In 2006 and early 2007, the Deutschland will sail to southern Africa and Indian Ocean islands as well as to Western Europe and the UK, the Mediterranean, Baltic and North seas, and the southern Atlantic as she repositions to the Caribbean in the late fall and to South America in early 2007.

Last year saw the successful introduction of theme or special-interest cruises and Deilmann will be offering them again in 2006. For Mozart’s 250th anniversary of his birth, the Deutschland will present a gala onboard music cruise October 4-17 on a two week cruise on the Mediterranean from Malaga to Piraeus (Athens). Throughout the year, other theme cruises will feature golf (12 cruises), garden (nine cruises) and equestrian (three cruises). The ship also offers luxurious anniversary or romantic packages for two.

Cruise Rates: Prices for the 2006/07 cruises start at $3,090 per person for an outside twin cabin; inside cabins are cheaper. Your cruise ticket includes roundtrip economy fare and airport transfers. (Lufthansa, which I took, was very efficient and my luggage did not get lost despite a change of planes in Frankfurt for Lisbon.) Pre- or post-flight cruise hotel packages are also available.

Altogether in 2006, Deilmann is offering free air and reductions on cruise rates on 18 ocean voyages of seven to 21 nights to southern Africa and Indian Ocean islands, the western Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, the British Isles and Ireland, the Baltic and Black Sea countries and on a gala onboard Mediterranean music cruise in October. For solo travelers, the 286-cabin Deutschland has 67 singles and charges considerably less for single supplements than other cruise lines.

When booking your trip, it is also wise to purchase your land excursions so that you will not be disappointed if no space is available when booking during the cruise. English-language excursions are heavily discounted if purchased in advance.

Details on the Mediterranean sailings and copies of the Grand Hotel Voyages brochure of Deutschland sailings are available from travel agencies and Peter Deilmann Cruises at 1-800-348-8287 or by e-mail at pdcmail@deilmann-cruises.com. To view and download sailing itineraries and brochures on theme cruises, log on to www.deilmann-cruises.com.  For a free video of the ship, call the cruise line’s US toll-free number.