Deutschland explores the ports of Italy, Greece, France, Portugal Turkey and Spain

**Ally** · 09-29-2007, 06:38 AM

Spring in the Mediterranean is an explosion of colorful flowers, festivities and fewer crowds -- and Deilmann has timed four sailings to the region aboard its deluxe flagship, MS Deutschland, to capitalize on this special time of year.

The five- to 12-night April and May cruises sail to a variety of culturally wealthy, romantic and ancient ports in France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Turkey and Montenegro. As an added incentive, Deilmann Cruises is offering a $99 air and shore excursion package that provides round-trip air from 67 US gateways, a package of pre-arranged shore excursions valued up to $700 per person and free transfers between airports and the ship.

The five-star MS Deutschland, a richly styled ocean liner that recalls the golden era of cruising, begins its Mediterranean season with a 10-night, multi-country adventure, embarking from Turkey's Istanbul after spending a night in that mysterious city before heading to the 5,000-year-old port of Izmir.

The Grecian ports of call are Mykonos, with its Cycladic architecture; Piraeus, first settled in the days of Themistocles; and Kerkyra (Corfu), which boasts a number of ancient castles. Two nights are spent in Montenegro's Kotor, where one day of sightseeing takes in Croatia's Dubrovnik, whose old town is a World Heritage site, with the voyage ending in the "Queen of the Adriatic," Venice. The April 14, 2008 sailing is priced from $5,159 to $12,369 per person, double occupancy with singles' fares offered on select cabins starting at $5,679.

A five-night sailing, departing April 27 from Venice, spends a day at sea before making landfall in Argostoli, Greece, whose charming narrow streets are ideal for leisurely exploring. Italy's Messina, on the island of Sicily, offers excellent examples of Gothic architecture and the stunning scenery of the Peloritani Mountains; and in Salerno, on the Amalfi Coast, guests can visit the ancient Arechi Castle with its commanding view of the city and bay or tour the 14th-century Cloisters at San Francesco. Civitavecchia, port city for Rome, is the point of disembarkation. Rates are $3,900 to $7,550; singles' cabins begin at $4,160.

Rome, Spain and France are the focus of the eight-night, May 2 departure that begins and ends in Civitavecchia. Other Italian ports include Salerno; Cagliari, where optional excursions include a tour of the city and the surrounding area and a mountain bike ride that takes in the Salt Lake of Molentargius; and Livorno, a city of canals and fortified walls.

In Spain, the MS Deutschland stops at the unblemished isle of Mahon with its cliff-top monastery; culturally rich Barcelona, whose medieval Gothic center remains virtually intact; and Toulon, France, where waterfront cafés and shops abound. During the stay in Civitavecchia, guests can enjoy a number of optional excursions: an excursion to Umbria, and a private luxury train journey complete with an in-depth tour of Rome and the Vatican City, are two examples. Prices range from $4,172 to $9,952; singles' cabins start at $4,922.

A 12-night sailing, combining three historic Mediterranean ports with several in Western Europe, departs Civitavecchia on May 10 and spends a day in Ischia, home to 29 thermal spas, several dating back to the Roman Empire. A stop on the fun-loving island of Ibiza, Spain, precedes the passage through the Straits of Gibraltar and ports in Portugal: Portomäo, with its plentitude of beautiful beaches, numerous golf courses and big game fishing; Lisbon, the country's capital city for nearly 900 years; and Porto, whose historic Centre of Porto is a World Heritage Site.
France's Hendaye, which borders Spain, boasts a wonderful town square and 15th-century church, while the final port of call, Bordeaux, is equally famous for its wines, splendid Gothic cathedrals and 18th-century mansions. Fares are $5,482 to $13,912; singles' cabins begin at $6,202.

Deilmann's MS Deutschland has an extensive and eclectic 2008-09 voyage roster, including Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Spitsbergen and the North Cape.

For those travelers arranging their own air, an allowance of $750 per person is deductible from the cruise fare. Deilmann Cruises also offers Business Class fares for an additional supplement on selected itineraries.

(Source: Peter Deilmann Ocean Cruises)