MV Serenade, Mermoz, Jean Mermoz

ssMaritime

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

MV Serenade

ex Mermoz, Jean Mermoz

The Liner MV Jean Mermoz

Jean Mermoz was especially built for the Marseilles to West Africa service, sailing via Casablanca, Dakar, Conakry, Monrovia, Abidjan, Tema, Lome, Cotonou, Lagos, Duala, Libreville, Port Gentil, and Pointe Noire. She was launched on November 17, 1956, and completed in May 1957. For the next eight years she crossed the Atlantic many times for her owners, simply known as the Fabre line. Then in 1965 she was transferred to Nouvelle Cie de Paquebots, Marseille.

Jean Mermoz original specifications

Owner: Compagnie de Navigation Fraissinet et Cyprien Fabre

Built by: Chantiers de l”Atlantique, France, 1956/57

Tonnage: 12,460 GRT (Gross Registered Tons)

Length: 162m - 527ft

Width: 19.75. 65ft

Draft: 6.4m - 22ft 9in

Engines: B&W type diesels 16,600 BHP

Screws: Twin

Speed: 16 knots – Max 18.5 knots

Passengers: 144 First, 140 Cabin, 110 Third, 24 Forth berthed + 446 Steerage.

Fully Air-Conditioned

In the late sixties, loadings on French ships declined due to the ever increasing costs and fierce competition from the less expensive Greek & Italian operators. Jean Mermoz was converted into a full time cruise ship in 1969/70 at the Mariotti Shipyards in Genoa.

Paquet Cruises MV Mermoz

Upon completion, her profile has changed dramatically having gained a new deck above the bridge, deck extensions forward and aft and a heightened funnel. Renamed Mermoz, she was now listed as being 13,803 GRT, with a passenger capacity of 757 (max) in a one class configuration. She commenced cruising for Paquet Cruises in September 1970. Her itineraries were exotic visiting remote ports along the South American coast, Galapagos Islands, the Black Sea, and the “Lost Isles” of the Indian Ocean. In addition she operated the Annual Music Festival at Sea, featuring famous classical artists as onboard entertainers.

In 1985 Mermoz cruise the South Pacific for the first time and visited Australia in November, visiting Brisbane (the author’s home port) and Sydney. After being delayed by eight hours due to rough weather, her visit to Sydney became a political issue as there was a pay dispute related to the crew. Due to this her departure was delayed. Then, tugboat operators declared her “black” in protest against the French nuclear tests in the Pacific. Mermoz departed three days late on November 21. Paquet Cruises had intended to bring the Azur to cruise out of Sydney, but decided against it, due to the problems encountered with the Mermoz. French ships were not welcome in Australia at the time.

Mermoz continued to successfully cruise the world catering to both French and American passengers, bur gradually her clientele became almost exclusively French. Paquet Cruises was sold to Costa Cruises in 1993, which saw her continue operating cruises for the French market. In 1996, American Carnival Cruises purchased Costa, which would mean carnival would soon dispose of this fine classic liner. They did this in November 1999, when the sold her to the Cypriot Louis Cruise Line, who mostly operated classic ships. She was renamed Serenade and operated mini two night cruises from Limassol to Israel and Egypt. Later, due to the Israel Palestinian situation she commenced cruises from Malta to Italy. She also served as a floating hotel for the G-8 Summit at Genoa. She was again refurbished in 2001 and is currently listed at 14,789 GRT. Her interiors are still delightfully French and although she is an intimate ship, she feels like a much larger vessel. She has been well maintained throughout the years and is pristine throughout.

In 2003, Serenade she commenced a short series of mini two and three night cruises from Cyprus to the Greek Islands and Egypt, but she has spent considerable time laid-up at Eleusis Bay Greece

Serenade laid up at Eleusis

(Taken December 2003 by the late Captain Yiorgos (George) Graikos)

She continues to operate mini two night cruises to Egypt during the summer months, as well as three night cruises to Rhodes.

Serenade laid up at Eleusis

(Taken December 2003 by the late Captain Yiorgos (George) Graikos)

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I trust you have enjoyed reading this page on two fine and much loved passenger cargo ships. If you have sailed on them I would like to hear from you, and if you have any photographs I would greatly appreciate some, especially those of the interiors and out on deck. email me.

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