This is our second cruise on the European rivers and with Peter Deilmann Cruises (first cruise was the Danube river on the MS Mozart). Prior to this one we have made one ocean cruise (Royal Caribbean) and ten river cruises in the US (now all Majestic America Line: Mississippi river system, Columbia river, Alaska Inside Passage). We are in our late 30ies and travelling with our 7 years old daughter.

There were six English speaking guests (all US) aboard this cruise. One passenger was bound to a wheelchair using the wheelchair accessible cabin. Our shore tour excursion manager helped this couple to find suitable shore tours. The other passengers were German and a group of Austrian passengers. Most of the German passengers were coming from the Hamburg area or the Dresden area.

As on our previous cruise on the MS Mozart we experienced very friendly and extremely helpful crew. If there´s anything you need be sure they try to get it. They even go out to a local store to get it for you. Any questions were answered instantly at the reception desk. The dining room staff was also well trained. We had a table of five and all dishes of each course were served simultaneously by the two waiters. It was always a pleasure to watch the waiters eye contacting each other so two plates were served at the same moment. Of course food was delicious and excellent. If you´re seeking for a 5 star cruise experience you can´t do anything wrong on a Deilmann ship. Especially dining is part of this 5 star cruise experience. So be prepared to enjoy your dinner. It can take up to two hours but you won´t feel any waits. To enjoy a good meal you shouldn´t be rushed through. More than half of the hotel crew (waiters, cooks, reception staff, hotel manager, maitre´D, shore excurison manager, cabin attendants and galley staff) are German, the navigation crew is mainly Czech with a German captain.

For internet cafés at the various shore stop ask at the reception desk. They do have a list. At Dresden there´s a local WiFi (EUR 2/h) where you have to sign up via cell phone and receive a text message with your personal password. The reception desk is also selling a variety of postcards (EUR 0.50) and small guides of the area. But the only booklet available in English was a map of the Elbe River. Postcards and letters can be dropped at the reception desk, postage will be charged to your onboard account and mail will be dropped at a post office at the next shore stop.

All announcements are made in German and English. I thought it was nice that sometimes the English speaking passengers were addressed by their names if only one of the couples was aboard to listen to the announcement while the others were on a shore tour. For those who like to explore the towns on their own they also announce opening hours of museums and other useful information. Copied city maps are available at the reception desk also showing the location of the landing. In addition to that tiny little pieces of paper with the current landing place of the ship and the cell phone number of the ship can be found at the reception desk in case you need to contact the ship or want to give the directions to a cab driver.

The MS Dresden is one of the largest river cruise ships on the Elbe River. Accompanied by her smaller sisters the MS Frederic Chopin and MS Katharina von Bora she is usually running Dresden - Hamburg and back (the others are doing Potsdam - Prague or the Oder River). She was especially designed for this stretch of the Elbe River in 1991 at Deggendorf on the Danube River then owned and operated by the hotel Bellevue at Dresden. When the hotel Belleve was sold the new owner was not interested in operating a cruise ship. Therefore the MS Dresden was for sale in 1993 and aquired by Deilmann. There´s only one other cruise company doing the Elbe River and that´s Viking with the MS Viking Schumann (English speaking passengers; Magdeburg - Melnik with bus trips from Berlin to Magdeburg and to Prague) or the MS Viking Fontane (German speaking passengers; Magdeburg - Melnik with bus trip to Prague).

The MS Dresden has three passenger decks. On the Sun Deck you´ll find plenty of deck chairs (and blankets if needed). There are shaded areas with umbrellas. Chair hogging is definetely not necessary. There are three exercise bikes and a stepper (no exercise room aboard). Weather permitting drinks, daily soup and coffee or tea during the afternoon tea hour are also served on the Sun Deck. For those who like to run: There´s the Elbe River bike track from Hamburg to Prague along the river which can also be used for running or inline skating. So usually you just walk off the ship and can start your running exercise.

The Bellevue Deck is featuring 19 standard cabins (12 sqm/130 sqft), the 2 suites (24 sqm/258 sqft) and the wheelchair accessible cabin (20 sqm/215 sqft) to the aft. Midships there´s the lounge and bar with huge panorama windows seating 72 passengers. Behind the lounge you´ll find a bookcase with books and board games (English books are available). A shoe shine machine and an ice machine are located at the aft end of the aisle. Between the lounge and the dining room there´s the lobby area with the main staircase down to the Elbe Deck and the outside staircase up to the Sun Deck. In the lobby area there´s the reception desk and the passenger entrance. The dining room is located to the bow and is seating 110 passengers. This is my favourite place aboard not only because of the wonderful food but because of the comfy seats and breathtaking view. There is actually no table where you can´t watch the river and the landscape passing by. All the artwork on the Bellevue deck has been either originally made for the MS Dresden or is featuring the city of Dresden.

