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Exclusively for CMV customers Spring 2017
compass Lisbon Beautiful Lisbon, a city of seafarers and explorers, just waiting to be discovered.
Up to date with CMV From ship to shore, what’s been happening?
Win an Overnight Event for two on board Columbus – joining the fleet in June
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Welcome Aboard Columbus Special introductory launch events
Friday, 9th June* and Saturday, 10th June 2017 Here is a fantastic opportunity to be among the first to step aboard Columbus, CMV’s new flagship, at the London Cruise Terminal, Tilbury. View her impressive facilities and show cabins, and enjoy a delicious fivecourse lunch or dinner followed by a fabulous show. Welcome cocktails and wine with the meal (½ bottle per person) are included. Lunch & Show £49 Dinner & Show £79 Stay overnight with breakfast included for just £20 per person supp. (based on twin inned cabin occupancy). Standard Ocean View - £30pp supp, Superior Ocean View - £50pp supp, De Luxe Ocean View - £70pp supp. Single Inner - £30 supp, Single Ocean View - £40 supp. *Dinner & Show and overnight only. Please note that wheelchair assistance will not be available at the port for our onboard events. Onboard events are nonrefundable and non-transferable.
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Message in a bottle “Let Compass be your guide to the latest exciting news and views of Cruise & Maritime Voyages.”
Like the legendary explorer who inspired her name, our new ship Columbus, which arrives this summer, is set to open up a world of opportunities for CMV customers for 2017 and beyond. First off, we have exciting introductory launch events in June, giving customers a flavour of this latest addition to our fleet, see page 2. These will be followed by Columbus’s debut season around Northern Europe and the Canary Islands. But the ultimate highlight is her 121 night World Cruise which departs Tilbury next January, sailing through the Panama Canal and the dreamy exotic seascape of the South Pacific, before reaching Australasia and returning via the Far East. If you can’t spare the time for the entire voyage, there’s a tempting selection of sectors, detailed on p14, starting at just 14 nights for the passage from Singapore to Dubai.
Sara Macefield has been a travel journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in writing about the cruise industry. Having sailed along rivers and
For a flavour of two exotic ports of call in this circumnavigation, turn to page 24 where we shine a lantern on the frenetic hubs of Shanghai and Hong Kong which stand tall as two of Asia’s towering powerhouses. Closer to home is the awesome natural beauty of the Norwegian fjords and grand dame of them all – Geiranger – profiled on page 18.
oceans across the globe, she now contributes to leading consumer and trade publications, regularly writing for national news-papers including
Another favourite stop is the Portuguese capital Lisbon, see page 6, which, incidentally, is where Christopher Columbus originally made his home. It seems fitting that our new flagship and the rest of the CMV fleet are now following in his footsteps.
The Daily and Sunday Telegraph, Daily Express and The Times.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages - A truly international operation UK Office: Gateway House, Stonehouse Lane, Purfleet, Essex RM19 1NS.
USA Office: 200 S. Andrews Ave, Suite 102. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
Australia Office: Suite 206. Level 2, 506 Miller Street, Cammeray, Sydney, N.S.W 2062.
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Dear Columbus Club Member With over 90% of our 2017 capacity already sold thanks largely to the wonderful support from you, our Columbus Club members, we have brought forward the launch of our summer 2018 programme to 1st March. This will be our earliest ever summer launch and is once again packed with some very attractive early booking deals. Our overriding aim is to reward early bookers with the best possible deals and the widest selection of cabin availability and choice so early booking is certainly recommended. The CMV focus is now very much on the introduction and launch of our new flagship Columbus joining our fleet on the 8th June 2017. We take delivery of this fine vessel from P&O Cruises Australia in Singapore on 8th April and during the ballast voyage to Europe the upgrade and preparation works will begin culminating in a special Gala Naming Ceremony and launch in Tilbury followed by two overnight dinner and luncheon preview events. Our new 52 page 2018 preview brochure is packed with our biggest range of over 100 worldwide cruising opportunities from seven British ports. While one of the main programme highlights includes our 121 night Round the World Grand Circumnavigation of the globe with fares now starting from just £7499pp, we have added some exciting new itineraries and programme changes. By popular demand, Marco Polo will be returning to Tilbury for a late summer season and the addition of Harwich too with longer voyages to Greenland, the White Sea and Russian Siberia plus Canada. Magellan will also be cruising from Bristol Port in the autumn with a choice of five cruises. If you recall, we had announced that Astoria’s charter beyond 2017 would not be renewed with 2017 being her farewell season. However, again due to strong demand and a new deal in place, I am pleased to inform you she will now be returning to Tilbury in 2018 for a second springtime season of sailings with three exciting new itineraries including a wonderful two week grand Scottish Lochs, Glens and Islands cruise and a new Hidden Baltic Treasures voyage.
More accolades The Globe Travel Awards are the most prestigious accolades in the travel industry, voted for by readers of Travel Weekly and Mail Brands UK. The awards are the most sought-after gongs in the industry, recognising the hard work, dedication and commitment of the very best companies and individuals across every sector of the travel trade. Cruise & Maritime Voyages is honoured to have been nominated in the categories:
• Best Mainstream Cruise Line 2017 • Favourite Ocean Cruise Company 2017 What makes these awards special is the fact they’re voted for by those in the know, namely the readers of the UK’s leading travel trade magazine, Travel Weekly, and Mail Newspapers.
TRAVEL AWARDS 2017
NOMINEE
CMV has steadily grown to become Britain’s leading independent cruise line which has only been made possible due to your continued valued custom and support. Our aim is quite simply to continue to provide a great value and more traditional and leisurely cruising experience and a real alternative to the glitz of the new breed of 5,000 plus passenger mega resort ships and their more limited range of itineraries. Bon Voyage.
A nice cup of tea!
Chris Coates Commercial Director
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We are delighted to announce that on board Magellan, tea and coffee-making facilities have been added to all category 10 cabins and above. We hope that guests staying in these superior ocean view cabins enjoy this extra amenity. This is also planned for Columbus prior to her introduction in June.
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The ultimate dining experience On board Columbus, Magellan and Marco Polo, we are delighted to offer guests The Chef’s Table, an exclusive VIP multi-course dining experience, specially created by the Executive Chef.
• The Executive Chef remains with the guests throughout the
This table is hosted by the Executive Chef and includes the following:
• Pictures of participating guests will be taken by the onboard
meal, describing the ingredients and techniques used to produce each of the courses.
photographer.
• A private sparkling wine cocktail and canapés reception. The Chef's Table experience can be reserved on board at an • The Maitre d' personally escorts guests on a tour of the galley in full operational mode to observe the bustle of dinner preparations.
• The group is welcomed to its special table which is in an intimate venue on the ship.
• Guests enjoy a nine-course menu accompanied with specially selected wines.
additional cost of £49pp.
The dinner(s) as well as the dinner date(s) are subject to the number of guests wishing to participate and may not be available on cruises of less than three nights. The dress code follows the dress code specified for that evening on board; since guests are taken on a personalised tour of the galley, open-toes, heels and shoes with slippery soles are discouraged.
Magellan’s new Taverner’s Pub During her annual winter docking, Magellan has had a brand new facility added and CMV is proud to welcome Columbus Club members in 2017 to the new Taverner’s Pub. Complementing her existing lounges and bars, the Taverner’s Pub is a traditional British-style pub and, we believe, will be a very welcome addition to Magellan’s facilities. Fosters, Spitfire and Double Stout beers will be on draft and the Taverner’s Pub will be a great place to enjoy screened sporting events. Open throughout the day and evening, it is the perfect venue for a drink and conversation with new-found friends. And, to round off a perfect evening, pop in for a nightcap before retiring to your cabin at the end of another wonderful day. The Taverner’s Pub replaces the former Scotts Nightclub, and the late-night disco will now take place in the Captain’s Club.
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Lisbon
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City of the Explorers Set on seven hills by the Tagus River, Lisbon doesn’t just benefit from its scenic setting. Colonial glories of the past have left an indelible mark on this, one of Europe’s most historic capitals.
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Lisbon is a tourist treasure trove that overflows with history and adventure. As one of the world’s oldest cities, it can trace its roots back thousands of years, though the Portuguese capital rose to greatest prominence in the 15th century when it became the world’s most prosperous trading centre. Thanks to the swashbuckling skills of the country’s early explorers, Portugal grew wealthy on the back of their discoveries as it became one of the first European nations to build its own colonial empire. This so-called Age of Exploration reaped rich pickings as wealth and treasure flowed back to Lisbon from Brazil, Africa and India, funding the city’s lavish buildings and transforming it into a trading colossus. Alas, such bountiful times were not to last as a devastating earthquake in 1755 brought the capital to its knees, destroying nearly everything. This natural disaster has shaped the modern city, splitting its architectural legacy into pre and post earthquake eras. Surviving symbols of Lisbon’s Golden Age include the aweinspiring Monastery of St Jeronimos, dating from 1502 and housing the tomb of Portugal’s renowned explorer Vasco da Gama. Another is the distinctive Belem Tower, built in 1515 as a fortress to defend Lisbon’s harbour and now one of its most distinctive icons. Newer additions include the striking memorial to Prince Henry the Navigator, built in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of his death, and the statue of Christ the King which dominates the southern bank of the Tagus River. But Lisbon is also a city of sweeping boulevards and graceful squares, one of the most stately being the vast Black Horse Square or, to give it the Portuguese name, Praça do Comércio, which sits close to the waterfront, and the famous Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue). This 295ft wide boulevard, modelled on Paris’s famous Champs-Elysees, was made for wandering with its mosaic pavements dotted with small fountains. This is the place to come for designer boutiques, classy restaurants and hip bars.
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Close to the city’s northern edge is the atmospheric village of Sintra, all romantic palaces and glorious gardens. It even captured the attention of British poet and playwright Lord Byron who declared it a “glorious Eden”. Sintra’s medieval Royal Palace, with its Moorish and Gothic styles, is a reminder of the centuries Portugal spent under Islamic rule. Nearby is the former sleepy fishing village of Cascais, now a tourist playground for today’s visitors with its chic al fresco cafes lining the picturesque bay. South of Lisbon is the medieval town of Obidos, surrounded by ancient walls and said to date back more than 2,000 years. After being conquered by the Portuguese in 1148, it became a tradition for Portugal’s kings to present the town as a wedding gift to the country’s queens. Obidos lends itself to exploring on foot thanks to its engaging maze of cobbled streets. One of the main sights is the 17th century Renaissance-style Church of Santa Maria with its painted ceiling and walls decorated with beautiful handpainted blue and white tiles. At the town’s heart is its imposing 12th century castle, which has been both a fortress and royal palace over the centuries and is now a historic hotel, known as a Pousada. Visitors exploring the streets here or in Lisbon itself cannot fail to appreciate the heritage of this corner of Portugal that adds to its natural scenic beauty. A drive from the capital to the jet-set resort of Estoril showcases the striking line-up of monuments and memorials that pay tribute to an age when setting sail from the mouth of the city’s Tagus River really was a voyage into the unknown. Lisbon is featured on selected Canary Island and Iberian Peninsula cruises.
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My favourite cocktails Blue Wave Martini Martini used at our CMV Magnifique night. Gin, peach schnapps, blue curaçao and lime juice.
Bon Voyage To get you on your way! Kahlua, Baileys and Amaretto.
Vinicius Prepared for the Rio Olympics last year and still popular. Caçhaca, lime juice mix, fresh mango, brown sugar.
Mojito A traditional Cuban highball. White rum, lime cordial, mint leaves, sugar and top it up with soda.
The Castilian A popular ‘Cocktail of the Day’ named after the ship used by Magellan. Bombay Sapphire gin, Cointreau, sweet & sour mix, basil leaves, cucumber cubes. 10
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Magellan’s bar manager Allwyn Furtado knows how to shake up a good cocktail or two, having perfected his technique over the last 20 years on different ships sailing around the world. He even drums up a few tricks for CMV guests as he mixes their favourite tipple. Q This sounds like a role to savour. What’s your favourite part of the job and do you get the chance to sample lots of exotic drinks? This was a job that I was born to do! Not only can I visit beautiful places around the world and make friends who have cruised with CMV, but I get to taste all these spirits, liqueurs and wines. Sampling hundreds of different vodkas, whiskies, wines Allwyn Furtado. Bar Manager, Magellan
etc is actually my way of making a living! But I love creating, tasting and training my team in different cocktails, and non-alcoholic fusions. CMV guests have a liking for our frozen cocktails such as the BBC (banana, Baileys and colada mix), Pina Colada, fruit flavoured Daiquiris, Margaritas and our
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concoctions like Mojitos, Caipirinhas and the Caipiroska. Sometimes I do tricks, but I’m not like Tom Cruise when he was a bar-tender in the film Cocktail. I do know a few moves though which I learned as a bar tender, and from time to time I show off some tricks to our guests. Q So how did you end up in this cocktail-tastic role? I originally joined CMV in 2009 as Assistant Bar Manager on Marco Polo and soon got promoted to Bar Manager in 2010 on Marco Polo and then continued on Ocean Countess. I left CMV to work for Celebrity Cruises in 2012 and stayed there for three years working on various ships in the fleet. I then looked at settling on land and taking a shore job in hotels and restaurants in Edinburgh, but nothing materialised. I eventually went back to Goa in India, where I am from, and decided to return to the cruise world as that’s what I did best. I was then offered a job back with CMV to work on Magellan in May 2016. Q Did you work on many ships before originally joining CMV? I started my career at sea in 1997, aged 20, with Festival Cruise Lines as a bar boy and I still remember my two best friends who helped me: Mr Mop and Henry my Hoover! Since then I’ve worked for various companies, including Louis Cruise Lines, Thomson Cruises and Royal Olympic Cruises in different positions such as wine sommelier, cellar master and bar manager. Q But doesn’t CMV stand out for another reason? Yes. This is where I met my wife Alexandra when we were both on Marco Polo. I worked in the bars and she was working as an Assistant Housekeeper. We got married in 2011 and then worked together on Ocean Countess until 2012. Q When you’re not shaking cocktails on CMV ships, where do you spend your time? As Alexandra is Romanian and is now working at a hotel in Edinburgh, I split my shore leave between Bucharest and Scotland. And I sometimes get back to Goa, which is where I was born and grew up. I enjoy travelling and have visited six continents and 274 cities during my time at sea. Some of my favourite cities include Sydney, Singapore, Copenhagen, Istanbul and Rio de Janeiro. Q So do you have time for any hobbies? I enjoy swimming and fishing and have built up collections of stamps and foreign currencies. I also collect models of the ships which I worked on in the past. Visiting the port of calls we have on our itineraries I always look out for opportunities to visit the various wineries, brewery and distilleries and expand my knowledge.
