CMV Columbus

MV Columbus was launched in 1988 as Sitmar FairMajesty. Initially ordered for Sitmar Cruises, in 1989 it was sold and entered service for Princess Cruises as Star Princess. From 1997 to 2003, the vessel (as MV Arcadia) was operated by P&O Cruises UK. In 2003 Arcadia was renamed to "Ocean Village", the sole cruise ship of Ocean Village brand, and later transferred to P&O Cruises Australia as "Pacific Pearl".

In 1997 (as P&O Arcadia), vessel’s flag-state (registry) was changed from Monrovia (Liberia) to London (UK). In November 2010, the vessel was drydock refurbished in Singapore (at Sembawang Shipyards) and renamed “Pacific Pearl”. The inaugural voyage started on December 22.

On March 3, 2016, P&O Australia announced that in March 2017 Pacific Pearl leaves the fleet, having completed 294 voyages for P&O, and carrying more than 500,000 passengers over a period of 5 years. On March 7, 2016, was announced that in June 2017 the ship will be transferred to CMV, renamed "MV Columbus" and becoming the fleet's new flagship.

Homeported in London-Tilbury, CMV Columbus targeted the adult-only (16-yo +) cruising market. Still, in August 2017 the ship operated two school holiday cruises for all age groups. Early booking deals on CMV Columbus offered special discount prices plus 25% single supplement promo on booking the ship's 150 single occupancy cabins. Group booking deals provided additional discounts. The addition of the ship in 2017 increased CMV UK's capacity by 1/4 (up to 125,000 passengers) adding ~95,000 new customers per year. CMV Columbus was operated as an adults-only cruise ship, with only selected itineraries themed for all age groups.

The vessel entered drydock in Rotterdam in May 2017 for a 3-week refit. An amount of modification and refurbishment works previously took place during the transfer of the ship from Singapore. The refurbishment of the former P&O Cruises Pacific Pearl ship saw the kids and teen areas converted in order to suit the more mature passengers onboard. The 1,400-passenger Columbus gained a new livery with the painting of hull and superstructure. Technical aspects comprised maintenance of the main engines, thrusters, and generators as well as polishing of the propellers. Numerous pipelines and valves were maintained and modified or renewed. The work also included maintenance of tenders, lifeboats, and davits in addition to repair and cleaning of ship’s tanks.

On June 5, 2017, the ship arrived in Tilbury-London from Rotterdam, where was drydock refurbished by DSR (Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam). On June 8, 2017, was vessel's christening ceremony held at homeport Tilbury. The ship's godmother is Angela May Rippon - British TV journalist, newsreader, and presenter. On June 11 started the ship's Inaugural season with departing from UK roundtrip cruises.

Fun fact is that this CMV ship had a namesake - the 2010-launched "CMA CGM Columba". The vessel is among the world's largest container ships (capacity 11,388 containers) and operated by CMA-CGM Line.

Ship's relocation itinerary (16 days in length) was scheduled for March 27 (2017) leaving from Auckland NZ to Singapore (Southeast Asia). The last cruise for P&O Australia was the 4-day roundtrip from Auckland to Russell, Bay Of Islands NZ (March 23 to 27, see below).

CMV Columbus refurbishment 2017 review

During the ship's 3-week drydock refurbishment (May 13 -June 5, 2017, done in Rotterdam Holland at DSR / Damen shipyard) the Pacific Pearl vessel was transformed into the New Columbus. The list of modification works and changes done to the ship before entering the CMV's fleet, included:

• Repainting was done to the hull and superstructure. New livery and the new shipowner's (CMV) logos and markings were added.
• Redesigned were the existing youth areas / converted to adult facilities. This added the new "Columbus Lounge" (Observation Lounge & Library/aft on deck 14) and the new "Trumps & Aces" (kids area/aft on deck 11).
• Most of Pacific Pearl's other venues were renamed, redesigned and extensively refurbished.

Columbus was CMV's first vessel to offer "Whittard of Chelsea" (UK brand) specialty tea and chocolate beverages, plus gift collections on sale at the onboard shop.

Technical maintenance works included main diesel engines, ship's propulsion units (thrusters, generators, propellers were polished), pipelines and valves (some were modified or renewed), tender boats, lifeboats, davits (crane devices), fuel and water tanks (repair and cleaning).

CMV Columbus cruise itineraries 2020-2021 (CANCELLED)

For 2020-2021, CMV scheduled a total of 69 voyages for the ship Columbus. Following the Coronavirus-related suspension of voyages (since March 2020), the ship's itinerary program was scheduled for the period October 4, 2020, through November 9, 2021.