The Elbe Deck has 20 standard cabins and 2 triples (all 12 sqm/130 sqft). Midships you can find the ship´s doctor. Next to the staircase there´s the small gift shop featuring souvenir items, some logo clothing and some items you might have forgot. There´s no real shop you can walk in. The gift shop is operated by the beautician who has her area right next to the gift shop. The beautician is offering hair cuts, manicure (EUR 14 - 20),beauty treatments (EUR 30 - 50), make-up (EUR 9 - 25), massages (EUR 15 - 90, price is depending on the duration of the treatment EUR 1 per minute) and more. There are also public restrooms and a sauna located to the bow area. Call the reception desk 60 - 45 min prior to the time you want to use the sauna. Besides the artwork featuring Dresden there is some artwork which came over from the MS Donauprinzessin which was sold by Deilmann by the end of 2006 (and is now cruising again as MS Rossini on the Danube River). The galley is also located on the Elbe Deck. And by the way all the delicious food is prepared on only 18 sqm/194 sqft.

Smoking is not allowed indoors, on corridors and in cabins. There´s a designated area in the lounge where smoking is allowed (starboard side). Smoking is allowed on the Sun Deck and in the lobby.

Engine room tours are available on request.

All meals served in the dining room are one assigned seating. So you stay at the same table for all meals.

There´s a lite early riser breakfast buffet available in the lounge. The main breakfast buffet in the dining room is featuring assorted cold cuts, salmon, smoked fish, cheeses, boiled eggs, bacon and sausages, assorted cut fruits, cucumbers and tomatoes, sparkling wine (a Hanseatic tradition going with the fish for breakfast), assorted breads and rolls, marmelades, honey, cream cheese, yoghurt, assorted cereals, fresh Bircher Muesli, dried fruits and more. Rolls are baked fresh each day. Ice water, orange juice, grapefruit juice, grape juice and a multivitamin juice is also available next to hot tea and coffee. Sometimes tomatoe juice was served instead of grapefruit (but you can order the missing one). There´s a daily special which can be ordered from the galley. Egg dishes can also be ordered.

Usually there´s a soup available by 11 am. Lunch is off the menue (choice of two soups and two entrées plus one vegetarian entrée and two desserts). Salads, appetizers, fruits and cheeses are off the buffet.

Dinner is usually five courses (appetizer, soup, salad, entrée and dessert). There´s a selection of two items per course and one choice of vegetarian. Selected cheeses and fruits are available at a buffet. And you get a small tray with some chocolate (pralines and other sweet treats) by the end of your dinner. For formal nights there are six or seven courses and usually only a choice between the vegetarian and non vegetarian dish. Portions are small so you can enjoy all courses. The dinner is featuring local specialties too like Quarkkeulchen as dessert (a specialty of Dresden which can be translated as fried cottage cheese dumplings with apple sauce and vanilla ice cream). The MS Dresden is a five star cruise ship and so is the food. Food and service are really excellent. Your waiter is collecting all menus for as a souvenir. There´s a recommendation of two wines each night (red and white). You shouldn´t miss to try one of the local Saxon wines. Although the price is listed for the bottle you can also have it by glass (0.25 lt). Of course a bottle is kept for the next evening if you don´t finish it (the same goes for water).

A late night snack is offered each night. Fresh fruits are available in a basket at the reception desk and at the bar.

Beverages are not included for the meals. The prices on the bar list are quite moderate compared to prices in restaurants in Germany. As an example an Apfelschorle (apple juice mixed with sparkling water) is EUR 2.10 / 0.20 lt. Ice tea is EUR 2 / 0.20 lt. A double espresso, a cappuchino or a latte are EUR 2. The bar in the lounge is featuring a drink of the day (alcoholic EUR 5.90/6.10 and non alcoholic EUR 3.90). There´s a sign at the starboard entrance of the lounge. Of course juices, water, hot tea and coffee are included for breakfast and the afternoon tea. The winelist is featuring excellent local and foreign wines (you´re not allowed to bring your own wine for dinner but you can drink it in your cabin but don´t forget a corkscrew).

The price list for the minibar in your cabin can be found in the information booklet on your desk. The minibar is filled with Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin champagne (0.20 lt / EUR 19.50), Peter Deilmann sparkling wine (0.20 lt / EUR 5.80), Coca Cola (0.20 lt / EUR 2.50), orange juice (0.20 lt / EUR 2.40), Gerolsteiner sparkling water (0.25 lt / EUR 2.40), Gerolsteiner medium water (0.25 lt / EUR 2.40), Staatlich Fachingen non sparkling water (0.75 lt / EUR 4.20), Becks beer (0.33 lt / EUR 2.80), König Pilsener beer (0.33 lt / EUR 2.80) and chocolate (85 gr / EUR 2).

Bottled water for the shore tours was available at the reception desk and in the busses for EUR 1.20. The bus had also other drinks available like sodas.

There´s no room service for breakfast or any other meals.

