Set sail for the ultimate city cruise
Fancy a floating city break? Then tick off a trio of fascinating destinations on a short break sailing with Cruise & Maritime Voyages
TRAVEL SNAPSHOT
Visiting Amsterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp in one short trip would normally involve a dizzying amount of train and plane travel, or driving yourself silly on the roads, leaving little time to relax and explore. So, why not consider a cruise – a floating city break that brings the destinations to you? There are no transport hassles, and you only have to pack and unpack once! Just join one of the Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) sailings from Tilbury, hop across the Channel and wake up in a different place each day.
INSIDER’S GUIDE
CMV flagship Columbus is one of the line’s swankiest ships and, with 1,400 passengers, the largest, with no shortage of attractions on board. Take your pick of seven classy lounges and bars, sing your heart out at karaoke evenings in the Taverner’s Pub, or pit your wits in quizzes in the Connexions Lounge. Alternatively, enjoy pampering treats at the reasonably priced Jade Spa – South Pacific Seashell therapy costs £79 – or chill out on deck to watch outdoor movies in between dips in the two pools. There’s also a gym, card/ bridge room, library, casino, nightclub and crafter’s studio, so you’ll find plenty to do.
DON’T MISS
Dive into the streets of Amsterdam, a short walk from the ship docks, to explore its maze of canals and coffee shops. Jump on to one of the many smaller boats for a canal tour and stop off to pay your respects at the Anne Frank House. Cultural types can admire the artistic splendours of the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. In Antwerp, beer and chocolate inject a sweet flavour into this medieval city, with cobbled streets and squares that make it ideal for walking tours. Hamburg evokes the spirit of The Beatles, who appeared here in 1960 before finding global fame, while a walking tour of the Reeperbahn district, famous for its nightlife and entertainment – the Fab Four played in the clubs – is a fascinating diversion.
GETTING THERE:
CMV offers a number of minicruises to European cities, lasting for two nights or more and often featuring at least two ports of call. A five-night Christmas Markets cruise from Tilbury to Amsterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp costs from £389pp (based on two people sharing an indoor stateroom, subject to availability) on 11 December. For more details, visit cruiseandmaritime.com
CRUISE CONTROL
There’s a wide variety of onboard accommodation, from inside or indoor cabins (with no windows/portholes) to ocean views, plus some with private balconies, and junior suites. There’s a good choice of single cabins, too. All cabins have flatscreen TVs, a fridge, safe and hairdryer.
FOOD AND DRINK
The main Waterfront Restaurant on Columbus makes a stylish setting for main dining but, for something special, take a seat at one of Columbus’s two premium spots – they cost extra, but are definitely worth visiting. Lovers of Indian food should try Fusion, costing £14.90 per person for a mouth-watering curry, while the Grill steakhouse serves up juicy prime cuts and delicious surf-and-turf dishes. If you’re on the go, grab a speciality coffee from Cappuccino’s coffee bar, or indulge yourself with a tempting ice cream from Gelato’s.