DEILMANN'S EXCLUSIVE NEW FRENCH WINE COUNTRY TOUR PLIES THE RHÔNE AND SAÔNE RIVERS WITH MV PRINCESSE DE PROVENCE SERVING AS GUESTS' 4-STAR FLOATING HOTEL

Complete nine-day cruise-tours visit family estates, chateaux and wineries in the sun-soaked Burgundy and Provence regions

New York, November 2007 -- Sailing roundtrip from France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, Peter Deilmann Cruises’ 140-passenger MV Princesse de Provence hosts travelers on a nine-day wine-themed cruise-tour this spring, summer and fall, sailing on the Rhône and Saône Rivers featuring visits to some of the country’s most charming cities, vineyards and wineries hosted by local wine experts. Amid a backdrop of the rich light and color that inspired the canvases of van Gogh and Cézanne, the cruise takes in the sights and sounds of Arles, Avignon, Chalon-sur-Saône, Mâcon, Trévoux, Tournon, Tournus and Vienne. Each day offers a unique excursion, introducing guests to a variety of appellations including the fresh white Mâconnais wines, Northern Côtes du Rhône vintages and Avignon’s Châteauneuf du Pape. Six departures from May to October 2008 have fares ranging from $2,370 to $3,215 per person, double. Guests can extend their cruise with two-night add-ons to Bordeaux, $399; Strasbourg, $399; and Paris, $649, all with transfers, breakfast daily and sightseeing that includes dégustations of local vintages. This inclusive itinerary is designed for wine lovers of all levels of expertise.

In Burgundy, guests depart Tournus with a local wine expert on a journey to discover the rich & complex Bourgogne varietals. A stop made at the historic castle Château du Clos-de-Vougeot, a former Cisteran monastery dating back to the Middle Ages and home to four mammoth 13th-century wine presses, is followed by a visit to Château de la Tour, for the first of many dégustations, including the renowned Clos de Vougeot Grand Crus. Before returning to the ship, travelers enjoy a private lunch with tasting and a stop in the Côte Chalonaisse region to try its sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne wines. The Mâconnais countryside features tastings of fresh white wines like Saint Véran, Pouilly-Loché and Pouilly-Fuissé, while an excursion from Trevoux introduces the wines of Beaujolais with a visit to a local producer for tastings. Other highlights include a stop at the famous Côtes du Rhône winery Chapoutier for tastings of such specialties as Saint-Joseph, Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage; free time in Arles, a World Heritage site, where guests can explore the town’s 7th-century B.C. Roman sites; traveling through the breathtaking landscape of the Baux de Provence with its olive trees and orchards; and a walking tour of the hidden Roman vineyard. The itinerary is capped off by visits to Château de Clary’s Wine & Taste Academy for a wine tasting lesson and a tour of Lyon and its Fourvière Hill, where numerous Roman and Gallic ruins offer wonderful views of the city and countryside.

The deluxe MV Princesse de Provence, built in 1992 and refurbished three years ago, features a European Old World ambiance and original artwork throughout its decks, a one-seating dining room where five-course meals are served in the evenings, a lounge, two bars, beauty salon, boutique and a Sun Deck for relaxing with a glass of local vintage as the spectacular scenery slowly unfolds. Accommodations are distinguished by upper-deck staterooms with full-length French doors; all cabins are appointed with built-in closets, desk, shower and toilet, telephone and three-channel radio and European-style duvets and eiderdowns. An industry high of one crewmember for every 2.5 passengers ensures top service.

Fares include all meals, daily excursions and sightseeing, wine tastings and lessons and nightly traditional and folkloric performances onboard. Airport transfers are included when travelers purchase airfare from Peter Deilmann Cruises. For more details on the cruises, optional tours and air arrangements, contact a travel agent or Peter Deilmann Cruises at 1-800-348-8287 or by E-mail at pdcmail@deilmann-cruises.com. Further information on Cruise-Tours including the French Wine Country may be found at www.deilmann-cruises.com/tours .