Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Adds One More Bilingual Trip To MS C. Columbus’ Great Lakes Schedule

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has added one additional bilingual cruise to the MS C. Columbus Great Lakes' cruise schedule. It is not too late to book a cruise "close to home" on the most luxurious cruise ship to sail on the Great Lakes. The number of U.S. passengers booked on C. Columbus has tripled since 2004. In 2004, Hapag-Lloyd offered three bilingual Great Lakes trips out of five trips, and in 2005, there are four bilingual trips out of four.


Hamburg, GERMANY, July 2005 – Due to the high interest in sailing the Great Lakes on a luxury cruise ship, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has added another bilingual trip to its schedule of four bilingual trips this fall on MS C. Columbus.

The number of U.S. passengers booked on C. Columbus has tripled since 2004. In 2004, Hapag-Lloyd offered three bilingual Great Lakes trips out of five trips, and in 2005, there are four bilingual trips out of four.

Not only is C.Columbus appropriately engineered for the challenges of the Great Lakes, but as part of the legendary Hapag-Lloyd fleet of cruise ships, it is the largest and most luxurious full ship that travels along the world’s largest body of fresh water.

“Word of mouth has spread about the special qualities of C. Columbus. As part of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, it enjoys a reputation for providing the highest quality of accommodations, food and services,” says Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

“C. Columbus provides the high quality food, accommodations and services that Hapag-Lloyd is famous for on its 5-star ships – with only a few minor differences. Therefore, it is surely one of the best values for a cruise vacation available today and the growing interest in the ship and its unique Great Lakes trips shows it.”

C. Columbus’ first Great Lakes Cruise, is September 2 – 12, 2005 for 10 cruise nights, and is fully sold out.

The following cruises are still available and are bilingual:

• Great Lakes cruise COL 0522, 9 cruise nights September 12 – 21, 2005 from Chicago, USA to Sarnia/Ontario, Canada including Milwaukee, Mackinac Island, Duluth, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie
• Great Lakes cruise COL 0523 (currently partial bilingual), 10 cruise nights September 21 – October 1, 2005 from Sarnia/Ontario, Canada to Chicago, USA including Midland, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay and Duluth, Lock Soo and Mackinac Island
• Great Lakes cruise COL 0524, October 1-12, 2005 from Chicago to Toronto, including Mackinac Island, Sault Ste Marie and other Ontario ports, Detroit, and Cleveland.

Since 80% of Americans have expressed a desire to explore domestic vacations, a cruise ship navigating the Great Lakes with visits to home own turf is safe and exhilarating at the same time. Visit http://www.great-lakes-cruises.com for details and booking information.

For ticket information contact: www.greatlakescruising.com.

Press Release Source: Lande Communications for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Dateline: July 2005