s style. The quality of its fittings and their harmony within the space are what interior design is all about. More accommodation follows aft of the galley and machinery spaces.

Deck Epidaure (forward)/Equateur (aft) and Deck Floride (forward)/Fjords (aft) are given fully to accommodation.

Club Galapagos, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The Cinema, facing port. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Deck Galapagos has the tres chic 95 seat Club Galapagos, and on the lowest level forward, Deck Gibraltar, we find the 239 seat Cinema.

The SERENADE's engine room, facing aft from the observation platform. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The SERENADE's Burmeister and Wain diesels have stood the test of time and have taken the ship through three very successful careers. Their good upkeep will hopefully keep her in active service for several more years.

Please click for page seven: SERENADE Tour, Continued. (Accommodation)

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

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