Finally, I could finish the video clips on the short trip I made with Serenade (ex Mermoz) in June 2007.

CLICK HERE

Please feel free to propagate the link to my page wherever you want (in fora, per e-mail, on your webpage etc.) - especially as my French is not that good our francophone members can maybe make this page know in the French speaking world where the former Mermoz is supposed to have a loyal following.

I hope you like the clips.

[ 12-18-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]

You have provided some great video clips for those of us that have not cruised on board the Louis Cruises ship ' Serenade '.

With her dating from 1958 its nice to see that she appears to have been maintained in good condition.

It appears she has been fitted with side thrusters and I also noticed several welded patches on her hull which I expect are as a result of gaining access, inside the ship, for machinery replacements in the engine room areas or other parts of the ship.

I hope to have a cruise on her in 2008.

Many thanks for the excellent video clips.

Neil ( Bob )

[ 12-18-2007: Message edited by: Neil Whitmore ( Bob ) ]

Thanks a lot for your kind comment.

Serenade is indeed a nice vessel and her present condition seems to be comparatively close to her last incarnation as Mermoz. She nevertheless definitely shows her age.

I may recommend to you and anyone else who wants to cruise with her to do this rather sooner than later - who knows how long she will stay in service.

I think the bow thruster has been there for a long time - the patch on the hull indeed looks interesting and might actually be related to the installation of the bow thruster.

Greetings

But back to her more pleasant times - the annual Music Festivals, as mentioned in another thread. Somewhere online, which I cannot seem to find at present, is a fabulous review of one of these cruises. I got the impression it was very much something which the same people attended each year and booked well in advance? with perhaps few others getting a chance to book?

Wish I could find that website.

Also, it seems as if some equipment has to be replaced as soon as June 2008 -> I guess one should hurry up if one wants to travel with her.

I did not find the link to the review of the music festival but an article on another interesting cruise: www.time.com

quote:

---

Originally posted by dougnewman:

[...]
I'd love to try her but Cyprus is a very long and very expensive journey for a short cruise.

---

It depends - if you plan in advance and if you combine it with something else it's rather cheap. I did it on very short notice and had to pay multiples of the cruise fare for the flight and hotel.

Thanks for propagating the link to my page.

[ 12-26-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by feargus:
the photograph above is of the renewal dates for the life boat fall wires, a standard replacement on any vessel old or new.

---

Yes, this is certainly not the reason why she will be retired - BUT what are the chances that she gets another set of wires just two years before 2010?

quote:

---

Originally posted by feargus:
her days are numbered but only because of regulations, the owners know it so why spend a fortune on new teak decking when a cover up job will do for the next two years.[/QB]

---

Of course - it is adequate for the circumstances but can hardly be called 'sparkling'.

P.S.: Whether they change the cables of the boats or not - giving the statement of Louis announcing that she will be retired soon I may say that have been told that other parts need some work too. I am actually surprised to see that she is in the 2008 schedule - if one wants to travel with her I nevertheless would not count on that she will be around until 2010.

[ 12-26-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by PamM:
[...]
But back to her more pleasant times - the annual Music Festivals, as mentioned in another thread. Somewhere online, which I cannot seem to find at present, is a fabulous review of one of these cruises. [...]

---

Is the replacement of the fall wires a time-consuming and massive operation, or something which can be done one at a time while still sailing? If the latter perhaps they may be replaced with a 2nd hand set? or are they something which has to be individually made when it comes to the older ships? They seem to only last 5 years anyway, so a 2 year placement may be feasible if not a major operation to change them or if a further use can be found should/when she go to the breakers.