CRUISINGTO CHRISTMASWITH CMV
Alan experiences a Christmas markets cruise on CMV’s flagship Columbus ...
Amsterdam and Hamburg as Christmas approaches become magical cities taking on new sets of winter clothes and there is no better way to see them over a long weekend than by cruise ship, Columbus, no not the explorer, Cruise and Maritime Voyages flagship proves to be an excellent choice. The sun has set and at 4pm we move quietly away from the quayside to begin our journey down the River Thames to the open sea, passing fields cloaked in mist, riverside towns and villages displaying their Christmas lights and decorations that twinkle in the darkness as we glide silently by.
Before dinner there is time for a quick tour of what will be my home for the next 4 days. Columbus boasts 20 grades of well-appointed inner and ocean view cabins plus 28De Luxe Balcony cabins and 36 Junior Balcony suites ensuring there is something to suit everyone’s pocket. 597 have ocean views with an average size of almost 190 sq. ft. so no one will complain about lack of room. Cruise and Maritime recognising the needs of solo passengers have allocated 150 cabins for their use. All cabins are tastefully furnished and come equipped with air conditioning, private
en-suite facilities, shower, ample hanging and storage space, flat-screen television, fridge, personal safe and that all important item, a hairdryer. Electrical sockets are of the continental type plus in my cabin there was an English style 3 pin socket.
Next morning sees us transiting the locks, Zider Zee and Amstel River leading to Amsterdam where we arrive at 8am. Time for breakfast, fruit, smoked salmon and scrambled eggswashed down by hot coffee, finished and set up for the day its
Cruise Ship Columbus
off the ship and onto a canal boat for a sightseeing trip through the canals of Amsterdam. Passing house boats of all shapes and sizes (that together with the cost of purchase and mooring can set you back an eye watering €450,000), churches, official buildings, the Anne Frank Museum where even at this early winter hour queues have formed, houses dating back centuries whose original owners were ship brokers and traders but now occupied in the main by insurance companies and lawyers etc.
The history of the area is fascinating, passing under low bridges, waving to other river tourists, marvelling at the mass of bicycles chained to railings along walkways on route to our next stop, the Hermitage Museum. The museum features various exhibitions throughout the year and the ground floor book and souvenir shop will delight enthusiasts for hours as they scan the multitude of books on the subject.
Time nowfor shopping and sightseeing before returning to the ship for our departure toHamburg. Back onboard, time for afternoon tea,
finger
sandwiches of salmon, cucumber, cheese, ham, rolls filledwith prawn and shrimp,
fresh warm scones The Atrium - it’s looking a lot like Christmas! PAGE 44 SHEPWAY & CANTERBURY ADVERTISER
accompanied by traditional jam and cream, the choice is excellent all washed down with a selection of teas from around the world.
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