Peter Deilmann Cruises, RIVERBOAT, was completed in 1991 and refitted in 2005 to carry 106 passengers on cruises along the Elbe from Hamburg in northern Germany south to Dresden in eastern Germany. The vessel is 320 ft long and the 42-member crew is German and other Europeans, all with a good facility in English.
The original owner's two daughters run the company from their headquarters in Neustadt in Holstein, northern Germany. Peter Deillmann Cruises began a quarter century ago with one oceangoing cruise ship, and now the company operates eight high-end riverboats and the cruise ship Deutschland.
The passenger mix will vary considerably from cruise to cruise, so it is a good idea to inquire about a particular sailing to see how many English-speaking passengers will be aboard. Ages onboard are generally 50 and older. Suggested per diem tipping is US$9 for the wait staff and US$5 for the cabin attendant.
Weekly cruises operate between Hamburg and Dresden from late March to late October. Ports include Martin Luther's Reformation city at Wittenberg, the porcelain center at Meissen, rebuilt Dresden, castle at Pillnitz and side trips to Prague, Czechoslovakia from Bad Schandau. Some river passages are highly-scenic, especially along the upper Elbe.
English-speaking guides are guaranteed for all shore trips, and they may be included in the fares on cruise-tours, while a fairly priced package of five shore trips is also available. Passengers may also go ashore on their own, a popular feature when the riverboat docks adjacent to the city center such as at Magdeburg and Dresden. Pre- and post-hotel stays are available in Dresden, Prague and Hamburg, the last-named the most maritime-oriented of all German cities.
The Dresden is a two decker to allow passage under very low highway and rail bridges. During some passages, the top deck will closed off to passenger use. Viewing is then limited to short side decks and to the forward mooring deck.
The main dining room is an attractive room, located forward with good views, and decorated with light colors and rattan-style chairs. All meals are taken here, and dining is a major event at both lunch and dinner with set five-course menus. Some special nights see up to nine courses offered. The food is Middle European and very well prepared. As many Americans like to eat more sparingly at lunch, the buffet selections—salads, pasta, soup, cheeses and fruit—should more than suffice.
Table seating is fixed with English-speaking passengers seated separately from the German speakers. Evening wear is often jacket and tie for men. The main and only lounge is aft of the foyer on the same deck as the dining room, decorated with attractive paintings and dark panelling.
A small portside gallery serves as the passage to the upper deck cabins. The entire interior is now smoke-free, and smokers are limited to the outside decks and when the boat is ashore. A fully qualified doctor is carried on all trips.
Apart from a pair of 250-sq-ft suites, cabins are small, at 130 sq ft, and have twin beds and some queens. One bed folds into the wall while the other serves at a settee during the day. All cabins have TVs, music channels, phone, refrigerator and hair dryers. Bedding is European-style duvets and terry cloth robes are available on request. One cabin is handicap-accessible and two have a third upper berth.
The Dresden and its Deilmann fleetmates offer destination-oriented cruises for a mixture of German- and English-speaking passengers. The European atmosphere contrasts sharply with riverboat operators that cater to mainly Americans such as Viking River Cruises. Aboard the Dresden, one sails with German passengers in their own country, and some with a good facility of English will be happy to share their insights.
