Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)
Delphin
★★★
Berlitz’s Ratings
Ship: 262 out of 500
Accommodation: 111 out of 200
Food: 229 out of 400
Service: 230 out of 400
Entertainment: 60 out of 100
Cruise: 235 out of 400
Overall Score: 1127 out of 2000
Delphin Statistics
Size: Small Ship
Tonnage: 16,214
Lifestyle: Standard
Cruise Line: Passat Cruises
Former Names: Kazakhstan II/Belorussiya
IMO Number: 7347536
Builder: Wartsila (Finland)
Original Cost: $25 million
Entered Service: Jan 1975/Apr 2012
Registry: The Bahamas
Length (ft/m): 512.5/156.24
Beam (ft/m): 71.8/21.90
Draft (ft/m): 20.3/6.20
Propulsion/Propellers: diesel (13,250kW)/2
Passenger Decks: 8
Total Crew: 230
Passengers (lower beds): 474
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 34.2
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 2.0
Cabins (total): 237
Size Range (sq ft/m): 150.0-492.0/14.0-45.7
Cabins (for one person): 0
Cabins (with private balcony): 0
Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 0
Wheelchair accessibility: None
Cabin Current: 220 volts
Elevators: 2
Casino (gaming tables): No
Slot Machines: No
Swimming Pools: 1
Hot Tubs (on deck): 0
Self-Service Launderette: Yes
Dedicated Cinema/Seats: No
Library: Yes
Onboard currency: Euros
A friendly ship for casual, frugal, destination-busy cruises
Overview. Delphin is best suited to German-speaking couples and single travelers of mature years who seek good value for money in a ship with traditional, quite comfortable surroundings, at a modest price, with in-depth itineraries.
The Ship. Delphin is a fairly smart-looking all-white cruise ship, topped by a square funnel. The ship’s original car decks have long been converted into useful public rooms and additional cabins. But the single circular swimming pool is small and is best described as a ‘plunge’ pool. This is a basic product that represents very good value for money. The interiors are clean and tidy, and the decor is tasteful and warm.
One negative point is the many pillars throughout the public rooms. The ceiling height is low in most of these rooms, and the stairways are steep. There’s no walk-around promenade deck outdoors and no observation lounge/bar with forward-facing views over the ship’s bows.
Accommodation. There are several grades of accommodation. Typically, the higher the deck, the more expensive the cabin.
Boat Deck suites (located forward) are spacious and well equipped, with an abundance of drawers and good closet space, and all feature blond wood furniture, and a refrigerator. The bathrooms are large, and have full-size bathtubs and large toiletries cabinet; bathrobes are also provided.
All the other outside-view and interior cabins are very compact units, yet adequate. All beds have European duvets. The bathrooms are small, but there’s a decent amount of space for toiletries.
Dining. The single main dining room, the Pacific Restaurant, has 554 seats. It has a high ceiling, large ocean-view picture windows, pleasing decor, and accommodates all passengers in one seating.
The food is attractively presented. The choice is good, with a heavy reliance on meat and game dishes. The wine list has a good selection at moderate prices, and Sekt (sparkling wine) is provided at breakfast. The gala buffet is very good.
For casual meals, breakfast and lunch buffets can be taken in The Lido. The food provided is decent enough, with reasonable choice.
Entertainment. The showlounge is a single-level room designed for cabaret-style entertainment, not big production shows. Sight lines are quite good from most seats, although pillars obstruct some views.
Spa/Fitness. The spa facilities are on the lowest deck of the ship, while a fitness room and beauty salon are located on different decks, so there’s no cohesive spa as such. However, in the facility on the lowest deck is a sauna, steam room, solarium, and massage rooms. There is a dialysis station for special cruises; dialysis technicians are provided.