NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2006 "“ Free air from New York, free shore excursions and transfers on summertime ocean voyages around South America aboard the 286-cabin Deutschland are two enticing offers from Peter Deilmann Cruises in 2007. Space is still available on the two Deilmann cruises, Jan. 25 and Feb. 14, that sail to the pulsating capitals of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. and to the Chilean Fjords past snowcapped volcanoes, to Punta Arenas, the southernmost city of the Americas on the Strait of Magellan, to stunning scenery in Argentina’s Ushuaia and the cliffs of Cape Horn Passage and to Port Stanley in the British Falkland Islands.
Scenic and historic South America destinations are highlights of these cruises that depart from Chile's historic port city of Valpariso and from the lively metropolis of Buenos Aires. Carnival in Rio and Brazil's colonial city of Salvador are on the itinerary of the second cruise that also crosses the South Atlantic to the Cape Verde Islands and Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands.
Free round-trip air transportation from New York City, free shore excursions worth up to $796, reserved Carnival tickets, complimentary parade transfers and airport-ship transfers are among the cost-free specials on these two sailings that also offer very low cost air supplements from 40 other U.S. cities priced between $50 and $200.
Air rates start at just $50 from Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, Miami and other eastern cities and $150 from Los Angeles and San Francisco and other western gateways. In addition, travelers, who prefer to arrange their own flights, can deduct $1,000 per person from the cruise prices on these two sailings.
The 20-night cruise from Valparaiso, Chile, Jan. 25-Feb. 14, begins with an overnight stay and tour of this World Heritage city built along amazingly steep hills and its lovely, neighboring oceanside resort of Viña del Mar, a pretty town with tree-lined avenues and flower-filled parks. From Puerto Monnt, a city settled by Germans, a day's excursion explores the redwood forest park, and from Punta Arenas, a gateway to Southern Patagonia, cruisers see a land of majestic mountains, lakes and glaciers.
From Ushuaia, Argentina, an excursion takes passengers to see the spectacular lakes and forests in Tierra del Fuego National Park. The ship sails through the Chilean Fjords, the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Canal and Cape Horn Passage and visits Puerto Vargas, overlooking the continent's third largest lake, and Monteverde, site of the oldest known human settlement of the Americas unearthed in 1977. An excursion from Puerto Madryn, Argentina, takes cruisers to the wildlife sanctuary for birds and marine life and the world's largest colony of Magellan penguins. The cruise ends with an overnight iIn Buenos Aires where passengers tour the city in the morning and have fun at a tango show in the evening.
On the second 19-night cruise from Buenos Aires, Feb. 14-March 5, Deutschland passengers have two days and nights to get acquaint with the barrios or neighborhoods of this Argentinian city with a European feel. Not to be missed are the elegant mansions and shops along the tree-lined avenues of stylish Recoleta, the historic houses and streets in old San Telmo and Montserrat and the fine dining at “in” restaurants in the new Puerto Madero quarter on the river or on the trendy streets of Palermo.
On the must-see list are Café Tortoni, one of the city’s old Cafés Notable famous for its Art Nouveau decor, crowded nightly with locals and tourists alike enjoying the intimate tango show; Plaza de Mayo, surrounded by the 18th century city hall and Metropolitan Cathedral, the pink Casa Rosado and 19th century Pyramid; and Calle Florida, the bustling pedestrian street where shops specialize in leather and suede goods and the impressive Galeria Pacifico offers three levels of chic boutiques and restaurants, while just outside there are daily impromptu tango street performances.
The first port of call in Brazil is ItajaÃ, a European port city founded in 1860 that is known for its beautiful beaches. The ship stays overnight in Rio allowing passengers to attend Carnival and view the colorful parade and musical festivities from reserved seats. The Deilmann ocean liner is one of just a few ships that will be docked in Rio for the parade. City sightseeing includes a train ride through lush forest up the mountain to the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Salvador da Bahia, Brazil's third largest city is another port of call with an overnight stay. A walking tour takes Deutschland passengers through the Pelourinho downtown district, a World Heritage Site filled with the colonial city’s oldest architecture.
The 513-passenger MS Deutschland, launched in 1998 and refurbished annually, is a grand ocean liner designed in art nouveau and art deco styles. Rates on the South America cruises from New York City begin at $5,852 per person twin for the 20-night Valpariso-Buenos Aires sailing including air. Single staterooms start at $6,604. Twin cabins on the Buenos Aires-Tenerife cruise start at $6,324, per person. For more information www.deilmann-cruises.com.
