Four North American Bilingual Cruises Available in 2007

John · 04-03-2007, 06:11 PM

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises for the ninth straight year is offering a unique opportunity to experience a European cruise ship without leaving North America. MS COLUMBUS, built especially to navigate the locks will once again offer guests the opportunity to sail in and out of a variety of provinces and states, with a backdrop of the dramatic fall foliage through the Great Lakes.

The bilingual (German/English) itineraries provide the rare opportunity to visit seven different states, two Canadian provinces, and all five lakes throughout a 10, 11 or 18-day voyage. A highlight of the Great Lakes journeys is when the COLUMBUS proceeds through the eight locks of the 28-mile long Welland Canal after tackling a height difference of almost 328 feet. Guests are also presented with numerous opportunities for outings which include: attending a real Pow-Wow, and traversing the Agawa Canyon on an excursion that takes them where tourists seldom go, through a breath-taking wilderness with waterfalls, ravines and steep passes.

Guests will enjoy the casual, friendly atmosphere aboard. The COLUMBUS provides excellent value for the price plus the exhilarating experience of the ocean liner, which includes sophisticated international cuisine, lounges, sports, swimming pool and entertainment. The ship even has its own e-mail center with internet access (at an extra charge). Passengers craving activity when ashore can use benefit from the on-board bikes.

All four of the dedicated 2007 bilingual cruises ensure English-speaking passengers feel comfortable from the moment they step onboard. Travel Documents and information is provided to guests in English prior to their trip. Documentation in English onboard includes: daily programs, menus, announcements, lectures/video presentations, and safety drill instructions. A selection of movies is offered in English, too. Shore excursions are offered in English on a group basis whenever possible in the ports of call. Lastly, the entire crew is fluent in English.

John · 04-03-2007, 06:11 PM

2007 Bilingual Cruises on MS COLUMBUS:

Great Lakes Cruise – Toronto to Chicago
September 17 – 27, 2007, 10 Days
Lake Highlights: Lake Ontario, Welland Canal, Lake Erie, Windsor, Lake Huron, Tobermory, Parry Sound, Georgian Bay, Hilton Beach, Lake Superior, Thunder Bay, Lock Soo, Milwaukee, Lake Michigan

Great Lakes Cruise – To/From Chicago
Sept. 27, 2007 - Oct. 8, 2007, 11 Days
Lake Highlights: Mackinac Island, St. Mary’s River, Lock Soo, Marquette, Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, Hilton Beach, Little Current, Georgian Bay, Parry Sound, St. Clair River, Windsor

Great Lakes Cruise – From Chicago to Toronto
Oct. 8 – 18, 2007, 10 Days
Lake Highlights: Chicago Overnight, Lake Michigan, Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Lock Soo, Lake Superior, Marquette, Hilton Beach, Little Current, Georgian Bay, Midland, Lake Huron, Windsor, Lake Erie, Welland Canal

Golf Cruise – From Toronto to Miami
This dedicated golf cruise will allow guests tee time at four different golf courses. Passengers will have the rare opportunity to be coached by a golf professional on all aspects of their golf game throughout this 18-day cruise.
Oct. 18 – Nov. 5, 2007, 18 Days
Cruise Highlights: The St. Lawrence Seaway; Montréal, Quebec, Gaspé, Halifax, Boston, (golf course: Stow Acres Country Club); Cape Cod Canal and Newport, Overnight New York City, Baltimore, (golf course: Mountain Branch Golf Club); Charleston, (golf course: Harbour-Course Wild Dunes); Savannah, Port Canaveral, (golf course: Cocoa Beach Country Club)

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers four ships with their own unique character, hundreds of destinations, on-board and on-land programs, attractive travel combinations, short trips to get a feel for what’s offered and long passages for travel enthusiasts. MS EUROPA, the fleet’s flagship, sets international standards: it is the only cruise liner to have been awarded the coveted 5-star plus distinction by the Berlitz Cruise Guide from 2001 to 2007 and the only cruise ship worldwide to be honored with a "Six Star Diamond Award" by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. MS HANSEATIC and MS BREMEN, their exploration ships are both designed for travel in polar-regions and for destinations “off the beaten track.” MS HANSEATIC is the only 5-star exploration ship in the world, and MS BREMEN offers 4-star comfort. The MS COLUMBUS, a 3-star plus ship, was specially built to navigate the locks in the Great Lakes of North America. It is the only oceangoing cruise liner in the Great Lakes in 2007.