Viking Serenade?????????????

What ever happened to Royal Caribbean's Viking Serenade?????????

The former Viking Serenade now sails for Island Cruises as ISLAND ESCAPE... http://www.islandcruises.com/

We were on the last sailing of this ship. It was the best cruise through the Panama Canal. They only had the ship half filled with guests and let the crew stay in the cabins that passengers usually use. They gave a lot of upgrades. The crew and staff were partying a lot and allowed to be on the decks since they might not see each other again. They would all be going home or to different ships. They gave a lot of free things away so they didn't have to take inventory. I got a lot of things. The last night they were even giving bottles of liquor away to the few people left in the bar. Maybe it was so they could close.

It was a good time had by crew and guest.

Gerry

We too were on the last sailing of our most favorite Royal Caribbean ship the Viking Serenade. We were in the Royal Suite and had an open house party for the staff and crew throughout the voyage. It was a very sad farewell to a wonderful ship. We miss her and her fabulous crew very much. The Monarch can never take the place of the VS as far as we are concerned. She is doing great as the Island Escape and looks wonderful.

K & B

We were among the first cruisers on this ship back in 1985 when she was the Stardancer for Sundance Cruises. Sundance was started by Stanley McDonald who began Princess Cruises. Sundance joined with Eastern [Emerald Seas] and Western Cruise Lines [Azure Seas] in 1986 to become Admiral. Prior to Sundace, she was the Scandinavia of Scandinavia Cruises as a luxury ferry going from New York to the Bahamas....you could get a cabin and take your car for one price....The plan was for passengers to take another ferry from the Bahamas and continue their vacation in Florida. Unfortunately, that venture did not work out and she went back to the Baltic for a year prior to Sundance. Sundance purchased her for $55 million after their SunDancer ran aground north of Campbell River in 1984 and was considered a total loss.

We used to take 7 day Alaska and Mexico cruises on her and were sad when she began 3 and 4 day cruises. One of the Captains on her was Captain Wildung who is now Master on the Brilliance...another was Lachtaritas, who is also on BR.

Glad to hear that the VS survived the trip through the canal to her new life. We knew that was the plan, but hadn't heard what her new name was. She was the first ship that our whole family cruised on. Living in San Diego we saw her every Tuesday and did the 3 and 4 day cruises many times. Even though she was a bit worn, the crew was always fantastic, and we could always count on a great few days break.

We cruised her about a year before she found her new home. It was my daughter, 2 granddaughters and myself. thank God we had 2 cabins cause they certainly were not designed for more than 2 people. We did have a great cruise and a good staff. For a 4 day cruise the entertainment was awesome. Again, the new ships just aren't the same as the older ones. Everything changes, many changes are for the best, even the new ships, but there is still something about the older vessels and cruising "yesterday" NM Nita

What ever happened to Royal Caribbean's Viking Serenade?????????

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/

Sailed on her twice, while she was still Stardancer. She was a fine ship in her Alaska role, and filled a niche for those who wanted to take their RVs into Alaska.

Did have an opportunity to tour her in San Francisco after RCL took her over, removed the car decks, added the new lounge, etc; and did not think she converted well.

Our first cruise was on the Viking Serenade out of Los Angeles and hooked us on cruising. We went down the next day after our return and booked the Song of America. That was in 1992. We just made our 25th cruise this month. She was the first and I still recall "The Friendly Shower Curtain". I hope she sails for another 20 plus years. We miss some of the smaller ships, another favorite was the Song of Norway.

Steve & Kathy