Gallagher's Travels

DEILMANN CRUISES OFFERS FREE AIR AND FREE SHORE EXCURSIONS
ON FALL SAILINGS TO BRITAIN, WESTERN EUROPE AND MEDITERRANEAN

Five-Star MS Deutschland To Call at Ports in England, Scotland, Holland
France, Portugal, Spain, Monaco and Italy

Peter Deilmann Cruises is once again offering U.S. travelers free air transportation and free shore excursions on September and October ocean voyages aboard the five-star, 513-passenger MS Deutschland to the British Isles, Western Europe and the Mediterranean. Two sailings are from Hamburg and the other two are from Lisbon and Monte Carlo.

Destinations and dates of the four sailings are: England and Scotland, Sept. 3–17; Western Europe—Amsterdam, London and France, Spain and Portugal, Sept. 17–Oct. 1; Lisbon to the Spanish Balearic Islands, Barcelona and Monte Carlo, Oct. 1–10; and Monte Carlo to major Italian cities, the Amalfi Coast and the French Island of Corsica, Oct. 10–17. 

Free round-trip air transportation for these cruises is available from New York and 16 other U.S. gateways and low air supplements of $110 and $150 are available from an additional 34 cities. The sailings also provide free shore excursions, valued up to $600 per person, and free airport-ship transfers. Free air is available from New York, Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, Washington, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami and nine other cities in the East. The low air supplements are $110 from 19 Midwest cities that include Austin, Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Louisville and St. Louis and $150 from 15 Western cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Portland.

The 14-night British Isles cruise, Sept. 3–17, sails from Hamburg to Leith (Edinburgh), Greenock (Glasgow) and Isle of Man in Scotland and Liverpool, Milford Haven, Falmouth and London in England.  The Western Europe sailing, also 14 nights, from Hamburg to Lisbon, Sept. 17–Oct. 1, calls at Amsterdam, London, St. Nazaire and the Breton region of France, Vilagarcia and the Cantabrian coast of Spain and Funchal on the island of Madeira.

An Atlantic and Mediterranean cruise, nine nights, from Lisbon to Monte Carlo, Oct 1–10, calls at Portimao in Portugal's north and then sails through the Straits of Gibraltar to the Mediterranean and the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Menorca, Barcelona and Monte Carlo, Monaco. The second Mediterranean cruise, seven nights, is roundtrip from Monte Carlo, Oct. 10–17, visiting Florence, Rome, Naples, Palermo (Sicily), Cagliari (Sardinia), and Ajaccio (Corsica).  There are golf, garden and equestrian theme cruise packages on three of these cruises.

An elegant ocean liner with just 286 staterooms, the MS Deutschland, launched in 1998, is carefully refurbished every year.  The classic styles of the nine-deck ship are art nouveau and art deco that recall the grand days of ocean travel.  Three exceptionally well designed restaurants and outdoor terrace provide

formal and informal settings for dining, while comfortable lounges with music provide before and after dining entertainment. The high level of service adds to passengers' comfort with a 2-to-1 ratio of passengers to crew.

Deilmann now has an expanded program of pre-arranged Wellness packages on the ship that start at just $150 for ladies' facial beauty treatment, body bath with rose petals, milk and oil and back massage.  Gentlemen's grooming and relaxation packages start at $155 for a two-hour treatment.  There are also daily classes in Pilates, Nordic walking and aqua jogging, make-up and fitness consulting sessions.

The Deutschland offers 36 single cabins for solo travelers and charges considerably less for single supplements than other cruise lines.  The free airport-ship transfers are included in any air arranged by Deilmann Cruises. For those who would prefer to use frequent flyer miles, Deilmann will deduct $750 per person from cruise rates. Canadians receive a $1,000 air allowance deduction from cruise rates through Exclusive Tours, Deilmann's general sales agent in Canada (www.exclusivetours.ca).

Cabin prices on these European sailings, including free air and free shore excursions, start at $3,355 per person for a twin-bedded cabin. Single cabin rates start at $3,701. Peter Deilmann Cruises toll-free number is 1-800-348-8287; e-mail is pdcmail@ deilmann-cruises.com.  To view and download sailings, log on to www.deilmann-cruises.com.