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A warm welcome from ‘Down Under’ where CMV’s growth in the Australian, New Zealand and Asian markets continues unabated. The 23rd February, 2017, was a significant day in CMV’s international expansion when Magellan sailed under the Sydney Harbour Bridge on her maiden World Cruise to spend a warm summer night in Sydney. On the very same day, fleet mate Astor was in Adelaide on her first home-porting season in the South Australian capital. Astor’s 2017 summer season, her fourth to date, has been her most successful yet and established her as a favourite in the Australian cruise market. The addition of Columbus to the CMV fleet is creating significant interest in Australasia. Columbus has been a long-time favourite in Australia and New Zealand, where she was based in Auckland for many years cruising to the South Pacific islands. The 2017 Columbus itineraries from London Tibury to the Baltics, Fjords and Russia have proven very popular, not only for the Australian and New Zealand markets, but also from our regional neighbours in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and China. And I am confident that this will continue to grow into 2018. It is also very pleasing to see the excellent response from the Australians and New Zealanders who will embark on Columbus’s 121 night World Cruise departing London Tilbury 5th January 2018. These intrepid cruise-lovers are flying 24 hours from Australia and New Zealand to London, embarking on Columbus, and undertaking the magnificent full World Cruise before flying from London back home to Australasia. Now that’s dedication. So don’t let the Aussies have all the fun. Why not fly to Australia for our special beach Christmas and join the Columbus World Cruise in February from Sydney to London or maybe just the Sydney to Dubai sector. Either way, it will be a magnificent way to spend your winter 2018.
Making things ship-shape
Grant Hunter CEO CMV Australia
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Prior to the start of our festive cruises, both Magellan and Marco Polo were in the port of Amsterdam as part of their routine annual docking which enables us to prepare the vessels for the new season. Like cars, ships need to have their annual MOT in order to pass the necessary stringent certification required and necessary maintenance carried out. Pictured here are both ships in the port of Amsterdam during their winter docking.
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Cruise & Marrytime When CMV began offering twin cabins for sole occupancy at only a 25% supplement two years ago on Magellan, we didn’t anticipate that this would result in a marriage! Yet this is what is going to happen this month after Colin Webb and Georgina Healey met each other on board Magellan last August. Colin met Gina at dinner on the first night on board; he walked into the restaurant and found himself sitting next to her. They had booked the same shore excursion to visit Invergordon, in the Scottish Highlands, in order to see the romantic fairytale looking Dunrobin Castle. Once more Colin found himself alongside Gina on the coach. The couple continued to enjoy each other’s company - at the shows in the theatre, and meeting in the various lounge bars. Gina, a CMV Gold Columbus Club member, has sailed six times with the company, while for Colin it was his first cruise.
married. It is so friendly on board and good fun. All the staff, stewards, entertainers and waiters create a good atmosphere to enjoy yourself.”
Gina, 70, and Colin, 71, who had both lost their previous partners, found they had so much in common they got engaged in the third week of September. Gina told CMV “I only intended to meet new friends who had similar interests. Now I am getting
Mike Hall, Head of Marketing at CMV, said “We know that our ships provide opportunities for solo travellers to meet other people. This is wonderful news and we all send our hearty congratulations to the couple.”
