Peter Deilmann River Cruises

[nyfeds]

I'd like to hear from those who have sailed on Peter Deilmann River Cruises and, more specifically, the MV Cezanne Rouen to Paris itinerary.

Thanks.

[goeurope]

I'd like to hear from those who have sailed on Peter Deilmann River Cruises and, more specifically, the MV Cezanne Rouen to Paris itinerary.

Thanks.

I haven't done the CEZANNE, but my son and I were on a Deilmann CASANOVA cruise last fall; I've written about it at:

http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/cruising/casanova.htm

The CASANOVA was a bit more luxurious than the VIKING BURGUNDY, on which we sailed the year before, mostly in terms of cabin furnishings (e.g., handsome wood veneers in the bedroom and a bathroom with a glass shower stall, marble tiles, and a handsome wood-and-marble sink unit with storage underneath). The atmosphere was more European, since Deilmann's audience is split almost equally between English-speaking and non-English-speaking (mostly German-speaking) travelers. Many of the other river-cruise lines have ships that cater only to U.S. and Canadian passengers.

Peter Deilmann offers a quality product (it always ranks high in magazine polls), and a Deilmann cruise is a good choice if you want to feel like you're in Europe when you're on the ship, not just when you're ashore. If you prefer a more American atmosphere, you might be better off with another line.

[tucker]

Has anyone done Prague to Berlin. We are seriously looking at it in 2006

Tucker in Texas

[nyfeds]

Thanks for your reply to my inquiry. I enjoyed reading your review very much.

I think having a high percentage European passengers and European experiences on a river cruise would only add to the ambience and diversity for us. This is exactly what we're looking for.

We've only sailed on Radisson. Cruising on Deilmann will be a very interesting and welcome change - I hope.

[luv1another4ever]

We leave this Sunday for Constanta, Romania to board the Casanova (11 night Constanta to Munich). When we booked we thought the same as you about the mix of passengers and the unique experiences in smaller ports of call and those were a couple of the reasons that we thought this would make a wonderful trip.

We will let you know how the cruise was when we return.

[nyfeds]

Thanks so much for your response. I wish you a wonderful cruise and memorable experiences. Please post when you return. I'm very eager to hear about your cruise and overall Deilmann experiences.

[RMS Olympic]

I am an avid Radisson cruiser.
I sailed on the cruise ship Peter Dielmann owns...it was wonderful.
I think a Radisson person would like their style and quality regardless of vessel chosen.

[nyfeds]

Hi Capt. Tom!

I appreciate your 3 cents worth very much! We are really looking forward to our Peter Deilmann experience!

[Marebear]

Can anyone tell me about the smoking policy on these cruises? My husband has lung cancer and emphysema and cannot be around smoke.

[goeurope]

Can anyone tell me about the smoking policy on these cruises? My husband has lung cancer and emphysema and cannot be around smoke.

Deilmann recently tightened up its smoking policy; here's an excerpt from a press release:

"A new, expanded non-smoking policy is now in effect at Peter Deilmann Cruises.

"The European cruise line, which operates a fleet of nine river vessels and the deluxe ocean liner MS Deutschland, has extended the smoke-free areas on its ships to include all cabins and corridors and continues its no-smoking policy in the restaurants of the river ships.

"In addition, the line has restricted smoking in the main lounges to designated areas on all the river ships and the Deutschland. Two other new smoke-free areas on the Deutschland are the Emperor's Ballroom and Lido Terrace. The Deutschland continues to have designated areas for smoking in the restaurants.

"'Gisa and Hedda Deilmann are instituting this new policy on our ships due to changing attitudes in Europe where some non-smoking restrictions have recently been introduced. Of course, it fits neatly with the evolving preferences of our American guests as well,' said Ron Santangelo, Deilmann’s North America president. 'I think our American passengers will be pleased with these changes as they sail with us on the rivers of Europe and around the globe on the Deutschland,' he added."

[luv1another4ever]

Thanks for the post of the press release. It would be nice if they made the only smoking area out on deck, but then again we are non smokers, I guess we do have to share the ship!

Well, only 3 more days until we leave for the Casanova. We will let you know how the larger no smoking areas are and of course the service. So far they have gone above our expectations - I hope that we are not expecting too much.

Also, thanks for the review of the ship - that really has our excitement level peaked!

[cruiser kathy]

While on the River Empress we were docked beside the Casanova and had to walk through it to get to the pier. We talked to some workers onboard and were given a tour. It's a nice ship and the dining room looks first class. I think you will enjoy it.

[nyfeds]

So good to hear such positive input.

Wishing you a great cruising experience. Really looking forward to hearing about it upon your return. Enjoy!

[luv1another4ever]

Kathy,

Thanks for the positive note! A quick question for you, on Formal Night - how formal is it really? I have read several other posts that say the river cruises are not as dressy. Do you think that is true? Several people have posted that the DH isn't even taking a suit - do you think a dinner jacket is enough? Thanks for any input!