Cruising Portugal & Spain with Amadeus Waterways

Amadeus Waterways proudly announces the launch of a brand new itinerary for 2008, Cruising Portugal & Spain, aboard the MS Amadouro. Start your journey with Lisbon, one of Europe's most beautiful cities, which lies on several hills along the River Tagus. Explore the Douro River Valley, beginning with Porto, the capital of North Portugal, which also gives its name to one of the finest wines in the world —Port wine. Continue inland and visit the countryside of the Trás-os-Montes Region (Behind the Mountain), with its unique languages and customs that have been nurtured by its picturesque location amongst the steep terraces that climb up and into the mountains. Enter Spain and visit Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the center of the Castilla y León Region before returning to Portugal. Visit the ancient and picturesque city of Lamego, before concluding your voyage in historic Porto. 

Discover the rich history of Portugal and Spain as you journey through the Douro River Valley aboard the MS Amadouro, the newest ship cruising the Douro River. Embark the ship, unpack, and enjoy a glass of Port wine as you mingle with new friends in the spacious lounge or up on the Sun Deck. Breathe in the fresh air as the ship sails past beautiful vineyards along the hillsides of the Douro River. Relish gourmet and traditional dishes in an elegant restaurant that is just steps away from your stateroom.  

Amadeus Waterways will release its 2008/2009 Portugal & Spain brochure in September. Along with a detailed day-to-day itinerary, the brochure will feature cultural and historical highlights of Portugal and Spain. To order a free brochure, contact your Travel Agent or Amadeus Waterways. 

Amadeus Waterways offers a cultural adventure in an English-speaking, non-smoking environment, with personal service, fine cuisine and daily included shore excursions as you cruise the Rhine, Main, Danube and Mosel rivers. The company also offers a magnificent new Provence & Spain program, fascinating Russian Waterways cruise, and a spectacular Nile River Cruise, combined with land programs in Cairo and Alexandria. 

Book your 2008 river cruise vacation by September 30, 2007 to take advantage of the 5% Early Booking Discount (individual bookings only). For more information, visit www.amadeuswaterways.com.

To make a reservation, contact Amadeus Waterways
Toll Free: (800) 626 - 0126
Phone: (818) 428-6198
Fax: (818) 772–7335

Amadeus Waterways Release 2008 Europe & Russia Brochure

Amadeus Waterways has released its 2008 Europe & Russia Brochure, presenting a great selection of 15 fascinating vacation programs. Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, crossing the Continental Divide at an elevation of 1330 feet or start your vacation in Prague, cruise from Nuremberg to Trier on the Main, Rhine and Mosel rivers and conclude your trip in magnificent Paris. Venture out to Eastern Europe and cruise through the narrow gorges of the Iron Gates, sail along the Romanian-Bulgarian border to Bucharest, then stay overnight at a luxurious Black Sea resort before ending your journey in what was known for centuries as the world's greatest city, Istanbul. 2008 also features an exciting new 10-night program from Amsterdam to Paris, with November and December departures offering enchanting Christmas markets.

Additionally, to cater to the growing demand for new destinations among its returning passengers, Amadeus Waterways has designed a magnificent new 13-night Provence & Spain program. Spend 3 nights in Paris, travel by high-speed TGV train to Lyon, then savor an enchanting 7-night cruise through the Provence, concluding with a 3-night stay in Barcelona. 

Amadeus Waterways owns and operates the new MS Amadante (2008), MS Amacello (2008), MS Amalegro (2007) and MS Amadagio (2006), which have set new standards in European river cruising and offer a number of features no other European river cruise ship can match. With the launch of the MS Amadagio in 2006, Amadeus Waterways truly redefined the concept of luxury travel. From the gorgeous contemporary artwork in the lobbies, to the inviting hallways, you will feel at home from the moment you step on board. Spend quiet time relaxing in your stateroom with its hotel-like amenities, including French balconies on the upper two decks and flat-screen TV with internet access. Enjoy a cocktail in one of the contemporary lounges before gathering for dinner, where you will enjoy free-flowing wine. Relax with new friends on the sun deck; unwind in the whirlpool or take advantage of the bicycles available onboard to explore the charming towns and villages. In addition to the unlimited quality red and white wines from Europe's great wine regions, guests can also enjoy a cappuccino or espresso during each meal and complimentary bottled water in every cabin. These are some of the exceptional elements that have set Amadeus Waterways apart from other cruise lines and why they are leading the way in river cruising. 

