Sail the Great Lakes on the MS C. Columbus in 2007

Do you like to cruise "close to home", but are ready for a different itinerary? How about the Great Lakes, bordering Canada and the USA? For the ninth year, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is offering an opportunity to experience a European cruise ship, the MS C.Columbus, in our own backyard – on the Great Lakes.

Hundreds of Americans have taken the opportunity to travel on this 420 passenger cruise ship, which was built especially to navigate the locks of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes itineraries are a favorite in the autumn, when guests have the opportunity to sail in and out of a variety of provinces and states, with a backdrop of the dramatic fall foliage. The bilingual (German/English) itineraries visit four different states, two Canadian provinces, and all five lakes throughout a 10 or 11-day voyage.

Sail the Great Lakes’ Only Luxury Cruise Ship, MS C. Columbus
Four Fully Bilingual Cruises Available in 2007; New Golf Itinerary From Toronto to Miami Has Been Added

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises for the ninth year is offering a unique opportunity to not only experience a European cruise ship, the MS C.Columbus, but to do so in your own backyard – on the Great Lakes.

Hundreds of Americans have taken the opportunity to travel on this 420 passenger cruise ship, which was built especially to navigate the locks. The Great Lakes itineraries are a favorite in the autumn, when guests have the opportunity to sail in and out of a variety of provinces and states, with a backdrop of the dramatic fall foliage.

The bilingual (German/English) itineraries provide the rare opportunity to visit four different states, two Canadian provinces, and all five lakes throughout a 10 or 11-day voyage. Guests enjoy sophisticated European cuisine in a casual, friendly atmosphere.

The Great Lakes cruises have been becoming increasingly popular among Americans. One of the favorite spots on Columbus’ Great Lakes cruises is Mackinac Island, where guests tour the old fort and Butterfly House.

Columbus passengers always come back with stories about their experiences in Canada, where they are afforded beautiful scenic views of islands, close-up sightings of wildlife, and shore activities. They also discover the archipelago landscape on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay (which some people call the sixth Great Lake), and take a boat trip to 30,000 islands. Passengers have the opportunity to see it all from the air on a water plane excursion.

A dramatic event in the Great Lakes journey is when the Columbus, which is specifically built to pass through the difficult locks, proceeds through the eight locks of the 28 mile long Welland Canal after tackling a height difference of almost 328 feet.

Guests are also presented with numerous opportunities for outings with Native Americans whose home is in Canada, including attending a real Pow-Wow, and traversing the Agawa Canyon on an excursion that takes them where tourists seldom go, through a breath-taking wilderness with waterfalls, ravines and steep passes.

Columbus Golf & Cruise Bilingual Trip 2007
For the first time ever, Americans will be able to experience a bilingual itinerary of Hapag-Lloyd’s popular Golf & Cruise topic aboard the Columbus in 2007. Touring from Toronto to Miami, this premium cruise ship tours three Canadian provinces, seven different U.S. states, and guests will tee off at four different golf courses. Passengers have the rare opportunity to be coached by seasoned golf professionals on all aspects of their golf game throughout this 18-day cruise.

The following 2007 cruises will be guaranteed bilingual English/German:

• MS Columbus Great Lakes Cruise
  From Toronto to Chicago: September 17, 2007 – 27, 2007, including cruise on Lake Ontario, Welland Canal, cruise Lake Erie, Windsor, cruise Lake Huron, Tobermory, Parry Sound, cruise Georgian Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, cruise Lake Superior, Thunder Bay, Duluth, Lock Soo, Mackinac Island, cruise Lake Michigan

• MS Columbus Great Lakes Cruise
  From and to Chicago: Sept. 27, 2007 - Oct. 8, 2007, including Mackinac Island, cruise on St. Mary’s River, Lock Soo, Marquette, Duluth, Thunder Bay, cruise Lake Superior, Sault Ste. Marie, Little Current, cruise Georgian Bay, Parry Sound, cruise St. Clair River, Windsor

• MS Columbus Great Lakes Cruise
  From Chicago to Toronto: Oct. 8, 2007 – 18, 2007, including cruise on Lake Michigan, Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Lock Soo, cruise Lake Superior, Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, cruise Georgian Bay, Midland, Tobermory, cruise Lake Huron, Windsor, cruise Lake Erie, Welland Canal

• MS Columbus Golf & Cruise
  From Toronto to Miami: Oct. 18, 2007 – Nov. 5, 2007, including cruising through the St. Lawrence Seaway; Gaspé, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Boston, Massachusetts--golf course: Stow Acres Country Club; Cape Cod Canal and Newport, Rhode Island; New York City, New York; Baltimore, Maryland--golf course: Mountain Branch Golf Club; Charleston, Maryland--golf course: Harbour-Course Wild Dunes; Savannah, Georgia; Port Canaveral, Miami, Florida--golf course: Cocoa Beach Country Club

For booking information, contact:

• Chris Conlin, Great Lakes Cruise Company, Tel: 1-888-891-0203 / Fax: (734) 677-1428: Website: www.greatlakescruising.com ; E-mail: cconlin@conlintravel.com

• Ingrid Schacht, Euro Lloyd Travel Group; Tel: 800-782-3924: Website: www.eurolloyd.com; E-mail: Ingrid@Eurolloyd.com

Press Release Source: Lande Communications for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Dateline: July 2006