Peter Deilman - Any recent cruisers?

[OldFed36]

My husband and I are booked on Peter Deilman's Casanova, Amsterdam to Basil, May 24 - 31, 2008.

Anyone recently sailed on a Deilman criver ruise who can provide insights/advice?

Thanks!

[steamboats]

OldFed36,

We´ve been on the MS MOZART and the MS DRESDEN. You´ll find my reviews linked in my signature.

steamboats

[Hambagahle]

OldFed36 -

My husband and I were on a Deilmann cruise on the Elbe in October 07. We have previously cruised with Viking (on the Danube) and relatively frequently with Regent Seven Seas - obviously not on rivers!

Since our Deilmann cruise, the line has become no smoking indoors. This is great because river boats are small and if there is a smoking section in a lounge or bar it is almost impossible to stay away from smoke!

The food was exceptional. Breakfasts always had a buffet, plus main dish to order, or eggs anyway etc etc. Coffee was excellent (we are Europeans and like strong coffee!) Lunches there were salad and cold appetiser buffets, then soup, main dishes (with a choice) and dessert. Dinners the same. You sit at an assigned table and there is only one sitting. On our cruise we were seated with other English speakers (though we both speak fluent German so this was not so important to us).
Tea was served (with cake) every day in the lounge.

While water, coffee, tea etc is complimentary at meal times (and coffee after lunch or dinner, plus the 4pm tea was too) theoretically these are charged for outside specific times. However we never saw a bill for non alcoholic drinks! Cocktails etc and wine at lunch or dinner ARE charged for. They will let you carry over your bottle from one meal to the next and the prices were not horrendous. They specifically ask that you not bring alcoholic beverages on board but I never saw anyone checking.

Laundry was done on a 24 hour basis by the cabin stewardess.

The cabins are small but well equipped and the bathrooms are marble (shower only, no bath) and nice. Bring suitcases that will slide under the bed and also that fit inside each other. You will need a somewhat formal attire two nights - dark suit and tie for men, though I think a blazer would do!, and cocktail dresses (short) for ladies. The otehr evenings ties were not required but jackets were, at dinner. Breakfast and lunch is casual.

Since you will be going to Basel be sure to plan to stay there a couple of nights post-cruise. Basel is an amazing city with around 50 museums. Your hotel there will give you a "mobility card" which entitles you to free public transportation - busses and trams - and you can also get discounts on entrance at museums. We live in Switzerland and go there often for exhibitions and shopping. I hope all this helps!

[OldFed36]

Thanks to both of you for the feedback!

[jgnova]

We were on Mozart the week after Steamboats and had a fabulous trip. My DH did an extensive review which you can find here : http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=332533
S

[OldFed36]

Thanks for the link. We moved from Alexandria last year - now are in NC. When we booked with P. Deilmann, I was surprised to learn that their US office is located on Diagonal Road. We used to eat frequently at Joe Theirmann's and other restaurants in that area.

OldFed36

[bajaed69]

We will be on the Provonce on June 21 for 9 day out of Lyon. Thanks for the info about the dress code and such. This will be our first river cruise . We have on the HAL, NCL and Star Clipper lines.

Ed/Sue
http://clocks.cruisecritic.com/countdown.pl?name=bajaed69&date=6-21-2008&image=Beach-2&text=A Pirates Life for me&ship=Princesse de Provence (http://www.cruisecritic.com)
:rolleyes: