CMV COLUMBUS OFFICIALLY NAMED AT TILBURY

On June 8th, CMV's new flagship, Columbus,was named by Angels Rippon in a glittering ceremony carried out at London' International Cruise Terminal at Tilbury. A sizeable crowds of travel media and agency people gathered to witness the blessing of the ship, followed by the formal renaming and rededication of the ship as the newest year round entrant into the UK cruising market.

There were speeches from all the main players at CMV, including a tantalising hint from Managing Director, Chris Coates, that another major announcement was all but imminent. Though the line's senior officials would say no more, most industry experts are convinced that this must be the imminent acquisition of at least one, and possibly even two more ships for the up and coming UK brand, which is set to carry an estimated 180,000 passengers during 2018.

An overnight inspection of Columbus revealed an artfully elevated ship in terms of space and decor, with expansive public areas and acres of open deck space, large, airy cabins, and more expansive dining options than on other ships in the fleet. In fact, the ship is almost a full third as big again as the recently acquired Magellan, the previous flagship of the line. In all, CMV now operates five ships, including the veteran Marco Polo. During his speech, Coates assured the audience that the Marco Polo would continue sailing right through 2019.

Columbus spends two more days alongside at Tilbury for launch events before sailing on her maiden voyage on June 11th; a three night jaunt that takes her across the channel to Amsterdam and Antwerp, before the ship settles ito regular service on a series of longer sailings to Norway, the Baltic, and the Canary Islands. In January next year, Columbus will operate a full world cruise round trip from Tilbury; the second consecutive such voyage to be offered by Cruise and Maritime Voyages.

Columbus is noteworthy for having a large number of single cabins, as well as offering a range of balcony cabins, mini suites and full suites on the upper decks. The three storey atrium lobby forms a stunning focal point that is ideal both for people wathing, and as a kind of maritime crossroads that allows access to all the focal areas of the ship. Overall, the interior feels more expansive and restrained in terms of decor than on previously renovared Magellan.

All in all, this new ship will be a formidable compeitor in the UK cruise market.