All aboard
A short European city cruise is the perfect mix of sightseeing and relaxing on board luxury ship the Columbus, finds Martin Gray
A cruise to Amsterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp
In 1492, Columbus discovered the New World. In 2017 the Columbus cruise ship began delivering a new world of experiences as flagship of the Cruise & Maritime Voyages fleet. While many cruise ships are floating hotels, massive monoliths carrying more than 6,000 people, smaller can be more beautiful – the Columbus, one of five classy cruisers in the British fleet, sticks to around 1,400 passengers across 775 cabins, three quarters with ocean views.
Our premium twin had it all – splendid beds, a smart bathroom, loads of storage and a great view. Several great views in fact, taking in the European cities of Amsterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg, or simply beautiful sea and sky.
After easy embarkation at the ship’s home base, Tilbury’s London Cruise Terminal – CMV ships also start from Dundee and Rosyth – we began getting to know the craft, and the best way to do that is to get lost. Wander the public decks and surprisingly soon you get to know where the bars and restaurants are, the shops, gym, spa, even a theatre.
Tagged a European City Break, our five-night cruise certainly delivered, with three days visiting those cities and a relaxing day at sea. Our first full day saw us dock at Amsterdam – the Columbus’s smart size means there’s no faffing about with tender boats.
The Dutch capital is charming and quirky, its cityscape not so different from its 17th-century Golden Age. Trees line the canals, watched over by elegant merchants’ houses and polite cyclists ring their bells as they approach. A river tour accompanied by apple pie and coffee was the perfect start to the day, which continued with a look around the De Pijp area of the city – having attracted all the tourists they want to the centre, marketing mavens want people to know what else Amsterdam has to offer.
With its Middle Eastern eateries, cute cafes and inviting pubs, De Pijp is certainly worth a look, but if you’ve not been to Amsterdam previously, your best bet is to stay central for the likes of the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum and enticing shops and markets.
Back on the Columbus, a chance to try one of the dining options, such as the Waterfront Restaurant, where smart staff serve beautifully cooked and presented dishes... if the Columbus’ version of Welsh Rarebit is on the menu, do not miss it. And if you’re very lucky, you may catch a Baked Alaska Parade... Speciality restaurants Fusion and The Grill require a supplement, though CMV prices are more competitive than those of other lines. Fancy something more casual? The Plantation Bistro is a large self-service buffet, with everchanging dishes – think all-you-caneat heaven.
Next day it was off to Hamburg, Germany’s largest port, on the banks of the Elbe, whose many waterways have seen it tagged ‘the Venice of the North’. It’s an interesting mix of the historic and new; the Speicherstadt district has the world’s largest warehouse complex, with units selling everything from coffee – Hamburg is Europe’s number one destination for bean shipments, there’s even a museum with characterful cafe – to carpets from the Orient. A must-see is the Elbphilharmonie in the Hafencity quarter, a magnificent new concert hall where beyond state-of-the-art acoustic equipment, plus brilliant design, makes for a unique sound experience.
And of course, Hamburg was home to the Beatles as they learned their trade in the city’s buzzing clubs. We were privileged to be shown around the Reeperbahn district
The Plantation Bistro is a large self-service buffet, with ever-changing dishes – think all-you-can-eat heaven