Do not expect Broadway style shows on a river cruise ship. The main entertainment is the river and the landscape on a river cruise. The MS Dresden has a piano/keyboard player who is entertaining in the afternoons or evenings in the lounge and also during dinner in the dining room. Deilmann is featuring local guest entertainers each day of the cruise when the ship is docked overnight (sometimes in the afternoon, sometimes after dinner in the lounge).

Usually a movie related to the cruise is broadcasted over the in cabin TV daily (both German and English). Books (a small variety of English books) and board games are available. You can also get binoculars if you forgot yours at home.

Except for the two suites and the wheel chair accessible room all cabins have the same size of 12 sqm/130 sqft (suites 24 sqm/258 sqft, wheelchair accessible room 20 sqm/215 sqft). Our two rooms were identical (just mirrored). Both rooms are located on the Elbe deck having a large panorama window shortly above the waterline (which can´t be opened of course). There´s a bed on the window side and a sofa which can be turned into a bed during the night rectangular to the bed. Opposite the bed there´s a small table with a drawer and chair with a mirror. Next to the table is a fridge / minibar. Above that there´s a drawer with three different glasses (beer, water, champagne). A bottle of water with wine glasses was standing on the desk. A bottle opener was lying on the table (no cork screw). Above the glass drawer is a small TV (11 German channels, CNNEurope and 2 video channels). An electric outlet is located at the desk (European plug-in, 220V). Next to the bed there´s a build in radio with 5 channels, a phone and another outlet. There is no clock in the cabin but wake up calls can be requested at the reception desk. There are two small (app. 50 cm/20 in) closets in the room with hanging space, two shelves and a small drawer. One closet has also a tiny safe (passports and a billfold but nothing larger will fit in). There are plenty of hangers in the closets. On the table you´ll find an information booklet filled with the price list for the beauty salon/massage and minibar, a pen, writing paper and envelopes, a notepad, a postcard of the ship and a sewing kit. This is for you to take home and to collect the daily programs. The drawer in the closet had a shoe horn, a foldable bag, a shoe shine cloth, a clothes brush and a bag plus price list for the onboard laundry service (prices range from EUR 0.80 for T-shirts/underwear to EUR 3.10 for dresses/trousers and EUR 3.60 for a weather jacket, ironing only is EUR 2 for trousers/skirts and EUR 2.60 for jackets/dresses). In the closet there´s a large umbrella. One suitcase (72 cm/28 in) will fit under the bed at the window. There´s an individual controlled air condition in the cabin. Two hooks for jackets can be found next to the bathroom door. The bed had nice duvets with a large and a small pillow.

The bathroom has a wall to wall mirror above the sink plus a magnifying mirror, a tiny glass enclosed shower with a hand held showerhead and a marine toilet (nothing except toilet paper goes in). Tissues, soap, body lotion, shower gel and non-conditioning shampoo (all Molton Brown) are provided in the bathroom. A mounted hair dryer (1200W) is placed under the shaver outlet (120V/220V for shavers and electrical toothbrushes only). There´s a drawer (with six dived compartements) and some space underneath the sink. Four hooks can be found on the door. Slippers a provided (underneath the sink). Sanitary bags, a shower cap, cotton sticks and a nail file are available too. The usual set of towels is provided (large shower towel, small towel, washcloth). All-purpose plugs and adaptors are available at the reception desk.

A lanyard was placed on the bed as a special gift on the first day (our 7 year old daughter got some paper and a set of crayons instead).

Dresden
Dresdener Verkehrsbetriebe (public transportation Dresden)
public transportation Dresden and suburbs
Dresden paddlewheel steamboats
bus sightseeing tours
bus sightseeing tours
Dresden airport
www.bad-schandau.de

We flew into Dresden arriving shortly past 10 am. We opted to take the suburban train to the main station in downtown Dresden. It´s a 20 min ride. Leaving the baggage claim area follow the round green signs with a white "S". Before you take the escalator downstairs look to your right. There´s a ticket counter there where you can get you train ticket without coping with the ticket machines. The ride to the main station is EUR 1.80 per person. Do not forget to cancel your ticket at the platform (tiny blue boxes). We left the train station at the main entrance (straight ahead) and took a taxi down to the Elbterrassen. The cab ride was EUR 7 from the train station. The MS Dresden was located at Elbterrassen 12 which is about 800 m/0.5 mi from the city center (ticket office of the steamboats; the Viking landing is directly upriver on Elbterrassen 13). We dropped our bags at about 11:30 am and walked down to the ticket office of the Dresden steamboats to get tickets for the 1 pm sightseeing cruise (90 min). This is a narrated cruise in German and English. By the way the Dresden paddlewheelers are the largest steamboat fleet in the world consisting of nine sidewheel steamboats dating back to 1876. The second oldest steamboats, the PD Diesbar, is still operated with coal. We stopped at a food stand to get some sausage for a light lunch and walked up to the Frauenkirche cathredral which was unfortunately closed for some rehearsals. At Alter Markt there´s a shopping mall where we bought some bottled water for the shore tours.

