NEW YORK, March 29, 2006 "“ The Chilean Fjords, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Cape Horn Passage, the Falkland Islands and Buenos Aires are among the highlights of the first of two South America voyages Peter Deilmann Cruises is offering U.S. travelers looking for a grand hotel voyage aboard the five-star MS Deutschland, Jan. 25-Feb. 14, 2007. The second sailing for travelers seeking both scenic and historic South America destinations and relaxing days at sea spends time in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro at Carnival time and colonial Salvador, before crossing the South Atlantic via the Cape Verde Islands to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands, Feb. 14-March 5, 2007.
Free air from New York City, free shore excursions worth up to $796, free reserved Carnival tickets and transfers and free airport-ship transfers are among the added inducements to these sailings that depart from Valparaiso, Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. In addition, there are very low cost air supplements from up to 40 other gateways that cost only $50 to $200. Air rates start at just $50 from Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and six other eastern cities, $150 from Los Angeles and $175 from 19 other gateways. Those arranging their own air can deduct $1,000 per person from the cruise fare.
The first South America cruise begins with an overnight in Valparaiso and a tour of the city and to the seaside resort of Viña del Mar. Other ports of call on the sailing are Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas in Chile, Ushuaia, Puerto Madryn and Buenos Aires in Argentina and Port Stanley on the remote Falkland Islands. The ship cruises the Chilean Fjords and through the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Canal and Cape Horn Passage.
From Puerto Monnt, there is a full-day excursion that explores the redwood forest park, Puerto Vargas overlooking the continent's third largest lake and at Monteverde, the archaeological site of the oldest known human settlement of the Americas uncovered in 1977. From Ushuaia, cruise passengers visit Tierra del Fuego National Park where the lakes and forests provide stunning views.
An excursion from Puerto Madryn takes cruisers to the world's largest colony of Magellan penguins at Punta Tombo where two million penguins arrive each year to procreate. Since penguins do not fear people, visitors can stroll the footpaths to view them at close range. In Buenos Aires, Deilmann passengers tour the city in the morning and enjoy an authentic tango show and Andean band musical performance in the evening.
The second cruise begins with a two-night stay in Buenos Aires that includes city sightseeing and tango at "El Viejo Almacen". The first port of call in Brazil is ItajaÃ, a European-influenced fishing port city founded in 1860 known for its beautiful beaches. The ship sails on to Rio for an overnight stay and Carnival with reserved seats at the parade. The Deutschland is one of just a few ships that will be docked in Rio for the parade. City sightseeing includes the Corcovado train ride through the lush forest up to the top of the mountain and the statute of Christ the Redeemer.
The next port call is Salvador da Bahia, Brazil's third largest city, for an overnight stay. Passengers see the colonial city’s oldest architecture on a walking tour through the historic downtown district, Pelourinho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ship also calls at Natal, Brazil, before crossing the South Atlantic to the mountainous Cape Verde Islands discovered by the Portuguese in 1456. The final call and overnight stay is in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, largest of the Canary Islands with the most varied landscape. Here, the excursion travels up through dense laurel forests into moon-like terrain for panoramas of volcanic mountains, fertile valleys and a view of El Teide, Spain's highest mountain.
Onboard, the nine-deck ship has outdoor and indoor swimming pools, three sun decks with teak steamer deck chairs, an open-air promenade deck, fitness center, exercise and dance classes, sauna, solarium, Turkish bath and putting green. The ship's expanded Wellness Spa has new Thalasso Therapy, Cleopatra Bath and other health and beauty treatments along with extensive choices in massage therapy. There are daily fitness classes such as Pilates, Nordic walking and aqua jogging as well as make-up and fitness consulting sessions.
The 286-cabin MS Deutschland, launched in 1998 and refurbished annually, is a classic ocean liner designed in art nouveau and art deco styles that recall the days of grand ocean travel. The five-star ship has elegantly appointed staterooms for a maximum of 520 passengers and provides a high level of service with one crewmember for every two passengers. Highly rated for the cuisine, the ship's restaurants offer multi-course gourmet menus and an outdoor dining terrace, intimate salons with music and friendly cafes provide other choices.
Rates on the cruises from New York City begin at $5,852 per person twin for the 20-night Valpariso-Buenos Aires sailing and single staterooms start at $6,604 including air transportation. Cabins on the Buenos Aires-Santa Cruz de Tenerife cruise start at $6,324 per person twin. For more information, contact Deilmann Cruises at 1-800-348-8287 or visit www.deilmann-cruises.com.
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