Transocean Tours | Marco Polo | Norwegian Ffords- a spectacular view

Friday 21st November 2008

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Norwegian Ffords- a spectacular view
Reviewed By: Entwistle, Shepperton on 30th Jun 2008
Cruise Line: Transocean Tours	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Marco Polo	Sailed: May, 2008
Destination: Norwegian Fjords	Age: 46-55

I have recently returned from a Norwegian Ffords cruise on Marco Polo which overall I enjoyed. As the ship had recently been taken over by Transocean Tours and the staff were all new and from East European Counties, they did find things hard to grasp. I previously went to the Ffords with Page and Moy on the Ocean Majesty which was a very friendly, well organised ship. I do think the entertainment shows on the Marco Polo were much better than the Ocean Majesty as the costumes were all brand new and very glamourous. The only problem with most of the staff was that being Eastern European, they didn't understand English very well. On the Ocean Majesty the comedian was Tom O'Connor, who was obviously very funny and very friendly around the ship all week. That ship was obviously geared up for the English traveller but both ships organised very good tours and although they could be a bit expensive, they are worth going on as the local agents know where to take you so as to enjoy the best of the area. My last trip was in August and this time it was May, so the scenery was very different. In May we travelled through and overland in the snow, which was quite spectacular. I didn't think there would be so much snow still there! The weather was also much better than in August. We had sun every day and no sign of any rain! The crossing on the North Sea was also mild unlike in August. I did take the wrong clothes as I assumed it would be cold in May and instead I got burnt! I think I enjoyed it because the weather was so good and the snow scenery up on the mountains was so great. If the Marco Polo can sort out its teething problems with the new staff, it should be an enjoyable ship. Being a smaller ship it doesn't have the same facilities as larger ships like 24hr eating, midnight spectacular buffets, more lounges and larger pool areas, the pool being closed all week?,but with smaller ships they are able to get up the smaller Ffords which the views are so much better than the larger ones that the larger ships have to go up. The Ffords are definately a must for anyone of any age to enjoy, as the Ffords come to you and not you travelling on a coach to visit the area. You can see everything from the ship if you are not able to get off easily.I have been on a lot of cruises and I enjoy them all for different reasons.
Quality of Food
Breakfast in the buffet restaurant. Dinner in the main restaurant.
Entertainment
Eastern European entertainment shows were very good each night. No English entertainers or comedians. Main cruise director was the only English person.
Shore Excursions
The excursion from Vik to Flam overland across the snow capped mountains with lunch at Voss was definately the best trip.The other excursion from Ulvik to Eidford was also good. We did our own trip around Bergen as I had been there before and knew where to go.
Staff
As the staff were all new, none of them were impressive. The only one we found helpful was our waiter in the main restaurant each evening.
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities
Onboard activites were a bit lacking. The only pool was closed all week. The jacuzzi's were open on the top deck but obviously couldn't cater for many. There wasn't many waiting staff around during the day to take drink orders on deck.
Cabins
Cabin was okay. The bathroom could do with replacement sink as it was cracked. The toiletries weren't replaced each day, only soap. There was only one chambermaid doing most of the cleaning on my side of the deck. She was very busy during the day. On previous ships the busboys and cabin boys are very attentive to your needs. Here it was lacking.
Overall Rating

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by Coulter, Glasgow (30 Jun 08 15:14) about this REVIEW

Having cruised many times on the Marco Polo (my favourite ship) when it was operated by Orient Lines. I travelled last May to the Fjords with Transocean, again on another old ship that I had cruised on before, but it would break my heart to travel with them on Marco Polo, as they will change the whole ambiance of the vessel. It is a sign of the times that all the older ships are being sold off to be replaced by huge ships tjat resemble a container ship painted white. Have travelled on 4 ships in the past 12 months and only one had the character of Marco Polo. Hope Transocean soon get their act together.

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by Entwistle, Shepperton (06 Jul 08 12:40) about a COMMENT by Coulter (30 Jun 08 15:14)

If you like smaller ships, why not try the Ocean Majesty from Page and Moy. It is a very friendly ship, the staff and entertainers are very helpful and they also come out on tours during the day with you. We had Tom O'Connor out with us and he was very amusing! The entertainment staff are all English and the waiting staff and cabin boys are so attentive to you needs.Give it a go.

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