CMV: Adventure of a Lifetime

Adventure of a lifetime

No matter how much you love your comfort zone, there’s something special about visiting new countries, experiencing different cultures and meeting like-minded people. On a world cruise with CMV, you get all of that and more.

WORDS: RODERICK EIME

Humans are a funny bunch. Some of us are perfectly content to stay at home and watch television, experiencing the world mostly through a fl atscreen while being surrounded by our other creature comforts. Others are the proverbial ‘rolling stones’; always on the move and gathering no moss. The latter are usually the ones prasied for ‘really living’, ticking off their bucket lists, making friends all over the world and living by Helen Keller’s famous quote: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” But when we talk of adventure, and adventure cruising, what do we mean?

‘Adventure’ doesn’t have to mean wading through crocodile-infested rivers in Borneo or bungee-jumping off the edge of a cliff. Most of us get just as much out of taking a journey to a country we’ve never visited before; one that’s full of unfamiliar sights and smells, where the streets echo with the sounds of an exotic foreign tongue.

If you’ve ever daydreamed of such an experience, or had your imagination captured by a TV travel show — where the host wanders wide-eyed through a market fi lled with bizarre fruits and vegetables, or is lucky enough to stumble upon a traditional dance by

locals, complete with alluring costumes — then know that you can do this too. No matter how much you enjoy your comfort zone, there are always different ways to experience lifechanging adventure.

Barbary macaques roam the Rock of Gibraltar

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CRUISE ITINERARY

Finely peserved mosaic fl oors, Paphos, Cyprus

Cape Verde memories

Set the wheels in motion Now, let’s aim high and consider an adventurous world cruise. It doesn’t have to be all fancy champagne and butlers in waistcoats — it can be more affordable and down-to-earth than you might think. Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has earned a reputation for providing wellpriced, yet enriching and comprehensive itineraries all around the world, on its ‘classic’ cruise ships. This line offers you ship experiences that refl ect the ‘golden age’ of ocean travel without extra, unnecessary bells and whistles that only add to your cruise fare.

Instead, CMV’s attention is focused on optimising the most important things: superior cuisine, engaging onboard activities, enrichment classes (calligraphy, music, decorative arts and millinery), guest lecturers (maritime history and criminology, to name just two) and luxurious comforts like rejuvenating spa treatments or a refreshing dip in the pool. Then, of course, there are those intangible perks on the ship, like making new acquaintances and, potentially, some lifelong friends. With so many interesting activities to take part in onboard, you’re sure to meet a kindred spirit.

Meet the fl eet With the recent addition of both the 1220-passenger Vasco da Gama and the new 1400-passenger fl agship, Columbus, the CMV fl eet now consists of six ships. This includes the venerable 1948-built, 550-passenger Astoria, which has undergone numerous refurbishments and refi ts over the decades to remain a fi rm guest favourite.

CMV calls its world cruises ‘Grand Voyages’ and with good reason. These lengthy ocean transits encapsulate everything that a world cruise should be. They cross multiple meridians, spanning more than a month (some sail for longer than three months) and include port visits to exotic destinations such as the remote Marquesas, São Vicente (Cape Verde), Gibraltar, Cyprus and the Andaman Islands.

Grand Voyages typically depart from the British Isles and head Down Under, or vice versa, and frequently include a ‘Blue Ribbon’ event such as a transit of either the Suez or Panama Canals. The voyage is sure to include some perfect adventure tales for you to thrill your guests with at your next dinner party.

It’s not diffi cult to imagine that any itinerary including such far-fl ung destinations would expand one’s understanding of the planet, its people and our environment. This brings to light another famous thought by the Roman philosopher Seneca: “Travel and change of place impart new vigour to the mind.”

So, grab adventure by the horns and enjoy your next travel experience to its fullest potential with a CMV Grand Voyages cruise.

CRUISE NAME Vasco Da Gama MSC Cruises’ 7-night Middle Eastern return cruise on MSC Bellissima departs Dubai on December 14, 2019. Ports of call include Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani habi and Sir bi and Sir BaniYas Island,. Fares start from AU$879 per person, twin share.

CRUISE NAME Columbus Crystal Cruises’ 12-night Visions of Arabia & India cruise on Crystal Symphony departs Abu Dhabi on October 27, 2021. Ports of call include Manama, Bahrain; Doha, Qatar; Dubai, UAE; Muscat, Oman; and Mumbai, India. Fares start from AU$6455 per person, twin share.

FACT FILE

Cruise line: CMV Vessel: Vasco da Gama Max guest capacity: 1220 GRT: 55,877 Entered service: 1993 Facilities: 6 restaurants, 5 lounges and bars, 2 pools, spa and fi tness centre, theatre, library.

Cruise line: CMV Vessel: Columbus Max guest capacity: 1400 GRT: 63,786 Entered service: 1998 Facilities: 6 restaurants, 7 bars and lounges, 2 pools, spa and fi tness centre, theatre, library.