Columbus Review

3.5 / 5.0
0 reviews

Smaller is often better

Review for Norwegian Fjords Cruise on Columbus
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PastorAnth
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

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Value for Money
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Additional details

Sail Date: Sep 2019
Flam
Columbus, apparently capsized
Flam
Eidfjord, by the ship.
Hardangerfjord, from the deck of Columbus
One of many waterfalls seen from the Funicular railway at Flam
It rained in Flam
Beautiful cocktails at reasonable prices.
A ‘Swimming Pool.’
Gourmet buffet, Friday night. Incredible!
Gourmet buffet
Gourmet Buffet
Clear up operation, after the buffet
Not just tasty, but beautifully presented food

I have been on 10 previous cruises with Princess, Royal, P&O, and found this a grade above. P&O are equitable to Princess, and RCCL are just too big, with too many options. You have a 10 minute walk to get anywhere. This is the advantage of a smaller but well resourced ship. Columbus at 1440 passengers is the largest in the CMV fleet, but still medium sized. It is not missing anything. Still bars, restaurants, pools, decks, entertainment etc... but all within a small distance. It still has 9 lifts on a smaller boat, so you never wait long for one to arrive. The restaurant is well laid out with private booths, like a modern family restaurant. Staff remember your name and after 2 nights, know your needs and preferences. They work hard at this. Without being too in your face, all staff are friendly, positive and extra mile people. Well recruited, and well trained. The Fjords were beautiful, visiting Eidfjord, Flam, and Bergen. The funicular railways, whilst not cheap, are excellent value for money and show you views you could not see otherwise, from powerful waterfalls to snow capped mountains, mountain villages, and deep valleys. Beautiful. Ship food was good, rooms (inner, with 4 guests) are fine, and on this occasion, entertainment was the best we have experienced in any ship (this was our 11th cruise) DJ King was utterly believable as Elvis, Roy G Hemmings was a great singer (if somewhat Narcissistic), and one of the earliest of the Drifters, with great girl backing singers one night, and male backing singers the second time, with the girls joining at the end - a truly memorable evening. And the 3 degrees? Magnificent, iconic,unforgettable. These ladies are genuine soul legends. The ‘soul legends theme’ cruise was an inspired idea, and we (myself, wife, sister, daughter) would definitely do it again. ABSOLUTELY UNFORGETTABLE!,,

Cabin Review

Cabin Inner

Larger than some inner cabins, the creative arrangement of the Pullman beds helped make the room look roomier. The use of curtains on the back wall gives the illusion of more space. The shower has only a curtain, but is the largest shower stall on any ship I have been on. The oblique angle of the toilet allows someone to access the sink while someone else is ‘seated.’ Sufficient storage (8 bedside drawers, and another, larger 8drawers under the safe, plus cupboard space, and 6 shelves in the bathroom) Full length mirrors by the door, and large dressing table mirrors is enough for the vainest of people. UK sockets (take a gang, there is only 1 socket) are helpful, and whilst no stock of movies, sufficient UK and foreign channels on the TV, though sometimes the signal was intermittent (unavoidable in rough weather) if you live in your cabin, it can feel small, but if it is for sleeping, and changing, it is absolutely fine. Quiet, well sited, pleasant room.

Port Reviews

Eidfjord

Eidfjord is stunningly beautiful, with great views of both the Fjords and the mountains.

Bergen

There is not a huge amount of things going on in Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, but the shopping/market in the old wooden buildings is a great experience, with quirky shops containing everything touristy, from fridge magnets and snow globes, to Fox stoles and moose heads. A number of passengers recommended the Ice Bar, where everything therein was made of ice, but it sounded a costly experience.

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