Cruise & Maritime Voyages for Families

If you wish to avoid long airport check-ins, wondering why your luggage takes so long to get from the plane to the baggage belt, not forgetting the high season prices of family holidays, then why not consider a CMV cruise. Cruise and Maritime Voyages is usually an adult-only operator but last year the enterprising company introduced multi-generational cruises after feedback from passengers. This move offered the opportunity for CMV passengers to take their children and grand-children onboard. It was such a great success this year there is eight to choose from. CMV has a number of multi-generational cruises this summer with some cabins still available. However it’s worth noting there are no children specific facilities on board.

The 1,400-passenger Columbus sails from London Tilbury 20^th July on a 15-night cruise to the Canary Islands and Madeira. No doubt the kids would like to visit the No.7 Cristiano Ronaldo Museum after his performance at the World Cup. Alternatively there’s the chance to take a 10-minute toboggan ride from the steps of the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church, down steep and winding roads to the Funchal suburb of Livramento, at speeds up to 30 mph.

On 11^th August Columbus departs from London Tilbury for a 13-night cruise to the Baltic Cities and St Petersburg. There are lots to see and some wonderful places to visit including the Little Mermaid and magical Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, the ABBA museum and Vasa Museum in Stockholm, not to mention soaking up some recent World Cup history in historic St Petersburg where there are visits to the Hermitage Museum, St Isaac Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, or the battleship Aurora.

The 1,250-passenger Magellan sets sail from Liverpool to find the sunshine on 29^th July with a 12-night cruise to Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar. A day exploring Cádiz - where Spanish galleons departed the Old World in search of the New – is much better than any geography or history lesson; so too is Gibraltar - the most famous rock in the world - and a vignette of Britain - with unrivalled duty-free shopping. Magellan departs again from Liverpool on 10^th August for a 15-night sailing to the Canary Islands and Madeira. In Tenerife you can journey through the moonscape of the Mount Teide National Park, while kids will revel in a day out at the water kingdom that is Siam Park. Gibraltar is also on the itinerary along with Lisbon.

Last year CMV introduced two speciality dining experiences - the Grill and Fusion restaurants on board Columbus. Fusion is CMV’s first journey into Indian cuisine and the Grill offers fine dining and a choice of prime cuts selected by the Well Hung Meat Company. Such has been the success, that a Fusion restaurant has also been added on board Magellan. If you fancy a family break that won’t break the bank, speak to our experienced team on 0800 484 0370. 

Gary Buchanan