We returned from our sightseeing cruise shortly past 2:30 pm and headed for the MS Dresden. Boarding was quick and easy. Just drop your passports and get your keyes (yes, there are real keyes, no boarding passes, the keyes with your room number do it). The hotel director came up with a surprise for us. We were booked in a triple cabin aft of the Elbe deck (112) and he gave us two adjacent cabins forward on the same deck. Our cabin steward guided us down to our cabin. Our bags were delivered shortly after (of course they´ve been in cabin 112 as our luggage tags still showed that room number). Then we went to the restaurant to meet up with the Maitre´D. We were still able to choose a nice table. There are only four tables not directly located at the windows. And even there you have a breathtaking view on the river. Coffee, tea, juice, water, cakes and sandwiches were ready and waiting in the lounge at 3 pm.

This April was hot and dry and we were aware that the water levels were low. In fact I have followed the water levels each day prior to our departure. So it was no surprise when we were informed that we won´t leave Dresden today. There was an information talk held in the restaurant at 4:30 pm (English speaking guests at 5:30 pm). First the hotel director did inform us that the sister ships of the MS Dresden, the MS Katharina von Bora and the MS Frederic Chopin, have been trapped by low water somewhere in the Czech Republic. They were waiting for some rain. The Czechs also promised to open a dam to let the ships cruise down to Dresden. The forecast expected some more rain in the Czech Republic. But currently the water levels were too low to proceed to Bad Schandau. The captain will decide by tomorrow if the ship can go upriver or will stay at Dresden until Tuesday noon.

The shore tour manager gave helpful information about the upcoming shore tours. All tours were described including information for passengers with walking problems. All shore tours have to be booked on the first day. The reception desk will also be happy to call a taxi for you if you don´t want to walk or prefer a private tour.

Dinner started at 6:30 pm (dress code: maritime casual). Musical entertainment was provided in the lounge after dinner followed by a late night snack at 10:30 pm.

tours offered:
01V Saxon Switzerland / bus trip, 4 hours, EUR 45,-, short walks to the attractions (needs to be booked in advance)
02G The Golden City of Moldava / Prague city tour, 10.5 hours, EUR 85,--, incl. lunch, longer walking parts including cobble stones (needs to be booked in advance), you reboard the ship at Decin / not suitable for wheelchairs and passengers with walking problems

http://www.dp-praha.cz/en/

We booked the Prague tour (02G) which left at 8 am. Therefore we got up at 6:30 am and headed for breakfast (6:30 am - 9:30 am). We picked up our passports at the reception desk and left our keys as sign that we left the boat. The bus ride to Prague took a bit more than 2 hours. Our shore excursion manager accompanied our bus and gave us a short sightseeing tour while leaving Dresden (she´s a local from Dresden). There were 21 German and 4 English speaking passengers on this tour. Of course all explanations (like all announcements on the ship) were made in both languages. Our shore excursion manager handed out some maps of Prague where she had highlighted the meeting point for the bus. She also told us to keep an eye on our belongings (be aware of pickpockets in Prague). Most of the cafés and shops do accept Euro and Dollars or credit cards. There are also lots of change offices all over the town (but compare the change rate!) in case you need Czech Korunas. We didn´t change any money. She also gave us some information about what to buy (puppets-on-a-string, wooden toys for kids, wafers, Bohemian glass, garnet jewelleries, Sliboviz schnapps or Becherovka liquor are the favorites). About 30 min after departure we passed the border to the Czech Republic (the US citizens got a stamp in their passports). At Usti nad Labem (German Aussig) we left the interstate for an 25 min trip along the Elbe River through the Bohemian mountain range. At Usti the famous bluff topped with castle Schreckenstein is overlooking the Elbe River and forming the Porta Bohemica (Bohemian gate). This bluff drew a lot of artists during the 19th century. It was a very popular place. Richard Wagner started his composition Thannhäuser at Schreckenstein castle. We returned to the interstate and made a rest room stop shortly before we arrived in Prague. The bus took us up to the castle district after we picked up our guide (one for the German and one for the English speaking group). We watched the change of guards at the castle and then toured the castle district. We met again in a restaurant (Two Hearts, U Dvou Srdci, www.udvousrdci.cz) for a typical Bohemian lunch (liver sausage and fresh bread, beef and Bohemian dumplings, apple strudel). After lunch the group continued over the famous Charles bridge. We left the group to tour on our own and met the group again at 3:30 pm next to the astronomic clock tower. We walked to the hotel Intercontinental through the Paris street making a short side trip to the Jewish quarter. At the hotel the bus picked us up at 4 pm for our ride back home.

For those who opted to stay at Dresden soup was available at 11 am followed by lunch at 1 pm. A video about Prague was broadcasted over the cabin TV sets by 2:30 pm. An afternoon tea was served in the lounge at 3:30 pm. At 5 pm the Bohemian brass band Vinsovanka entertained the passengers in the lounge.

