Peter Deilmann Deutschland
The minute I walked onto the Deutschland, I knew I was in for a real treat. This ship is like no other. Picture the Dorchester Hotel in London, or imagine yourself in Europe in the 1920's. The Deutschland is an art deco masterpiece, and perhaps the finest ship I have had the pleasure to view.
From the outside, the Deutschland is quite ordinary looking. All white, very boxy, with a thick funnel - you would never dream of the elegance that lies beyond the gangway. As her name implies, the ship is German-flagged and German-crewed. But, like the Peter Dielmann river ships - the crew is completely bilingual (German-English) and the company is making continuous strides to accomodate American passengers and their particular needs.
Ship Specifics
Built: 1998Country of Registry: Germany
Length: 574 feet
Width: 82 feet
Draft: 18 feet 4 inches
GRT: 22,400
Operator: Peter Dielmann Reederei GmbH & Co.
Speed: 21 knots
Passengers: 505 passengers in 284 cabins
Staff: 240 crew members
Electricity: 230 V
The Review
This is truly a five star vessel. Put aside your images of Radisson Diamond, Seabourn and even Silver Sea, because the Deutschland is far more elegant and special. From the inlaid wood doors on the elevators, to the etched glass sconces and goose down comforters in the staterooms, to the crystal chandelier in the showroom that looked like it had been borrowed from the Waldorf Astoria - in a few minutes you feel like you have been transported to one of the finest boutique hotels in Europe.
Although the ship has a total of 288 staterooms and suites, you would only be able to accommodate 448 incentive winners in double-occupancy outside rooms. There are 62 inside cabins.
The Public Rooms
Three Restaurants
The Berlin Restaurant - capacity 300 - offers two seatings for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When the ship is not full, passengers may enjoy open seating dining. The room is done in soft colors with a beautiful stained glass ceiling and marble columns throughout. Even the chairs, which are intricately carved in cherrywood, show the fine attention to detail prevelant on this vessel. Fine china, silver, linens and glassware adorns the tables. Etched glass and brass panels separate the sections, to give the room a very private and exclusive feel. The cuisine rivals any 5 star vessel.
The Four Seasons Restaurant - capacity 104 - offers a la carte dinners by reservation. It was a lovely as the Berlin, yet more intimate. I enjoyed a seven-course meal there one night that was absolutely superb. You completely forget you are onboard a ship.
The Lido Restaurant - capacity 152 - offers breakfast, lunch and dinner - buffet-style. Please discard any thoughts you may have of any cruise ship buffet you have ever seen. This one is done right. There is indoor and outdoor seating. The room is a little more casual than the other two restaurants, but still first class all the way. The food presentations at the various stations were more appetizing than I usually see on a ship. Every item looked as though it were just prepared. And the bread and rolls are outrageous - filled with dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. If you have never had German "brot" or bread, you are in for a real gourmet surprise. There is a small grill just outside the restaurant where the cook was prepares sauerbraten and bratworst (no cheap weenies here.)
There are four bars, one lovlier than the next. However, it is the ballroom (show lounge) that knocked my socks off! Imagine a Viennese music hall, with a spectacular chandelier in the center and a muraled ceiling. This lounge is two-tiered, with a balcony that surrounds the room. All views are unobstructed. Seating is in comfortable club chairs and couches. The room is done in rich burgundy and gold tones. No description I could give would do this room justice. Entertainment varies from musical performers, to magicians to dancers. The Lili Marleen Salon is reminiscent of an elegant railway car. The Old Fritz Pub is a typical gentleman's pub, complete with ever-popular German hot dogs and other assorted snacks throughout the day and evening. The Lido Terrace is a wintergarden paradise with comfortable rattan furniture and wrap around windows. This is the perfect place for afternoon tea and a good book. But my personal favorite is the Adlon Lounge. Here you can enjoy a cigar, a fine cognac or some latin jazz. Done in blues and yellows - cloth and leather, it is a cozy place for up to 25 guests to gather.
The Turkish steam room is another fine piece of art. It is done in intricate mosaics, some with gold leaf, forming a beautiful pattern. Nothing like it exists on any other ship. You enter the room and wash your hands and face in one of two cobalt blue sinks with gold faucets. You can then enter either the Hamman (steam room) or Sauna. As the room is located at the stern of the ship, you can actually sit in the sauna and look at the ocean. Just next door is a fitness room with workout equipment and an exercise floor.
There are two pools, both heated - one indoor and one outdoor. The sea water outdoor pool was especially large for the size of the ship. There was more than adequate deck space around the outdoor pool. I noticed that all of the deck chairs were teak, with plush navy blue pads bearing the ship insignia. No expense was spared anywhere on this ship. The indoor fresh water pool is adjacent to a second sauna and spa treatment facilities.
There is a beautiful conference room/cinema with heavy etched glass doors and italian wood laquered walls. The cinema seats were heavily cushioned and very comfortable. There is no better place onboard to hold a meeting.
The ship also has a beauty salon, boutique (carrying fine perfumes, jewelery and other European luxuries), infirmary and dialysis center.
Staterooms:
There are a total of 302 staterooms and the square footage does not vary much at all. All cabins are fully air-conditioned with individual regulation. Each has a telephone, minibar, hairdryer, color tv, radio, safety deposit box, picture window and oversized shower. Bathrobes are available on request.
The appointments in all of the staterooms are elegant. Beautiful laquered Italian wood is used throughout. There is a simple mural on the tile wall inside the shower in every cabin. (Suites have bathtubs). The plush soft goods are such a change from what you see on most cruise ships. The goose down comforters were a rare surprise, as were the etched glass wall sconces. Instead of the usual plastic door "key", these cabins are equipped with a key hanger inside each door that holds actual brass cabin keys. These details add to the upscale hotel characteristics of this ship.
This is a unique ship and a unique opportunity. If you are looking for something new and guaranteed to beat last year's program - then the Deutschland is it! Please call us for further information, and be sure to visit Peter Deilmann's website at www.deilmann-cruises.com