Most planned for 2020-2021 voyages were offered as roundtrips from both London and Rotterdam. Among the scheduled and cancelled CMV Columbus cruises were the following itineraries:

15 days "Canary Islands Madeira"

12 days "Hidden Baltic Treasures"

19 days "Grand Canary Islands, Madeira Morocco"

5 days "German Christmas Markets Antwerp"

17 days "Christmas New Year Canaries Madeira"

Cruise Theme: New Year cruise

"Grand Round the World Cruise 2021" was offered as a roundtrip from London (120-days) and Rotterdam (121-days) - for its itinerary see below.

3 days "Spring Break to Rotterdam Antwerp"

13 days "Grand British Isles Discovery"

7 days "South Norway Viking Experience"

7 days "Majestic Fjordland"

36 days "Grand Baltic Cities, Round Britain Iceland Experience"

2 days "Weekend Amsterdam Mini Cruise"

7 days "Autumn Fjordland"

14 days "Norway - Land of the Northern Lights"

The last planned by CMV cruise for Columbus was a 21-day voyage themed as "Grand Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Madeira and Morocco".

CMV World Cruise 2021 (CANCELLED)

In early-June 2019, CMV announced "Grand Round the World Cruise 2021" (booking code C106). The 120-night itinerary was planned as a roundtrip from Port Tilbury (January 6, 2021). The voyage featured 34,770 NM (40,000 mi / 64,400 km) of navigation and visiting 38 seaports in 24 countries on 5 continents. Signature destinations included the Caribbean, Panama Canal (transition), South Pacific Ocean, Australia New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Indian Ocean, South Africa, South America (Brazil).

Prices started from GBP 9000 per person (double occupancy cabin rates). Alternatively, the World Voyage was offered as a 121-day roundtrip from Rotterdam (Jan 7 through May 8).

CMV World Cruise 2020

In 2019, CMV offered on Columbus company's (and industry's) first "best-priced world cruise" (2020 voyage). Early booking fares started at ~USD 100 pp per night for the 120-day itinerary - or just USD 12,700 for the entire voyage (interior cabin price based on double occupancy). All bookings made by March 30 (2019) also received up to USD 3000 in OBC (onboard credit per person). Next table shows the itinerary as destinations, ports and port times.

120-day "Grand Round the World Cruise 2020" roundtrip from Tilbury

For Columbus World Cruise 2020, CMV for the first time offered free flights (fly-cruise deals) from several Canadian and US port cities (for embarkation). By October 2019, voyage's lowest pricing was USD 14,000 pp (interior) and USD 18,670 pp (oceanview), inclusive of taxes and port fees.

CMV Columbus inaugural cruise itineraries

The below tables show ship's Inaugural Cruise itineraries (maiden voyages) for CMV by destination. All listed prices are the cheapest rates per person (pp) and based on double occupancy (inside cabin rates).

MV Columbus' "Inaugural Cruise" for CMV was on June 11, with the following 3 nights / 4 days short-break itinerary (roundtrip UK to Holland and Belgium). Prices started from USD 590 pp.

The ship's "grand maiden voyage" was 12 nights / 13 days, roundtrip UK to Iceland and Northern Isles. Prices started from USD 2540 pp.

The ship's "Canaries maiden voyage" was 14 nights / 15 days, roundtrip UK to the Canary Islands and Madeira. Prices started from USD 2740 pp.

The ship's "British Isles maiden voyage" was 9 nights / 10 days, roundtrip themed "British Isles Discovery". Prices started from USD 1900 pp.

The ship's "Norwegian Fjords maiden voyage" was 7 nights / 8 days, roundtrip themed "Majestic Fjordland". Prices started from USD 830 pp.

The ship's first "Transatlantic cruise" (the UK to the Caribbean) was 46 nights / 47 days, themed "Cuba, Central America & Caribbean Experience". Prices started from USD 8060 pp.

The ship's first "World Cruise" was 71 nights / 72 days, from Australia to the UK. Prices started at just USD 8850 pp.

P&O Pacific Pearl ship review

• Cabin grades number: 22
• A total number of cabins: 773 (of which 36 Suite, 28 Balcony, 176 Inside rooms).
• Dining Rooms: Waterfront Restaurant
• Restaurants and food bars: Plantation Restaurant (buffet), Salt Grill (by Luke Mangan), The Grill (lido BBQ), Wine Room (wine & Chef’s Table), Luna (Asian).
• Lounges & Bars: Marquee (theater), Dome (observation & nightclub), Charlie’s (lobby), Marquee, MIX (cocktails), Orient (pub), Connexions (promenade), Players (casino & sports), teen & kids lounges (Turtle Cove, Shark Shack, HQ, HQ+), poolside bars (The Cafe, NZ Natural /ice cream).
• Entertainment - adult-only retreat (Oasis), Aqua SpaFitness, Casino, Promenade (deck 7), outdoor movie LED screen, 2 pools, 4 jacuzzis, duty-free shops, deck games (chess, shuffleboard, golf putting).

