The river cruiser Cezanne was built in Germany in 1993 for Peter Deilmann Cruises and was last refurbished in 2006. The ship is registered in Germany, has a gross tonnage of 2105 pounds and travels about 11 knots per hour. The officers are German, the crew mostly from Eastern Europe.
The family-owned German company was founded in 1968 by Peter Deilmann; since his death in 2003, it has been run by his two daughters, Gisa and Hedda Deilmann. The cheerful blue and yellow color scheme is a reminder that the ship sailed in Provence until 2005, when it was moved to the Seine.
Since it is German-owned, Deilmann attracts many German passengers to its ships, but the route in France is especially appealing to Americans and is booked by many U.S. groups. All announcements, written materials and excursions are offered in both English and German. As is the case with most river ships, the passengers tend to be older, in their 50s and 60s, though members of American groups are often younger. This ship draws mainly couples since the Cezanne offers no programs or facilities for children.
The Cezanne travels the Seine round-trip from Paris or between Rouen and Paris, one of Deilmann's most popular itineraries. Stops along the way include Les Andelys, Caudebec-en-Caux, Le Havre, and Vernon to visit Monet's home at Giverny. Tours of Versailles Palace are offered on the way to or from Paris. With a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1 to 2.5, the ship is rated highly for service and offers a more upscale experience than many of the other river ships sailing this route.
The Seine offers a rich selection of excursions. The famous cathedral is one of the many sights in Rouen, a lively city filled with chic shops.The cathedral was made famous in Monet's paintings as well as for being the place where Joan of Arc met her death, an event marked by a monument and a surprisingly modern church. The ship docks conveniently in the heart of the city. In the port city of Le Havre, a variety of bus trips lead to the picturesque fishing port of Honfleur, to the Alabaster Coast where white cliffs overlook the English Channel, and to the distilleries of Calvados and Benedictine brandies. In the cities and in small towns such as Les Andelys and Caudebec-en-Caux, the charming half-timbered houses of Normandy please strollers and photographers. Excursions along Normandy's Road of the Abbeys appeal to travelers who love romantic ruins. Giverny's beauty and the elaborate palace and gardens of Versailles are favorite excursions, and sailing into Paris with the Eiffel Tower coming into view is an unforgettable memory. The Cezanne docks near the Javel Metro stop, making it easy to explore the city using the ship as a hotel.
The blue and yellow colors and typical art work of Provence give the Cezanne its sunny ambience. Passengers enter on the Rhone deck, where all the public rooms are located. A circular reception area features Cezanne-style murals and a sun-motif in the ceiling. Safe deposit boxes and umbrellas are available at the reception desk. A small gift shop opposite the desk also offers beauty salon services. Local newspapers and the International Herald Tribune are picked up in each port and set out on a rack, with seating provided nearby. The window-lined main lounge is light and airy. Books about the areas to be visited fill a shelf at one end of the room. All presentations and the captain's cocktail party are held in the lounge. Tea is served here daily from 3:30 to 4:15 pm, a nice spread of small cakes and sweets. Cocktail hour follows at 6.
The upstairs sundeck running the entire length of the ship is a relaxing spot on a pleasant day. It is amply supplied with chaises and offers a canopy and umbrella tables to provide shade. A giant chess set adds a whimsical touch. Entertainment on the Cezanne is simple, suited to the small size of the ship. A versatile pianist provides music during tea time, cocktail hour and for after-dinner listening or dancing. Occasionally a local entertainer comes on board. The last evening in Paris may bring a treat, a bus ride to the Trocadero, the best vantage point for a view of the Eiffel Tower lit up with fireworks. The ship does not yet have Internet service for guests. No smoking is allowed within the ship.
Blue is the dominant color in the Panorama restaurant, a room that lives up to its name with walls of windows to bring in the view. The restaurant comfortably seats everyone at a single seating, usually at 7 pm. The Continental meals with a French accent maintain Deilmann's reputation for excellent cuisine. Besides meals, guests are offered morning bouillon, afternoon tea, and a late night snack. The day begins with a breakfast buffet table featuring a variety of smoked fish, fruits, cereals, yogurt, cheeses, bread and pastries; waiters take orders for eggs, breakfast meats, hot cereal or a daily special from omelets to pancakes. Lunch also provides a buffet of salad, cold cuts and a warm pasta dish along with a full menu. Dinner is a daily extravaganza offering appetizers, soup, salad, fish and meat courses, and dessert. A vegetarian option is available at every meal. A buffet of cheeses is available at dinner in addition to desserts. Tea, coffee and water are offered with meals. Bottled water is extra as is wine, which can be ordered by the glass or by the bottle. Unfinished bottles can be saved to be served the next evening.
This is a small ship and the 50 cabins, all outside, are compact but well-laid-out and with sufficient storage. Standard twins measure 162 sq ft; the six queen-bed cabins are 178 sq ft. The twins are set up as sofas by day, allowing for extra space and a recessed ceiling adds to the feeling of spaciousness. Sofa cushions are removed and the beds are made up during dinner hour with European-style duvets and down pillows. A dozen cabins at the front of Rhone deck have large picture windows, the balance on the Saone deck below have three portholes. Cabins come with built-in closets, two sets of drawers, a night table, desks, TV, phones, radios, refrigerators and safes. TV choices include a movie channel, with a daily English language movie shown twice daily. The bath has a wide marble sink counter with ample room for toiletries. Cabin amenities include shampoo and lotions. Robes and hair dryers are provided on request.
Warm and intimate, the five-star 100-passenger Cezanne is a delightful way to sail the Seine River in France and to experience the thrill of sailing into Paris. The Cezanne provides an air of European luxury and a light and cheerful ambience that pleases passengers, who almost always comment favorably on the good food, efficient service and the excellent French itinerary.