We returned shortly past 6 pm and were able to listen to some tunes (and boy, they were good!!). We hurried back to our cabin to dress up for the first formal night. At 7 pm champagne (Mimosas, Kir Royal or orange juice) was served and each female passenger got a red rose (don´t worry you´ll find a vase on your table and can take it back to the cabin). The hotel manager introduced the officers. The six course Captain´s Welcome dinner started at 7:30 pm accompanied by pianist and entertainer Leo (dress code: formal, no tuxes, mainly dark suits, but I saw one white dinner jacket). Leo continued to play in the lounge after dinner. If you still were hungry the late night snack at 11 pm might help. By the way the weather was hot and dry in Prague but there were heavy showers along with thunderstorms in the afternoon in Dresden (they even showed it on the evening news). Unfortunately it didn´t rain enough in the Czech Republic to allow the ship to proceed to Bad Schandau. We were informed about that during the bus ride to Prague.

tours offered:
06N Florence on the Banks of the Elbe / Dresden city tour, 3 hours, EUR 32,-, mainly bus, short walking parts

Of course we weren´t in Bad Schandau but still in Dresden today. At 6:30 am an early riser breakfast was available in the lounge. The breakfast buffet in the dining room started at 7 am (til 9:30 am) followed by the soup at 11 am. As we should have been cruising from Bad Schandau to Dresden this morning there were no tours scheduled for the morning. The Dresden city tour was scheduled for 2 pm (til 5 pm) after lunch. On the first night the shore excursion manager offered to organize tickets for the Semper opera for this night. But not many passenger opted in mainly because of the program (Richard Wagner´s Tannhäuser which started at 6 pm).

As we´ve been to Dresden a couple of times before we opted to go out on our own and ride one of the paddlesteamers to Pillnitz castle where we wanted to visit a small exhibition about sidewheel steamboats all over the world (no admission fee). By the way the Dresden paddlesteamers also offer cruises through the Saxon Switzerland. So this might have been an option for those who wanted to see that part of the river which we weren´t able to cruise. When we returned we walked through the Zwinger castle and to the Verkehrsmuseum. Finally we made it into the famous Frauenkirche cathedral. The church is not open to visitors on a regular basis. The opening times vary day by day depending on services, rehearsals, concerts. The shore excursion manager talked about the opening hours (open church) in her morning announcement. We returned just in time before a heavy shower poured down.

Afternoon tea was served at 3 pm in the lounge with sandwiches and cakes. At 6 pm a video called "Between Meissen and Saxon Switzerland" was broadcasted over the cabin TV. Cocktails were available in the lounge at 7 pm prior to the tonight´s dinner at 7:30 pm. Dress code was "jacket and tie" for tonight (semi formal, sports jackets for men, not much difference for women compared to the maritime casual nights). Dinner was themed "your galley staff invites you to taste specialties from their home country". The menu was composed by various members of the galley crew. After dinner five young ladies known as the "Dresdener Salondamen" invited to the lounge for songs of the 1920s til 1940s. Are you still hungry? Then try the late night snack at 11 pm!

At 7 pm the two sister ships of the MS Dresden, the MS Katharina von Bora and the MS Frederic Chopin arrived at Dresden and were greeted with the ship´s typhoon.

Meissen
sightseeing tours
City Bus Meissen
porcelain factory

tours offered:
07V Vineyards and Cultural World Heritage / easy hiking tour plus wine tasting, 3 hours, EUR 38,- (this tour has been cancelled as only 3 passengers signed up)
05V Elector´s Hunting Lodge / Moritzburg castle, 3.5 hours, EUR 41,-, includes some steep and narrow stairs
10N The Blue Swords´ Cross / Meissen city tour and the famous porcelain factory, 4 hours, EUR 49,-, includes a steep path up the hill to the cathedral; alternative: take the bus to the market place and tour the historic downtown on your own / cobblestones

The early riser breakfast started at 6:30 am in the lounge followed by the buffet breakfast in the dining room at 7 am (til 9:30 am). The shore tour to the hunting lodge started at 8:30 am (return shortly before departure). We walked into town for a last stroll through the beautiful city of Dresden. Soup was served at 11 am. Visiting the sister ships was no problem.

