MS Deutschland

[Bob and Peg]

Has anyone sailed on Peter Deilmann's MS Deutschland? How was the ship? Was the crew English-speaking and were most of the passengers from the US or from Europe?

We are looking at a cruise this summer that includes Norway, Iceland and some of the Scottish Isles, but I'm not familiar with this ship.

Thanks for any info. Peggy

[dougnewmanatsea]

I've not sailed in her but you will find while the crew speaks English, most of the passengers will be German. (Of course many Germans speak English, but they will naturally speak to each other and to the crew in German.)

While the ship is officially bilingual - so you should be able to get things like menus and daily programmes in English with no problem, and in general every reasonable effort should be made to accomodate English-speakers - the German-speakers probably make up a good 95% or more of the passenger count, with the remaining 5% being English-speakers.

I know a few people who have sailed in DEUTSCHLAND and absolutely loved the experience - and yes, this includes some people who don't speak any German at all - but she is most definitely a German ship first and foremost (as the name suggests). You have to think of it as though you are visiting Germany while on board.

The best review of the ship I've ever read by an American is this (http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=973), but unfortunately it is now over four years old so it's fair to assume that some things may have changed since then. For something more up to date you might want to see this (http://www.worldofcruisingmagazine.com/article_details.php?type=1&article_id=106) which is written from a British perspective.

[strawbs1]

I've never sailed her, but I did have an opportunity to attend a press lunch aboard when she was in New York. I've been cruising for over 30 years--from the mainstream to the luxury--and I still say I have never, ever, ever seen a ship as beautiful. Absolutely stunning.

But, again, I've never had the onboard experience so I'm not sure how much this helps.

[carlmm]

An English review can be found at
http://home.tiscali.nl/t411310/deut/deutschland0.htm .

The last words of the review at http://cruises.about.com/od/cruiseshipprofiles/a/deutschland.htm
sum it up
"If you are looking for a cruise in the grand style of the "old days", the Deutschland may be a perfect fit for you!"

Most guests are obviously German but many also travelled with English speaking lines and enjoy communicating with English speaking guests. For example many of the former guest of the Vistafjord, if you know this once leading luxury Cunard cruise ship, moved to the Deutschland.

[Post Captain]

For a series of excellent photos of this ship, visit http://www.shipparade.com/indx.htm and click on Deutschland in the column under ShipTours.

Ship enthusiasts argue over whether her German Edwardian (?) decor is art or kitsch; in any event, you certainly won't confuse her with a Royal Caribbean floating mall. In fact, you may be able to imagine yourself aboard the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, the Imperator, or the Vaterland.

[Bathsheba]

I've not sailed in her but you will find while the crew speaks English, most of the passengers will be German. (Of course many Germans speak English, but they will naturally speak to each other and to the crew in German.)

While the ship is officially bilingual - so you should be able to get things like menus and daily programmes in English with no problem, and in general every reasonable effort should be made to accomodate English-speakers - the German-speakers probably make up a good 95% or more of the passenger count, with the remaining 5% being English-speakers.

I know a few people who have sailed in DEUTSCHLAND and absolutely loved the experience - and yes, this includes some people who don't speak any German at all - but she is most definitely a German ship first and foremost (as the name suggests). You have to think of it as though you are visiting Germany while on board.

The best review of the ship I've ever read by an American is this (http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=973), but unfortunately it is now over four years old so it's fair to assume that some things may have changed since then. For something more up to date you might want to see this (http://www.worldofcruisingmagazine.com/article_details.php?type=1&article_id=106) which is written from a British perspective.
Most of the younger generation of Germans speak English, some of them excellent since all the popular music is in English, and most of them although studied it for nine years in school. Most of them love to use it.
My husband speaks some and the people are always delighted to help him.

[Goteborg]

Hi

Have not sailed on her. However, in 2006 we were invited to look her over while she was berthed near our home town. We were treated to lunch and a comprehensive tour of the ship and were very impressed.

We were able to speak to a British couple who were on their first cruise on the ship and they were delighted with it. The cabins and decor were first class and if lunch was a true example of the food on board then that is first class too.

We were offered the chance to join her later in the year but, sadly, some health issues with my in-laws prevented us from doing so. Had we been available we would have taken the cruise without hesitation.

The only [small] drawback we saw was the smoking policy. It is allowed in the public rooms which we did not like. However, we were told that that was under review.

Alan

[Kruizefan]

The cabins and decor were first class

Last year I had the chance to join a 3 hr tour on the ship.

As I liked the ship very much I´ve been very surprised and disappointed by the size of the cabins, the main reason why I would not cruise on her.

Inside and outside cabins have a size of 125 sq ft., suites are only 250 to 300 sq ft. small.

They don´t have any balcony staterooms.

Imagine, you have to pay at least $ 500/day pp.