To make a reservation or to request a brochure, please contact your travel agent or Amadeus Waterways at 1-800-626-0126. Reservations made by September 30, 2007 will receive the 5% Early Booking Discount (individual bookings only).

For more information, visit www.amadeuswaterways.com.

To make a reservation, contact Amadeus Waterways
Toll Free: (800) 626 - 0126
Phone: (818) 428-6198
Fax: (818) 772–7335

Sailing on the Navigator

From New York to Bermuda

Story and photos by Mary Gallagher

I sailed on the Navigator from New York to Bermuda, where we docked in Hamilton for three days and St. Georges for one, then sailed on for a full day visit in Norfolk. Virginia, before returning to New York.

There isn't much I can say about sailing with Radisson on the Navigator except they have a six-star rating, one of the top three lines, and that doesn't do the food or service justice. Seven Seas ships have people who hardly ever get off, and after one trip you'll understand why. Well, sometimes they get off and go on a different Radisson ship. Passengers gossip about the chefs and staff, regarding them as personal friends. With a capacity of 490 passengers, it is just about the perfect population for everything.

The routes all sound so wonderful, whether along the coast of Asia, the South Pacific, St. Lawrence Seaway, or Europe and the Mediterranean. I'm talking myself, the non-cruiser, on another one.

The entertainment on stage or in the lounges, the total spa services, the superbly prepared-to-order gourmet food (no midnight buffet of leftovers here), other dining options including wonderful room service, spacious suites, and all the staff are the way life should be.

You can choose a themed cruise for gourmet cooking, jazz, history and antiques as well as the destinations. I used the computers to check my e-mail twice but they run about the speed of dial-up and it isn't long before your charges add up. My cell phone only worked while in the ports.

Bermuda is so beautiful, one could just gaze at it from the dock. Shopping is fun, but everything is really expensive—perhaps that comes with the territory of being an island. The weather is quite perfect, although winters can descend into the 60s. More on Bermuda below.

Norfolk, one of our stops, is a great city to visit, with a total renovation of its downtown plus several fun historic neighborhoods. Like many ports, one can just walk off the ship and visit many of the city's main attractions. Plus there is a free trolley that circles the downtown with 12 stops.

On previous trips to this rejuvenated city I had visited the Chrysler Museum of Art, home to a world-class collection of more than 30,000 pieces of art and housed in a gorgeous building. Nauticus, the National Maritime Center with its interactive science and technology center exploring the power of the sea, is right on the dock. It features more than 150 exhibits, including computer and interactive video (actually about 150 more computer and interactive video than I cared for), films on a giant screen, exotic aquaria, touch pools, shark petting, and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Or walk to the massive McArthur Shopping Mall with Dillard's, Nordstrom, and about 150 other stores.

This visit I rode out to the beautiful Norfolk Botanical Gardens, 155 acres featuring one of the largest collections of roses, azaleas, camellias, and hollies on the East Coast. If that isn't enough, there are more than 25 theme gardens, plus Lake Whitehurst and the garden's canals and fountains. The narrated boat tour along the canals was my favorite.

Trips to the Mariners Museum in Newport News and Colonial Williamsburg were also offered. It was in the low 90s and those getting off the bus from Williamsburg were bright pink and pretty exhausted. I recommend anyone, boat lovers or not, to make a visit to the Mariners Museum. It is a spectacular collection of watercraft and related items covering the full spectrum from historical times to modern.

My only critique was nothing new: too many of the same old tired shore excursions. No different or better than any other cruise line, and I expected more. Do some reading and plan your own outing.

• Radisson Seven Seas Cruise lines
  www.rssc.com
• Norfolk, VA Convention and Visitors Bureau
  www.norfolkcvb.com
• The Mariners Museum
  www.mariner.org
• Chrysler Museum of Art
  www.chrysler.org
• Norfolk Botanical Garden
  http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org

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