This should be our first cruising day on this cruise and the MS Dresden was finally leaving her namesake city at noon with another thunderstorm and heavy showers. The dining room invited for lunch at 12:15 pm today. After a two hour cruise through the Saxon vineyards we arrived at Meissen with a short delay at 2:30 pm. The Meissen city tour started a shortly after arrival (return at 6 pm). The MS Dresden landed right under the castle hill next to the steamboat landing (the Viking landing is upriver above the railroad bridge next to the so called "Fischerzeile", a row of historic fishermen homes, but quite a long walk into town). We opted to explore the town on our own which is only a 5 min walk from the landing. We walked over the theater square and the market square doing some window shopping (and some real one). At Meissen you cannot only get the Saxon wine but also Plauener Spitze (lace), wooden artwork from the Erzgebirge and other local artwork. We finally found ourselves in the Schlossstrasse (castle street) and walked up the stairs to the castle and cathedral. Close to the top there´s a nice beergarden and a little playground where we stopped for a break for our daughter. There´s a breathtaking view from the castle hill over the town and the Elbe River valley. We walked down the steep stairs by the civil law court (nice place to work!). There´s a sign "Nach der Stadt" leading through some sort of tunnel. A city bus is connecting the landing with the town, the cathedral and castle, the famous porcelain factory and other attractions (roundtrip EUR 3.60 hop-on/hop-off; currently the stop next to the steamboat landing was skipped because of a road construction site).

Afternoon tea was served at 3 pm in the lounge. Dinner at 7 pm was themed "Saxon Vineyard farmers" (dress code: maritime casual, seven courses). Leo entertained in the lounge after dinner. At 9:30 pm a movie about Luther´s hometown Wittenberg was broadcasted on the in cabin TV. The late night snack was available by 10:30 pm tonight.

The MS Dresden left Meissen for Wittenberg on time at 6:30 pm.

Wittenberg
Dessau

tours offered:
13V In the Footsteps of Martin Luther / Wittenberg city tour, 3 hours, EUR 39,-
14N Princely Garden Architecture / Visit to the Wörlitz park and famous gardens plus boat tour, 3 hours, EUR 39,-, you reboard the ship at Dessau

We slowed down during the night and docked at Wittenberg harbour early in the morning by 4:30 am. The harbor is located at Kleinwittenberg about 1.5 km (a bit less than one mile) away from the city center next to an Obi center (German version of Home Depot). The city center of Wittenberg is not directly located on the Elbe river but about half a mile inland (separated by railroad tracks and a road). There´s a shuttle bus offered for EUR 3 (roundtrip, EUR 1.50 for kids) starting at 9 am for the home of Luther and the castle church (pick up at the castle church at 10:45 am; depending on availability you can take the shore tour bus back to the ship at 11:30 am). The Luther shore tour started at 8:30 am (til 11:30 am). We opted to take the shuttle bus and walk through the town on our own. The bike track is right next to the landing area and is leading into town in case you opt to walk. If you´re walking straight ahead from the ship to the street you find a Plus discount supermarket to your left in case you need some supplies.

We took the shuttle into town at got off at Luther´s home. It´s about 500 m (1/3 mile) to the main market square and another 500 m (1/3 mile) from the market square to the castle church. Next to the castle church there´s a tourist information showing a free movie about the history of the town. There you can also get an audio guide to explore the town on your own.

The early riser breakfast was available at 6:30 am in the lounge. Breakfast in the dining room started at 7 am (til 9:30 am). Soup was available at 11 am (and will be also served on the Sun Deck weather permitting). Lunch followed at noon.

The Wörlitz park tour started at 1:45 pm (return at 6 pm, reboarding at Dessau, 30 min bus ride each way). After we arrived at Wörlitz park we went over to the gondola landing for a 50 min narrated boat ride over the lake and through the canals. We then had a short stop at the former kitchen house which is now housing a café and restaurant and a nice garden themed gift shop. We met our guide for a 90 min walk through the park right in front of the kitchen house. The bus took us to Dessau where we made a short city tour including the famous Bauhaus. The ship waited already at Kornhaus landing (which is owned by Viking, the landing is not within a walking distance of the city center as Dessau is mainly focused on the Mulde River, not on the Elbe River).

The MS Dresden left Wittenberg harbor by 2:30 pm. For those who stayed aboard the afternoon tea was served at 3 pm (featuring the Dresdener Eierschecke, a specialty of Dresden). A video about the city and history of Magdeburg was broadcasted at 4:30 pm. 5 pm was bingo time in the lounge (EUR 1.50 per card). The MS Dresden stopped at the town of Dessau by 6 pm for about 15 min to pick up those passengers who have been on the afternoon tour (like us). Leaving Dessau the MS Dresden is cruising through are large biosphere preservation and it´s a good stretch of the river to watch birds, beavers and other river wildlife.

Dinner was scheduled for 7 pm today themed "A Joy for Eyes and Senses" (dress code: jacket and tie / semi-formal). The late night snack was available at 10:30 pm with the MS Dresden arriving by 11 pm at Magdeburg.

A young man boarded today at Wittenberg and tonight we were informed that he is a photographer making photos for the 2008 brochure. We all received a sheet of paper which we were asked to sign and turn in to the reception desk in case we don´t mind being pictured in the new brochure.

