MS Serenissima

The 1960-built MS Serenissima was constructed in Norway and launched by Hurtigruten as “Harald Jarl.” The ship operated on itineraries along Norway’s coastline and fjords. Extensively refurbished in 2003 (a project exceeding US$20 million), the 95-passenger vessel was renamed “MS Andrea” and chartered exclusively for several years by Noble Caledonia, a London-based luxury cruise travel company.

The vessel (IMO number 5142657) is currently St Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged (MMSI 376439000) and registered in Kingstown. Her previous flag state was Liberia (MMSI 636011534).

In 2012, the ship was acquired by Premier Cruises Ltd and renamed “MS Serenissima.”

After an extensive drydock refit and full renovation, Serenissima began passenger operations in April 2013. The vessel was last drydock-refurbished in 2018–2019.

With her small size (LOA 87 m / 285 ft) and shallow draft (4.9 m / 16 ft), the ship can navigate narrow waterways and remote harbors inaccessible to larger vessels.

Premier Cruise Line was founded in 1984 (by Bjornar K. Hermansen and Bruce Nierenberg) under a licensing agreement with The Walt Disney Company (established in 1923) as the direct predecessor to Disney Cruise Line. In 1992, Disney decided to launch its own cruise brand and terminated the agreement. Premier Cruises then entered a similar licensing arrangement with Warner Bros. Entertainment (also founded in 1923) and began using popular Looney Tunes characters to continue targeting the family cruise market. The company offered family-friendly cruisetours and land/sea vacation packages, including visits to Florida’s theme parks Universal Studios and Walt Disney World.

For Noble Caledonia, Serenissima’s current itinerary program is diverse, featuring destinations such as the Panama Canal, Portugal’s Azores, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Northern Europe (UK-Scotland, Baltic Sea).

Decks and Cabins

MS Serenissima’s staterooms (59 total) are attractively designed, fully air-conditioned, and equipped with standard amenities including LCD TV (satellite reception with 13 channels plus a ship's video channel for lectures shown in the Andrea Lounge), safety deposit box (in the closet), direct-dial telephone, and en-suite bathroom (single-sink vanity, WC, shower, towels, and toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and soaps). Hairdryer, robes, and slippers are provided, and bottles of sparkling and still water are replenished daily.

The ship offers ten cabin grades arranged over five decks, all of which have accommodations. Except for the three inside cabins, all rooms are outside-facing with either portholes or windows. Due to the ship’s older design, cabins vary significantly in size (7–27 m2 / 75–285 ft2), layout, and bed/bath configuration, adding to the vessel’s classic charm.

Serenissima’s cabin categories include: Inside Single Cabin (cat 1, 10–12 m2), Standard Stateroom (cat 2, 10–16 m2), Superior Stateroom (cat 3, 12–20 m2), Deluxe Stateroom (cat 4, 15–16 m2), Junior Suite (cat 5, 21–22 m2), Executive Suite (cat 6, 26–27 m2), Owners Suite (cat 7, 23 m2), and Standard Single Cabin (cat 8, 7–13 m2).

Shipboard Facilities

The ship’s main facilities include two bar lounges (Andrea and Harald, both on Deck 5), the Venice Restaurant (dining room), Library, and Shop (selling branded merchandise).

The larger Andrea Lounge (forward) is spacious and comfortable, while the smaller Harald Lounge (aft) provides a more intimate setting. The compact Library includes an Internet computer.

Outdoor deck spaces feature a large Observation Deck offering 360-degree views of the sea and passing landscapes. From here, guests can step down to the Lido Deck (Deck 5), which has an outdoor Jacuzzi/whirlpool, open-air bar, and a small fitness room (gym with two treadmills).

Deck 6’s covered seating area is ideal for relaxation. All lifejackets are stored on Deck 6 near the muster/emergency assembly station.

The ship’s infirmary/hospital is staffed by a resident physician on 24-hour duty. One elevator (midship) connects Decks 3 through 6.

Serenissima operates an “open bridge” policy, allowing guests to visit the top-deck Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse (forward on Deck 7) and meet the Captain and officers on duty. Guest services at the Reception Desk are available between 7 am and 10 pm; at night, calls are automatically redirected to the Wheelhouse.

The Venice Restaurant (midship on Deck 5, positioned between both lounges) is bright and airy, with capacity to seat all passengers in a single sitting. The dining room offers excellent views from all tables. Breakfast is buffet-style with cooked dishes and eggs made to order. Lunch is also buffet-style with hot and cold options. Dinner is served à la carte and consists of four courses, except for the Captain’s Dinner, which features a six-course menu. Outdoor (alfresco) dining is available when weather permits.

Onboard cuisine is largely based on locally sourced produce whenever possible. Lunch and dinner include complimentary white or red wine (by the glass), beer, and soft drinks. Coffee and tea are available around the clock in the Andrea Lounge.

Guests may dine at leisure, choosing their preferred seating. The dress code is informal, except for the Captain’s Dinner, when passengers may opt for smarter attire.

