Peter Deilmann The Dresden
Sailing Dresden to Hamburg (and reverse) April-October
Peter Deilmann's 5-star, 106-passenger Dresden is a delightful and intimate vessel, that cruises along the Elbe River between the cities of Dresden and Hamburg. The highlights of this itinerary are certainly day trips to the grand cities of Berlin, Dresden and Prague, as well as the smaller towns of Lutherstadt Wittenberg (to follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther), Meissen (to see the famous porcelain factory) and others in former East Germany and the Czech Republic.
This is an itinerary for those who have "been there, and done that", and are looking for a totally unique experience. Keep in mind that this is only one of many itineraries Deilmann offers on the great waterways of Europe.
The ship is extremely easy to navigate, and it takes only a few moments to feel completely at home. The staff was genuinely happy to have American guests aboard, and was eager to learn our preferences and accommodate our requests in all areas.
The cuisine is among the best served anywhere in the cruise market. It is distinctly European in style, but certainly not Germanic by any means. Lunches and dinners are 5 and 6 courses with each plate artfully prepared. You do need to know that with such a small ship, comes a small galley, and not a great deal of choices. Therefore, for an incentive program, you may want to customize the menus according to your group's tastes. With advance notice, the chef will be happy to create dishes to please the pickiest eater. For a nominal charge, regional wines can be added with dinner.
As on all river vessels (excluding the Mozart), cabins are not large. They measure approximately 130 square feet. HOWEVER, our group of very experienced incentive buyers did not seem to mind. There is enough storage space for a full week's worth of clothing, twin beds, desk, color tv, telephone, mini safe, mini bar refrigerator, fluffy terrycloth robes, hairdryers, and the most delicious eider down pillows and comforters. I was surprised to see how large the showers (with glass door instead of a curtain) were. For VIPs there are two suites onboard with queen beds and a sitting area. With all of the fabulous tours, you truly spend no time at all in the cabin.
I suppose I would be remiss in not telling you about the unusual experience we had on our particular cruise. (And please keep in mind that this does not happen often.) It seems there was a terrific amount of snow this winter in Europe. As the weather warmed up, the melted snow raised the water level on the Elbe. When the water level is too high, it is not possible for the ship to fit under the various bridges along the river. Therefore, the Dresden was not able to go south. (We actually boarded the ship in Magdeburg, where the ship remained for a few days before cruising north toward Hamburg.) Determined as we were, and with the generosity of Ron Santangelo in the US corporate office for Peter Deilmann, and the kind assistance of the ship's shore excursion staff - we were able to arrange other means (trains and buses) to get to the destinations we would have otherwise missed. We also had help from a wonderful DMC in Prague. If you have plans to do a trip to that part of the world, feel free to e-mail Zina or George at Incentive Travel in Prague. The address is incentivtravel@mbox.vol.cz. They are delightful to work with, and I know they will be happy to hear from you. The lesson I learned on this trip was that "things happen" but if you are working with the right company, most anything can be cheerfully accommodated.
Here is what my incentive buyers had to say about last week's cruise on the Dresden:
Valerie Bertelsen, Carlson Marketing Group: "The Dresden is in great shape and is of incentive quality. A charter would be ideal, so that the entertainment, typical quiet ambiance of the ship, and the itinerary could be tailored to each group's tastes. Cabins are small but have nice touches, such as a powerful hairdryer, strong water pressure, large shower head, duvets, and large bathrobes. The service is top quality. Since the ship is small, they get to know you on a personal level - your likes and dislikes. Overall, it was a great experience and a unique way to see Europe."
Richard Beazer, Galactic Marketing: "I would definately say the quality of the river vessel is excellent, but outpacing that was the friendliness and service of the entire crew. I would highly recommend the Peter Deilmann line for one of my groups."
Marti Fox, WorldTravel Meeting & Incentives: "The care to detail is evident throughout the boat - cleanliness is paramount, attention to maintenance and decor was superb and passenger needs and preferences were accommodated instantaneously. We have been on the "big, glitzy" ships and this is a relaxed and unique way to see Europe for the sophisticated traveller. I would inaugaurate a "first time" river boat group on one of the bigger Peter Deilmann river vessels first, such as the m/s Mozart."
Marcia Knapp, Lovejoy Tiffany: "The staff understands North American expectations. We were always served pitchers of ice water at meals. Cabins had wash cloths and face cloths. In addition they are willing to service other special interest requests. Also, the office in Alexandria is a huge plus for North American incentives. The office is able to communicate special, out of the ordinary, requests and find a way to get them done. That helps tremendously. It is the difference between working with a European DMC which handles mostly European clients and working with a European DMC that handles mostly North American clients."
Amy Gracias, Creative Group: "The Peter Deilmann standard of service is exceptional. The staff and crew were extremely accommodating and eager to please! Accommodations are very functional and well appointed. Food quality and service is among the best in the cruise industry. A Peter Deilmann river cruise charter is an excellent option for incentive groups and a product I feel confident recommending to our clients."
Kathrine Faubert, American Express: "I would like to take this opportunity to tell you how impressed I was with both the Dresden and the Peter Deilmann company. I found the Dresden's crew to be very warm friendly and accommodating. At all times they were attentive and willing to help. Never did I feel that my requests were unreasonable or an imposition. Additionally, Kathleen and Tom were amazing representatives for Peter Deilmann. If all his staff and crew are this dedicated, any group will succeed without a hitch."
Samantha Jacobs, RT Travel and Incentives: "As an interested incentive buyer of the Peter Deilmann Cruise Line, I was literally blown out of the "river!" The Dresden definitely exceeded my expectations. The quality of the food, the excellent service of the crew and staff, the amenities provided in the accommodations and the overall experience was over and above what I ever expected of a river ship. I look forward to selling a river cruise aboard a Peter Deilmann ship, just to have the opportunity to sail aboard such a wonderful product again."
Having completed my third fam trip on a Deilmann ship, I can tell you that this is an extremely consistent fleet of vessels. The decor, maintenance, food, service, flexibility and overall ambiance are to be commended. I hope you will consider proposing a Peter Deilmann product to your clients. In addition to the Dresden on the Elbe River, I can also offer you the following fine products:
Mozart - r/t Passau on the DanubeCasanova - r/t Venice on the Po
Katharina - Berlin to Prague on the Elbe
Konigstein - Berlin to Prague on the Elbe
Princesse de Provence - r/t Lyon on the Rhone
Cezanne - r/t Lyon on the Rhone
Danube Princess - r/t Passau on the Danube
Prussian Princess - various itineraries on the Rhine, Moselle and Main Canal
And don't forget the Deutschland, Deilmann's 5-star 500-passenger cruise ship. She sails various itineraries around the world.
Be sure to visit Peter Deilmann's website at www.deilmann-cruises.com.
