Peter Deilmann Cruises has been offering a full slate of deluxe river and ocean cruises for more than 25 years. Deilmann owns and operates eight deluxe river vessels (a ninth is on order) that cruise through 12 European countries, and two ocean-going ships. Designed with the impeccable attention to detail, each of these vessels appeals to a wide range of niche markets.

     Their intimate size, first class appointments — fine woodwork, upholstered furniture and original art from Peter Deilmann’s extensive collection are just a few examples— and highly personalized service make cruises on Peter Deilmann’s vessels among the world’s finest travel experiences.

Expanding River Fleet

     Peter Deilmann’s river cruises are designed to appeal to first-time cruisers as well as seasoned European vacationers. They offer the utmost in comfort, style, attentive service and fine dining, with a casually elegant ambiance and deluxe standards fleetwide. Offered spring through fall, all voyages are a leisurely seven nights or longer, all without the usual traveler’s inconvenience: packing and unpacking.

     And, as hard as it may be to believe, the choice of river cruises has gotten better, with a newly built boat and a refurbished vessel joining the fleet this year. A ninth newbuild joins Deilmann for 2001.

      Boosting the total number of river sailings to 230 is the fleet’s newest riverboat, the 79-passenger Katharina. In April, Katharina joined the 58-passenger Königstein (now in its third season) in sailing alternately between Berlin and Prague. These seven-night cruises on the Elbe, Havel, Vltava and Oder rivers take passengers to historic German and Czech cities and towns, among them Magdeburg, Meissen and Wittenberg. (A third vessel, the 110-passenger Dresden, offers weekly seven-night cruises between Hamburg and Dresden.)

     The Cezanne, built in 1993, underwent a complete refurbishment and began sailing as a five-star vessel on France’s Rhône and Saône rivers in April 2000. With only 100 passengers and larger cabins, Cezanne provides all the amenities of a small luxury hotel in the heart of France’s Burgundy and Provence regions. Itineraries include one-way sailings from Avignon to Lyon, as well as round-trip sailings from Lyon. Among the ports of call are Arles, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Viviers, Avignon, Trevoux, Tournus and Chalon-sur- Saône.

     Rounding out Peter Deilmann’s existing fleet of river boats are the four-star Princesse de Provence, which sails round-trip from Lyon; the Prussian Princess, which offers seven-to 14-night cruises in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland and the Netherlands; and the five-star Mozart and four-star Danube Princess, which sail round-trip from Passau (two hours from Munich) to Vienna, Budapest and other destinations in Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, and twice yearly on the Danube from Passau to Constanta, Romania.
Plus, the company has announced plans to build a ninth river vessel, the Casanova (after the famed Venetian adventurer and writer, Giacomo Casanova), to sail on the Po River round-trip from Venice, beginning in April 2001. These seven-night itineraries will offer excursions to the ancient cities of Ferrara, Verona, Bologna, Mantua (Mantova) and Padua (Padova), and will cross the Venetian Lagoon to visit the islands of Burano and Torcello, before concluding with two-night stays in Venice on the Grand Canal.

     Once onboard, passengers experience the ultimate in first-class travel. Dining is single-seating on all river vessels, and features a delectable selection of continental cuisine and local specialties served with fine wines, including many from local vineyards along the rivers’ routes. Mid-afternoon tea and coffee are served on deck and in the lounge, and if a day of sightseeing has worked up an insatiable appetite, never fear, an evening buffet is served.

     A friendly and professional multi-lingual staff is on hand to cater to every wish. The line’s vessels enjoy the best passenger to staff ratios of all river vessels in Europe, with no more than 2.5 passengers for each staff member (most other vessels have a ratio of 4 or 5 to 1). This allows for an extraordinary level of care, attention and service, the hallmark of the Peter Deilmann brand.

     Air arrangements and pre- and post-cruise options, as well as fully inclusive cruise tours, are available.

Set Sail For The High Seas

The same care, dedication and attention to detail are also found aboard Peter Deilmann’s two seagoing vessels. One, the Lili Marleen, is a sailing yacht built in 1994. She is a genuine sailing yacht (not computer controlled) built in the three-masted Barquentine design, with accommodations for 50 discerning guests. 

     The finest materials, including original works of art, characterize the interior of the Lili Marleen. Dining is single seating. All cabins are beautifully appointed, complete with bathroom, telephone and other amenities. The vessel is available for individuals, groups or full ship charter.
The Lili Marleen sails in the eastern and western Mediterranean, as well as the Persian Gulf, on mostly seven-night itineraries. Arrangements for air transportation in all classes are available, including 
ground transfers.

     Peter Deilmann’s ocean flagship ocean vessel, the MS Deutschland, was built in 1998. The elegant ship accommodates a maximum of 513 passengers for travels to exciting destinations throughout the world.

     MS Deutschland possesses an Old World ambience evoking the style of the grand European hotel. Exquisitely appointed and graciously designed, this vessel indulges its guests with luxuries such as elaborate crystal chandeliers, entertainment in a stunning Imperial ballroom, loom chairs in a palm-filled winter garden, fine antiques and original works of art. Public rooms combine the charm of the Edwardian period and the excitement of the Roaring Twenties through the use of brass, marble, tiffany ceilings and resplendent upholstery in the lounges. Beautifully appointed staterooms, an elegant Roman spa, wide promenades and rich teak complete the setting.

     Deutschland visits over 200 ports of call throughout the world as it carries discriminating travelers from ocean to ocean and across the seven seas. Voyages include a series of sailings in the Baltic, North Sea, across the Atlantic, in the Mediterranean, Middle East, India, South America, South Pacific, Asia, Australia, Indian Ocean and Africa. Air-sea programs are available for all vessels from 37 U.S. gateways.