Your Cruise Your Way Cruise Blog

Peter Deilmann Cruises are first class all the way, and have now added classical music cruises to their itineraries. It conjures up visions of Europe during the time when music was the main source of entertainment inb Europe. Classical music aficionados can choose between three distinct music voyages — one aboard the deluxe MV Dresden sailing from Germany’s Hamburg to Dresden on April 25 (a second voyage is planned for Oct. 24 with details to be announced), and two aboard the top-of-the-line MV Mozart on April 26 and October 4, roundtrip from Munich (Passau).

In addition to hearing an array of classical performances onboard, passengers can also purchase excursion packages that include five shore excursions and concert performances ashore for $257 per person on the MV Dresden and $395 on the MV Mozart. Fares range from $1,625 to $5,120 per person, double.

The 106-passenger MV Dresden’s classical music program is punctuated by performances in Dresden’s Semper Opera House, with headliner Sophie Koch singing chansoms from Hector Berlioz, Henri Duparc and Richard Strauss. Additionally, those guests who purchase the $257 MV Dresden shore excursion package, will also have the chance to take a behind-the-scene tour of the Semper Opera house situated on the banks of the Elbe River. The itinerary will delve deep into the rich culture and history of the destinations visited, with optional city tours providing a comprehensive lay of the land in the well-preserved medieval city of Tangermünde and its Gothic brick-built Old Town; Magdeburg, home to the tallest church building in eastern Germany; Meissen, renowned for its quality porcelain; and Wittenberg — where an optional excursion travels in the footsteps of Protestant Reformer Martin Luther. Guests will also visit Prague, and its ancient, massive Hradcany Castle; and D??ín, situated in a picturesque valley straddling both banks of the Elbe River. Fares range from $1,625 to $3,895 per person, double.

The MV Mozart, offers two Danube itineraries, featuring five classical musicians who serenade the 200 passengers en route with pieces from the Baroque era, classic sonatas repertoires and harp music; live musical performances in Budapest and Vienna; tours of the Theatre of Vienna, where the “Magic Flute” was first played, the Stephansdom Cathedral, where Mozart was married, and Figaro House, where Mozart wrote “The Marriage of Figaro.” Other stops on the river include Dürnstein, which has kept its historic character and is regarded by many as the most romantic place in the Wachau; Melk, which is dominated by one of the most splendid monastic houses in the country, the Benedictine Abbey; the picturesque diminutive town of Grein, with it commanding Greinburg Castle; and Bratislava, where guests will take in the city’s charming Old Town and its Mirbach Palace, an architectural treasure. Fares range from $2,000 to $5,120 per person, double; the shore excursion/concert performances package is $395.

The Deilmann ships provide relaxing travel through the heart of Europe on a deluxe European floating hotel without the bother of packing and unpacking and one of the industry’s best passenger-to-crew ratio – 2.5 to 1. The award-winning river cruise vacations are designed for both the first-time and frequent vacationer who prefers traveling in comfort with attentive service and fine dining. Dining on board is single seating on both vessels and the cuisine is continental. Mid-afternoon tea and coffee is served every day both on deck and in the lounge and there is a late evening buffet. The friendly, multi-lingual staffs are there to cater to passengers’ every wish. A non-smoking policy applies to the interiors of all Peter Deilmann River vessels. Port charges of $120 and fuel surcharges of $70, per person, are additional. Technorati has articles about Peter Deilmann cruises as well.

For more details on the cruises, optional tours and air arrangements, contact me at 1-888-579-8706, email me, or visit my website at www.avctravel.com/greggeppleman.