Where in the world? On 5th January, Magellan set sail on her maiden World Cruise visiting 40 amazing ports. During this adventure of a lifetime CMV is operating just over 200 different excursion choices, including an overland experience visiting Unesco World Heritage Site Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Unsurprisingly, our full day Lost City of Petra excursion visiting the famous rose-red city, carved spectacularly into the rock, is one of our best-sellers. Participants will be able to explore the twisting, hidden pathways and mystic Royal Tombs of Jordan’s national treasure. Equally as popular is our guided tour of Jerusalem from the port of Ashdod, Israel, where visitors retrace the footsteps of Jesus in the Gardens of Gethsemane, the site of The Last Supper, and at the Wailing Wall. Magellan guests will be touring en masse to the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, where 64 pharoahs tombs have been
discovered, including that of Tutankhamun. En route, there will also be a stop at the breathtaking Karnak Temple, the sheer size and scale of which completely staggers all who visit. Away from the Middle East, Malaysia has a lot to offer our passengers. Many have chosen to venture further afield to Kuala Lumpur, one of the most vibrant cities in Asia with its kaleidoscope of vibrant sights and sounds. Our organised excursion consists of a scenic city drive with stops at major landmarks, including the magnificent Petronas Towers. Finally, our stops in Vietnam will not disappoint as our guests are thrown into a world of heritage, traditions, colours and flavours. Our most popular excursion booked is the Halong Bay Junk Cruise, where participants board a local wooden ‘junk’ for a cruise around picturesque islets and undiscovered grottoes.
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World Cruise Secto
WORLD CRUISE - STOP PRESS A new Buy One Get One Free PLUS promotion is available for a limited period including added value benefits: - Up to ÂŁ1000pp on board credit - Gratuities worth ÂŁ484pp included - Beverage package with lunch/dinner included Benefits depend upon ocean view category booked.
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tors 2018
Sailing from London Tilbury on 5th January 2018, Columbus will embark on her spectacular ‘Round the World’ cruise. Escape the winter and return home at the beginning of May on this 121 night grand voyage on which you can truly relax, enjoy leisurely days at sea, carefree
London Tilbury to Auckland - 43 nights Auckland to London Tilbury - 78 nights
evenings and so many incredible highlights as you circumnavigate the globe. Discover the Caribbean, Central America, the Panama
London Tilbury to Sydney - 50 nights Sydney to London Tilbury - 71 nights
Canal, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Dubai, Oman, Egypt,
London Tilbury to Hong Kong - 75 nights Hong Kong to London Tilbury - 46 nights
Jordan, the Suez Canal, Athens, Malta and return home via the Mediterranean. If you don’t fancy the entire circumnavigation, we are
London Tilbury to Singapore - 85 nights Singapore to London Tilbury - 36 nights
offering a choice of no less than fifteen shorter sector cruises. These are sold on a ‘cruise only’ basis offering a flexible arrangement for you or your travel agent to build a
London Tilbury to Dubai - 99 nights
bespoke holiday package.
Dubai to London Tilbury - 22 nights
Round the World combinations with Astor
Sydney to Hong Kong - 25 nights
For an extended stay with family or friends in Australia or
Sydney to Singapore - 35 nights
sector with a voyage on board sister ship Astor to create a
Sydney to Dubai - 49 nights
New Zealand without flying, why not combine a Columbus
unique Round the World itinerary? World Cruise plus Sydney stay
Hong Kong to Dubai - 24 nights Singapore to Dubai - 14 nights
Join Astor’s 46 night voyage via the Panama Canal from London Tilbury on 15th October 2017 arriving in Sydney on 30th November. Then, return on Columbus’ 71 night voyage from Sydney on 24th February 2018 via the Far East. Sail on Columbus’ 50 night voyage from Tilbury on 5th January 2018 via the Panama Canal arriving in Sydney on 24th February and return on Astor’s 39 night Northbound Voyage via South Africa on 12th March 2018 arriving in London Tilbury on 20th April 2018. World Cruise plus Auckland stay Or, take Astor’s 42 night voyage from London Tilbury on 15th October 2017 arriving Auckland on 26th November returning from Auckland on 17th February 2018 on a 78 night voyage via the Far East. Full details of all these options can be found in the CMV Worldwide Cruise Collection 2017/18 and on our website.
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Book Early for Christmas! Classic Christmas Cruises to Warmer Climes
Cruise Highlights…
Look forward to a fabulous Christmas & New Year cruise voyaging south to the warmer climes of the Canary Islands and Madeira. Sailing from London Tilbury, choose between Columbus on 21st December for 15 nights or Magellan on 17th December for 21 nights, which also takes in the dramatic Cape Verde Islands.
• Celebrate a sparkling Christmas Day on board, including a traditional Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings and a wonderful programme of activities and entertainment.
The contrasting islands of Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Madeira are included on both of these truly wonderful itineraries, offering a variety of picturesque landscapes and new experiences to savour. Cabins are selling fast, so book your place now.
• Lanzarote is a volcanic island of extraordinary moon-like landscapes best viewed from the slopes of Fire Mountain. • Dominated by Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain, Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. • Recall the elegance and distinction of past days by taking afternoon tea at the famous Reid’s Hotel overlooking the bay of Funchal in Madeira. • On Magellan, discover remote Cape Verde – an archipelago of volcanic islands with their fascinating Creole culture. • Lisbon, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, is a fitting finale to Columbus’s cruise. Discover its historic monuments, St George’s Castle and the charming Alfama quarter.
