Peter Deilmann Cruises is featuring three 15- to 20-night Africa itineraries that blend relaxing days at sea with calls at an eclectic portfolio of destinations in southern and eastern Africa, focusing on the region’s world-class beaches, abundant wildlife and grand and historic cities and villages. The flagship MS Deutschland serves as the guests’ intimate luxury hotel with more than one crew member for every two guests. All three itineraries call at South Africa’s Cape Town, arguably one of the world’s most beautiful cities, set to the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain; Durban, boasting a string of “Golden Mile” beaches; and Port Elizabeth, the water sports capital of South Africa, situated on picturesque Algoa Bay. Depending on selected itinerary, the cruises also take in the South African ports of East London, the country’s only river port; and Richard’s Bay, one of the nation’s largest harbors and home to a game reserve; as well as Zanzibar, Tanzania; Mombasa, Kenya; Port Louis, Mauritius; and Namibia’s Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.
The sailings include a 18-night voyage from Port Louis to Cape Town, priced from $10,169 to $24,979 per person, double, departing December 17, 2008; a 13-night roundtrip cruise from Cape Town, for $8,117 to $17,457 departing January 4, 2008; and a 17-night sailing between Cape Town and Mombasa, $9,284 to $20,348, departing January 17. A special $99 roundtrip airfare and shore excursion package is being offered to guests in conjunction with these voyages featuring a choice of flights from 73 gateways and a package of pre-arranged shore excursions valued up to $700. Groups of five couples or more save an additional 10% off the published cruise fares. Fares include all meals aboard ship, roundtrip airfare from Frankfurt and one-night pre- and post-cruise stays at the Frankfurt Airport Sheraton.
The 18-night cruise, sailing out of Port Louis with its gorgeous Caudan Waterfront shopping complex facing the harbor, highlights Namibia with a three-day stay in Walvis Bay, featuring a lagoon serving as a feeding ground for 200,000 birds of 50 species including pink flamingos, pelicans, cormorants and sea gulls; and Dune 7, one of the highest crests in the coastal dune belt, where guests can picnic and walk up for spectacular views of the area. The ship also spends three days in Cape Town and visits Le Port, Reunion, with its white sandy beaches; Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth.
Namibia is also center stage on the 13-night roundtrip itinerary from Cape Town, with two days in Walvis Bay and another day in Lüderitz, the country’s first German settlement, renowned for its stark beauty and solitude. The journey features port calls in East London, Durban (two days) and Port Elizabeth. The 16-night itinerary concentrates on South Africa and the eastern portions, adding a day in Tanzania’s Zanzibar, an island state characterized by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs; and a three-day stay in Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city, with its Islamic architecture and Fort Jesus, built in 1593 by the Portuguese. Three days in South Africa’s Cape Town and two days each in Port Elizabeth, Durban and Richard’s Bay round out the sailing.
Deilmann’s luxurious MS Deutschland features a variety of accommodations, all with fine moldings and artwork, classic furnishings, picture windows, ample closet space and marble-tiled bathrooms with full-size showers; suites are equipped with bathtubs. The nine-deck ship offers passengers a choice of three gourmet restaurants, an outdoor dining terrace plus seven diverse bars and cafes, each featuring its own distinct ambience. Other features include a spacious library lounge; cinema; outdoor and indoor pools; three sun decks; open-air promenade deck; grand ballroom for nightly entertainment and dancing; and fitness and spa facilities. Smoking is not permitted onboard except in open deck areas an in the Old Fritz Pub.
