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Cruising the Baltic
 
Reviewed By: Morgan, Canvey island on 26th Aug 2009
Cruise Line: Cruise & Maritime Voyages Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Marco Polo Sailed: July, 2009
Destination: Baltic Age: 65+
Cabin: Outside Occasion: Annual/regular holiday
We set sail on the Marco Polo on 14th July 2009 not knowing until the day before whether or not the journey would go ahead, because of the sickness problems which had been experienced on the ship during the previous journey. We found the boarding process the speediest ever experienced and found our cabin easily. We had a lovely outside cabin which was very spacious to the point that I did not have enough clothes to fill all the draws. The cabins were immaculate. We set off to find our way around the ship and watched from the deck as we set sail at 5 pm. We had the lifeboat drill and we were off.
We had most of our meals in the Waldorf restaurant as we were waited upon by a lovely band of waiters/waitresses who were unfailingly polite and helpful and never stopped smiling. The only draw back to the dining room was that you had to be there at 6 pm or 8.30 pm and if you were too early you had to stand in line and if you were too late you were not allowed in. The food was of excellent quality and quantity and there were enough choices to please us all. We had our breakfast and lunches in the Bistro upstairs where you could help yourself to any quantity of food you desired.
The trips off the ship were very well organised and enjoyable. We liked all of them, but mostly St. Petersburg as this was the reason we went on this cruise in the first place. We enjoyed two full days in this wonderful city and had two meals in local restaurants. Both meals were beef stroganoff but tasted totally different. Good experience though. Unfortunately the noro virus struck again during our voyage, but I found this outbreak was extremely well managed by the staff. Affected people had to stay in their cabins and food was delivered and bed linen changed daily. On departure from the ship there were checks that those affected did not leave and so spread the virus. The Bistro was closed for 3 days to stop the sickness spreading and all was managed very capably, although there were long queues for the Waldorf restaurant which now had to cope wwith all passengers.
The evening entertainment was exceedingly professional and I would rate it as good as any West End show. The dancers were totally amazing and so disciplined, I could not wait to finish my dinner and go to the theatre. There was also lots of entertainment in different parts of the ship during the day and evening. There were quizes, demonstrations from the well-being centre, crosswords, dance lessons to name but a few. There was a library on board to choose your books and the shops were open on a daily basis, although they were rather overpriced.
In the evenings you could choose from the photograph gallery the pictures that were taken when you went on-shore. There were also several formal evenings were we could wear our long dresses and dinner jackets and they were splendid occasions. We did meet the captain on one of these but for the rest of the journey he stayed invisble. We would have liked some comments from the bridge with regard to our whereabouts and what was visible on the shore as we passed and to see some of the staff mingle with passengers on deck. We had several deck parties which were organised by our cruise director Richard, who was absolutely amazing and so very talented.
We came back home with so many new impressions and wonderful memories and already looking forward to our next cruise on the Marco Polo, cannot wait!!!
Quality of Food4
Entertainment5
Shore Excursions5
St. Petersburg, breathtaking
Staff5
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities4
Cabins5
Overall Rating5
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