Deilmann Offers Seine, Rhône River Cruises

Seven-night cruises from Paris on the Seine on the five-star MV Cezanne and from Lyon on the Rhône and Saône rivers on the four-star MV Princesse de Provence to Burgundy and Beaujolais wine regions and Provencal cities are among the European river sailings of Peter Deilmann Cruises that begin March 24 and continue through Nov. 10. The weekly Seine River cruises aboard the 50-cabin Cezanne sail to Les Andelys, the small town of Caudebec-en-Caux, the ancient city of Rouen with its cathedral and Musée des Beaux-Arts with paintings by Impressionists Monet, Sisley, Boudin and Pisarro and the charming town of Vernon to visit Giverney. The Cezanne cruises provide overnight stays on the ship in Paris, Caudebec-en-Caux and Rouen. Most of the cruises sail roundtrip; three will sail one way from Paris to Rouen and three from Rouen to Paris. These six will feature two nights on board ship in Paris.
Deilmann's optional package of Seine excursions -- a Paris city tour, the ruins of Château Gaillard at Les Andelys, the seaside village of Honfleur with its rich artistic and historic heritage, Rouen and the home and gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet at Giverny -- cost just $205 when purchased in advance. Among the ports of call on the Saône and Rhône cruises sailing from Lyon on the Princesse de Provence are Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saône, Macon, Trévoux, Tournon, Avignon and Arles. Optional excursions take passengers along Burgundy and Beaujolais wine routes.

Passengers can tour the Burgundy wine region visiting medieval Beaune, center of the wine trade. At Mâcon, there is a choice of excursions to the remains of the 12th century abbey at Cluny or to the wine-growing region of the Maconnais and a wine tasting. From Trévoux, there is an opportunity to tour the Saône valley and the vineyards and villages of Beaujolais wines.

In Arles, passengers have a full day to explore the city's many Roman antiquities or visit the Camargue, the nature reserve that is home to herds of white horses, black bulls and pink flamingos. Within the walled city of Avignon are the 14th century papal palace, 12th century cathedral, late Gothic churches, museums, elegant town houses and cardinal's palaces.

Deilmann offers five different cruise tours on its French cruises, both independent and escorted. One of the most popular is the 16-day "Exploring France" cruise tour that combines the Seine and Rhône cruises into one itinerary. The 15-night program begins in Lyon, ends in Paris, provides a TGV train connection from Lyon to Paris and includes 11 shore excursions. There are seven departures between April 6 and Oct. 26 and prices start at $3,100 per person double. Among escorted cruise tours is a 12-day "Coast of Normandy" program that combines a Seine cruise with three nights in Deauville at the Hotel Normandie Barriere with daily breakfast, four sightseeing tours, five shore excursions and the services of an experienced tour manager. Departures begin May 9 and prices start at $4,199 per person, double occupancy. The cruise line's "Discovery Add-ons," also allow travelers to extend their stay at a choice of destinations.

Special interest theme cruises on the Cezanne and Princesse de Provence offer biking, hiking, gardens and golf. New hiking programs are part of five cruises on the Seine and Rhône with departures between May 19 and Sept. 22. Four Cezanne sailings between June 2 and Aug. 18 offer biking theme programs, two garden themes are scheduled in June and two golf theme cruises depart Sept. 15 and Oct. 6.

Cruise-only rates for seven-night sailings on the Cezanne range from $1,525 to $2,595 per person for a twin-bedded cabin. Princesse de Provence cruises are priced from $1,375 to $2,200 per person for a twin cabin. Deilmann arranges air transportation, meet and greet service and transfers between airports and ships. Details on all the river ships and cruises and the Great Rivers of Europe 2007 brochure are available from Cruise Planners 800-913-7245.