Columbus

Dome Observatory & Nightclub and two-decked tiered Palladium Show Lounge where the talented Columbus show team and guest acts will perform for your enjoyment. The Palladium’s retractable stage provides a large floor for Ballroom dancing. 

Columbus offers a choice of seven different lounges and bars including the Captain’s Club and Casino, Connexions, Raffles and Taverners Pub. There are also two speciality coffee and tea shops plus two deck bars. And, the spacious surroundings on board Columbus mean there is always a quiet corner to relax.

There are six entertainment venues including the impressive three-decked central Atrium. 

Work off a few pounds in the fully equipped gym and book yourself in for a relaxing massage or beauty treatment in the well-appointed Jade Wellness Centre. 

When the weather is fine, there are two heated swimming pools and a large screen for outdoor movies and sporting events. 

The relaxing atmosphere created by Cruise & Maritime Voyages is ideal for enjoying our extensive programme of guest speakers, entertainers and craft specialists. We are pleased to introduce our special Additions Programme, so called because in addition to our highly acclaimed evening entertainment∘ and wide range of leisure facilities, we are presenting a range of other complimentary activities and entertainment for you to enjoy whenever the mood takes you.

With Arts and Crafts growing in popularity, we are including sessions on all CMV cruises of five nights or more. Specialists will be delighted to demonstrate their talents replicating many of the growing number of new crafting skills now witnessed on dedicated TV channels. These may include millinery, bead jewellery, mosaic decoration, calligraphy and decorative card art. You may need to buy materials on board which will be supplied by the crafter for a modest charge.

On selected cruises we feature our light hearted ‘Audience With …’ where you are invited to listen to an invited guest speaker or performer talk about their life experience and expert knowledge interspersed with questions from you, the audience. This offers you a great chance to become involved and be a part of the fun. Our audiences love them, we hope you will too.

Following the great success of many guest acts from the field of comedy we are launching ‘A Laugh on the Ocean Waves’ where, on selected cruises, you are invited to enjoy the talents of one of our guest comedians. Laughter is the best medicine so enjoy the talents of our comedy acts with their dedicated evening shows, hear them talk about their life experience and listen to their Comedy Corner interviews with the Cruise Director.

Learn more about a fascinating subject from someone who is passionate about their interest and will want to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with you. CMV cruises of five nights or more are accompanied by one or more of these experts giving informative talks or practical sessions on a range of fascinating subjects. These speaker subjects may include maritime history, broadcasting, gardens and even criminology! They are generally programmed to take place during days spent at sea rather than in port, so that you won’t miss out.

If you’d like to play bridge, backgammon, chess or another activity, simply have a word with our Librarian. After a brief sign-up session you are then put in touch with other passengers who share the same interests, allowing you to make the most of your time aboard. It’s never forced – just helpful.

Following dinner the show team would enjoy the pleasure of your company in the comfortable Show Lounge as our artists display their talents in a stylish show - all you need to do is just sit back and enjoy. Our speciality acts and guest entertainers complement the show team to ensure that your evenings go with a swing. For a little night music, we have different combos around the ship, including classical interludes with our resident pianist and violinist, who will play for your listening pleasure. If however it is quieter pleasures that you prefer, how about a few hands of cards or making up a table for a syndicate quiz.

When at sea, you may choose from a work-out in the gym; a make-over in the beauty salon; a swim in the pool; deck games or join in a quiz. There’s always something going on.

If you or one of your travelling companions has a mobility limitation or special needs, it is essential that you contact the CMV office to allow then to discuss your requirements before you make a booking. Firstly though, please read the panel headed ‘Maritime Passenger Rights’ within the Booking Conditions on page 127 as this contains important information. In the interests of safety, and in order to ascertain whether you or members of the party travelling with you have specific mobility or other special needs, you will be asked a series of questions. The answers to these will enable us to determine that you, any other person in your booking, and any equipment that you or they are intending to bring on board can be carried safely for the duration of your cruise. This will then be confirmed∘ in writing to you, and will enable your booking to proceed. A cruise is quite unlike a land based holiday and the ships of our fleet are not ideally suited to prospective passengers in wheelchairs or those who have limited mobility. It should be noted that the layout of the ship could considerably restrict such passengers’ movement around the vessel and indeed preclude access to some of the ports of call, where gangway conditions are not conducive or passengers are conveyed ashore by tender. At anchorage ports, access to or from the tenders or launches requires a certain level of mobility which is necessary to manage∘ the steps to the tender platform and to physically board and disembark from the vessel. It should therefore be noted that, on safety grounds, those with restricted mobility may be unable to go ashore at such ports.

During the day, attitudes are very relaxed and informality is the key. Casual clothing is quite sufficient during the days at sea and for time spent ashore. On certain shore excursions and at some religious sites, discretion should be used so as not to cause inadvertent offence with inappropriate clothing. Advice will be given on board in such cases. Every day, the Daily Programme suggests, as a guide, a mode of dress for that particular evening’s events. Generally there are two ‘formal’ or gala nights planned on each cruise when many gentlemen wear a dinner jacket, although a lounge suit is quite acceptable. The ladies on these occasions have a chance to dress up and often opt for evening or cocktail dresses. On evenings proposed as ‘informal’, a suit or smart jacket and trousers, with or without a tie, for the men is suggested and the ladies have further opportunities∘ to look elegant in a cocktail dress, trouser suits and stylish co-ordinates. A ‘casual’ recommendation often covers evenings spent in port or when a special event such as a deck party is scheduled. In these cases, the choice of dress is left entirely to you.

If you, or a member of your party, have a particular dietary requirement, CMV are able to offer the following dietary options: Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, Low Cholesterol, Low Fat, Low Salt and Vegetarian Meals. If you have not done so at the time of booking, please advise any requirements no later than two weeks prior to departure. Kosher and Halal meals are available but only if requested at least 6 weeks prior to sailing.

Please note that cruises aboard Columbus are child-free and therefore for the enjoyment of adult passengers only (16 years and above at the time of sailing). There are no dedicated recreational facilities for children aboard but nevertheless accompanied children and teenagers under the age of 18 at the date of sailing are of course welcome on board and, when occupying a third or fourth berth in a cabin with two full fare paying passengers. Children∘ and teens under the age of 18 at the date of sailing but occupying a twin cabin with just one accompanying adult, are charged at the full adult fare. CMV are unable to carry infants under the age of six months at time of sailing.

Take your pick from a selection of four onboard packages and enjoy some great pre-sail savings. To enable you to budget for any extra costs, there are four superb value onboard package options that include service charges, gratuities and other additions. Savings are available on these packages when booked∘ and paid for before your cruise, so we highly recommend that you take full advantage of these packages.

• CMV Additions Packages.pdf

In the interest of protecting the environment, plastic straws will not be served with drinks from the bars on board CMV ships. Guests who require one can request one from their server.

Bob McGowan, Head of Customer Services said “As a company, we use an estimated 1.2 million straws a year. As with plastic bags in shops, we recognise that changing our habits is essential to keeping the environment free of unnecessary waste. The oceans are our business and we will continue in our quest to reduce the amount of plastic used on board our fleet.”