P&O Pacific Pearl ship started its carrier under the name "Star Princess". She was operated by Princess Cruises from 1989 to 1997. Then for six years (1997 to 2003), the vessel was operated as "Arcadia" by P&O UK, and for another seven years (2003 to 2010) as "Ocean Village I" (by the Ocean Village line /former Carnival brand). In 2010, the ship was finally transferred to the P&O Cruises Australia fleet, named "Pacific Pearl" and homeported in Sydney.

Vessel's design is similar to the P&O AU fleet mates Pacific Dawn (CMV Amy Johnson since 2021) and Pacific Jewel (Karnika since March 2019). Pacific Pearl's godmother was Barbara Anne Kendall - boardsailor, a medalist from 5 Summer Olympic Games.

Pacific Pearl used to cruise mostly on roundtrip Australia and New Zealand itineraries departing from Sydney and Auckland. On its South Pacific Islands routes ("Pacific Island Hopper") the ship visited Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Santo, Tonga), also Papua New Guinea. On cruises to Queensland include stops at Willis Island (the Coral Sea, beyond the Great Barrier Reef). On short breaks, the ship sailed exclusively to Mooloolaba ("Sunshine Coast", located about 60 ml / 100 km north of Brisbane) or to Moreton Island (the world's 3rd largest sand island).

Pacific Pearl's Cruise to Nowhere deals was on specially themed Australian roundtrip voyages (with no additional ports of call along the route). These short breaks were usually themed "Food and Wine", "Music" (various styles/performers), "Comedy", "Sports". P&O Australia "cruises to nowhere" prices are also inclusive of all special activities and themed entertainment on the ship, including classes and workshops, lectures, presentations, guest performances, theme parties.

MS Pacific Pearl - dining

The primary dining venue on Pacific Pearl was the Waterfront (Deck 7 aft), which looks more like a contemporary restaurant, rather than a traditional dining room. The line recruited its first ever celebrity manager, Luke Mangan, to add his touches to the menu in the Salt Grill (steakhouse and seafood restaurant with an a la carte priced menu).

Follows the complete list of Pacific Pearl restaurants and food bars.

• Waterfront Restaurant (open-seating dining room; each of all three dining rooms on Pacific Jewel is operated with “Your Choice Dining” (a la carte) menus for breakfast and lunch, and offers a 4-course dinner menu. Tables seat up to 10 guests. Dining times vary according to sea/port days)
• The Luna room (Asian-cuisine banquets; features Japanese and Thai specialties)
• Salt Grill (reservations-only specialty restaurant via a partnership with Australian celebrity chef Luke Mangan)
• The Pantry (self-service buffet restaurant with an open-air terrace)
• Chef’s Table (14-seat private dining room, located in the Wine Room / gourmet private dining and tour of the galley)
• New Zealand Natural (ice cream bar)

MS Pacific Pearl - entertainment

Pacific Pearl was created for family fun. The atrium was converted into a multipurpose cafe lounge, bar, and retail shopping space. The vessel had an awesome 2-level amusement venue, The Marquee. Daytime activities included karaoke, bingo, and trivia. The pool deck's big LED screen proved to be a huge hit and was largely used for broadcasting full-length concerts, live sports, movies, shows. Evening entertainment was standard cruise ship fare, with a mix of guest entertainers and Broadway-style production shows. For kids, innovative activity clubs included Turtle Cove (ages 3-6-yo), Shark Shack (ages 7-10-yo) and HQ (teens facilities).

Follows the complete list of Pacific Pearl lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Atrium (3-decks central open floor area and social hub)
• Charlie’s Bar; The Orient bar (English pub); MIX (specialty cocktails bar); Connexions Bar; The Cafe
• Essentials Store; Tax & Duty-Free Shops; PANDORA shop (jewelry); Aqua Hut (snorkeling equipment)
• The Marquee Theatre (2-decks, for large-scale shows, magic and comedy acts; during the day, the theater hosted Jackpot bingo games and trivia quizzes)
• Wine Room (boutique winery)
• The Big Screen (outdoor LED screen for movies, show programs, sports games)
• The Dome (indoor observation lounge with floor-ceiling windows, large dance floor, full-service bar; transforms into a disco nightclub in the evenings)
• Players Bar & Casino
• Expressions Studio (Photo Gallery & Shop); Art Gallery; The Lounge (Internet computers)
• The Oasis (adults-only relax