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After starting out as a somewhat reluctant traveller, Shoreside Operations Manager Sharon Brown has notched up more than three decades in the travel industry. She now harbours ambitions to visit every US state – inbetween organising smooth embarkations and disembarkations for CMV passengers, of course. Q You’ve spent more than 30 years working in the travel industry. Had it been a lifelong ambition of yours? It never crossed my mind when I was younger. When I was in my teens, I refused to go abroad with my parents because I didn’t like the sun, so used to stay with my Sharon Brown Shoreside Operations Manager
grandmother. However, after a holiday to Corfu with a friend I decided it was time for a change. Q So where did it all begin? I worked for Thomson Holidays for more than 20 years in various departments. My
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first job in customer services was looking after lost luggage and property which has helped in my current role. Working for the head of cruise gave me the opportunity to travel on board and that was it. I caught the life-at-sea bug! I took the plunge and worked on two Thomson Cruises’ ships for a season which I really enjoyed. If it hadn’t been for a family emergency I may still be enjoying life at sea. Q What led you to start working for CMV? I joined seven years ago after searching for a job for my niece and seeing CMV advertise for a shore excursions assistant. I’d often seen Marco Polo from Gravesend Riverside, but never really looked into the itineraries or company, but this role was something I’d always been interested in. I stayed with shore excursions for two years before moving over to the operations team. Q What does your current role involve and what are the hardest or most unpredictable parts of the job? My main job is to ensure embarking and disembarking is seamless and as easy and comfortable as possible. The hardest part is getting timings right. I have to factor in the time the ship arrives, how long the UK Border Agency will take to give clearance and how long it will take to get luggage off before passengers can disembark. I also have to factor in timings for coach services, how long embarkation will take and how that fits in with dinner, the safety drill etc. The worst part is if the ship is delayed as this involves arranging everything at the last minute and sometimes changing ports, which can be very challenging. Q Are you based on-shore all the time or do you get the chance to sail on the ships? I get to sail from time to time, normally on overnight cruises from Tilbury to Newcastle or Liverpool to Dundee to assist with the coach operations. Marco Polo is still my favourite as I prefer smaller ships, but according to all my young colleagues “it’s my age”! I did a Northern Lights cruise last year on Magellan which was fantastic; the scenery was amazing but, unfortunately, sightings of the lights were very limited. One of my best cruises was Springtime Gardens in 2015. St Mary’s was beautiful and Honfleur is lovely. I would recommend these to everyone. Q How do you relax when you’re not working? I like painting and have been doing watercolours for a few years, but would like to try my hand at acrylics. I also enjoy travelling and my favourite place is the USA. I’ve been from east to west on the Amtrak train, and visited New England and New Orleans. I even went to see Gracelands on a recent trip. My plan is to visit every state before I “kick the bucket”. I’ve done 23 so far, so still have a long way to go!
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Geiranger The Pearl of the Fjords cruise and maritime voyages
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“Hewn out of the granite mountains that surround it, Geirangerfjord is one of Mother Nature’s masterpieces that is frequently hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful fjords.” Little can prepare you for the awe-inspiring majesty and magnificence of Norway’s Geirangerfjord. With towering granite walls stretching thousands of feet skywards, laced with waterfalls that tumble into the dark still waters below, it is easy to see why this fjord is regarded as the crowning glory of Norway’s jagged coastline. This is nature at its rugged best; its most commanding and powerful where scenes of stunning beauty create a spectacle at every turn. Abandoned farms lie scattered across precipitous slopes as a testament to failed attempts to cultivate this untamed landscape, while sitting at the fjord’s head is the compact town of Geiranger. This is where cruise ships come to pay their respects to this Unesco-protected natural wonder as passengers gaze up to marvel at the surrounding necklace of snow-covered peaks and witness the thundering power of mountain water cascading down the sheer granite rock faces.
and its 11 hairpin bends twist and weave across the sheer slopes as it rises to a dizzying 2,000ft. But it’s the new platform at Dalsnibba, perched at nearly 5,000ft, which leaves visitors feeling like they’re standing on top of the world, with far-reaching vistas across the mountain tops and down to the fjord below. The journey up to the viewing point is an experience in itself, and if you arrive early in the season, expect to pass high walls of snow on either side of the road as it climbs higher. Once you get to the top, you may even see your ship, resembling a tiny toy, moored thousands of feet far below. Aside from its spectacular setting at the end of the 10-milelong fjord, Geiranger is a magnet for outdoor fans wanting to explore the locality. It is also home to the Norwegian Fjord Centre, which tells the story of the back-breaking difficulties workmen encountered when building the Geiranger road and the daily challenges locals faced living in such testing terrain. But when you look around at the breathtaking surroundings, you can understand exactly why they did it. Geiranger and Geirangerfjord are featured on selected CMV Norwegian fjord cruises.