[Viajera7]

I'll post a review after my cruise next month. If you have more information about it please post it before the middle of June. Thanks :)

[Oceans&Rivers]

I'll post a review after my cruise next month. If you have more information about it please post it before the middle of June. Thanks :)

I didn't see your review, but am wondering how much you enjoyed your cruise on the beautiful MS Deutchland; therefore, I am bringing this thread back up for others to see and comment.

We are interested in a Jazz Cruise being planned on her and are so pleased to have read this on the Peter Deilmann website:

"NO SMOKING POLICY

For the comfort of all our guests, smoking will be permitted only on the open decks and in the Old Fritz Bar on the MS Deutschland."

[kuldalai]

Looks a very nice little traditional cruise ship.

Go to your local Video Store and ask for a DVD titled Andre Rieu "Love Around the World" and it is a DVD of a light classical music concert filmed on board the DEUTSCHLAND and has lovely shots of the ships interior, some very nice external aerial shots of the vessel at sea and around the world.
The Andre Rieu concert is very nice too - one of our favourite DVD's.

[Oceans&Rivers]

Looks a very nice little traditional cruise ship.

Go to your local Video Store and ask for a DVD titled Andre Rieu "Love Around the World" and it is a DVD of a light classical music concert filmed on board the DEUTSCHLAND and has lovely shots of the ships interior, some very nice external aerial shots of the vessel at sea and around the world.
The Andre Rieu concert is very nice too - one of our favourite DVD's.

I'm sure that is a wonderful DVD. We received a DVD (without the music) directly from Peter Deilmann. It truly is a beautiful ship, and I am most interested in trying it.

The jazz cruise that will be on the MS Deutschland requires a very long flight to South Africa, so I would like to hear more about the actual onboard experience (reviews and pictures from actual passengers) before booking.

[mg93901]

I sailed on the MS Deutschland August-September 2007. It was a 23 day North Atlantic itinerary that circled counter-clockwise from Hamburg, Orkney, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ireland and back to Hamburg. I intended to post a report, but the trip was so (pleasantly) overwhelming, I just couldn't do it. And now it's been over a year, so please post specific questions and I'll do my best to answer.

Here is my photo album (http://picasaweb.google.com/mgsailed). I broke it into sections. Start from the bottom up. (Disclaimer: I went on the trip with a brand new camera; I have since really learned how to use it.)

The experience was great. I traveled alone and was one of two native English speakers out of 400 passengers! The staff was very attentive. The food was good in all three(?) restaurants. The shows were in German.

In reply to the smoking issue: I can't remember what the website said specifically at that time, but on my cruise smoking was allowed in a few other closed spaces - the Kaisersaal theater, Old Fritz and the aft bar.

[mg93901]

(double post)

[jgnova]

Wow, that was quite a trip on the Deutschland! I just happened by and really enjoyed all your photos. Thanks for sharing them and your notes as you went. (I had to go back to make sure your luggage found you, finally. :D)
S

[hattack]

a jazz cruise in South Africa:)..can you share any details ?

[mg93901]

Wow, that was quite a trip on the Deutschland! I just happened by and really enjoyed all your photos. Thanks for sharing them and your notes as you went. (I had to go back to make sure your luggage found you, finally. :D)
S

Thanks for looking at my photos, jgnova! Nice to know someone is. :D Yes, my luggage and I were reunited in Reykjavik, a week into the cruise. Once home, my airline no-questions-asked reimbursed me for everything I bought. (Long live the Red Tail!)

[cornyship]

After reading that the ms Deutschland was doing several voyages in and out of Baltimore, and they were somewhat discounted, I tried to book one of these trip today. Unfortunately, their US office in Alexandria VA is closing and the person on the phone told me "we are closing this office" and when I asked how to book, "call Germany". I realize that Peter Dielmann's River Cruises are closing, but, this is not a good sign for the "ocean" side of the line that might want to establish itself in the US market. I have travel agents awaiting word if I can still book a trip this year. Has anyone else had any recent experience in trying to do a booking from the US?
Cornelia

[signman]

Maybe I can sneak you aboard.

[Voith-Schneider]

Here you can find a short video of ms Deutschland in the Cape Cod Canal:

http://ships.galutschek.at/deutschland/

[VentureForth]

Just saw the Deutschland in Savannah, Saturday evening. What a gracious ship. Obviously not able to climb aboard, but watched it pull out of dock.

Savannah wants the cruise ships but needs to dredge the river for larger ships. They need to also think about where the very well off get on and off the ship. The fact that they pulled up to an old warehouse was just a bad taste of Savannah for some, I'm sure.

I guess like the railroads, it's an industrial infrastructure. I suppose folks are used to that, with the prime spots on board and in town - not necessarily in between.

[Kruizefan]

I´ve just booked a mini cruise on MS Deutschland in August 2010.

Hopefully Deilmann isn´t bankrupt then.

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