For many years now, German television broadcasts their own version of "The Love Boat". This very popular show is called "Das Traumschiff" (The Dream Ship) and has for the last couple of years starred the 22,496-ton Deutschland, pride and joy of family-owned Peter Deilmann Reederei. The feeling of belonging to a seagoing family is exactly what attracts most guests to Deutschland over and over again, accounting for a formidable repeat percentage. This ship feels like home away from home, accentuated by unique classical interiors and a wonderful personable young crew.  Delivered just a few years ago at a cost of $ 120 million by respectable Howaltswerke Deutsche Werft in Kiel, Deutschland dares to be different in many respects.

Deutschland fans don't need balcony cabins, elaborate casinos, rock climbing walls or discos to enjoy their cruise. Instead, they look for elegant surroundings, excellent food and good companionship in the best German tradition. With a capacity of 520 passengers and 280 crew members, Deutschland is a small ship, While large enough to withstand the forces of the sea in a most elegant way and to offer a perfect choice of public rooms and dining areas,  you're never more than 5 minutes away from your cabin, and her relative shallow draft means she can call at ports where the Destinies and Voyagers of this time would not dare to come close. And leave it to the Germans to come up with some very innovative itineraries!

Traditionally, Deutschland spends her summer in Scandinavian waters, with some Mediterranean cruises scheduled in the spring. In the fall of 2004, the ship can be spotted on the US East Coast before heading south to the warm waters of the Caribbean, calling at untraditional ports like Puerto Barrios, Ciudad Guyana and Tobago. Winter is spent in South America and in the early spring Deutschland returns to Europe.  

In a another bid to be "different", the ship's owners decided that their flagship should be decorated like a floating Grand Hotel - with the look and feel of the roaring twenties. Partnership Design of Hamburg has succeeded admirably and has created truly unique interior spaces that are both elegant and inviting. 

Four years ago I joined Deutschland for a short cruise in Northern Europe; a voyage that proved that Peter Deilmann Reederei is indeed doing this differently. Last September I was invited back on board for a quick tour, which was a good opportunity to take some new photos of her downright stunning interior spaces. Please note that as the ship was fully booked during my visit, I was not able to photograph any staterooms.