SS Serena Dreams Liveaboard Overview

Nicolai Lonne holding a row of dive computers while standing in shallow turquoise waterDIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
By
Nicolai Lonne
Nicolai Lonne holding a row of dive computers while standing in shallow turquoise water
Author and Co-founder at DIVEIN.com
Nicolai co-founded DIVEIN back in 2009 with his brother Torben - initially with the idea that "if we have a popular blog about diving, then we'd...
Rebecca Strauss
DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...
SS Serena Dreams liveaboard yacht cruising calm water under a clear sky, side view
The SS Serena Dreams, is a 108-foot (30 m) dive yacht designed by divers for divers.
row of scuba tanks racked on the SS Serena Dreams dive deck
The spacious dive deck and platform are located at the back of the main deck, with plenty of room for storage.
dugong feeding near a school of yellow striped fish
Though rare, there's a chance you might see a dugong on some itineraries.
orange and grey bean bag loungers on the SS Serena Dreams sun deck
With a stylish, modern interior and spacious social areas where guests can dine and relax, Serena Dreams is designed for maximum luxury and comfort.
twin cabin aboard the SS Serena Dreams with wood paneling and a harbor view
The SS Serena Dreams was custom-built in 2020 to cater for small groups, accommodating up to 18 guests in nine ensuite cabins with a variety of bed configurations.
shaded sun deck with cushioned loungers aboard the SS Serena Dreams
Both the sundeck and fly deck offer beautiful sunrise and sunset views.
ensuite bathroom with a tiled shower aboard the SS Serena Dreams
All cabins are equipped with individually controlled air conditioners and ensuite facilities.
lounge and dining area with blue sofas aboard the SS Serena Dreams
The salon offers more space to relax with the added bonus of air conditioning.
sea turtle swimming toward the camera over a coral reef
Spanning over 1,000 miles, the massive and diverse Egyptian Red Sea is one of the world’s top diving destinations.
pod of dolphins swimming together in blue water
From close encounters with wildlife and sharks to dozens of shipwrecks packed with artifacts and relics from war times, there’s no shortage of exciting dive sites to explore.

Spanning over 1,000 miles, the massive and diverse Egyptian Red Sea is one of the world’s top diving destinations, with divers flocking from all over to explore its waters. From close encounters with wildlife and sharks to dozens of shipwrecks packed with artifacts and relics from war times, there’s no shortage of exciting dive sites to explore.

The best way to tour a number of sites over many days in a row is by booking a liveaboard. With so many liveaboards operating in the Red Sea, divers can choose from plenty of different boats, routes, guides, and more. One of the top-rated operators is the Sea Serpent fleet, with six modern vessels, offering trips from north to south all year long.

The smallest of the fleet, the SS Serena Dreams, is a 108-foot (30 m) dive yacht designed by divers for divers. It takes up to 18 guests in nine ensuite cabins and is suitable for smaller groups. As well as operating liveaboard trips throughout the year, this yacht is available for private charters. 

Let’s dive into our review of the SS Serena Dreams.

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Recommended in: Liveaboards in Egypt

Things we like:

  • Highly trained captains, crew, and guides
  • Great hospitality and food
  • Historic shipwrecks
  • Suitable for small/private groups

Things we don't like:

  • Rental gear and suits are worn

Diving on the SS Serena Dreams

scorpionfish camouflaged on the SS Serena Dreams wreck surrounded by orange anthias
anemonefish sheltering in a bright red anemone on the reef
solitary dolphin gliding through blue water
scuba tanks and an oxygen cylinder racked on the dive deck of the SS Serena Dreams

Often referred to as the perfect year-round dive destination, the Red Sea offers ideal weather and water conditions all year. The temperature peaks during the summer from June to September, ranging from 77 to 113 F (25 to 45 C), with water temperatures varying from 70 to 84 F (21 to 29 C). 

With slightly colder temperatures, diving in the winter may require a thicker wetsuit.  Water temperatures range from 62 to 75 F (17 to 24 C) and, depending on each individual’s personal temperature preference, a 5mm suit may be appropriate.

The SS Serena Dreams offers week-long liveaboard trips year-round, so guests can choose different itineraries to match their adventure requirements. Whether it’s exploring legendary historical shipwrecks like the SS Thistlegorm or diving with sharks on the famous BDE route (Brothers Islands, Daedalus, Elphinstone), the SS Serena Dreams promises a memorable trip.

Divers can look forward to more than just wrecks and sharks, potentially encountering some of the world’s most mesmerizing underwater wildlife, including dolphins, dugongs, turtles, manta rays, and more.

Free nitrox is available to certified divers, and the ship is equipped for sidemount, technical, and rebreather diving as well.

Highlights:

  • Incredible visibility up to 100 feet (30 m)
  • Historical wrecks
  • Free nitrox
  • Rebreather friendly

Onboard the SS Serena Dreams

sun deck with spiral stairs and lounge seating aboard the SS Serena Dreams at sunset
twin cabin aboard the SS Serena Dreams with teal bedding and an ensuite bathroom
shaded sun deck with cushioned loungers aboard the SS Serena Dreams

The SS Serena Dreams was custom-built in 2020 to cater for small groups, accommodating up to 18 guests in nine ensuite cabins with a variety of bed configurations. All cabins are equipped with individually controlled air conditioners and ensuite facilities. 

With a stylish, modern interior and spacious social areas where guests can dine and relax, Serena Dreams is designed for maximum luxury and comfort. Both the sundeck and fly deck offer beautiful sunrise and sunset views with seating and sunbathing areas for guests to enjoy between dives.

The spacious dive deck and platform are located at the back of the main deck, with plenty of room for storage and space for divers to prepare their gear freely and safely. Equipped with a shaded diving area, rinse hoses, and tenders for diving, the Serena Dreams is prepared for worry-free diving.

Highlights:

  • Nine ensuite cabins
  • Free limited Wifi
  • Professional multilingual crew and guides

Dining on the SS Serena Dreams

dining room with a round table set for guests aboard the SS Serena Dreams
long dining table with yellow and teal chairs aboard the SS Serena Dreams

No liveaboard trip is complete without a delectable dining experience, and the chef onboard the SS Serena Dreams will ensure that you receive just that. Most experienced divers know that diving is quite an exhausting sport, especially on a liveaboard where it’s eat, sleep, dive, and repeat all day every day.

In order to ensure guests maintain their energy levels and enjoy all the dives, the staff prepares three main meals a day, served buffet-style. Specific dietary requests can be made at the time of booking; however, vegetarian and vegan options are typically offered. 

Guests are served complimentary soft drinks, tea, coffee, water, and snacks throughout the day, with beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages available for an additional cost.

Highlights:

  • Local and international cuisine
  • Complimentary water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks
  • Local alcoholic beverages available at extra cost

Things we like:

  • Highly trained captains, crew, and guides
  • Great hospitality and food
  • Historic shipwrecks
  • Suitable for small/private groups

Things we don't like:

  • Rental gear and suits are worn
Key facts
Year built: 2020
Max divers: 18
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: Yes
Internet: Yes (free)
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: Yes (free)
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: 5-7 Nights
Price range: Budget
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