MV Serenade 2

Overview

Launched in 2007, this ship really is at the cutting edge of design, guaranteeing the most comfortable possible surroundings for her 134 passengers. Extensive use of wood and glass creates a luxuriously modern and spacious atmosphere. Built to the highest standards and meeting the most recent and most stringent safety regulations introduced in January of that year, she comprises three main decks, the Chopin (upper), Mozart (middle) and Beethoven (lower), all air conditioned throughout, topped by a very spacious Sun Deck. All three main decks, are connected by a standard lift (rarely found on river ships), plus splendid wide staircases with the enormous sun deck being reached by stairs or a stair lift. This makes the entire ship as accessible as possible for those with limited mobility. Public areas are superbly designed, and at the center of the ship on the Mozart Deck is a spacious lobby (left), just like a luxury four-star hotel, plus a small boutique stocking those useful items you might have forgotten, alongside a range of tasteful goods and souvenirs.  The chic Mendelssohn Restaurant is more than capable of comfortably seating the full ship’s complement and is furnished in exceptional taste. Downstairs from the lobby on the Beethoven Deck is, most unusually for a river cruiser, a fitness suite complete with gym equipment, sauna and massage chairs, plus the table tennis room.  Ascending the staircase from the lobby, the Chopin Deck features the luxurious Vivaldi Lounge Bar (bottom left), tastefully furnished with deep carpets, comfortable armchairs and settees. Here the attentive staff will be delighted to serve you a selection of hot and cold drinks from the fully licensed bar. The Captain’s Club, as the ship’s library is called, is ideal for reading, or perhaps a game of Bridge with your fellow passengers. Floor to ceiling panoramic tinted windows reveal the passing scenery in all its magnificence as you relax with a drink. A real highlight of the Serenade 2 is the superbly designed Forward Observation Lounge where you relax in your armchair, indoors or out and imagine that you, yourself, are steering this great vessel skillfully along the river or into that impossibly narrow looking lock ahead of you! The Sun Deck, one of the largest on this type of vessel, incorporates covered shaded areas, and affords ample space to relax in the sun in one of the plentiful deck chairs and enjoy the fresh breeze as the vine-clad slopes and historic towns slip by. If you’re really missing the fairways or even if you’ve never given it a go before, why not try your hand on the putting green, perhaps enjoy a game of chess on the giant chessboard or take a look at how the captain steers his mighty vessel along the winding rivers from the Bridge, towards the bow of this delightful ship.

Cabins

The cabins on board the Serenade 2 are among the very best and the largest, 15 square meters (157 square feet) available on any European river cruiser. They feature hotel standard beds (not berths or bunks) and a well-appointed bathroom with toilet, bath and separate shower. All cabins feature individually controlled air conditioning, twin beds* with tempur mattresses, a seating area, dressing table and mirror, good wardrobe and drawer space, a minibar fridge, coffee and tea making facilities (another rarity on European waters), safe, hairdryer and direct dial telephone. These exceptional standard facilities are only available on the finest vessels.
Because the cabins are more spacious than on most river cruise vessels there is plenty of storage space by comparison. For those moments when you just want to relax in private, there’s a flat screen satellite TV with a range of channels plus live transmissions from the ship’s fore and aft viewing cameras so you can enjoy the cruising without even having to leave the cozy comfort of your own bed! All cabins on Mozart and Chopin decks (upper and middle) feature floor to ceiling sliding patio ‘French balcony’ windows, while those on the Beethoven deck have smaller fixed windows. Two cabins on the Chopin deck are designed for guests with limited mobility.

 *A limited number of single cabins are available at a supplement.

Suites

To make the absolute most of your vacation, why not upgrade to a suite? On the Chopin deck we have a limited number available featuring a larger cabin at 20 square meters (215 square feet), and sliding patio doors leading to a balcony with table and chairs allowing you to take your cruise to another level. To book these, please indicate your preference on the booking form.

Dining

The exceptional cuisine on board both the Serenade 2 and the Swiss Corona really is a 5-star experience with a highly professional and dedicated team of experienced chefs, surpassing your expectations on both vessels. For early risers, tea and coffee are served before a sumptuous international buffet breakfast with all the hot and cold dishes you’d expect from a five-star breakfast including an omelet station with bread and pastries freshly baked on board daily. Complimentary morning and afternoon tea/coffee are served on deck or in the lounge. Lunch consists of a truly superb buffet, so you can eat as little or as much as you want from the extensive selection. Dinner consists of four courses: entrée, soup, main course and dessert, followed by tea and coffee. The chefs will do their best to cater for anyone with special dietary requirements, prior notice is needed however, so please indicate at time of booking. Thanks to both our ships’ outstanding ‘state of the art` purpose-built design, the restaurants’ wonderful large panoramic windows ensure you still enjoy the scenic delights during lunch or dinner so you won’t miss a thing! Highlight of the day is your delicious dinner with local and international dishes prepared to excellent standards served in wonderful surroundings. With free-seating and no large tables, passengers often remark on the experience as being more like an on-shore, high quality restaurant than a cruise ship with its regimentation. This is exactly the atmosphere we are trying to achieve. In addition to this, you’ll be formally welcomed aboard at the ‘Welcome Dinner’ while towards the end of your cruise the Captain proudly hosts his splendid ‘Gala Dinner’ featuring specialties of the countries and regions through which you have traveled. Both vessels pride themselves on their wine lists, which of course have the international classics, but an extensive choice of local wines too, extremely well-made, sourced with care - not necessarily well known varieties, but exceptionally palatable - in short real `finds`. You can enjoy many by the glass (a far cry from often disappointing ‘house’ wines), enabling you to try new varieties and thus enhancing your dining experience