Magdeburg; also walking and bus tours
SD Wuerttemberg
Weisse Flotte Magdeburg
Tangermuende

tours offered:
09V Romanesque Style in Saxony / Magdeburg city tour, 3 hours, EUR 29,-, in case the interior of the cathedral is not accessible you will visit the monastery
12N Towers, Gates and Gothic Brick Architecture / Tangermünde city tour / walking, cobblestones, 1.5 hours, EUR 11,-
09aF The Capital of Germany / City tour to Berlin, 10 hours, EUR 110.-, you reboard the ship at Tangermünde (only available for English speaking passengers)

Magdeburg harbor is about 25 min walking distance from the downtown area. The MS Dresden is docking above the Jerusalem bridge (Viking is docking a bit closer to the downtown area between the Jerusalem bridge and the Neue Strom brigde).

Again the early riser breakfast was available at 6:30 am with the breakfast in the dining room following by 7 am (til 9:30 am). Soup was served at 11 am followed by lunch at noon. Afternoon tea started at 3 pm. Dinner was served at 7 pm (dress code: jacket and tie / semi-formal). The late night snack was available by 10:30 pm.

The Magdeburg city tour started at 8:30 am (til 11:30 am). Four English speaking guests started to their tour to Berlin (also at 8:30 am, returned at 6:30 pm). We opted to tour on our own as we wanted to see a special museum located in a former paddlewheel steam tugboat Württemberg which is now sitting dry and high on an island owned and operated by the Elbe-Schiffer-Verein. We walked leisurely and stopped at every playground as we´ve been early. So it took us about an hour from our landing to the Stern bridge (star bridge) where the SD Wuerttemberg is located. Unfortunately I had some outdated information from the internet saying the museum aboard the SD Württemberg opens at 10 am. After the Elbe-Schiffer-Verein took over the ownership from the city they reduced the opening hours to weekends 11 am - 4 pm or upon request. Anyway we´ve been lucky as some people were working on the boat and they invited us to have a look on the museum displays down in the hull (by the way, no admission fee, donations accepted). It´s a very well made up little museum showing the history of navigation on the Elbe River and the history of the SD Württemberg, the last paddlewheel tugboat on the Elbe River which went out of service in 1974. We took a bus to shorten our way back to the ship and crossed the river at the Neue Strom bridge. Half way up to the Jerusalem bridge there´s a reconstruction of a ship mill. Those mills were floating on the river with a big paddlewheel to operate the mill. Some of them went up and down the rivers wherever there was anything to mill for them. The admission to the ship mill is free, donations accepted.

The MS Dresden left Magdeburg at noon during lunch. After departure we were informed that the water level at Bleckede is too low for a landing and that we unfortunately have to skip this stop and the shore tours.

During lunch and shortly after departure we passed under the Mittelland canal bridge. This is a waterway crossing and the largest in Europe finished in 2003. The Mittelland canal is connecting the Elbe River with Hannover. The Elbe-Havel-Canal is connecting the Elbe River with Berlin. All ships had to go from one canal through a lock into the Elbe River and through another lock into the other canal. Now a 918 m/0.57 mi long and 32 m/105 ft wide bridge is connecting the two canals and saving two lockages and 12 km/7.45 mi of the Elbe River. If you´re lucky a ship is crossing the Elbe River on the canal bridge. By the way this bridge is also built earthquake proof as the whole area underneath is used for mining. The lock connecting the Mittelland canal with the Elbe River wasn´t even a lock but a unique ship elevator built in 1938 which is now replaced by a modern lock. This elevator has a chamber where the ship went in. Then the whole chamber went up or down with the ship in it. This procedure took about 40 min. The new lock is much larger and faster. The elevator is still able to operate.

On the Sun Deck ice water with lemons was served (no charge).

The MS Dresden arrived at Tangermünde by 4 pm. Right after landing the Tangermünde city tour started (return by 5:45 pm).

The MS Dresden is docking below the hospital in Tangermünde which is within walking distance of the city center. The copied city map provided a self guided walking tour (German only). About 5 min from the boat the old castle of Tangermünde is overlooking the river. Emperor Charles IV. stayed at this castle which he loved very much. The 1,000 years old town has a pittoresque historic downtown with brick and timbered houses. It´s surrounded by a brick city wall and many of the old gate towers are still standing. One is the home of a family of storks. We walked up to the castle and to the market square with the historic town hall (now used as a museum and for weddings). The town is not only surrounded by the city wall but also elevated overlooking the wall. The castle is serving as a hotel now. Unfortunately the public areas with a terrasse overlooking the river were closed due to a construction site (which should have been finished by April 2007 according to the sign).

After dinner a female singer accompanied by a piano player of the University of Magdeburg entertained in the lounge with songs from musicals, operas and operettas.

Our daily information sheet gave some information about tipping today. As a guideline Deilmann recommends EUR 6.50 to 7.50 per day per person which should be divided amongst the waiter, the assistant waiter and your cabin attendant. Tips for the bar service should be added to the bar bill or handed out directly. There´s also a box at the reception desk for all those of the crew "behind the scenes". The content of this box will be divided amongst the rest of the crew. Tipping is cash only and can´t be charged to your onboard account. Envelopes were available at the reception desk.

