She’s Back, and another new ship for Cruise and Maritime?

Last week saw an old Gem back to UK shores as Angela Rippon, famous for many of daytime TV programs amongst other things named Cruise and Maritimes newest ship in their fleet. ‘Columbus’.

Although this ship holds a lot of memories for me and for many others, so much so that I have heard so many times, ‘we wouldn’t normally do C&M, but we will make an exception for the Columbus’.

For those that don’t know, Columbus has has quite a life, starting at the Star Princess in 1989, since then she has been known as the Arcadia in the P&O fleet, and then Ocean Village from 2003 to 2010. Since Ocean Village ceased trading she was then moved across to the P&O Australia fleet where she sailed as the Pacific Pearl till recent.

Columbus as the Ocean Village

The naming ceremony was held at the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury on the 8^th June, guests on board that where there were treated to a five-course gala dinner and then fireworks over the River Thames.

Columbus will now take the Flagship position from the Magellan that joined the CMV Fleet last year.

On leaving Australia she first arrived in Rotterdam where she undertook a 3-week refurbishment and had some major changes. One of the biggest being that her overall capacity has been reduced from 1,800 to 1,400 passengers’ and with 150 new single staterooms.

Under the P&O Australia name she was a relatively Family Friendly she so much of that has been removed, such as the Kids Club was replaced with the Columbus Observation Lounge.

She has had Trumps and Aces which is the new Card and Bridge room added, along with an extended Library and a Crafts studio.

Much like the P&O British ships, the Casino has been cut in half to give way to a Bar and Casino area, and she even now has Taverners Pub service draught beers and other drinks.

She sailed on her Maiden voyage yesterday for 3 days from Tilbury so I suppose we will see more on what people think in the next few weeks.

But this isn’t all for Cruise and Maritime as they are looking at new ships.

During Columbus’ official naming ceremony, Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ CEO and Chairman Christian Verhounig hinted that a new ship is on the horizon for the cruise line.

“We are actively looking for new ships,” he said. “Expect an announcement very soon.”

The line’s commercial director, Chris Coates, also revealed that Marco Polo will remain in the fleet and that 2019’s programming is underway.”

Are you going on Columbus or perhaps went to see her in Tilbury?