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Marco Polo Smokescreen!
 
Reviewed By: Modica, Ashford on 19th Nov 2009
Cruise Line: Cruise & Maritime Voyages Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Marco Polo Sailed: October, 2009
Destination: Caribbean Age: 56-65
Cabin: Outside
We recently returned from the Caribbean sailing on the Marco Polo. Following on from "Cancer Cruise" review, the Marco Polo allocates one side of the ship for smokers, both inside and out. However, they obviously forgot to tell the smoke to stay on the smoking side. The trip was what we expected from an older vessel. The evening entertainment was spectacular with the singing and dancing troup. There was also some additional entertainment later in the evening which helped to extend the day and was quite good. During sea days there was only a limited programme of events, far less than on similar ships that we have sailed with. The programme was also very repetitive. The cost of spa treatments seemed to be exhorbitant so consequently they spent most of their time sitting around waiting for the odd customer. Food on board was acceptable but not Cordon Bleu! Breakfast was usually very good with plenty of choice. Lunch and dinner were less so. There seemed to be an overload of salt in the meals, especially if they came served with a sauce. Afternoon tea was rather a joke. The cakes and savoury snacks were laughable and it was often much quicker to go to the self serve tea/coffee station than to wait to be served. Cunard have this taped! The cabins were fine with plenty of room but with limited storage space. We were OK because we had a larger cabin, othjers only had a single wardrobe between two people. The vast majority of rooms were for single beds with only a few doubles available. Stipulate you want a room that makes into a double and disregard the schematic map on their web site. It shows many rooms that are supposed to be doubles but in fact they cannot be re-configured. All in all this was a great holiday, we met some really nice people, those that were not complaining about the Germans on board. They have been taken over by a British company so the British/German mix probably will not happen again. Hope this helps people likely to travel with the Marco Polo and does not put too much of a negative outlook.
Quality of Food2
Entertainment5
Shore Excursions4
Staff3
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities1
Cabins3
Overall Rating3
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Question by walch, sheffield (18 Dec 09 18:06) about this REVIEW
Can someone advise me on the up to date smoking regulation on the Marca Polo. If there are no smoking regulations I would not use this ship as I hate to be around any smoke at all.
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Answer by Modica, Ashford (06 Jan 10 13:50) to a QUESTION by walch (18 Dec 09 18:06)
Hi "Walch", when we were on the Marco polo basically one side of the ship was for smokers and the other for non-smokers. This was the practice throughout the ship. It must be said that when we boarded her she was owned by a German company, things may have changed since being taken over by a British company called "Cruise and Maritime Services, 1279 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 2AH. So perhaps check their web site for up to date info. James
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Question by Lyall, Gourock (03 Dec 09 09:43) about this REVIEW
Which British company has taken over the Marco Polo?
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Answer by Modica, Ashford (05 Dec 09 10:09) to a QUESTION by Lyall (03 Dec 09 09:43)
Hello Lyall, The company is called "Cruise and Maritime Voyages", or "Cruise and Maritime Services International Ltd., they are based in Clements House, 1279 London Road, Leigh-on-sea, Essex SS9 2AH. Hope this helps you. James
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Comment by Lyall, Gourock (06 Dec 09 18:40) about an ANSWER by Modica (05 Dec 09 10:09)
James, Thank you for your reply. We have many happy memories of the ship when it belonged to Orient Lines, but were put off returning with the adverse comments. Thanks again, Rosemary
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Question by newson, whittlesey (25 Nov 09 17:43) about this REVIEW
hi can you tell what trips are worth going on and prices and drink prices on board thanks lorraine
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Answer by Modica, Ashford (26 Nov 09 11:47) to a QUESTION by newson (25 Nov 09 17:43)
Hi Lorraine, the tours were for the Caribbean obviously and ranged from about £49 to £95. We only took two official tours and they were very well organised and probably worth the money. We went on one tour which included lunch and that was excellent. I am not a serious drinker so I am not too sure about bar prices. However, people told us that the beer was expensive although it did not seen that way to me. Wine at the dinner table was about £15 per bottle but it was possible to purchase it at one of the bars cheaper and the somelier would cork it and save it with no problems or charges. Hope this helps and may you have a wonderful holiday. James
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Comment by speight, Leeds (19 Nov 09 15:58) about this REVIEW
The Marco Polo has always been my favourite small ship with no adverse comments! but my last cruise was in 2007 before it changed hands and still had the wonderful filipino crew. As a single traveller the single supplement was the best at sea being 25% but on hoping to book this year I was horrified to find it is now 100%. so sorry but my love affairs has now ended unless the new owners can see sense. What do previous satisfield cruisers think?
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Comment by Colville, Kenilworth (20 Nov 09 21:38) about a COMMENT by speight (19 Nov 09 15:58)
My husband and I had our very first cruise on Marco Polo in April this year to the Norwegian Fjords,we couldn't fault the ship.We have booked our second cruise with the Marco Polo in April next year to the Med.My sister-in-law who has never been on a cruise before wanted to cruise with us,when she enquired about the single supplement she was so shocked by the price of the cabin.Sadly my sister-in-law won't be cruising with us.I think single travellers get a raw deal.
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