For express check-out you can turn in your credit card at the reception desk. For those who prefer to pay cash the reception desk is open on Saturday from 7 to 10 am.

In case you need a taxi in Hamburg there´s a list at the reception desk where you can sign up for a certain time.

Bleckede
Lauenburg
river navigation museum with a working steam engine plus paddlewheel, historic steam paddlewheeler KAISER WILHELM)
sightseeing tours by boat

tours offered:
03N Traders and Cloisters / Bleckede und Lueneburg city tour, 3.5 hours, EUR 46,-, includes a horse carriage ride of 1 hour, you reboard the ship at Lauenburg (cancelled due to low water)
04N Cycling Through a Nature´s Paradise / 30 km bicycling tour, 1.5 hours, EUR 32,-, you reboard the ship at Lauenburg (cancelled due to low water)

The day started with the early riser breakfast at 6:30 am in the lounge followed by the breakfast in the dining room at 7 am (til 9:30 am).

Our shore excursion manager invited to tour the ship at 9:30 am (second tour at 10:15 am, you have to sign up for the tours at the reception). We heard stories about the construction of the ship, the artwork and history of the ship. The tour ended up in the pilot house where one of the pilots was explaining his work. Meanwhile ice water with lemons was served on the Sun Deck.

Again we were cruising in one of the largest biosphere preservation areas along the Elbe River. So don´t forget your binoculars. The town of Schnackenburg is marking the point where the Elbe River formed the border between the Federal Republic of Germany on the left bank and the former Democratic Republic of Germany on the right bank. Time by time you still can see one of the old watch towers on the right bank. Passing the town of Wittenberge (not the Luther city) I saw another landing marked with Viking. As the weather was sunny and warm we enjoyed the cruise on the Sun Deck.

As we were cruising this morning lunch was served buffet style at 11:30 am (til 1 pm) in the dining room with some musical entertainment by Leo. The afternoon tea was served at 3 pm featuring waffles on the Sun Deck.

We arrived at Lauenburg one hour early by 3 pm and landed right at the foot of Elbe street which is the main street of the historic downtown area. The landing has also a Viking sign on it. There were no shore tours offered this day but the old pilots town is easy to explore on your own. Lauenburg is home of a historic sidewheel steamboat called Kaiser Wilhelm. This still coal fired steamer is operated by volunteers only and is cruising every second weekend during the summer season. The steamboat is part of the Elbeschifffahrtsmuseum (Elbe River navigation museum) which is featuring a working steam engine plus one side paddlewheel in its basement. Of course this steam engine is not run by steam anymore but by an electrical motor.

At 7 pm the hotel manager invited to a farewell cocktail (champagne, Mimosas, Kir Royal or orange juice) in the lounge followed by the six course Farewell Gala Dinner at 7:30 pm (dress code: formal). During the dinner the seven cooks were introduced followed by a Baked Alaska parade with the waiters. There was no onboard photographer but your waiter will be happy to take a picture with your camera. The MS Dresden left Lauenburg for Hamburg at 8 pm.

As a little surprise we found a letter in our cabin apologizing for the inconveniences of the shortened cruise and offering a 10 % discount for a future river cruise.

A late night snack was served in the lounge by 11 pm tonight.

The MS Dresden arrived at Hamburg, Landungsbrücken 10 at 23:30 pm. Although it was quite cold a big crowed gathered on the Sun Deck to watch the arrival in the lit up harbor of Hamburg. The museum freight ship Cap San Diego which is usually sitting in the museum harbor was returning from a trial run. A British aircraft carrier was also in port. Champagne was served on the Sun Deck when we arrived at Hamburg.

Hamburg
HVV (public transportation including the Elbe river ferries)
Hamburg airport
harbor tours and ferries
harbor tours
harbor tours on the paddlewheeler Mississippi Queen
harbor tours on the Louisiana Star (fake paddlewheeler)
steamboat St. Georg on the Alster
cruises on the Alster
bus sightseeing tours
bus sightseeing tours

Breakfast was served in the dining room from 6:30 til 9 am (this was a full regular breakfast buffet not one of those "last morning" buffets where you only get half of the stuff than on the other days). The reception desk was ready by 7 am to pick up the bills and for those who preferred to pay cash. We were asked to put out our luggage prior to 8 am (there was no concrete time but just "when you leave your room for breakfast", no need to get your bags out the night before). All bags were lined up in the lounge area for later identification. Groups got colored tags and were called over the PA system as soon as their busses were ready. Also those who had ordered taxis in advance were called. We were asked to leave our cabin by 9 am latest. Our shore excursion manager and the hotel manager waited to say good bye. All bags were carried to our cab by one of the deckhands. This was one of the smoothest and nicest disembarkation ever.

We stayed another three nights in Hamburg for some more sightseeing. Therefore I´ve added a couple of links.