Legends and myths surround these spectacular waterfalls, the most famous being the Seven Sisters which cascades more than 800ft and is said to resemble the hair of seven women. Opposite this across the fjord is The Suitor, a waterfall curiously shaped like a bottle. The story goes that the suitor proposed to the sisters many times, but the constant rebuttals turned it into a bottle, while the sisters remained determinedly unwed. The Bridal Veil Falls provide an evocative reminder of what might have been, their delicate streams tracing a featherlight path over the cliffs, evaporating into a rising misty shroud that darts and dances with colourful rainbows. Visitors can enjoy the best vantage points of these natural sights from the water, as they sail past aboard cruise ships or small boats. However, adventurers can inject high-octane thrills on a speedboat ride aboard an inflatable RIB that promises adrenaline and exhilaration in equal measure along with close-up views of the falls and small deserted farms where generations of families battled to make a living before abandoning them. A gentler and more peaceful way to soak up the serene ambience and contrasting drama of the waterfalls is on a kayaking trip which gives paddlers the perfect vista of Geirangerfjord’s vivid backdrop in all its glory. Those wanting to stay on dry land can relish the spellbinding views of the Troll’s Road which carves an unforgettable path through the mountains, fjords and valleys of this corner of Norway. The steepest stretch of this long and winding road, between Geiranger and Eidsdal, is named Ørnevegen or Eagle Road
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Coffee Time... Astor
Astoria
Belvedere
Columbus
Magellan
Marco Polo
E K B J U X G U Z W S Y M Y O
M A G E L L A N E F H A R A B
W T T I H L Y C H Y V D A A D V O E N C R I A W O T W R F B
M I B V M H Y R O R I I S Y Y
O S X F V B E P O H S X A J U
D F I W N D O T M B W I W Y T
V D T A E L S D R R O T V J T
O N B V O A Q U V K N Z E N O
Competition For your chance to be at the London Cruise Terminal on Friday 9th June for the special Columbus event, simply answer this question: What date does Columbus set sail on her inaugural CMV cruise? Go to www.cruiseandmaritime.com/columbus-club to enter Terms and conditions. There is one prize of an Overnight Event for two on board Columbus at the London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury on Friday 9th June 2017. Excludes travel insurance; travel joining costs to the port; port parking; and on board expenditure of a personal nature e.g. drinks. Competition closes 23.59 on Saturday 15th April 2017. The winner will be randomly drawn from all correct answers and contacted by email. Competition open to Columbus Club members only. A valid membership number must be quoted when entering. The prize is not transferable and there is no cash alternative.
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L N L G E R N W T C A K D V G
H E D O E C P S S H J U A C R
B V D A V B C N U C B V F O G
D D Z G T A Q T E V B I S I J
N W U R J L F C T Y R S P P F
A N G F L D S U B M U L O C A
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Staff Cruise Experiences British Isles Discovery Gemma Watson – Customer Services Manager I went on the cruise with my partner Jodie. My family are Scottish, so we wanted to choose a cruise that incorporated the Scottish highlands and as this was my first cruise of a longer duration. We wanted to choose a summer itinerary and hope for the best weather! Other than enjoying the Segway Shore Excursion, we also hired a bike from the local centre in Kirkwall to explore the town by ourselves which was brilliant. We also made friends with a lovely couple who we are still in contact with now.
Charlotte
Karina
What would you change?
Land Of The Northern Lights
There isn’t anything I would change, as we had such a lovely time.
Charlotte Tibbott – Shore Excursions Assistant
Would you cruise again? We have already booked our next cruise, a three night Amsterdam and Antwerp weekend cruise on Columbus. We can’t wait to sail on our new ship.
Baltic Cities and St Petersburg Victoria Howell – Customer Services Consultant Having worked on cruise ships, I have always loved being onboard and adore the overall cruise experience. This particular cruise has always been on my wish list and something I have really wanted to do. The whole cruise was amazing and we made many friends who we have stayed in touch with. On board Magellan, there was always something to do or watch in the evening and so we were never bored. The ports of call were truly unforgettable and personally, my favourites were Copenhagen and St Petersburg. I am definitely planning to go back to Denmark one day! What would you change? The only thing I would change is making the stop in Copenhagen longer – there is so much to do and see there! Would you cruise again? I’m planning a Northern Lights cruise next. Another one to tick off my bucket list!
