One of the ironies of names is they don’t always offer a true image of the named and there is no better example in travel than “Iceland is green and Greenland is icy.” Travelers can compare the island’s differences in a rare voyage that takes in both on the same trip — Peter Deilmann Cruises’ 23-night adventure aboard the deluxe MS Deutschland. This in-depth exploration of Iceland and Greenland — as well as Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Copenhagen — affords guests the opportunity to tour the villages, meet the people and take in the cultures, under a never-setting sun, as they discover what makes these remote destinations so worth visiting. The July 25, 2009 departure from Hamburg, Germany is priced from $8,210 to $26,750, the higher prices for suites. Deilmann is also offering a $99 airfare package that includes roundtrip air from 73 North American gateways as well as complimentary pre-arranged shore excursions valued at over $700 per person and transfers.
The MS Deutschland stops in the charming 400-year-old town of Lerwick, Scotland before spending a full day in Akureyri, set at the foot of one of the Iceland’s most breathtaking fjords, where passengers can explore its museums and highly-regarded Botanical Gardens. Seven days are spent in Greenland: Qaqortoq, one of Greenland’s most attractive towns; Narsarsuaq, near where Eric the Red settled in 985; Nuuk (Godthåb), Greenland’s capital city; and Disko Bay. Other ports include Ilulissat, at the foot of the Jakobshavn Icefjord, the world’s most active glacier; Sisimiut, where colorful houses sit at the base of the 2,500-foot “Kællingehætten” or “old woman’s cowl”; and Prince Christian Sound, where glaciers, fjords and waterfalls all seem to come together. Two days in Reykjavik, Iceland’s lively capital, means plenty of time to take in the city’s many museums, galleries, theatre and concerts, and enjoy the numerous thermal pools and spas. Then off to the Faroe Islands, settled by Irish monks in the 6th century, and Kirkwall, one of Scotland’s northernmost points. Guests transit the spectacular fjords along Norway’s west coast as the ship makes its way to Copenhagen, spending a day, and then heading to Travemünde for disembarkation.
With a guest to crew ratio of two-to-one, MS Deutschland features a variety of accommodations, all with fine moldings and artwork, classic furnishings, picture windows marble-tiled bathrooms with full-size showers; suites are also equipped with bathtubs. The nine-deck ship offers passengers a choice of three gourmet restaurants, an outdoor dining terrace plus seven bars and cafes. Other amenities include a spacious library lounge; 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 and in the Old Fritz Pub.
Travelers arranging their own air receive an allowance of $750 per person, deductible from the cruise fare. Additional per person fees are port charges of $125, fuel surcharge of $230, and for guests choosing the $99 airfare package, air taxes and air fuel surcharges of $435. Details on the cruises, $99 air/excursion package and other amenities, are available from travel agents or Peter Deilmann Ocean Cruises at 1-800-348-8287 or by E-mail at pdcmail@deilmann-cruises.com. Cruises itineraries, deck plans and ship photos are online at www.deilmann-cruises.com.