Talk to you all again soon (will have pics too!).

[nyfeds]

Very good question. I'd be interested in the answer to that as well. On the nights that are not formal, is country club casual acceptable? We'd hate to take along too many dressy clothes, if it's not needed.

Thank you.

[cruiser kathy]

On Uniworld you would feel comfortable wearing almost anything on formal night. Many women wore nice slacks with a blouse or sweater. A few wore sequin tops. I wore a skirt and top for one formal and a sundress with a sweater for the other and did not feel out of place. Most men, but not all wore either suits or sportcoats.

[goeurope]

Kathy,

Thanks for the positive note! A quick question for you, on Formal Night - how formal is it really? I have read several other posts that say the river cruises are not as dressy. Do you think that is true? Several people have posted that the DH isn't even taking a suit - do you think a dinner jacket is enough? Thanks for any input!

I'm not Kathy, but on the CASANOVA cruise that my son and I took last fall, formal night wasn't that much different from any other night. Some men wore suits, some wore sport jackets, and a few people stayed casual. The women dressed up a bit more than on other nights, but no more so than if they'd been going to a nice restaurant at home. A tux or a gown would have been overkill (and wouldn't have been convenient to bring along, since river vessels don't have walk-in closets).

[carlmm]

Deilmann is probably one of the most dressy river cruise lines, and known as such in Germany.
Their guidelines are something like:
A more formal attire is appropriate for the evening (shirt and tie for the man, elegance for the lady). On two formal nights dark suits and cocktail dresses are recommended.
Even during the day people tend to dress somewhat. An American passenger commented that he was surprised how elegantly most people were dressed during the day.

[luv1another4ever]

I am thankful for all of the advice! We just finished packing and a sport coat with a white shirt and a just in case tie was thrown in! I think that he will feel comfortable with that after what everyone has said - Thanks.

Well, we are off in less than 15 hours so I will post pics as soon as we return, July 2nd.

Thanks again to everyone for all of the advice.

[TerryG]

Nyfeds;



If you want to go on the Cezanne, Uniworld also uses that ship. I would go with Uniworld, it is all American and 100% non smoking.



http://uniworld.com/trip_overview2005.asp?Cruise_ID=521

[nyfeds]

I do appreciate your suggestion of considering Uniworld; however; we have selected Peter Deilmann for a variety of reasons - many of those reasons stated above. I've heard very positive feedback on Peter Deilmann river cruises and would like to give Deilmann a try first. We'd also prefer to have a blend of passengers, rather than all-American.

[TerryG]

I'm sure you will enjoy your river cruise, the Seine is very lovely and going through Paris is very cool. You will be able to touch the bridges as you go under them.

[jgnova]

Does anyone know what you get if you request COLD/ICE water? Is it really cold or is it room temp?

And do they provide pitchers of water or do you have to buy bottled (still/bubbly) water? In the dining room? In the cabins?

We're looking at the Peter Deilmann classical music cruise on the Danube, which would be April 2-9, 2006.

I think it's a little dressier than earlier postings in this thread, maybe because of the theme and attending concerts/opera, but would appreciate hearing from anyone with prior (or current) cruises. J was thinking of taking either his tux or a dark suit for formal nights and jacket and tie for the other nights. I think it'll be a bit cool then, so I'm trying to figure out what kind of coat to take as well along with probably northern VA (no, not New England) winter weight dresses for evening (I tend to prefer warm to cold) and maybe even for day excursions, depending where.

S

[luv1another4ever]

Hey guys!

It was incredible!! You have to go - DO NOT take a TUX!! A dark suit is fine - trust me!

The service was outstanding! The Cassanova was wonderful!

If you ask for ice water at dinner it is free - if you want bottled water it will cost (with or without gas)! We drank ice water and were fine!!!

The sights are wonderful and the friends that we made on board are ones to last forever!

Budapest and Vienna are cities that you can not get enough of! We are allready planning to go back and we have only been home for 48 hours!!

I can not say enough good about Deilmann and the Cassanova - you have to go and try it for yourself! We were afraid that we were expecting too much when we left - and our every expectation was met and exceeded - we will be back! When they say 5 star - they mean it!

Best of luck to all who are planning to go you won't be disappointed!

I will post pick as soon as I can!

[nyfeds]

A warm welcome home, Shelly! I am so pleased to hear that your cruise was so wonderful!

Having really been up in the air, for the most part, on river cruising, I am thrilled to hear of your great experience with Deilmann. Please post in more detail, when you are able. Were there guest lecturers and entertainment on-board? Did you find the passengers a good mix of European/Non-European? How was the cuisine? What did you think of the excursions?

Once again, welcome back! Savor your wonderful time!