Deilman Casanova - Amsterdam to Mainz

[newrivercruiser]

We are first time river cruisers and would like to hear from anyone who has done the Rhine and/or can give us information about the Casanova.

Thanks

[steamboats]

newrivercruiser,

I haven´t been on the Casanova yet but we´ve been on Deilmann´s Mozart in March/April. You will find my review linked in my signature (just for an overview of what to expect on a Deilmann cruise). You might also read jgnova´s review on this board.

I´ve also compiled a fact sheet on my travel website for the Casanova:

http://www.rivers-rails.com/boats-casanova-facts.shtml

Hope this helps!

steamboats

[newrivercruiser]

Thanks. We'll be staying an extra night in both Amsterdam and Frankfurt. Ant advice regarding places to stay or eat. How about transportation to/from boat to hotels?

Also, from what I've read, the dress on river cruises is not as formal as requested - true?

Any idea what kind of weather to expect in September? We arrive on the 15th in Amsterdam and leave Frankfurt on the 24th.

[steamboats]

newrivercruiser,

I can´t help you with hotels neither in Amsterdam nor in Frankfurt.

Regarding transportation: I don´t know where the boat is docking in Mainz. I found out there´s a local train running between Mainz and Frankfurt every 30 min (so it´s 9:02, 9:32, 10:02 and so on). The train ride is about 40 min. The train stops at Mainz central station and has several stops in downtown Frankfurt. It´s line S8 (direction: Offenbach Main Ost). The train does not run on Sundays (but Sep 23 is a Saturday anyway).

Dress Code: Read my review. I tried to describe what people wore for dinner. Deilmann is a bit more upscale and the dress code is a bit more formal than on other river cruise ships. Also read jgnova´s review. J did describe the dress code too. You don´t need a tuxedo or an evening dress. But sports jacket, shirt and tie are needed for the formal nights. No jeans and T-shirts in the dining room (and of course no shorts :D ).

As for the weather: I´m no weatherman and I don´t make any forecasts :D . Let´s say usually weather should be warm and sunny with chances of rain with temps ranging between mid 50ies and mid 80ies. A warm sweater and a wind/rain proof jacket won´t be an bad idea. Check with weather.com for the average lows/highs in September and check again the 10 days forecast before you´re packing.

steamboats

[newrivercruiser]

Thanks.

How do I find jgnova's review?:confused:

[Venturagirl]

jgnova's review is in the middle of the first page on the River Cruise board that lists the most recent posts. Just scroll down and look for the thread with the light bulb icon titled Peter Deilmann MV Mozart cruise on the Danube April 2-9, 2006. It is a great read! So good that as of today it has had 4361 views.

[steamboats]

Sorry,

I didn´t have the time to look it up yesterday and thought that jgnova might jump in for that. Here it is:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=332533

steamboats

[skandls]

Just a So Cal Non-smoker comment. We 'walked' thru a Deilman ship in one of our port stops. There was a great deal of stale cigarette odor. More Europeans still smoke than those of us who live in the USA.

[steamboats]

skandls,

As stated in another thread: Cabins, dining room, aisles and parts of the lounge are non smoking. Smoking is allowed on the sun deck and in the lobby in front of the dining room and in the bar area (that´s for the MS Mozart). Cruises promoted in the US with mainly US passengers won´t have a big problem with smoke.

I´m a non smoker and I don´t like people smoking inside. On our cruise (mainly Germans) sure there were still some which weren´t able to read the signs saying that smoking cigars and pipes is not allowed inside. I appreciate the non smoking policies in the US and I´m so sorry that my government still is thinking they can get rid of that problem on a "volunteer" basis (especially in restaurants). Even Italy passed a law on smoking in bars and restaurants although the Italians do smoke much more than we Germans are doing. At least there´s a new political discussing about banning smokers!

steamboats

[skandls]

We walked thru the 'lobby' area as we were docked along side. I did notice the distinct old smoke smell there. Perhaps the ship we walked thru was not one that advertised to the US.