The ship carries its own fleet of Zodiacs (RIBs/rigid inflatable boats) for near-shore expedition cruising and passenger transfers in destinations without docking facilities.

Noble Caledonia Serenissima Itineraries 2023 Schedule

Below are the Noble Caledonia itineraries scheduled for MS Serenissima in 2023.

• 11-night “From the Isles of Scilly to the Shetland Islands” (Portsmouth to Aberdeen, May 4) – Ports: Portsmouth, Channel Islands (Guernsey and Herm), Isles of Scilly (Tresco and St Agnes), Skellig Islands, Valentia Island, Tory Island, Canna and Loch Scavaig, St Kilda (Outer Hebrides), Foula (Shetland Islands), Lerwick, Fair Isle, Aberdeen
• 12-night “Atlantic Island Odyssey” – departures May 31 (Oban to Aberdeen) and July 15 (Aberdeen to Oban). Ports: Staffa–Iona–Lunga Islands, Loch Scavaig, Canna (Inner Hebrides), Isle of Lewis, Shiant Islands, St Kilda (Outer Hebrides), Faroes (Suduroy, Vestmanna/Streymoy, Torshavn), Shetland Islands (Unst and Fetlar), Lerwick, Fair Isle, Westray/Orkney Islands, Aberdeen
• 12-night “Midsummer in Iceland” – departures June 12 (Aberdeen to Reykjavik, flight to London) and July 3 (London to Reykjavik, Reykjavik to Aberdeen). Ports: Foula and Papa Stour (Shetland Islands), Faroes (Klaksvik, Torshavn, Vestmanna/Streymoy), Iceland (Hofn, Neskaupstadur, Mjoifjordur, Husavik, Grimsey Island, Siglufjordur, Saudarkrokur, Drangey Island, Stykkisholmur, Reykjavik)
• 9-night “Circumnavigation of Iceland” – departure June 24 (London flight to Reykjavik, roundtrip from Reykjavik). Ports: Stykkisholmur, Western Fjords, Grimsey Island, Siglufjordur, Akureyri, Hrisey Island, Husavik, Neskaupstadur, Mjoifjordur, Hofn, Westman Islands, Reykjavik (flight to London)
• 8-night “Kingdom of the Isles” (Oban to Liverpool, July 27). Ports: Oban, Staffa–Iona, Isle of Skye, Loch Scavaig, Plockton/Loch Carron, Tobermory/Isle of Mull, Argyll/Loch Craignish, Islay (Inner Hebrides), Peel/Isle of Man, Liverpool
• 12-night “Beyond the Wild Atlantic Way” – roundtrip from Liverpool, departures August 4 and August 16. Ports: Liverpool, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Waterford, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Cork, Bantry, Garnish Island, Skellig Islands, Kerry, Galway, Aran Islands, Killybegs/Donegal, Magheraroarty/Glenveagh NP, Tory Island, Portrush, Rathlin Island, Belfast, Liverpool
• 8-night “Hidden Isles” (Liverpool to Portsmouth, August 28). Ports: Liverpool, Peel/Isle of Man, Holyhead/Anglesey Island, Lundy Island, Isles of Scilly (Tresco, St Martin’s, Bryher, St Mary’s), Channel Islands (Guernsey and Herm), Portsmouth
• 14-night “Passage South” (Portsmouth to Tarragona, September 5). Ports: Portsmouth, Guernsey, Spain (La Coruña, Vilagarcía de Arousa), Portugal (Oporto), Spain (Huelva, Seville), Gibraltar, Spain (Malaga), Algeria (Algiers), Spain (Palma de Mallorca, Tarragona, flight to London)
• 9-night “Art and Culture on the French and Italian Rivieras” (September 19, flight London to Barcelona, cruise Barcelona to Livorno). Ports: Barcelona, Roses/Costa Brava, France (Vendres, Marseille, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Nice), Italy (Genoa, Porto Venere, Viareggio, Livorno, flight to London)
• 9-night “Islands of Italy” (Livorno to Valletta, September 28). Ports: flight London to Pisa/Livorno, Elba Island (Portoferraio), Corsica (Bonifacio), Sardinia (Porto Torres, Alghero, Cagliari), Sicily (Trapani, Agrigento, Catania, Taormina, Syracuse), Valletta (flight to London)
• 10-night “Treasures of Sicily and Puglia” (London to Malta/Valletta to Brindisi, October 7). Ports: Valletta, Sicily (Licata, Agrigento, Syracuse, Catania, Taormina), Taranto (Lecce, Otranto, Monopoli, Alberobello), Brindisi (Ostuni), Brindisi (flight to London)
• 9-night “Musical Journey along the Adriatic” (London to Brindisi, cruise Brindisi to Split, October 17). Ports: Brindisi, Taranto/Lecce, Ancona (Jesi, Pesaro), Ravenna/Bologna, Venice (Venetian Lagoon and Venice City), Croatia (Pula, Rovinj, Rijeka, Split), flight from Split to London

Noble Caledonia’s cruise fares ranged between GBP 450–460–500 (EUR 510–560) per night, depending on itinerary and departure date.