BOOK BY 30TH JUNE AND CLAIM SIX FREE BOTTLES OF WINE WITH PROMO CODE: LAUNCHWINE
Join Columbus in Tilbury and relax on board as she begins an unforgettable cruise north to Iceland. Set in splendid isolation on the edge of the Arctic Circle, halfway between Europe and North America, Iceland is a fascinating, stunning island-nation where geothermal heat is used to warm vast greenhouses filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, little cities buzz with energy and enthusiasm, and the rugged landscape manages to be at once forbidding and unimaginably beautiful.You’ll sail around the Icelandic coast, discovering different aspects of the island’s history and rugged beauty as you call at four fascinating ports, including its capital, Reykjavík. You’ll also call at the stunning North Sea island ports of Tórshavn and Lerwick, and begin your cruise with a visit to Rotterdam and a day spent strolling alongside its harbourside, exploring its museums, and relaxing in its cafés and bars.
Save Up To 40%
Holiday Highlights
Iceland's spectacular landscape & lively cities
Calling at seven delightful ports
Three long summer days relaxing at sea
Colourful Reykjavík, nestling by the waters of its "Smoky Bay"
The Dutch maritime city, Rotterdam
Toytown-like Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroes
Lerwick, in the rugged Shetland Islands
Calls in the fascinating Icelandic ports of Seyðisfjörður, Akureyri and Ísafjörður
What's Included
12 nights' accommodation in your choice of cabin
Delicious full board cuisine
Afternoon teas and late night snacks
Captain’s Cocktail Party (cruises of 6 nights or more)
Self service tea & coffee (6am to midnight)
Big show entertainment, cabarets and classical interludes
Daytime activities and leisure facilities
Guest speaker and arts & crafts (cruises of 5 nights or more)
Porterage of luggage, port to cabin
Port Taxes
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from London Tilbury Depart: 1600hrs
Board Columbus in Tilbury, today, and settle in to your cabin as she prepares to set sail.
Day 2
Rotterdam, Netherlands Arrive: 0900hrs
Depart: 1800hrs
Columbus' first port is the Dutch maritime city of Rotterdam. Step ashore to see the stunning architecture of the Erasmus Bridge and the remarkable Markthal food market. Browse the World-class museums, explore the lovingly preserved Old Harbour and stroll past nearby Delfshaven's step-gabled houses and ancient wharves.
Day 3
At sea Spend today relaxing on board.
Day 4
Lerwick, Shetland Isles Arrive: 0700hrs
Depart: 1700hrs
Your next port is the Shetland capital, Lerwick. Spend time exploring this rugged but enchanting town, or join an excursion to the 3,000 year-old archaeological site at Jarlshof, with its Bronze and Iron Age remains.
Day 5
Tórshavn, Faroes Arrive: 0900hrs
Depart: 1600hrs
Tiny, Toytown-like Tórshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands. Explore its confusion of lanes, narrow passages and black-tarred houses with green turf on the roofs, or join an excursion, perhaps to cross the famous Bridge across the Atlantic connecting the main island of Streymoy with the spectacular scenery and ancient wooden churches of smaller Eysturoy.
Day 6
Seyðisfjörður, Iceland Arrive: 1200hrs
Depart: 1800hrs
Today Columbus arrives in Iceland, stopping in the stunning natural harbour of Seyðisfjörður, one of Iceland's most beautiful coastal locations. From here ferries and a sub-ocean telephone cable connect Iceland to the outside world. Wander the streets lined with Norwegian-style houses or head inland to discover yet more breathtaking countryside.
Day 7
Akureyri, Iceland Arrive: 0900hrs
Depart: 1900hrs
Akureyri, on Iceland's rugged north coast, is a thriving winter sports centre and home to a fascinating Botanical Garden. The area beyond is wondrously scenic, and today's excursion, to the Goðafoss Falls and volcanic Lake Myvatn, will highlight many of its delights.
Day 8
Ísafjörður, Iceland Arrive: 0800hrs
Depart: 1700hrs
This morning Columbus arrives in tiny, exquisite Ísafjörður, the capital of the Westfjords area, and gateway to the magical, mystical land of West Iceland from which Norse sailors set out to discover Greenland and the New World.
Day 9
Reykjavík, Iceland Arrive: 0700hrs
Depart: 2000hrs
Reykjavík is the world's northernmost capital. Its brightly painted wooden buildings contrast sharply with the stunning beauty of its setting beneath Mount Ejsa. Step ashore to explore, take the lift to the top of the Hallgrímskirkja Church for a panoramic view, or visit the fascinating Arbaer Folk Museum and the Saga Museum as Columbus spends the day here.
Day 10-12
At sea The next three days are spent at sea, no doubt reliving the memories of your cruise holiday as Columbus heads for home.
Day 13
Arrive back at London Tilbury Arrive: 0800hrs
Bid farewell to Columbus and all your fellow travellers, today, as you disembark at the end of your cruise.
Columbus
Weighing in at 63,000 tonnes and 250 metres, Columbus is the biggest ship in the CMV fleet. Originally launched in 1989 (by Audrey Hepburn), she was extensively refitted in 2015, and now offers 1500 passengers spacious accommodation and elegant communal areas arranged over 12 decks and topped off with the panoramic Dome Observatory.
Terms and conditions
This offer applies to new bookings on ocean cruises of four days or more made between 20th February and 30th June 2020 (inclusive) only. Your six bottles of free wine will be added to your order when you apply the promo code LAUNCHWINE and will be confirmed before purchase. Your wine will be dispatched within 30 days of your holiday return date. If you cancel your holiday, your free wine will not be dispatched. One case of free wine per booking. No cash equivalent can be given. Newmarket Holidays reserves the right to supply wine that is different to that shown for promotional purposes, but guarantee the value will remain the same. Free wine is not available on bookings with postal addresses in the Channel Islands. Free Wine applicable for over 18s only. By choosing free wine you are agreeing that you will provide a valid address and will allow us to send this and any other necessary data to Virgin Wines for the sole purpose of fulfilling the order of the free wine. Virgin Wines will not use this information for any other purpose. Newmarket Holidays will use this data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Offers are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. The terms and conditions in our Booking Conditions do not apply to any matters concerning the provision of the free wine.
Foreign Office travel advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Passport requirements
British Citizens will need a full, 10-year passport to travel on this cruise. Since some countries require visitors to be valid for at least six months after the return date of the cruise we recommend that all customers ensure that this is the case. Holders of non-British passports should check with the relevant embassies to see if any requirements and restrictions exist for any countries visited during the cruise.