Having seen so many wonderful images of the Northern Lights, this was one cruise that just had to be on my bucket list. My friend and I went on the Land of the Northern Lights cruise in October last year hoping to witness the beauty of the Aurora Borealis, which we did! It was fantastic! I most enjoyed participating in the ATV Safari excursion where we travelled up the mountains in the beautiful snow and had spectacular views over Honningsvåg. The falling snow certainly added to the adventure of this tour. What would you change? If I could change one thing, I would have packed more layers as it was freezing cold. Would you cruise again? I would definitely cruise again, and would love to do a Baltic Cities & St Petersburg cruise.
Canary Islands & Madeira Karina Ludtke – Sales Executive Having been to Norway the year before, my husband and I decided to go to a warmer destination. The Canary Islands have always interested us and we therefore thought this a perfect cruise to go on. We took a tour to the top of the rock in Gibraltar and had the chance to see and touch the monkeys. The toboggan sled ride in Madeira was probably the most fun and the most enjoyable excursion we have done. Lanzarote was amazing, the people were very friendly and the sea food in one of the local restaurants was so fresh and delicious. We also enjoyed the days at sea as there was so much to do on board Magellan. What would you change? The cruise was amazing! I wouldn’t change a thing. Would you cruise again? We enjoyed the cruise so much that we might do the same cruise again this year but on Columbus. Or, we might go on the Scottish Highlights and Faroes cruise in August.
Gemma Victoria
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China
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Where the past fuses with the future cruise and maritime voyages
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China is where East famously meets West; where cosmopolitan culture binds with traditional customs and rituals, producing a colourful tapestry that underpins everyday life.
Few places on earth can rival the rich kaleidoscope of contrasts and experiences that make China such an unforgettable place to visit. This oriental land is where ancient dynasties and ageold traditions meet the frenetic buzz of 21st Century living amid high-rise buildings and cutting-edge designs of some of the world’s most striking cities. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the Chinese powerhouse of Shanghai – a city of wall to wall flashing neon and rows of skyscrapers that stand as a testament to its modernity. With more than 24 million inhabitants, making it China’s largest city, this futuristic hub stands proud as a global financial centre and boasts the world’s fastest commerciallyoperated train, the Maglev, that whisks passengers along with the help of magnetic levitation. If you’ve a head for heights, take your pick from a trio of the city’s tallest buildings: the 2,073ft Shanghai Tower, which is also China’s tallest skyscraper; the 1,614ft World Financial Center; and the 1,115ft Jin Mao Tower. Yet there’s more to Shanghai than glitz and glamour. Scratch beneath the surface, and visitors can find remnants of Shanghai’s past in the Buddhist temples and colourful markets of the Old City and the Chinese quarter of Nanshi. The Jade Buddha Temple, built to protect two jade Buddha statues, and
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the Jing’an Temple, boasting the largest jade Buddha in China, are two of the biggest traditional draws, while the serene Yu or Yuyuan Gardens, with five acres of pagodas, pavilions and ponds, maintains the peaceful ambience. Draw back the curtain on Shanghai’s traditional past by visiting The Bund, famous for its 19th century mansions in varying architectural styles that are a throwback to colonial times when this waterfront area was the city’s financial hub. Hong Kong offers a similar melting pot of tastes and traditions, albeit underpinned by traces of the years spent under British rule. It may be famous for its metropolitan buzz, yet it has a scenic beauty evident from Victoria Peak – the territory’s highest point at 1,308ft and the best place for breathtaking views across the stunning harbour. For a different, but equally impressive, perspective jump on the famous Star Ferry from where passengers can admire the fabulous skyline as it chugs between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula. Alternatively, take a ride in one of the fabled sampan boats to see where the boat-dwelling Tanka people live at the Aberdeen Fishing Village. It’s not far from the city centre, but a world away from its ultra-modern metropolitan whirl, while Aberdeen Harbour lays claim to being the place that gave Hong Kong it’s moniker as the “Fragrant Harbour” as a centre of the incense trade.
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Today, shopping and eating are two of the main pastimes of the so-called Pearl of the Orient and there is plenty of choice of both. Visitors can browse for bargains at the well-known Temple Street Night Market or pick up trinkets at the Jade Market. New shopping centres are springing up all the time, but areas offering the biggest choice of shops include Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island and Harbour City on the Kowloon Peninsula. If you want to explore further afield, take a ferry to the off-shore island of Lantau, home to one of the world’s largest seated Buddha statues, and a more traditional way of life for the islanders who live there. A 75-minute fast-ferry ride will take you to the former Portuguese colony of Macau, a mini Las Vegas of the East thanks to its collection of extravagant casinos that sit alongside historic Chinese monuments and impressive colonial buildings. Such a curious and intoxicating mix sums up this corner of the globe where there is no mistaking the roar of the Chinese dragon. Shanghai and Hong Kong are featured on Columbus’s 2018 Grand Round the World Cruise.
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CMV online: with Newmarket Holidays
Call: 0330 160 7766
www.newmarketholidays.co.uk